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Features

Index

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

A complete, easy-to-read review of this issue's contents.

Features

Race Discrimination and Mortgage Fraud

Stewart E. Sterk

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

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.

The Ever-Changing Custody Rights of Non-Biological Parents

David M. Rosoff

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!

Janice G. Inman

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.

Oral Modifications of Separation Agreements

Benjamin E. Schub

Separation agreements in matrimonial actions often contain provisions prohibiting oral modification or waiver of their terms. These provisions usually contain language to the effect that 'no modifications, waiver or termination of any of the terms of this stipulation shall be valid unless in writing and executed with the same formality as this agreement.' Despite such language, are there any possible scenarios under which the terms of such an agreement can be modified or waived without a written agreement? The answer may surprise you.

Movers & Shakers

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

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

Features

Verdicts

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Recent rulings in med mal cases.

Features

Drug & Device News

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Recent news you need to know.

Features

WV Supreme Court Invokes Learned Intermediary Doctrine

Nancy Sher Cohen & Rene I. Siemens

Last year, pharmaceutical companies reportedly spent $4.5 billion on direct advertising to consumers, or about 400 times more than they spent 20 years ago. Drug company spending on advertising to consumers is increasing twice as fast as spending on promotions to physicians or on the research and development of new drugs. Given this exponential growth in direct-to-consumer advertising, it is hardly surprising that prescription drug makers' traditional immunity from consumer 'failure-to-warn' claims has increasingly come under assault.

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