Features

Poll: Corporate Executives Worried About New Lease Accounting Compliance
According to a recent Deloitte poll, nearly half the responding top-level corporate executives are worried about their companies' ability to comply with the upcoming lease accounting changes in a timely manner.
Features

When Will Disruption Hit the Legal Industry?
Economics tells us an industry that experiences a drop in aggregate demand, adds production capacity, and increases the market overlap among competitors will suffer price erosion and profitability decline. Law firms fit this profile. Yet, in talking with law firm partners, you don't get the sense that any such "disruption" is happening. Perhaps economics has bypassed law?
Features

Forensic Mythologies and Custody Evaluations
<b><I>Part Two of a Two-Part Article</I></b><p>Last month, we looked at several commonly held beliefs about forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who conduct custody evaluations for the courts. Many of them are not necessarily true. We conclude this discussion herein.
Columns & Departments
Upcoming Event
TexasBarCLE 27th Annual Entertainment Law Institute
Features

A Dragonfly in the Ointment: Cyber Attacks on the Energy Sector May Signal Dark Days Ahead
Recent attacks may not yet have resulted in damages or disruption, but the group appears to be positioning itself to learn how the targeted energy facilities operate while attempting to gain access to operational control systems, if they have not done so already.
Features

Federal Judge Rules on the Overtime Salary Rule
Judge Mazzant issued a final ruling striking down the overtime rule. The Texas Federal Judge used essentially the same reasoning on which he based his temporary injunction ruling. In light of this final decision, the appeal of his temporary injunction likely becomes moot.
Features

Vendor Contracting for Privacy and Security
In an effort to continue to capture ongoing and new business, vendors may be opening themselves up to liability due to poorly drafted contracts with companies. In addition, in a rush by companies to have data shifted to the cloud, privacy concerns may be dangerously minimized.
Features

What's the Deal with WhatsApp?
<b><i>Investigating and Discovering Mobile Device Data</b></i><p>Analyzing data from mobile devices is still uncharted territory for many in Legal and IT. Accordingly, today's modern legal and technology professionals need to brush-up on all things mobile. This includes understanding where applicable data resides in a mobile device and what common challenges are associated with accessing, preserving and extracting this data. One such app taking the mobile device world by storm is WhatsApp.
Features

Industry Vendors Exploited Via Industry-Wide Cyber Attacks
<b><i>How to Protect Your Firm from Vendor Risks</b></i><p>The legal industry is still lulled into a false sense of security, mistakenly assuming that they are immune to a significant IT business outage, and that those unfortunate firms affected by cybercriminals were somehow lacking in adequate cybersecurity presages. That's simply not true. Even Achilles had a weak spot.
Features

Podcast: Implantable Microchips
Next in a series of podcasts looking at the cybersecurity and tech world.
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
- 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 ›
- 'Insurable Interest' and the Scope of First-Party CoverageThis article reviews the fundamental underpinnings of the concept of insurable interest, and certain recent cases that have grappled with the scope of insurable interest and have articulated a more meaningful application of the concept to claims under first-party property policies.Read More ›
- The Flight to Quality and Workplace ExperienceThat the pace of change is "accelerating" is surely an understatement. What seemed almost a near certainty a year ago — that law firms would fully and permanently embrace work-from-home — is experiencing a seeming reversal. While many firms have, in fact, embraced hybrid operations, the meaning of hybrid has evolved from "office optional," to an average required 2 days a week, to now many firms coming out with four-day work week mandates — this time, with teeth.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 ›
- The Powerful Impact of The Non-Foreclosure Notice of PendencyRPAPL ' 1331 and RPAPL ' 1403 Notices of Pendency are requisite elements for foreclosing a mortgage. <i>See, Chiarelli v. Kotsifos</i>, 5 A.D.3d 345 (a notice of pendency is a prerequisite to obtaining a judgment in a mortgage foreclosure action); <i>Campbell v. Smith</i>, 309 A.D.2d 581, 582 (a notice of pendency is required in a foreclosure action under RPAPL Article 13). In contrast, an ex parte CPLR Article 65 Notice of Pendency (the "Notice") is not required but it is a significant tool in an action claiming title to, or an interest in or the use or enjoyment of, another's land. The filer does not have to make a meritorious showing or post a bond. Article 65 provides mechanisms for the defendant-owner to vacate the Notice that caused an unilaterally imposed restraint on its realty. But, recent case law establishes the near futility of such efforts if the plaintiff has satisfied the minimal statutory requisites for filing the Notice.Read More ›