Features

In-depth analysis of recent rulings.

Features

Everything contained in this issue, in an easy-to-read format.

On March 14, 2008, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its 'Proposed Rule to Simplify and Improve the Process of Obtaining Mortgages and Reduce Consumer Settlement Costs' (Docket No. FR-5180-P-01, 73 Fed. Reg. 14030). If this Rule takes effect, it would drastically change the way residential mortgage transactions are conducted.

Non-discretionary advancement policies provide officers and directors with the necessary resources to resist unjustified lawsuits. At the same time, they encourage highly qualified people to serve as officers and directors, 'secure in the knowledge that the corporation will absorb the costs of defending their honesty and integrity.'

Three years ago, two similarly minded district court decisions rocked federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice (DOJ) by rejecting longstanding assumptions about the proper conduct of simultaneous civil and criminal investigations, commonly known as 'parallel proceedings.' This article analyzes those decisions.

Features

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

Features

The bench and bar are well acquainted with the principles of <i>stare decisis</i> and controlling precedent, but after nearly 25 years, we have yet to definitely settle the question of the precise binding effect and precedential value of decisions issued by one of the most misunderstood tribunals within the federal court system, the bankruptcy appellate panels (BAPs). A recent bankruptcy court decision from Ohio reminds us that the controversy goes on unabated ...

Features

This article explains, in the bankruptcy litigation context, the probate exception, an arcane and traditionally misunderstood common law exception to federal jurisdiction.