Resource Library

This column discusses the consequences of government charges against in-house counsel and a few ideas on how to stay out of trouble.

This InfoPAK is designed to help a company understand three areas of US law that regulate efforts to influence government decision-making: campaign finance law, lobbying disclosure law, and gift law. In this day and age, a successful company often needs to: (1) participate in selecting those who control government; (2) know what disclosure consequences arise from lobbying government; and (3) avoid nasty pitfalls relating to developing friendships in the government sector. Originally published in September 2009, updated in September 2015.

This InfoPAK addresses United States laws imposing export controls and economic and trade sanctions. These laws and their implementing regulations can present unique challenges to businesses, as they are complex and often, can be counter-intuitive to the business person. Nevertheless, U.S. government enforcement agencies expect companies to know the rules governing cross-border commerce. Further, an increasing number of companies are being held accountable for violations of these laws and regulations and are receiving ever-increasing
penalties.

The judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada in in Bisaillon v. Concordia University is a welcome reaffirmation of two principles. The first is that the procedural remedy has not changed the substantive law. Thus, if no individual action lies, no collective action lies either. The second principle is that the class representative must have a sufficient personal interest to sustain an action. This paper will examine each of these principles in light of examples drawn from Quebec case law.

A flow chart guiding employers through relevant health and safety regulations.

This InfoPAK provides an overview of the administrative process and the necessary steps the employer must take to properly respond to an agency charge of discrimination. A quick and thorough response is necessary when your organization is approached by an agency investigator. This InfoPAK contains helpful strategies to minimize the impact in such cases. Accordingly, this InfoPAK contains key procedures to implement for an internal investigation and formal response to a discrimination charge, potentially preventing future, unwarranted allegations.

The purpose of this InfoPAK is to assist corporate counsel in understanding and making decisions about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and global anti-corruption law. Included is a summary of the Act, the role of the various government agencies, enforcement trends, and a discussion of steps companies can take to mitigate risk and fulfill their obligations under the Act. <p><b>Also included is a summary of anti-corruption laws in: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand.</b></p>

Mention defending an asbestos case and many in-house counsel blanch, with thoughts of company bankruptcy racing through their heads. Yet, what many counsel don't know is that their client may well be able to require the federal government to contribute to a settlement or judgment in such a case, due to the government's pre-eminent role in building World War II-era industrial facilities that contained asbestos. Learn how to overcome sovereign immunity stumbling blocks to establish government liability in today's asbestos litigation arena.

A motion for leave to file brief as amicus curiae in the Stolt-Nielson case.

Sample environmental, health, and safety protocol and procedures.