Features
Substantial Contribution Claims
In two recent decisions, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas clarified the subjective standards regarding a creditor's entitlement to an allowed administrative expense under ' 503(b)(3) and (4) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Texas Rangers: A Big Changeup on Impairment?
The concept of "impairment" under a Chapter 11 plan has evolved since the Bankruptcy Code was enacted. A noteworthy step in that development was part of a ruling by the bankruptcy court overseeing the whirlwind Chapter 11 case of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers.
Pro Bono
This article discusses key considerations for firms that engage in <i>pro bono</i> work.
Budget Monitoring
For a law firm's budget to be a valuable financial planning tool, the firm must keep a close eye on its ongoing performance to budget throughout the year. Several measuring tools can help a firm do that. Here is a closer look at a few of them.
Managing the Tax Planning Process to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises
This article provides a step-by-step process to ensure a smooth year-end tax planning process.
IP News
Highlights of the latest intellectual property news from around the country.
Features
Joint Infringement Liability After Golden Hour Data Sys. v. emsCharts, Inc.
The Federal Circuit recently revisited the issue of joint infringement in <i>Golden Hour Data Sys. v. emsCharts, Inc.</i> The court's decision in that case illustrates one way in which vicarious liability may not close the loophole for liability avoidance through the use of multiple actors. Further, the decision shows that claim drafting alone does not end the joint infringement problem for patentees.
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MOST POPULAR STORIES
- The 'Sophisticated Insured' DefenseA majority of courts consider the <i>contra proferentem</i> doctrine to be a pillar of insurance law. The doctrine requires ambiguous terms in an insurance policy to be construed against the insurer and in favor of coverage for the insured. A prominent rationale behind the doctrine is that insurance policies are usually standard-form contracts drafted entirely by insurers.Read More ›
- A Lawyer's System for Active ReadingActive reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.Read More ›
- The Brave New World of Cybersecurity Due Diligence in Mergers and Acquisitions: Pitfalls and OpportunitiesLike poorly-behaved school children, new technologies and intellectual property (IP) are increasingly disrupting the M&A establishment. Cybersecurity has become the latest disruptive newcomer to the M&A party.Read More ›
- Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric CodeIn an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.Read More ›
- Guidance on Distributions As 'Disbursements' and U.S. Trustee FeesIn a recent case from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, In re Paragon Offshore PLC, the bankruptcy court provided guidance on whether a post-plan effective date litigation trust's distributions constituted disbursements subject to the U.S. Trustee fee "tax."Read More ›