LJN Newsletters

  • Cyberinsurance for Data Security Risks

    The harms that can result from computer security breaches are largely uncovered by the types of insurance policies most law firms maintain. Combined with the inadequate security most law firms provide for client data, the resultant risk exposure arguably violates legal professional ethics. A firm's failure to adequately protect computer-based master files, time-and-billing records, court filings, wills, powers of attorney, corporate records, and other client-related materials is a violation of bar association requirements to preserve client files and more generally a failure in the firm's overall duty to act competently in the best interests of its clients.

    September 28, 2007Ed Poll

  • Normalizing Mix Variables in Financial Data

    Most law firm managers understand the importance that business analysis plays in steering a firm toward success. However, as with so many things in life, a little bit of analysis can be a dangerous thing. Management reporting processes typically collect, organize, and ultimately combine data sets from different practice areas, offices, industries, etc. Superficial reports compare aggregate characteristics (e.g., top-line results) without identifying the varying components contained within the data sets and normalizing for these variables. This can lead those who examine such reports to draw misleading or even totally wrong conclusions.

    September 28, 2007Ron Paquette

  • How Widespread Is Unethical Billing?

    Aside from a few sensational disbarments and criminal prosecutions for overbilling, most evidence of billing irregularities is anecdotal. In order to provide a more precise assessment of the scope of the abuse of time-based billing by attorneys, I conducted nationwide surveys of outside counsel in 1991, 1995, and 2007. The large majority of respondents to all three surveys ' 82% in the most recent survey ' indicated that time-based billing was their dominant method of billing.

    September 28, 2007William G. Ross

  • Products As Witnesses

    Because of the importance of the 'crown jewels,' litigants should be assiduous in trying to locate and preserve the accident-involved product and in trying to assure the integrity of its custody and condition from the time of the accident. Indeed, a failure to do so can result in spoliation-of-evidence sanctions.

    September 28, 2007Michael Hoenig

  • Movers & Shakers

    News about lawyers and law firms in the product liability field.

    September 28, 2007ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |

  • Case Notes

    Highlights of the latest commercial leasing cases from around the country.

    September 28, 2007ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |

  • Forum Non Conveniens

    On July 31, 2007, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court affirmed the forum non conveniens dismissal of pharmaceutical product liability claims filed by 95 UK plaintiffs in In re Vioxx Litigation, Docket No. A-1731-06T1. The case involved allegations asserting personal injury claims allegedly caused by defendant Merck & Co., Inc.'s anti-inflammatory medicine, Vioxx'. This is a noteworthy forum non conveniens decision that could well have ramifications outside of New Jersey, particularly in other mass tort situations.

    September 28, 2007James J. 'J.' Ferrelli

  • Building a Fire Wall

    Part One of this series discussed the misuse of the public nuisance doctrine in product liability litigation. The conclusion addresses the rejection of these claims by courts in Missouri and New Jersey.

    September 28, 2007Eric G. Lasker

  • Practice Tip: Dealing with the Surprise Government Interview

    This article will help companies and their employees prepare for and, if necessary, deal with, a surprise interview by government agents conducted as part of an investigation of an allegedly defective product.

    September 28, 2007David M. Rosenfield and James A. Moss

  • Off-Label Promotion and Product Liability Considerations

    It is well documented that government bodies are scrutinizing companies' promotional efforts, particularly marketing of products for unapproved uses, commonly referred to as 'off-label promotion.' Of course, it is important for any company to consider the regulatory implications of disseminating off-label information. However, it is shortsighted for companies not to consider potential product liability implications of off-label promotion.

    September 28, 2007Alan G. Minsk and David L. Hoffman