Features
Occupied vs. Unoccupied Habitat: Sometimes, It's Hard To Tell
Because of the statutory constraints the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) faced and the unique characteristics of vernal pools and the species that inhabit them, the FWS appropriately made a critical habitat designation in a manner consistent with the scientific evidence available, although it did not designate which protected areas were occupied or unoccupied by the endangered species.
Features
Construction & Renovation
In-depth comment on this important practice area.
Features
Breach of Professional Duty Claims Survive
In <i>Charnay v. Cobert</i> '- Cal.Rptr.3d '', 2006 WL 3410818 (Cal.App. 2 Dist., 11/28/06) (Perluss, P.J.), the trial court erred by sustaining a demurrer to a former client's suit against the law firm that represented her as she adequately alleged, inter alia, legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty.
Features
Impact Fees As CEQA Mitigation
Properly administered impact fee programs can operate to streamline California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of later development projects. At the same time, impact fee programs that are not implemented in accordance with the original expectations, or that are founded upon unrealistic assumptions, may offer the lead agency and affected applicant little or no real legal relief, and may be a trap for the unwary.
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Litigation
Recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.
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SCRA in Child Custody Cases
Ongoing United States military involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the globe forces military parents to make important and sometimes difficult decisions with regard to their children. The current state of world affairs has resulted in increased deployment of active duty military members and increased activation and deployment of military reservists and National Guard members. Among other things, the mobilization of a military parent may result in the need for legal counsel to deal with complicated child custody issues. As a result, family lawyers dealing with military families must familiarize themselves with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
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Enforcing Jurisdiction Clauss in the EU
In a recent development that will likely be of interest to companies conducting business in Europe, the American Bar Association has recently urged the U.S. government to sign, ratify and implement the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements (the 'Choice of Court Convention'). The Choice of Court Convention accomplishes many goals that have long been sought by the United States. Most importantly, it provides a mechanism for the recognition of certain judgments rendered by U.S. courts, namely judgments resolving a dispute arising out of a commercial agreement that was submitted pursuant to an exclusive choice of court agreement. (See American Bar Association, Recommendation adopted by the House of Delegates (Aug. 7-8, 2006), at www.abanet.org/intlaw/policy/investment/hcca0806.pdf.)
Features
The Price of Holiday Parties
Now that the holiday season is over, employers may be facing fallout from their holiday parties. Although a review of recent cases asserting social host and workers' compensation liability reveals few reported decisions, there is likely no corresponding reduction in risk, and the increasing number of employers hosting holiday parties in recent years prompts an analysis of the challenges employers face in planning their annual holiday parties. It is not too soon to plan for next year's celebrations, while the experience from this year is fresh. This article discusses illustrative cases and suggests a number of concrete steps employers may wish to consider to reduce injuries and potential liabilities in planning their next holiday parties.
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