Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 292: Listen and Learn -- The Erie Doctrine (Civ Pro)
Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 126: Listen and Learn -- The Erie Doctrine
The Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") recently issued an important ruling in the case of Società Italiana Lastre SpA (SIL) v. Agora SARL (C-537/23). The decision addresses the validity criteria of asymmetric...more
When parties plan to resolve disputes by arbitration, there are several key considerations regarding procedure. In the fourth of a multi-part series, we look at two key features to consider when drafting (and applying) your...more
The Ninth Circuit is considering the enforceability of a choice of law provision in an ERISA plan in William White v. Guardian Life Insurance Company, et al., Case No. 24-2681, appeal pending from the United States District...more
On March 11, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court’s denial of a motion to compel arbitration in two class-action lawsuits. The decision potentially has far-reaching implications for the...more
In Iberdrola Energy Projects v. Oaktree Capital Management L.P., 231 A.D.3d 33, 216 N.Y.S.3d 124, the Appellate Division for the First Department ruled that a nonrecourse provision in a contract barred a plaintiff’s causes of...more
On February 13th 2025, Supreme People’s Court of The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) issued the Reply on Validity of Agreements by Hong Kong and Macao-Invested Enterprises Registered in Mainland Cities of the...more
A federal court in Wisconsin recently transferred a franchisor’s breach of contract lawsuit to Indiana, the location of the franchisee, even though the parties’ supply agreement contained a Wisconsin forum selection clause....more
A federal court in California recently granted Ringside Development Company’s motion to stay a franchisee-initiated lawsuit pending resolution through alternative dispute resolution. Jameson v. Ringside Development Company,...more
The High Court’s recent decision in Djanogly v. Djanogly [2025] EWHC 61 (Ch) is a rare example of a successful challenge to an arbitration award under s.68 of the Arbitration Act 1996. It also highlights a feature of...more
A federal court in California recently granted franchisor Spiffy Franchising, LLC’s motion to compel arbitration of a franchisee’s claims, but found the North Carolina forum selection and choice of law provisions in the...more
As we navigate a rapidly evolving business and legal landscape, Seyfarth proudly presents the latest edition of our flagship publication, the 50-State Non-Compete Desktop Reference. Crafted with precision by our nationally...more
Last month, in DraftKings Inc. v. Hermalyn, the First Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision concerning the application of California’s non-compete ban to agreements formed outside the state. Broadly, the decision...more
In the case of cross-border sales contracts for goods, it often happens that the contracting parties do not expressly stipulate (in writing) the law applicable to the contract or that the choice of law has not been made...more
Against a growing trend of legislation and broader efforts seeking to limit or eliminate post-employment noncompetition restrictions, recent Massachusetts and First Circuit decisions in a dispute between DraftKings and one of...more
On September 26, 2024, a Boston-based federal appeals court refused to extend California’s sweeping noncompete ban to agreements that were signed outside the state and governed by another state’s law....more
In Housing & Redevelopment Insurance Exchange v. Guy Carpenter & Co., a Pennsylvania federal court considered the enforceability of a forum selection clause in a services agreement between Pennsylvania-based insurer Housing...more
The 2024 Washington State Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill (S.S.B.) 5935 in February 2024, and Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill into law on March 13, 2024, updating and clarifying Washington law regarding...more
In a case involving a fact pattern that could be on a law school exam, EDVA Judge Mark Davis provides a detailed analysis of a series of issues in a complex dispute between a yacht owner and a marine engine manufacturer. What...more
A federal court in Massachusetts has dismissed franchise claims brought against a manufacturer, concluding that the distributor had failed to identify a franchise fee that would qualify it for protection from non-renewal...more
A recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in a restrictive covenant case, Ascend Learning, LLC v. Bryan and SPIN-Learning, LLC, No. 22-cv-11978 (August 16, 2023), has implications for the...more
Historically, Georgia courts have declined to apply another state’s law to determine whether to enforce restrictive covenants against a Georgia employee, regardless of whether the agreement stated that another state’s law...more
A federal court in Tennessee recently compelled arbitration for parties in a franchise disclosure dispute. B&P Glass Mirror, LLC v. Clozetivity Franchising, LLC, 2023 WL 3484205 (M.D. Tenn. May 16, 2023). Plaintiff B&P...more
David F. Johnson co-presented with Zachary S. Davis from Stoel Rives LLP, in Portland, Oregon, on “Limitation of Liability Clauses in Business Contracts: Limiting Potential Damages and Avoiding Pitfalls” on January 31, 2023,...more
It is no hidden secret that many employers use various restrictive covenants to protect their trade secrets, confidential information, goodwill, and customer relationships. For example, employers often use non-compete...more
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN A MINUTE OR LESS - Choice of Law (COL) and Choice of Forum (COF) clauses are not like cheap baseball caps—one size does not fit all. While these provisions may not be scintillating, they are important...more