Resource Library

The US Federal Communications Commission recently adopted modified “open Internet” rules intended to protect the ability of consumers and content producers to send and receive legal information on the Internet, a concept also known as “network neutrality.” In order to strengthen its authority to adopt the rules, the FCC reclassified fixed broadband Internet access services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. This article explains which sections of Title II will and will not apply to broadband Internet access services.

Failure to discover that your company may have had insurance coverage could cost your company. You must make it clear who is responsible for seeking insurance coverage and dealing with your insurance coverage issues: in-house counsel, outside defense counsel, or outside coverage counsel. The best place to allocate those responsibilities is in your company's engagement letters and guidelines for working with outside counsel. Thus, in selecting a law firm to defend a case, it is critical to determine whether that firm has sufficient insurance coverage experience. If it does not, it is advisable to retain separate coverage counsel early on.

An article and presentation on the when to set a reserve.

This program will be a roundtable discussion of real-life corporate depositions which went terribly wrong. It will begin with a three minute video segment from the popular television series, "The Office," which depicts a disastrous corporate deposition in action. From there, attendees will develop critical skills in learning to avoid common deposition pitfalls while simultaneously developing strategy and technique in both the preparation and execution of 30(b(6) depositions. Attendees will learn how to get the attention of senior management to ensure proper preparation and maximum tactical advantage, how to select appropriate witnesses and post-deposition affidavits, and how to take advantages of the nuances contained within Rule 30(b)(6) regarding corporate officer depositions.

This program will focus on a series of case studies involving in-house lawyers who got into trouble for (allegedly or actually) violating legal ethics rules, acting improperly in response to government investigations, and assisting their employers in perpetrating fraudulent or criminal acts. We will review the case studies, discuss what the lawyers involved could have done to avoid trouble, and tease out steps that you and your law department can take to protect yourselves from the potential pitfalls highlighted by the case studies.

In-house counsel can take advantage of delays in the effective date of several key Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements to refine their health care strategies for 2014 and 2015. This program will focus on the ACA requirement that most employers provide all full-time employees (who average 30 or more hours per week) with health coverage that meets federal standards of affordability and minimum value. There is no “one-size-fits-all” compliance model for businesses. This presents both a compliance challenge and a strategic opportunity for in-house counsel. Our panelists will provide sophisticated information on how to take into account factors about your company — including its turnover rate, reliance on part-time employees, vulnerability to union organizing, use of staffing agencies, seasonal fluctuation and systems for tracking hours worked — in choosing a health plan design and coverage options. We will also cover how your company will deal with the new state-based insurance exchanges, as well as new rules on waiting periods and wellness programs. Panelists will answer specific questions on these new requirements and enforcement issues.

The proliferation of music and movie sharing sites make it easier than ever to add multimedia – motion pictures, television video, and music -- to enhance communication and training for customers and colleagues. Yet questions about permissions and licensing persist. This program will offer an introductory class on music and video public performance law and licensing. From American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers/Broadcast Music, Inc./Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, to movie and television studios, to public performance licenses, to sync licenses, and more, this program will provide an overview of current laws pertaining to music and video licensing and offer practical approaches on when organizations need to seek permission for reuse. Guidelines on how to go about securing the necessary permissions, clearances and licenses will be offered.

Top ten tips for creating an effective pro bono program for your non-profit organization, which will offer tremendous support by augmenting your existing legal resources while easing budget constraints.