Social Media Marketing
There are good reasons to believe that social media represents the next frontier in effective legal marketing, and many competitors have already hit the ground running. What do you need to know?
New Laws Expand Whistleblower Protections
Federal statutes protecting whistleblowers are on the rise. Most recently, the Dodd-Frank Act, meant to overhaul and strengthen federal oversight of the financial system, included workplace protections for whistleblowers in the financial services industry. But that is not the only new law to include whistleblower protections.
How Private Is Facebook Under the SCA?
Despite huge technological advancements in the 25 years since passage of the SCA, and the ever-increasing prominence of electronic communication in our society, Congress has not amended the SCA to keep pace with changing technology. Rather, courts have had to lead the charge in applying the decades-old statute to modern Internet technology and electronic communication disclosure issues.
Unmasking Anonymous Online Defamation
The explosion of "Web 2.0" phenomena has brought with it a deluge of published material that is arguably defamatory or otherwise actionable. While some actually welcome this development ' preferring the Web to be, and remain, "a frontier society free from the conventions and constraints that limit discourse in the real world" ' many others do not, especially those worried about the potential impact of disparaging online material on their corporate reputation. But many of those troubled by the threat to corporate reputation from defamatory online content also have discovered that mitigating its effect, or getting it removed, is far from easy.
Employer Accounting for Post-Retiree Health Care
The regulatory frenzy swirling about health care and employer plan accounting, coupled with our aging population and demographic shifts has created a perfect storm. We are besieged with commentary that Medicare is bankrupt, and the new accounting standards for employers require transparency to market and present value calculations of long-term liabilities, which creates havoc for employers for tax-planning and compliance purposes.
Civil Liability of Rating Agencies
The Dodd-Frank Act greatly increases rating agencies' potential liability under the securities laws. One impact is almost certain: In the future, rating agencies are unlikely to fare as well in the courts as they have in the past.
Liability Risks Hamper Clinical Trials
In last month's issue, the author noted a systemic problem with the distribution of risk during drug clinical trials. Although clinical trial sponsors invariably carry insurance, their coverage may not pay for all of the damages suffered by trial participants. This can leave doctors and hospitals at risk.
Defending NJ Class Actions
Companies defending consumer product class actions in New Jersey have received additional support for fighting these proliferating claims. A Look at <i>Nafar v. Hollywood Tanning Systems, Inc.</i>
