Mac's Shell Service, Inc. v. Shell Oil Products: Looking for the Practical Answer
Even though franchising represents a significant part of the commercial activity in the United States and the U.S. Supreme Court regularly considers legal issues pertaining to commerce, it's rare for the Court to hear a case that is directly related to franchising. But such a rarity took place on Jan. 19, 2010, in <i>Mac's Shell Service Inc. v. Shell Oil Products Co.</i> Craig R. Tractenberg, a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP, was in attendance, and he describes the oral argument.
Alternative Fees
The desire among senior corporate counsel and management to control costs has pushed consideration of alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) to the forefront. Some estimates suggest that within five years, as much as half the Am Law 200 revenue might come from AFAs.
The 'Faithless Servant' Doctrine
Applying the "faithless servant doctrine," the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently permitted an employer to recover compensation it had paid to a high-level executive who had been the subject of numerous sexual harassment complaints by other employees.
Features
Employment Rights of Domestic Violence Victims
Several states have enacted laws to protect the employment rights of domestic violence victims, New York among them. Here's why.
Defending Spoliation Claims
The duty to adopt appropriate measures to preserve relevant evidence arises when a party receives notice of or reasonably anticipates litigation. Significantly, the preservation obligation can occur well before a lawsuit is actually filed.
Features
Eleventh Circuit Nixes Sex Harassment Claims
Late last year, the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion that the lawyer for the plaintiffs in the case says virtually eliminates sexual harassment claims in the federal courts for Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Employer's Failure to Give Notice of Claim Bars Insurance Coverage
An increasing number of employers have begun purchasing insurance, sometimes referred to as "employment practices liability insurance" (EPLI), or as a rider to a directors and officers liability policy, to cover any employment claims that arise in the workplace.
In the Courts
National rulings of importance to you and your practice.
Heightened FCPA Exposure for Executives
In enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the standards are continuously evolving, leaving corporate executives increasingly preoccupied with how prosecutors and regulators might view their activities. Some executives say this issue keeps them up at night.
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