Features
Online: Learn How to File Electronically
For attorneys who wish to file electronically in the federal district courts, the Case Management — Electronic Case Filing ("CM/ECF") site at <i>www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/cmEcf/</i> is very helpful. Go to the site and click on "Requirements." There you will find both the minimum and recommended configurations for hardware and software for both IBM compatible and Macintosh computers.
Features
Case Notes
Highlights of the latest product liability cases from around the country.
Features
Practice Tip: Recovering Under the Theory of Failure to Issue Post-Sale Warnings
Although a product may be reasonably safe when it is sold, a manufacturer that later learns of risks revealed by user operation may be held responsible for failure to issue post-sale warnings. The justification for a post-sale duty to warn arises from a manufacturer's unique and superior position to follow the use and adaptation of its products by consumers. The manufacturer is best placed to learn about post-sale defects or dangers discovered in the use of its products as compared with purchasers and users.
Features
Legislative Solutions to Toxic Torts: Congress and the Thimerosal and Asbestos Litigations Part One of a Two-Part Series
Over the course of the last 2 years, Congress has tried to find a legislative solution to two very different alleged toxic torts. In November 2002, a rider was attached to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 that would have effectively brought one of the most recent toxic tort litigations ' the thimerosal litigation ' to an abrupt end. Throughout the spring and summer of 2003, Congress tried to establish a $115 billion national trust fund for perhaps the largest and oldest and possibly most abused toxic tort litigation ' the asbestos litigation. Neither of these attempts, for very different reasons, was successful ' the thimerosal rider was repealed in early 2003 and in November 2003, the Senate decided not to vote on the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2003. What follows is an overview of those legislative initiatives.
Defending Against Post-Sale Warning Claims
An unusual twist in the typical product liability case can occur when a plaintiff asserts a post-sale warning claim. (In this article, "product" does not refer to consumer products that are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.) Because a post-sale warning claim is not frequently encountered, such a claim can cause confusion, especially with respect to the relation between the post-sale warning claim and the other claims that a plaintiff is asserting.
Accounting Mismatch Spins Accrual Fate for Merger Deal
Last month's edition featured a new book excerpt on resolving balance sheet issues in law firm mergers. This recent news report on Pennie & Edmonds underscores the potentially extreme challenges of harmonizing disparate accounting systems.
Billing Basics Revisited: Write-downs and Collections
While A&FP regularly seeks to explore new and advanced profitability techniques, the wide experience of our authors regularly confirms the vital need to keep an eye on basics. It's been some time since we revisited these particular perennials in the profitability garden. Our Editorial Board member Bill Brennan's review clarifies their importance and provides some fresh insights
Features
Law Firm Performance Metrics: Broadening Our Discussion
Last month's medley of views on law firm ranking metrics, while diverse, by no means exhausted what <i>A&FP</i> Board members and other contributors have to say about this important subject. The following two mini articles continue to address ranking-related problems, but will also help us broaden the scope of our discussion.
Features
Multiple-Currency Operation: Challenges and Advantages
With more U.S. law firms serving ' or becoming ' global enterprises, many readers will need to gain new fluency in dealing with foreign currencies and exchange-rate issues. Before you immerse yourself in technical details, here's a preview of some practical issues you may encounter and some business advantages you might seek.
'Pay First' Provisions and the Insolvent Policyholder
When an insured entity becomes a debtor in bankruptcy, the interests of liability insurers collide with fundamental principles of the Bankruptcy Code. Most liability insurance policies require the policyholder to pay a deductible or self-insured retention ("SIR") before the insurer is obliged to pay anything. And many insurance policies require the policyholder to pay the entire claim first and to seek reimbursement from the insurer afterward. Almost by definition, however, insolvent policyholders are unable to make these upfront payments. Indeed, in many cases, the policyholder's inability to do so in the face of a deluge of litigation was the principal cause of the insolvency in the first place.
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
- Judge Rules Shaquille O'Neal Will Face Securities Lawsuit for Promotion, Sale of NFTsA federal district court in Miami, FL, has ruled that former National Basketball Association star Shaquille O'Neal will have to face a lawsuit over his promotion of unregistered securities in the form of cryptocurrency tokens and that he was a "seller" of these unregistered securities.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 ›
- Coverage Issues Stemming from Dry Cleaner Contamination SuitsIn recent years, there has been a growing number of dry cleaners claiming to be "organic," "green," or "eco-friendly." While that may be true with respect to some, many dry cleaners continue to use a cleaning method involving the use of a solvent called perchloroethylene, commonly known as perc. And, there seems to be an increasing number of lawsuits stemming from environmental problems associated with historic dry cleaning operations utilizing this chemical.Read More ›
- Removing Restrictive Covenants In New YorkIn Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?Read More ›
- AI or Not To AI: Observations from Legalweek NY 2023This year at Legalweek, there was little doubt on what the annual takeaway topic would be. As much as I tried to avoid it for fear of beating the proverbial dead horse, it was impossible not to talk about generative AI, ChatGPT, and all that goes with it. Some fascinating discussions were had and many aspects of AI were uncovered.Read More ›