Features
Defending Against Trade Secret Misappropriation Lawsuits
There are several often-overlooked strategies for defending against trade-misappropriation claims. The first I call the Trade Secret Per Se Doctrine. The second pertains to open-source software. Both of these strategies need to be fully considered in appropriate trade-secret misappropriation cases, to which e-commerce counsel are no strangers.
Wyeth: The Plaintiff's Perspective
The authors claim that <i>Wyeth v. Levine</i> is a major victory for consumer advocates and champions of the civil justice system. Here's why.
Features
Lawful Data-Mining of Social Networks
Blogs simultaneously provide Internet users with social-network prospects and employers with a previously unavailable source of information suitable for employment-assessment decisions. And it's in this intersection on the Information Superhighway where often occurs a collision of worlds, perspectives and direction that frequently cripples or kills prospects, and individuals' aspirations. Employees of e-commerce companies aren't immune to such collisions, nor are agents of the companies who gather data on prospective or current employees, if they go about their work unlawfully, or in other improper ways that could lead to legal or other types of regulatory action.
Features
Practice Tip: The Fine Art of Safely Lifting Litigation Holds
This article explores some of the legal and practical considerations that go into lifting a litigation hold and minimizing the risk of the activity.
Features
Opinion: Supreme Court Botches Preemption Case
The Supreme Court handed down its decision last month in the case of <i>Wyeth v. Levine</i>, ruling that federal law did not bar plaintiff Diana Levine from suing pharmaceutical maker Wyeth over allegedly insufficient drug safety warnings, even though the warnings had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This decision establishes the troubling precedent that a sympathetic jury can now supersede the expert opinions of the FDA on what qualifies as adequate safety labeling.
Features
The Leasing Hotline
Recent cases of interest to you and your practice.
Features
President Obama and Sustainability
The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States has many historic overtones. However, with an economic recession that is just as historic, a real estate industry in near freefall and a country questioning its energy sources and uses, how will Obama's policies impact commercial construction projects over the next several years?
Who Is Master of a Master Lease?
During the recent cycle of real estate financings, a popular structure emerged to segregate the real estate assets from the operating assets of a company. The structure became commonly known as an Opco/Propco transaction.
Features
In the Spotlight: Bankruptcy Strategies for Commercial Landlords, Tenants, Lenders, and Real Estate Investors
This is the second in a series dealing with the subject of bankruptcy strategies and considerations for commercial landlords, tenants, lenders and real estate investors. These alerts are intended to highlight for our readers some of the key issues they should consider in connection with the subjects discussed.
Features
Real Estate Downturn Causes Lawyers to Adapt
Now faced with such a dramatic and sudden change, real estate attorneys are left wondering what to do. The transactional practice that was so good to so many for so long is no longer there. A look at how these attorneys can redirect the focus of their practices to adapt to the changing times.
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- Coverage Issues Stemming from Dry Cleaner Contamination SuitsIn recent years, there has been a growing number of dry cleaners claiming to be "organic," "green," or "eco-friendly." While that may be true with respect to some, many dry cleaners continue to use a cleaning method involving the use of a solvent called perchloroethylene, commonly known as perc. And, there seems to be an increasing number of lawsuits stemming from environmental problems associated with historic dry cleaning operations utilizing this chemical.Read More ›
- 'Insurable Interest' and the Scope of First-Party CoverageThis article reviews the fundamental underpinnings of the concept of insurable interest, and certain recent cases that have grappled with the scope of insurable interest and have articulated a more meaningful application of the concept to claims under first-party property policies.Read More ›
- The Flight to Quality and Workplace ExperienceThat the pace of change is "accelerating" is surely an understatement. What seemed almost a near certainty a year ago — that law firms would fully and permanently embrace work-from-home — is experiencing a seeming reversal. While many firms have, in fact, embraced hybrid operations, the meaning of hybrid has evolved from "office optional," to an average required 2 days a week, to now many firms coming out with four-day work week mandates — this time, with teeth.Read More ›
- AI or Not To AI: Observations from Legalweek NY 2023This year at Legalweek, there was little doubt on what the annual takeaway topic would be. As much as I tried to avoid it for fear of beating the proverbial dead horse, it was impossible not to talk about generative AI, ChatGPT, and all that goes with it. Some fascinating discussions were had and many aspects of AI were uncovered.Read More ›
- The Powerful Impact of The Non-Foreclosure Notice of PendencyRPAPL ' 1331 and RPAPL ' 1403 Notices of Pendency are requisite elements for foreclosing a mortgage. <i>See, Chiarelli v. Kotsifos</i>, 5 A.D.3d 345 (a notice of pendency is a prerequisite to obtaining a judgment in a mortgage foreclosure action); <i>Campbell v. Smith</i>, 309 A.D.2d 581, 582 (a notice of pendency is required in a foreclosure action under RPAPL Article 13). In contrast, an ex parte CPLR Article 65 Notice of Pendency (the "Notice") is not required but it is a significant tool in an action claiming title to, or an interest in or the use or enjoyment of, another's land. The filer does not have to make a meritorious showing or post a bond. Article 65 provides mechanisms for the defendant-owner to vacate the Notice that caused an unilaterally imposed restraint on its realty. But, recent case law establishes the near futility of such efforts if the plaintiff has satisfied the minimal statutory requisites for filing the Notice.Read More ›