Features
Lien Creation and Lien Perfection: What's the Difference?
It is generally understood that materialmen, contractors, subcontractors and others (collectively called 'contractors') who perform labor or furnish materials on construction projects are entitled under state law to assert a mechanics' lien against real property for the value of the labor or materials they provide. What is less clear is the effect of a bankruptcy petition that is filed before the contractor has taken the necessary steps to create or perfect its rights.
Sigh of Relief: Derivative Actions Safe for Now
Much to the relief of many in the Third Circuit, its long-awaited en banc ruling in the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of <i>Cybergenics Corp. v. Chinery</i>, (<i>en banc</i>) No. 01-3805 (May 29, 2003) disagreed with the decision of one of its panels and upheld the right of parties other than a debtor or trustee to pursue avoidance actions under the Bankruptcy Code on a derivative basis. In doing so, the court supported the well-established practice allowing these derivative actions, and eschewed a slavish plain-language interpretation of Section 544(b) in favor of a broader, multi-section reading.
THE LEASING HOTLINE
Highlights of the latest commercial leasing cases from around the country.
Fool's Gold: Avoiding Pitfalls of 'Gold Clauses' in Long-Term Leases
All lawyers dealing with transactions involving transfers, assignments or amendments of long-term leases entered into prior to 1934 need to be aware of the possible ramifications of a 'gold clause' in the original lease.
Protecting Your Leasehold: Keeping Competitors at Bay
It is happening more and more — anchor stores going dark and landlords scrambling to fill the void. Unfortunately, in their zeal to relet, often landlords offer their empty spaces to prospective tenants who will change the structure of the center and compete with existing tenants. This article will discuss several bases upon which tenants may be able to rely to prevent a competitor from moving in, quite literally, next door.
In the Spotlight: Tenants Should Seek Flexibility in Negotiating Parking Privileges
Lease provisions that provide for the tenant to make periodic payments to the landlord for parking privileges are often unclear as to whether the tenant is required to pay for the availability of such spaces, whether or not the tenant utilizes them.
Location, Location and Location (But Relocation?)
Given the age-old maxim of retailers that what matters is 'Location, Location and Location,' it is often difficult for an in-line retail tenant to confront the fact that its landlord can require it to relocate its store to other space in a mall or shopping center. On the other hand, owners of malls and shopping centers must retain the right to expand, to add new anchors and to remerchandise their properties from time to time — thus, the 'Relocation' provision found in virtually all forms of in-line retail leases. This article explores the major issues that a relocation provision creates for a retail tenant and how some of those issues might be addressed in the lease.
Features
Hotline
Recent developments of interest to corporate counsel.
Features
The Critical Crossroads Of Corporate America
The general counsel function is the critical crossroads of corporate America. Even the most skeptical of senior managers and board members evince a growing awareness that the role of the general counsel is crucial and strategic, and not merely technical and subordinate. The question, however, is whether this crossroads can bear the increasing volume and weight of the traffic coming its way.
Three Issues in Law Department Talent Management
A key element to in a successful law department is management of in-house legal talent. By the term 'talent management,' we mean all the methods available to general counsel for training, mentoring, coaching, motivating and directing in-house lawyers. This article, the first in a series of three, is based on consulting projects and research Hildebrandt International has conducted with a number of leading law departments. This article will describe the top three issues law departments have with talent management, and more importantly, will show some of the techniques now employed by general counsel for coping with them. The second part of the series will describe three progressive practices in the arena of talent management, and the series will close with a foray into three controversial practices. Taken together, the series will survey law department talent management ' its major issues, newer practices and difficult decisions.
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
- Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel'Disconnect Between In-House and Outside Counsel is a continuation of the discussion of client expectations and the disconnect that often occurs. And although the outside attorneys should be pursuing how inside-counsel actually think, inside counsel should make an effort to impart this information without waiting to be asked.Read More ›
- Ticket Refund Suits Against StubHub to Get MDL TreatmentOnline ticket reseller StubHub faces lawsuits over allegedly unrefunded event tickets in California, after a federal judicial panel ordered that similar cases from jurisdictions in multiple states be coordinated.Read More ›
- Credible Fraudulent Transfer AdvocacyAppellate courts continue to use common sense when disposing of constructively fraudulent transfer appeals, as recent decisions show.Read More ›
- ELFA ScheduleThe Equipment Leasing and Finance Association has released its 2016 calendar of events.Read More ›
- Holders of Unredeemed Gift Cards Denied Bankpruptcy PriorityFor some time now, the brick and mortar side of the retail industry has been in financial distress. In 2015 and 2016 alone, brand-name companies such as Sports Authority, RadioShack, Aéropostale, American Apparel, Eastern Mountain Sports and City Sports sought bankruptcy protection. A common question in these cases is how to treat holders of unredeemed gift cards. Are they near the back of the line with other general unsecured creditors, or are they entitled to “priority” payment status under the Bankruptcy Code?Read More ›