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Policy Outlook
Troy Flanagan, director of government relations for the International Franchise Association, recently discussed with <i>FBLA</i> many of the critical federal policy and economic issues that are affecting the franchising industry.
Business Crimes Hotline
Recent rulings around the states.
Understanding GAAP
So many contracts contain the phrase "in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles," but do lawyers really understand what this phrase means or how it may affect a client in any given contract?
In the Courts
Important rulings of interest to you and your practice.
Stays in Parallel Proceedings
Because discovery stays can benefit both the prosecution and the defense, each side will continue to request, or resist, them when the need arises. As a result, no significant change in discovery practice in parallel proceedings is likely to come from piecemeal litigation.
Constructive Termination and Constructive Nonrenewal Claims
On March 2, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that a franchisee that stays in business cannot sue for constructive eviction under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act. The Court also decided that a franchisee waives its constructive nonrenewal claim when it enters into a renewal agreement.
Prosecutors, Agents and Witnesses
Because prosecutors have a responsibility not merely to win, but to ensure that the defendant has a fair and impartial trial, it is professional misconduct for a prosecutor to intimidate or improperly influence a defense witness to change his or her testimony or to refuse to testify for the defense.
Minimizing Penalties for Unreported Foreign Bank Accounts
Taxpayers with unreported foreign bank accounts are sweating bullets these days. The IRS is in the midst of an unprecedented crackdown on foreign bank accounts.
On the Move
Who's doing what; who's going where.
Defending the Preference and Fraudulent Transfer Safe Harbor
Last month, we discussed the fact that the The Bankruptcy Code ("Code") has at least nine so-called "safe harbor" (i.e., bankruptcy insulating) provisions for financial contracts. The article concludes herein.

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