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Business litigation

June 2006 | Volume 42, Issue 6

Recovering for the wrongful death of a company
Bert Black, James D. McCarthy, and Eric D. Madden

When a corporation files for bankruptcy, plaintiffs with claims against it could be at the end of a long line of creditors. How do you preserve your client’s chance of receiving a remedy? This quick education in bankruptcy law will help you sort through the complex issues that can arise when a company dies.

Litigating fraud claims for franchisees
Jeff Haff

Most legitimate franchisers are honest about what investors can expect when they buy in. But others may inflate a business’s profit potential and downplay risk. Exposing these scams can help your small-business clients recover their losses.

The next best thing to the smoking gun
David R. Sugden and Scott J. Ferrell

A potential client tells you that her employer stole trade secrets and will destroy any evidence of this if it gets wind of a lawsuit. Is there anything you can do to uncover the evidence without triggering a shredding party? You bet—the authors show how to unearth proof of wrongdoing before it ends up on the scrap heap.

Beware the economic loss rule
Stewart I. Edelstein

The bad news: The economic loss rule in business torts is one of the most confusing rules you will encounter as a trial lawyer. The good news: There are straightforward principles and a body of case law that govern its application. Enhance your success in any loss-of-business case with this guide.

Do business courts really mean business?
Gary W. Jackson

Some states use special business courts to handle commercial disputes. But there’s a growing tendency to transfer nonbusiness cases—including civil suits against companies—to these business-friendly courts. Can they give consumers a fair hearing?

Features

Avoiding the confidentiality tax bite
Randall O. Sorrels and Neel Choudhury

Entering into a settlement agreement that includes a confidentiality provision may seem like the right move for your client, but go there carefully: If some of the settlement proceeds are deemed to be payment for confidentiality, your client could face unexpected tax liability.

Human error vs. design error
Marc Green

Product and premises designers often create warnings and instructions based on ideal behavior. But human nature and behavior don’t always match the designers’ ideal. Here’s how to hold defendants accountable when products and places are safe only if the user is “perfect.”

News & Trends

DuPont takes heat over chemical in Teflon pans

State legislators call federal preemption a growing problem

Blood-substitute tests proceed without informed consent

Undocumented workers deserve protection, says New York high court

N.J. high court restricts interest in rent-to-own contracts

Out-of-state Accutane claim reinstated in New Jersey

Departments

President’s page
A word of advice

Supreme Court review
The case of the uncooperative husband

ATLA Endowment: Donor profiles

Hearsay

ATLA in motion

Crestor and Ortho Evra litigation groups pick up steam

Straight talk about nursing home care

Florida jettisons joint and several liability

New Exchange packet pulls together pharmacist liability resources

ATLA Extras can help members manage education costs

Texas team wins trial advocacy competition

Civil Rights Section to present Weinglas Award to activist lawyer

Experts & Professional Services

Classifieds

Lawyer Networking

Products & Services

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Balancing the Scales of Justice
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