Lessons from the $148M Fraud by Dole's GC and CEO
Last month, we discussed the fact that the Delaware Chancery Court ordered Dole Food Co. Inc. CEO David Murdock and COO and General Counsel C. Michael Carter to pay Dole shareholders $148 million for fraud in connection with the company's 2013 take-private deal. The Aug. 27 decision is one of the largest awards ever to shareholders in a deal-related lawsuit. We conclude this discussion herein.
Features
'Ambiguous' Franchise Agreement Sinks Franchisor
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently affirmed a judgment entered in favor of a group of franchisees who sued for breach of contract when the franchisor charged them royalties and fees that the parties negotiated specifically to exclude from their franchise agreements.
Five Critical Questions Every Client Should Ask Law Firms About Budgets
Although dramatic changes in law's economic landscape have conferred far greater bargaining leverage and purchasing power on clients, in budget discussions with outside law firms, many in-house counsel just aren't asking the right questions.
Features
<b><i>Practice Tip:</i></b> Insurance Issues in M&A Transactions
Product liability insurance is one of the few coverages that is written on either an occurrence or claims-made basis, depending on the extent of the insured's risk and financial ability to pay the premium. This article explores some of the 'insurance issues arising out of M&A transactions.
Yates Memo Could Bring Balance to Prosecutions
On Sept. 9, the DOJ issued "the Yates Memorandum," detailing how officials expect prosecutors to hold individuals accountable for criminal wrongdoing. The memo may have result in a potential reduction in the number of corporate settlements when there is no clear evidence of criminal conduct.
Assessing Director Independence
A recent opinion by the Delaware Supreme Court emphasizes the need for boards of directors to be aware of close interpersonal relationships between their directors and any party with a financial stake in a contemplated transaction.
Features
Controversy from Talent Lawyer's Article on JAMS
Arbitration provider JAMS is staying neutral, sort of, on an entertainment litigator's claim that it favors big studios in arbitrations and mediations. The claim, made by Bird Marella partner Ronald Nessim in a law review this summer, is essentially that JAMS has a lock on studio business, with the overwhelming majority of studio contracts reviewed by Nessim naming JAMS as the dispute resolution provider.
How Much Investigation Is Enough?
Employers have frequently questioned the adequacy of the EEOC's pre-suit investigations. To their consternation, in September 2015, the Second Circuit held that courts do not have authority to review the extent or sufficiency of the EEOC's investigation of charges.
Features
Trans-Jurisdictional Transactions
This three-part series examines the highly complex dispute resolution issues that companies face when engaging in cross-border transactions. This second installment explores the information-gathering phase during the litigation process.
Understanding and Engaging 'Millennials
Baby Boomers often complain that Millennials don't want to fit into the system, aren't dedicated to the organization, and "all expect a trophy." Millennials often see Baby Boomers as wedded to systems and processes that work for Baby Boomers but are stifling to Millennials. Here's how to get along.
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
- The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year LaterThe DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.Read More ›
- Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar InvestigationsThis article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.Read More ›
- The Roadmap of Litigation AnalyticsLitigation analytics can be considered a roadmap of sorts — an important guide to ensure the legal professional arrives at the correct litigation strategy or business plan. However, like roadmaps, litigation analytics will only be useful if it's based on data that is complete and accurate.Read More ›
- The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance ProgramsThe parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.Read More ›
- Understanding the Potential Pitfalls Arising From Participation in Standards BodiesChances are that if your company is involved in research and development of new technology there is a standards setting organization exploring the potential standardization of such technology. While there are clear benefits to participation in standards organizations — keeping abreast of industry developments, targeting product development toward standard compliant products, steering research and intellectual property protection into potential areas of future standardization — such participation does not come without certain risks. Whether you are in-house counsel or outside counsel, you may be called upon to advise participants in standard-setting bodies about intellectual property issues or to participate yourself. You may also be asked to review patent policy of the standard-setting body that sets forth the disclosure and notification requirements with respect to patents for that organization. Here are some potential patent pitfalls that can catch the unwary off-guard.Read More ›
