Features
Clinical Trial Transparency
There's a newly urgent push from outside the pharmaceutical research and development community to get drug firms to disclose the results of all tests conducted on new drugs, even those that don't lead to the marketing of new medications.
Case Briefing
Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.
Features
Rogue Online Drugstores
In last month's newsletter, we looked at the problems posed by online pharmaceutical distributors that do not follow good pharmacy practice. These "rogue" pharmaceutical sites may be buying expired, substandard, contaminated or counterfeited products. Some sell without requiring customers to present prescriptions. The consumer may not be receiving proper medical oversight, which can result in administration of incorrect dosages, wrong or contraindicated drugs, or medication without adequate directions for use. These activities risk the reputations of pharmaceutical manufacturers and put them in greater peril of being sued by consumers whose adverse medical reactions could have been avoided. So, what can be done about it? Part Two of a Two-Part Article.
Features
In the Spotlight: Don't Leave 'Air Quality' Out of the Lease
Air quality standards are frequently not satisfactorily addressed in leases, if they are addressed at all. Most sophisticated office leases will require a landlord to provide certain temperature and humidity levels during specified times. A typical clause provides that the landlord will provide HVAC service from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and perhaps from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Sometimes the actual dry and wet bulb temperature and humidity levels will be specified, and in other instances the lease will simply provide that temperature and humidity levels will be in accordance with first-class standards. These provisions, however, do not address air quality, including cooking odors or exhaust fumes which may infiltrate the building's air system and end up in a tenant's space.
Features
The Leasing Hotline
Highlights of the latest commercial leasing cases from around the country.
'Use Clauses' and the Bankruptcy Code: A Cautionary Tale
The recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Trak Auto Corporation ("Trak Auto"), the retail auto parts chain, has yielded a reported decision of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that offers some insights for landlords on how "use clauses" in leases will be put under the bankruptcy microscope. <i>In re Trak Auto Corporation</i>, 42 B.R. 255 (4th Cir. 2004).
Features
It's Just a Phase: Issues and Answers for Landlords When Phasing a Project
In today's larger community centers, the developer is often faced with the need to construct the shopping center in phases, either to ensure adequate tenancies before undertaking the next portion of the center or to negotiate a sale of a portion of the shopping center to a large department store user who has its own agenda on when to construct its store. In either case, it is necessary for the developer to address the construction timing of the various phases and to deal with the issue of whether certain phases will be built at all. This article focuses on certain provisions the landlord needs to incorporate into its leases to protect itself in these situations.
Some Less-Traveled Areas of Due Diligence for Commercial Tenants and Their Counsel
In addition to focusing upon the oft-quoted mantra about location, sophisticated commercial tenants often recognize that a well-drafted commercial lease can be worth its weight in gold. On the other hand, when seeking legal input focused upon the lease document, commercial tenants (and perhaps their counsel) sometimes overlook the full range of value that counsel can bring to the property selection due diligence process.
Features
Defining 'Spousal' Benefits
Recent moves by various cities, states, and municipalities to legalize or ban same-sex marriage have generated a flood of press, but little concrete advice as to the potential implications of these laws and related court rulings. The dearth of specific and actionable analysis of the implications of these shifts in the law places law firms, as well as most large enterprises, at a competitive disadvantage by forcing them to react as these laws change. This issue is an especially pressing one for large law firms with offices in many states because the definition of "spouse," and thus the availability of "spousal" benefits, may differ in diverse localities.
Mentoring Is Good For Law Firm Profitability
As a first year associate at a large law firm, I once asked a very successful junior partner the secret to his success. His response ' also the title to a Harvard Business Review article ' was: "Everyone who makes it has a mentor." That's when I noticed that he did indeed have a mentor ' a close working relationship with a very senior partner, who taught him how to achieve success in a law firm environment. Now, as a legal search consultant, I find that mentors are an increasingly important part of law firm life. Mentors boost overall firm profitability by helping associates ' among the firm's most valuable resources ' succeed. In fact, associates with long-term mentors are more likely to make it to the coveted partnership ranks. Thus, mentoring improves recruiting, aids in associate retention, and can ' if properly utilized ' promote workplace diversity. Simply put, firms with successful mentoring programs can gain material marketplace advantages.
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
- Defending Your Career: Self Advocacy at Review TimeFirms have taken a hit due to COVID-19 and some will use this review cycle to pinpoint underperformers and reduce compensation. This is why it's even more important for you to make a case for yourself.Read More ›
- Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar InvestigationsThis article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.Read More ›
- The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year LaterThe DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.Read More ›
- The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance ProgramsThe parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.Read More ›
- Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the RoughThere is no efficient market for the sale of bankruptcy assets. Inefficient markets yield a transactional drag, potentially dampening the ability of debtors and trustees to maximize value for creditors. This article identifies ways in which investors may more easily discover bankruptcy asset sales.Read More ›
