The Queen Is Dead, Long Live the Queen?
November 01, 2016
The automatic stay of 11 U.S.C. § 362 is one of the most important principles of bankruptcy law. It provides crucial breathing space for the debtor to reorganize or liquidate, and avoids the piecemeal dismemberment of the estate's assets. However, in rare instances, courts have extended stay protection to non-debtors through 11 USC § 105. This is considered extraordinary relief reserved for unusual circumstances, and may be analogized to the inherent power of federal courts under their general equity powers.
Former BET General Counsel Plays Role in Actress's Lawsuit
November 01, 2016
The longtime general counsel of Black Entertainment Television (BET) has a starring role in actress Gabrielle Union's contract case against the network. Union alleges she was duped into working on more episodes of her BET Networks show Being Mary Jane — without a break between seasons four and five to allow her time to continue to pursue her film career between the TV production schedule.
The New FRCP Is Here to Stay
November 01, 2016
As expected, there have been several rulings in 2016 interpreting the FRCP e-discovery amendments which took effect in December of last year. This article looks at three cases from the first half of 2016 that highlight the ways in which the new amendments converge with the rising need to preserve new data types, as well as how new e-discovery technology can leverage the new rules to a legal team's advantage.
Additional-Rent Reconciliation
November 01, 2016
Issues can arise in the context of additional rent reconciliations that occur pursuant to the provisions of a commercial lease. We examine herein specific concerns from both landlord and tenant perspectives relating to over- and under-payments of rent, improper charges, supporting documentation and auditing procedures, as well as potential bars to claiming recoveries.<p><b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</b></i>
Litigation Funders Planning a New Role: Law Firm Ownership
November 01, 2016
Since litigation finance hit the scene just a couple decades ago, the business has evolved from investing in single lawsuits to groups of claims to purchasing judgments at bankruptcy auctions. Now, some litigation finance firms are preparing for an even bigger change to their business model: Injecting cash directly into law firms in the form of an equity stake that isn't tied to any specific case.
Post-Petition Interest in a Solvent Case
November 01, 2016
<b><i>What Interest Rate Controls?</b></i><p><p>In today's low-interest rate environment, the difference between a contractual interest rate and the federal judgment rate can be quite significant. It is not surprising, therefore, that this issue has become hotly litigated in cases involving solvent Chapter 11 debtors.
AI and the Law
November 01, 2016
<b><i>The Paradigm Shift Hits the Fan</b></i><p><p>AI — artificial intelligence — and its relatives: digital research engines, “bots” and other automatons, have made their beachhead in the legal profession, and it really looks like this is gonna change everything.
Mexico's New Anti-Corruption Framework
November 01, 2016
On July 18, 2016, Mexico published a comprehensive body of new anti-corruption legislation implementing its 2015 Constitutional reform on this area of the law. The new legislation has received significant attention, and for good reason. However, it has long been plagued with a reputation for corruption, both at the federal and local levels.
Lower Pay for Women Partners in Law Firms
November 01, 2016
In the face of a glaring pay gap between male and female law firm partners, some firm leaders point to the emphasis on origination credit (bringing in new business) as the key culprit. But moving away from such a model may not be so easy.
