General

Is Your Property Unfairly Assessed?

June 30, 2010

Watch John Fiorillo as explains the Uniformity Principle. Owners of commercial and residential real estate should watch this informative video to learn more about the Uniformity Principle. Property values have decreased over the past few years. If you believe your property is assessed at a rate higher than its fair market value, contact …

Is Your Business Eligible For The Loans and Government Contracts Available to Small Businesses?

June 11, 2010

By UTBF

If you operate a business you might consider whether it meets the federal definition of a small business. Business concerns that meet the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) definition of a “Small Business” can qualify for preferential financing and award of federal government contracts. The purpose of this article is to briefly discuss what a Small …

The Business Judgment Rule: Limited Protection For Corporate Decision Makers

June 11, 2010

By UTBF

Previously, I blogged about the “standing” requirements that must be satisfied if a shareholder or member of a corporation or other entity, like an LLC, wants to sue its officers, director or managers for mis- or malfeasance. That blog described the requirement for court certification that a plaintiff in such a derivative action adequately represents …

For Creditors – A Mistake Of Law Is Not A "Bona Fide Error”

May 18, 2010

By UTBF

The old adage, “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” has been underscored in the context of debt collection practices in a recent decision issued by the United States Supreme Court. In Jerman v. Carlisle (2010 WL 1558977 U.S.), the Court held that the “bona fide error” defense to civil liability under the Fair …

Investors Beware of Alternative Investments

April 29, 2010

By UTBF

“Selling away” is when a broker leads an investor to investments that are not offered through their brokerage house. Investing in securities outside of your brokerage account can be extremely risky, because investors will miss important investor protections that flow from the broker’s and the firm’s regulatory obligations, including the firms supervision of the brokers …

Real Estate “Offer” vs. Contract

April 21, 2010

By UTBF

With the approach of Spring and Summer comes a more active residential real estate market. The process of buying or selling a home may have become just a little more complicated due to the recent decision handed down by the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Trowbridge v. McCaigue. Buyers, sellers, and real estate agents need to …

If I win my case, will they have to pay my attorneys fees? The American Rule

April 13, 2010

By James Dalton

By: James C. Dalton More often than not, the answer to the question posed above is “No”. The general rule in American courts provides that each party to a lawsuit is responsible for paying their own attorneys fees, unless one of the following exceptions applies: A statute or rule of court authorizes the recovery …

Securities Arbitration: FINRA May Reconstitute Panels

April 1, 2010

By Stephen Lagoy

By: Stephen P. Lagoy The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which administers the arbitration program to which brokerage customers must bring their complaints, is considering using arbitration panels comprising all “non-industry” members. Presently, panels must include at least one industry member among the three-person panel. The remaining member(s) are “public” (i.e. from outside the …

Chrysler Changes Its Tune On Terminated Dealers

March 31, 2010

By Stephen Lagoy

By: Stephen P. Lagoy After initially indicating that terminated dealers would be reinstated through the federally-mandated arbitration procedure or not at all [see blog post: Chrysler and GM Take Different Approaches to Dealer Arbitration], Chrysler now says that it will offer to reinstate 50 of the 789 dealerships it terminated last year. The …

Baseball Arbitration: Part III

February 16, 2010

By Stephen Lagoy

By: Stephen P. Lagoy Baseball arbitrations (see previous blog posts here and here) have become increasingly rare as the owners and players opt to negotiate a contract rather than place their fate in the hands of an arbitration panel. The only exception thus far this year has been the case of

We Listen.

Is Your Property Unfairly Assessed?

Is Your Business Eligible For The Loans and Government Contracts Available to Small Businesses?

The Business Judgment Rule: Limited Protection For Corporate Decision Makers

For Creditors – A Mistake Of Law Is Not A "Bona Fide Error”

Investors Beware of Alternative Investments

Real Estate “Offer” vs. Contract

If I win my case, will they have to pay my attorneys fees? The American Rule

Securities Arbitration: FINRA May Reconstitute Panels

Chrysler Changes Its Tune On Terminated Dealers

Baseball Arbitration: Part III

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