Identifying and Quantifying Government Contract Claims
When a union and employer negotiate the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), it is virtually impossible for the parties to predict and account for every issue that may affect the working relationship between them...more
In September, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced the settlement of three enforcement actions for violations of SEC whistleblower protection laws. In the actions, the SEC asserted that the...more
Filing a claim against a government agency to recover time and/or money related to a contract can be a daunting process. Understanding the claims process and, if necessary, the appeals process is essential. Whether...more
From time to time, a contract will have a “confessed judgment” clause in it. These clauses can be a valuable tool in an agreement. Take for example, an agreement to lend money. If my agreement with you to lend you money...more
Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, 140 S. Ct. 2049 (2020) - Summary: The ministerial exception, grounded in First Amendment’s religion clauses, barred teachers’ employment discrimination claims where teachers...more
Our sympathies go out to those in the oilfield services industry in Texas—it looks like you got a lump of coal. In Mesa Southern CWS Acquisition v. Deep Energy Exploration Partners the Houston Court of Appeals upended the...more
The Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston recently issued an opinion that will have profound impacts on mineral liens and contractual provisions purporting to waive mineral liens. The question of whether or not a pre-work...more
The Eight Circuit has rejected a plaintiff’s claim that an arbitration clause in a retainer agreement she signed with a law firm after receiving a call from a purported agent of the firm informing her of a purported...more
Chinese Hosp. Ass’n v. Jacobs Eng’g Grp., Inc., 2019 BL 330340, 2 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 03, 2019) - This case arises out of the alleged breach of contract and defective design for the construction of a new hospital in San...more
The plaintiff and intervenor-defendant entered into a contract wherein they agreed to arbitrate claims arising out of the contract. Following a dispute, the plaintiff asserted that the intervenor-defendant had waived its...more
On June 28, 2019, the Ninth Circuit held in three separate cases that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) does not preempt the California Supreme Court’s holding in McGill v. Citibank, N.A., 2 Cal.5th 945 (2017) — otherwise...more
Last week, in 159 MP Corp. v. Redbridge Bedford, the Court of Appeals upheld a recent decision of the Second Department that limits the rights of commercial tenants to obtain Yellowstone injunctions....more
Corporate Nondisclosure Agreement, Confidential Disclosure Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, NDA, CDA and so on. Regardless of the title, companies sign agreements promising to be quiet on a regular basis. But are all...more
On February 15, 2019, the Texas Supreme Court issued its opinion in Exxon Mobil Corporation v. The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (ICSOP) reversing the First Court of Appeals and finding that ICSOP had waived...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: August 31 was the California Legislature’s last day to send bills to Governor Brown for his approval or veto by his September 30 deadline. Chief among them are bills addressing sexual harassment....more
When we think of delays on a construction project, the first inquiry is to identify the turtle—the one party holding up progress or causing the delay. Many times, the parties’ contract will dictate whether the contractor can...more
Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals issued a decision that threatens the enforceability of contractual provisions waiving the right to a jury trial. In Home Vest Capital, LLC v. Retirement Application...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: A collective bargaining agreement, to permissibly waive a negotiable statutory right, must do so in a clear and unmistakable manner, by mentioning either the statutory protection being waived or the statute...more
Recently issued final rules impose additional restrictions including prohibitions on requiring independent contractors to waive certain rights. The Freelance Isn’t Free Act is a recent New York City law that went into...more
In an April 5, 2017 unanimous opinion, the California Supreme Court (the “Court”) held that private arbitration agreements which prohibit public injunctive relief in any forum are contrary to California public policy and...more
Takeaways: - SEC is targeting contract terms that appear to restrict contact with the SEC or require employee whistleblowers to waive monetary recoveries. - Express disclosure of these rights in severance...more