When two law firms undertake merger discussions, they eventually exchange financial information. Here, we have compiled a short list of do's and don'ts to combat avoidable problems related to merger financials.
November 29, 2007Jonathan S. Kuo
Last year, we informed readers of the rediscovery by some partners in multi-state partnerships of the benefits of becoming a professional corporation ('PC') partner in their law firms, primarily to obtain state income tax savings. New York recently enacted legislation that would potentially adversely affect that strategy, including those who incorporated long before the legislation was passed, and it is unclear whether other states may follow.
November 29, 2007Sheldon I. BanoffNews about lawyers and law firms in the franchising industry.
November 29, 2007ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |Highlights of the latest franchising news from around the country.
November 29, 2007ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |Highlights of the latest franchising cases from around the country.
November 29, 2007Cynthia M. KlausOn the strength of a substantial body of real-world experience with arbitration as a dispute-resolution norm, many franchisors are asking whether their dogged pursuit of arbitration was actually a mistake.
November 29, 2007Michael BowenFor franchisors who do business consistent with a few critical (and largely common-sense) rules, freedom from excessive lawsuits and from truly damaging litigation results is not out of reach.
November 29, 2007John Edward Connelly, William L. Killion and Brian B. SchnellReverse engineering of competitor products has always played a large and important role in any successful assertive patent licensing program. However, new developments in the patent licensing arena are making reverse engineering much more vital and often necessary for any company seeking to capitalize on its intellectual property assets.
November 29, 2007Terry LudlowThe track to the CEO's office has changed as the key determinants of competitive advantage have changed. Over the past few years, sales, marketing, engineering, and most recently, finance have serially been the corporate lines through which proto-CEOs have risen through the ranks. With intangibles now providing the competitive advantage, perhaps the next trend in CEO-spotting will take place in the IP suite.
November 29, 2007Nir KossovskyThis article examines Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, which arguably expands the law on claim scope disclaimers. Thus, based on Hakim, when filing an RCE or continuation to broaden claims, care must be taken to ensure that any possible disavowal is unequivocally rescinded. Succinctly asking the examiner to reconsider prior art and noting that the current amendments broaden the claims, after a clear disavowal of claim scope is present, may not always be enough.
November 29, 2007Matthew Siegal and Natalie McClurg