The Third Annual MLF 50: The Top 50 Law Firms in Marketing and Communications
The long-awaited listing is here: Find out which firms made it on our vaunted Top 50 list -- and why.
Landlord & Tenant
A look at recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.
Features
Cooperatives & Condominiums
In-depth commentary on a key case.
Features
Index
A complete, easy-to-read review of this issue's contents.
Features
Race Discrimination and Mortgage Fraud
The crisis in the subprime mortgage markets has brought to light many allegations of predatory practices by mortgage lenders and other participants in the housing industry. In <i>Barkley v. Olympia Mortgage Co.</i>, Judge Raymond Dearie of the Eastern District approved a strategy that might permit some victims of the alleged fraud to obtain a federal forum, with the possibility of treble damages and attorneys fees: allege (and prove) that the predatory practices constituted a form of racial discrimination.
Decisions of Interest
Recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.
The Ever-Changing Custody Rights of Non-Biological Parents
The law concerning the custody rights of biological parents is complex and continually evolving and, along with that, the rights of non-biological parents are also in flux. Within the basic framework that supports the superior custodial rights of a biological parent, there may be many misconceptions and uncertainties about what set of facts may support custody for a non-parent. The implications of a non-parent having long-term de facto custody and the effect of a prior order of custody have been addressed in recent court decisions.
Features
Mediators and Separating Couples, Beware!
Mediation participants would be far more circumspect if they thought their discussions and disclosures could be used against them in a later judicial proceeding. With this in mind, let's consider the potential impact of a recent case in which the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, determined that a confidentiality clause in a divorcing couple's mediation agreement need not preclude the mediator from being compelled to give testimony in their subsequent divorce action.
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