The Top 5 Business Litigation Mistakes
September 28, 2004
In my experience with complex business litigation, I have seen my clients make some brilliant business litigation decisions, and I have seen some less than brilliant decisions. Some are critical and can spell the difference between success and failure. <br>In particular, I have repeatedly seen the same five business litigation mistakes
'An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure'
September 28, 2004
In 1998, the Supreme Court reminded employers that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Today, as a result of <i>Faragher v. City of Boca Raton</i>, <i>Burlington Indus. v. Ellerth</i>, and the many cases that followed, in-house counsel are responsible for ensuring that their companies avoid harassment and, if it unfortunately occurs, what steps can be taken to preserve the <i>Faragher/Ellerth</i> affirmative defense. <br>Every in-house counsel should adopt these nine steps to prevent and defend against a harassment claim.
Turning Off The Lights: Safely Shutting Down An Insolvent Subsidiary
September 17, 2004
It is not uncommon for a holding company (or private equity fund) to have at least one operating subsidiary (or portfolio company) that is underperforming relative to the other companies it owns. Sometimes problems can be fixed and fortunes reversed. Other times, however, the subsidiary/portfolio company continues to struggle and may eventually become truly distressed and even insolvent. At some point, the strategic decision will be made to discontinue the operating subsidiary's business. When this occurs, strategy must be quickly developed and executed to minimize any ongoing losses and to maximize the recovery for the subsidiary's stakeholders. <br>Any business strategy should be approached with an informed understanding of the overall legal landscape, as well as the specific risks and potential rewards associated with each of the parent's available options. Likewise, the parent must understand its position in the decision-making process relative to those of the insolvent subsidiary's other obligees ' its creditors.
Editor's Note
September 17, 2004
Our readers, from time to time, contact me to suggest that we run an article on one topic or another (and I always welcome such requests). A number of…
Fulbright & Jaworski Takes Pulse of 300 Corporate Counsel for Survey of U.S. Litigation Trends
September 02, 2004
What are the biggest litigation concerns right now in corporate America? What industries face the highest incidence of legal action? How do corporate law departments regard their litigation firms? And by what criteria do general counsel select the firms that litigate on their behalf, and what areas of legal service do they feel need the greatest improvement?
Don't Let An Ex-Employee Sabotage Your Case
September 02, 2004
With the instability in the corporate world today, employees ' both managerial and not ' are changing jobs or being laid off routinely. The employee who spends his entire career with one company is clearly now the exception, not the rule. Gone too is the concept of "loyalty up ' loyalty down." Corporations today can no longer afford to show their appreciation to long-term employees, as was the case a generation ago. In return, corporate employees do not reciprocate the same loyalty as they did in years past. This article discusses some strategies for dealing with the possibility of a hostile former employee sabotaging your otherwise valid claim or defense.
Cybervillains and How to Find Them: Obtaining the Identity of Anonymous Internet Users
September 02, 2004
Many corporate executives and in-house attorneys have complained about acts done "anonymously" over the Internet and the lack of accountability for Internet users. Each has seemingly been harmed by various online conduct, such as defamation, trade libel, trade secret leakage and other acts that occur because of Internet use and abuse. Many Internet users do not realize that an experienced lawyer can actually find their identity, location, and the situs of the damaging action(s).
<i>Zubulake</i> Standard Applied in <i>U.S. v. Phillip Morris</i>
September 02, 2004
When a lawsuit looms, corporate counsel have traditionally known what to do. They issue a litigation hold, telling company employees to maintain all records related to the disputed matter. <br>Unfortunately, that's not good enough any more. Attorneys can no longer simply issue instructions and leave it up to company employees to comply. <br>Two recent federal court rulings hold companies and their counsel to a higher standard, requiring them to act aggressively and proactively in order to preserve company records. Otherwise, a company that destroys discoverable records can face harsh sanctions for spoliation.
SOX Backlash
July 29, 2004
Corporate counselors are in a unique position to help facilitate the cultural changes needed in most companies to meet new Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
10 Reasons Why Americans Should Arbitrate in Canada
July 27, 2004
Choosing the right place to arbitrate disputes concerning international commercial transactions is of fundamental importance. The choice has significant legal and practical implications. Fortunately for American corporate counsel and their clients, an ideal place of arbitration lies close at hand, just north of the 49th parallel. Canada should be the preferred place of arbitration for U.S.-based organizations involved in international commercial disputes.
