Commercial Law & Contracts, Business Torts

Indemnity Prohibition

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/17/2013

On January 1, 2013, new rules governing indemnification in construction contracts went into effect under SB 474 in California. The new law impacts commercial real estate, and public and residential projects. The big picture...more

Re: Sino-Forest Corporation – When is an Indemnity Claim Really Just an Equity Claim?

by Domenico Magisano, Jason Squire | Lerners LLP on 5/16/2013

When public companies are accused of accounting irregularities, class action shareholder litigation often follows. The case of Sino-Forest Corporation (“SFC”) is such an example. Weighed down by allegations of accounting...more

First Circuit Permits Insurer to Retain Policy Premiums Despite Rescission

by Aaron Mandel | Sedgwick LLP on 5/16/2013

Courts often require insurers to return premiums (or at least offer to return them) when rescinding an insurance policy. Some states may even require it under statute. The reason is that rescission is an equitable remedy...more

How to Recognize Insurance Bad Faith

by Lewis and Pokora on 5/16/2013

When you purchase an insurance policy and pay your monthly premiums, you expect your insurer to honor claims when you suffer a loss. One of insurance’s greatest benefits is supposed to be the peace of mind it purchases — the...more

Business Interruption Insurance

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/16/2013

Business Interruption Insurance Business Interruption Insurance (“BII”) is a form of commercial insurance coverage that provides limited but useful protection when a business is unable to continue normal operations or occupy...more

District Court Denies Countrywide’s Motion to Dismiss AIG Suit

by Orrick - Structured Finance Group on 5/15/2013

On May 6, Judge Mariana Pfaelzer of the United States District Court for the Central District of California allowed American International Group, Inc. (AIG) to proceed with several of its claims against Bank of America and...more

Who Owns the Rights to “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

by Aaron Kase | Lawyers.com on 5/15/2013

Harper Lee only wrote one book in her life, but what a book. Her classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” published in 1960, spins the tale of a small town attorney who tries to stand up against the forces of racial injustice....more

California Civil Depositions Limited To Seven Hours Under New Law

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/15/2013

Some attorneys are known for being long-winded time wasters who act with little regard for efficiency, especially when billing at an hourly rate. Although we believe the length of a deposition is often dictated by the...more

Q&A With Carlton Fields' Steven Brodie

by Steven Brodie | Carlton Fields on 5/15/2013

Steven Brodie, a shareholder with Carlton Fields, is a commercial litigator in state and federal courts. Q: What is the most challenging case you have worked on and what made it challenging? Originally...more

Estée Lauder v. OneBeacon Insurance Group – Expanding the Scope of Discovery in Bad Faith Cases

by Jennifer Clark, Stacey Farrell, Angelo Savino | Cozen O'Connor on 5/15/2013

On April 15, 2013, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, granted the insured’s request for the production of certain claims file material and previously sealed discovery in Estée Lauder Inc. v....more

New York Appellate Court Reinstates Fraudulent Inducement Claim Against Goldman and M&T Bank

by Orrick - Structured Finance Group on 5/15/2013

On May 7, New York’s First Department appellate court reinstated CIFG Assurance North America, Inc.’s fraud claim against Goldman Sachs & Co. and M&T Bank. Last May, a New York trial court dismissed CIFG’s claim for...more

Q&A With Carlton Fields' Brian Rosner

by Brian Rosner | Carlton Fields on 5/14/2013

Brian Rosner is a shareholder in Carlton Fields' New York office. Q: What is the most challenging case you have worked on and what made it challenging? Originally Published in Law360, New York - April 29, 2013....more

MBIA and Bank of America Settle MBS Litigation for $1.7 Billion

by Orrick - Structured Finance Group on 5/14/2013

On May 6, monoline insurer MBIA announced that it had reached a $1.7 billion settlement with Bank of America in connection with alleged fraud and breach of contract claims related to Countrywide-issued mortgage-backed...more

District Court Denies Banks’ Motions to Dismiss Litigation Concerning Role of MBS Trustees

by Orrick - Structured Finance Group on 5/14/2013

On May 6, Judge Katherine Forrest of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York denied Bank of America and U.S. Bank’s motions to dismiss an action relating to their roles as trustees of Washington...more

Trial Tactics for Insurance and Corporate Defense Cases

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/14/2013

Insurance companies and corporate defendants often begin a lawsuit at a disadvantage due to the mere fact that they are being sued by a plaintiff who alleges to have been injured and/or damaged. It is therefore crucial to...more

California Supreme Court Hears Argument on Whether Insurance Code Limits UCL Lawsuits Against Insurers

by Larry Golub, Samuel Sorich | Barger & Wolen on 5/13/2013

On May 8, 2013, the California Supreme Court convened to hear oral argument in Zhang v. Superior Court. The case presents the issue of whether conduct of an insurer, which is related to conduct that would violate California’s...more

Litigation Management: A Win-Win

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/13/2013

Using tools and strategies to effectively and intelligently proceed a case through the litigation process, based on the goals and expectations of a specific client, is an important part of effective legal representation. This...more

Daubert Standard For Expert Testimony Almost Applied In California

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/10/2013

The standard for admitting expert scientific testimony in a federal trial under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure was established in the case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical (US Supreme Court, 6/28/93), then...more

SEC Settles Suit for Misleading Advisory Contract Approval Disclosure

by David Freese, Sean Graber, Daniel Levin, Richard F. Morris, John O'Brien, Zachary E. Vonnegut-Gabovitch | Morgan Lewis on 5/10/2013

Settlement with mutual fund directors and service providers serves as a reminder of responsibilities for disclosures relating to the approval of investment advisory contracts and provides insight into SEC enforcement...more

Think the Government’s Claim Against You Is Time-Barred? Not So Fast!

by Joshua Sherman, Claude Tusk | Dechert LLP on 5/9/2013

When a company understands that the United States Government may have a claim against it, the company’s directors and officers are usually very aware of the applicable statute of limitations and the passage of time. When the...more

Laying Foundation for Meta Data and Websites

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/9/2013

Lawsuits brought in the U.S. that result in judgments against Chinese companies often have problems with enforceability, unless the Chinese company has assets in the US or assets in another country that enforces US judgments....more

Enforcing Contractual Indemnity Litigation Against Chinese Companies

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 5/9/2013

Lawsuits brought in the U.S. that result in judgments against Chinese companies often have problems with enforceability, unless the Chinese company has assets in the US or assets in another country that enforces US judgments....more

Increasing trend towards blanket notifications means companies should consider early notification of claims: Baker & McKenzie

by Leigh Duthie, Alex Hartmann | Baker & McKenzie Australia on 5/9/2013

There is an increasing trend in the UK towards accepting a blanket notification of claims, or circumstances that might give rise to a claim, as valid notification under an insurance policy. Australian companies should...more

Claims For Legal Malpractice Aren't Assignable In North Carolina

by Mack Sperling | Brooks Pierce on 5/9/2013

Maybe you've wondered whether a claim for legal malpractice can be assigned. Maybe you haven't. But yesterday, the North Carolina Court of Appeals answered that question. In Revolutionary Concepts, Inc. v. Clements Walker...more

Capital Infusion - May 2013: Case Spotlight

by Adam Connatser, Jon Finger, Rani Hauth Guerra, J. Atwood Jeter, David McLean | Patton Boggs LLP on 5/9/2013

Down-Round Equity Financings and Subsequent Exit Transactions - Best Practices for Preferred Investors and their Board Designees - Today’s middle market private equity landscape is as diverse and varied as it has ever...more

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Commercial Law & Contracts › Business Torts