Features
Liability Releases for Background Checks Are Unlawful
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to first inform applicants and employees about the intent to obtain and use a background check to make employment-related decisions before the employers are permitted to actually get the background check. But what the law does not do is provide employers with a template disclosure or any concrete guidance on what the disclosure should say.
Features
Defamation and the Disgruntled Defendant
<b><I>Anti-SLAPP Legislation and the Defamation Claim</I></b><p><b><I>Part Two of a Two-Part Article</I></b><p>In last month's newsletter, we began discussion of a defamation claim brought against two attorneys who took to the airwaves to publicize their client's complaints against a hospital and its owner. The defendants in that matter sought redress for what they claimed were untrue, and very unflattering, statements, but the attorneys moved for dismissal of the claims. We continue here with the court's reasons for granting the attorneys' motion.
Features
"'Google' It" Is a Protected Trademark
Consumers might use "Google" as a verb, but that doesn't mean Google's trademark for its search engine is generic.
Features
Using a True Lease or a TRAC Lease
<b><I>Potential Complications in Bankruptcy</I></b><p>An equipment financing company will often decide whether it wants a transaction to be a true lease or a TRAC lease as opposed to a retail sale. A good reason to be able to make the distinction is to determine what might be the best structure for an equipment financier. This article explores the differences.
Features
New Research: Employee Privacy and Corporate Legal Risk
The use of business email accounts and digital devices for personal communications can be risky for both employers and employees. However, employees of all levels may be commingling corporate communications with their personal information, according to new research.
Features
Stick to the 'Plain Meaning'
<b><I>Interpreting Lease Contract Terms</I></b><p>The complications that can and do arise in the field of commercial leasing come in all shapes and sizes, and not all can be anticipated. However, with careful planning, and if the stars align, lease terms sometimes cover even an abnormal future event, preserving the agreement that the parties undoubtedly contemplated at signing
Features
Your H-1B Petition Was Not Selected in the Lottery
<b><I>Now What?</I></b><p>Fairly soon, an estimated 150,000 businesses in the United States will receive some bad news: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not be considering their H-1B petitions for skilled foreign workers. These businesses with a clear need for temporary help will have to explore other ways to keep their prospective or current employee working for their company, or face the possibility that the foreign worker may be forced to return home.
Features
Healthcare Bankruptcy: Not Garden-Variety
For the remainder of 2017, due in part to the current uncertainty in the healthcare industry and its legislative oversight, more financially distressed providers are considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy to effectuate closures, consolidation, restructurings and related transactions.
Features
Finding the Right Outside Counsel for Your Firm
In today's challenging, competitive business environment, finding qualified outside counsel with the right fee structures is a top priority for corporate counsel. This article outlines some practical guidance to help corporate counsel achieve this goal.
Columns & Departments
Verdicts
New York's Appellate Division, Second Department, has barred a medical malpractice defendant from submitting into evidence Facebook posts of the plaintiff, allegedly describing his physical activities, for lack of proper authentication.
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