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High Court to Hear Arguments on ERISA Beneficiary Designation Image

High Court to Hear Arguments on ERISA Beneficiary Designation

Mary Alice Robbins

In October 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments regarding whether a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act trumps a woman's voluntary waiver of her ex-husband's pension benefits, an issue that has divided federal appeals courts and left divorce lawyers unsure how to advise clients. This article provides an update.

Sole Custody's Soul, As Viewed by a Psychologist Image

Sole Custody's Soul, As Viewed by a Psychologist

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

In a response to an article from our December Issue, psychologist David A. Martindale states that "parental concerns with such issues as 'image' must be seen by our courts for what they are: distractions. In cases involving custody and access, our courts are obligated to focus on the best interests of the children whose parents have brought the disputes to court.

Movers & Shakers Image

Movers & Shakers

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Who's going where; who's doing what.

Toxic Plastics? Image

Toxic Plastics?

Heather J. Van Meter

Canada recently became the first country in the world to limit exposure to bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical found in numerous plastic products. The same month, the FDA decided to conduct further studies on BPA. These events may mark a dramatic change in official categorization and treatment of the chemical after decades of scientific and public debate. It may also result in new litigation across the country.

Features

Practice Tip: Expert Witness Selection Image

Practice Tip: Expert Witness Selection

James H. Rotondo & Andrea E. K. Thomas

This article briefly outlines the historical development of the federal rules relating to expert witness discovery, discusses evolving judicial interpretations of the scope of expert witness discovery, provides a sampling of federal and state court rulings as to various types of expert witness discovery requests, and offers practical advice in respect to managing expert witness discovery.

Features

The 2009 PhRMA Code on Interactions with Health Care Professionals Image

The 2009 PhRMA Code on Interactions with Health Care Professionals

Eric H. Sussman & Adrienne Gonzalez

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ("PhRMA") recently issued a revised version of its Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals that took effect on Jan. 1, 2009 ("revised Code"). Here's a look at the revisions.

Religious Accommodations in the Workplace Image

Religious Accommodations in the Workplace

John D. Shyer & Amy S. Donovan

On July 22, 2008, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") issued a revised Compliance Manual Section regarding religious discrimination in the workplace. This article provides a general overview of the Manual and examines its guidance on the definition of "religion" as well as an employer's obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation.

'Protected Activity' Under Title VII Image

'Protected Activity' Under Title VII

Gregory R. Fidlon

Is an employee who cooperates in an employer's internal investigation of sexual harassment is protected by the opposition and participation clauses of Section 704(a) of Title VII. 42 U.S.C. ' 2000e-3(a)? A review of the Supreme Court's ruling in <i>Crawfordv. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.</i>

SEC Enforcement Settlements to Hit Three-Year High Image

SEC Enforcement Settlements to Hit Three-Year High

Marcia Coyle

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement action settlements were expected to hit a three-year high in 2008, according to a new study released by a New York economic consulting firm. Here are the statistics.

Finding Your Way Through Discovery By Data Mapping Image

Finding Your Way Through Discovery By Data Mapping

Brett Tarr

There are ways that in-house counsel can proactively prepare for litigation and regulatory and compliance issues, easing the burden of discovery while increasing the defensibility of their processes and procedures. Developing a data map of an organization's information flow is one important step.

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    In 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.
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