Features
IFA Legal Symposium Tackles Wide Range of Issues
Rarely has the International Franchise Association ('IFA') Legal Symposium, come at a busier time for the franchise industry, as a wide range of legal and business issues are generating change at a rapid rate. The conference, which was held on May 12-13 in Washington, DC, addressed everything from green business practices to new disclosure regulations, and the protection of marks on the Internet to states' efforts to expand their ability to tax franchise activity.
Limits and Considerations in Control Groups
Control groups have become an almost required element in trademark surveys. Survey methodology, however, derives from the field of sociology and political science where there was no such concept of 'control' groups. The studies were designed to be descriptive of a phenomenon. As such, the surveys contained no 'controls,' but could still none the less offer useful information.
He Who Steals My Trash Pays Cash?
In this rather odd sentencing case, the Eighth Circuit trashed the restitution order that had been imposed by the District Court for the District of North Dakota on janitorial supervisor James A. Chalupnik. <i>United States v. Chalupnik,</i> 2008 WL 268997 (8th Cir. Feb. 1, 2008). Here's a discussion of the case.
Enforcement Issues Raised By Geographically Descriptive Marks
How do famous, but geographically descriptive, trademarks impact the ability of second-comers to trade off the fame of the location? A look at a recent ruling on this issue.
Decisions of Interest
Recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.
The Marital Residence
Crucial to any division of the marital residence (or other assets) is an understanding of the tax consequences attendant thereto. Unfortunately, relevant tax issues are at times not addressed by the parties or the court, resulting in further litigation over the allocation of tax debt.
Hearsay Evidence in Custody Cases
The rule against hearsay often presents roadblocks for counsel in contested custody and visitation cases, especially where the custodial parent frequently remarries or lives with a new partner. Understanding the rule and its implications is critical to the effective representation of a client in a custody matter.
Features
Psychological Fundamentals of Aggressive Custody Litigation
When child custody is contested, there are times when aggressive litigation is unavoidable. In such circumstances, how one approaches the litigation can vary substantially from case to case and from attorney to attorney.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the OfficeA trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.Read More ›
- Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel'Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel is a continuation of the discussion of client expectations and the disconnect that often occurs. And although the outside attorneys should be pursuing how inside-counsel actually think, inside counsel should make an effort to impart this information without waiting to be asked.Read More ›
- Divorce Lawyers' Obligation to ChildrenDo divorce lawyers have an obligation to disclose client confidences when it is in the best interests of the client's child to do so? The short answer of the rules of professional responsibility is 'no' because a 'yes' answer is deemed to be fundamentally inconsistent with the premises of the adversary system in which the divorce lawyer functions. The longer answer is that the rules encourage ' but do not require ' a divorce lawyer to counsel the client to authorize the disclosure because it is in the best interests of both parent and child.Read More ›
- Upping the Legal Training AnteWomble Carlyle's technology training and online learning programs were in need of an upgrade. Unprecedented firm growth, heightened emphasis on developing lawyers' core technology competencies, and a need to streamline and automate existing e-learning processes led the firm to initiate a fundamental shift.Read More ›