LJN Newsletters

With deficits plaguing the federal budget, prosecutors might be expected to concentrate their efforts on enforcing U.S. tax laws. Yet federal prosecutors have recently brought charges under the mail and wire fraud statutes (18 U.S.C. '' 1341, 1343) in cases involving the evasion of foreign taxes. Foreign governments themselves have brought civil suits under the RICO statute (18 U.S.C. ''1961 et seq.), on the theory that the evasion of foreign taxes constitutes a predicate act of mail or wire fraud. The courts have split on whether this works. Generally, RICO claims by foreign governments have failed. Criminal prosecutions for fraud and money laundering have been upheld by the Second and Fourth Circuits, but rejected by the First Circuit. The issue may soon reach the Supreme Court.

Much has been written, in this newsletter and elsewhere, about the dilemma faced by corporations that want to cooperate with a government investigation by acceding to government "requests" for information protected by the attorney-client and work product privileges, while at the same time attempting to protect the otherwise privileged information from disclosure to the litigious world at large. Recent turf battles between federal and state prosecutors and regulators have only made more difficult any attempt to resolve the tension between two perceived needs: to cooperate, and to preserve confidentiality.

Many franchise agreements begin with an introductory paragraph, a "witnesseth" statement or various recitals that tout the virtues of the franchisor's business or systems. These introductory statements might state that the franchisor has "developed a proven system," "developed and perfected a system," or "developed a uniform system" for operating a particular type of business. The introductory statements also might highlight the success, reputation, or positive image of the franchisor's business systems.

Highlights of the latest franchising cases from around the country.

Highlights of the latest franchising news from around the country.

On Oct. 12, 2003, then-California Gov. Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 796 into law and created a new private right of action for California employees to enforce most provisions of the Labor Code (with the exception of certain workers' compensation provisions). S.B. 796 will likely have significant implications for all California employers, both for franchisors with either company-owned or franchised units in California, and franchisees operating in the state.

In early January 1993, the American public was introduced to a deadly pathogen that has remained in the news ever since: E. Coli O157:H7. Hundreds of people were injured and four children died in what is still referred to as the Jack in the Box outbreak, even though a primary cause of the outbreak was adulterated hamburger patties manufactured and sold to the restaurant chain by one of its longtime suppliers.

Law firms have a legitimate interest in encouraging clients to select and implement e-billing software that is cost-neutral or, preferably, advantageous to the firm. While many factors contribute to a mutually profitable e-billing setup, your research and potential advice to the client should cover at least these basics.