The National Law Journal

January 25, 2007 | National Law Journal

If Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae were to go belly-up, the American taxpayer would be on the hook for the hundreds of billions of dollars of Fannie and Freddie securities that are currently outstanding. The chairman of the Federal Reserve has the power to prevent this crisis. Let's hope he does.

By David J. Reiss/Special to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

March 09, 2009 | National Law Journal

This year is shaping up as another challenging one for the government contracting community. The Justice Department is continuing to crack down on procurement fraud, and contractors must comply with new federal ethics regulations that mandate "timely" disclosure to the government of wrongdoing and minimal standards for internal control systems. Meanwhile, Congress is intensifying legislative and investigative oversight of government contracting, particularly in the defense realm.

By David H. Laufman / Special to The National Law Journal

11 minute read

March 27, 2006 | National Law Journal

Since there appear to be significant profits to be made in condominium development, many clients can�t resist developing in the risky arena of condominium projects. Accordingly, these clients often ask �Why all the construction defect litigation in condominium projects?" and "Can we develop condominiums and still be protected?"

By Bryan C. JacksonSpecial to The National Law Journal

11 minute read

October 15, 2007 | National Law Journal

In U.S. v. Atlantic Research Corp., the U.S. Supreme Court found that any private party, including a potentially responsible party, that has voluntarily incurred cleanup costs may bring a cost-recovery claim under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. But it left open other important issues, such as whether a party compelled to incur costs of response can bring a cost-recovery action, a contribution action or both. The federal courts must now resolve these issues.

By Douglas S. Arnold, David M. Meezan and Akila S. McConnell / Special to The National Law Journal

11 minute read

September 01, 2008 | National Law Journal

The Japanese capital markets are not working as well as they could. A system giving shareholders stronger rights could provide meaningful long-term benefits to the economy, which is mature and no longer can grow the way that it did during the second half of the 20th century. As a result, the Japanese government is hard at work trying to figure out a way to strengthen shareholder rights and better align the interests of management and shareholders.

By David Alan Makman / Special to The National Law Journal

11 minute read

December 01, 2003 | National Law Journal

For readers who have forgotten the travails of law school and the bar exam, a new book, Bar Man, takes a hilarious stroll down memory lane. It also shows how attitudes toward the profession have changed among the younger generation.

By Ari KaplanSpecial to The National Law Journal

5 minute read

April 24, 2006 | National Law Journal

The quest for court rules isn�t the stuff of prime-time legal drama. It's more of a pain in the side, a pain that has become more nagging thanks to a trend in litigation practices that might be called the evolution of the national litigator.

By Adam Long Special to The National Law Journal

11 minute read

March 22, 2004 | National Law Journal

With Massachusetts poised to sanction same-sex marriages on May 17, and with the laws on same-sex unions in flux in several other states, in-house legal departments across the country are trying to figure out how to cope with this new wrinkle affecting employment law.

By Sue ReisingerSpecial to The National Law Journal

6 minute read

August 04, 2008 | National Law Journal

A year and a half ago, I wrote here about how the Department of Justice's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) opinion procedure was cumbersome, slow and ripe for reform. I'm writing now to correct the record and give DOJ its due for proving me wrong. The department's most recent FCPA opinions were done in record time and on expedited schedules. But DOJ's sprint in issuing those releases only highlights the lingering question of whether this useful tool is reaching its full potential.

By Mark Miller / Special to The National Law Journal

5 minute read

March 27, 2006 | National Law Journal

Distance learning for law schools is controversial, as classes are often built upon live Socratic interaction, a part of the preparation for courtroom performance. But with a small specialty course, an online course can meet the needs of law students.

By Ellen S. PodgorSpecial to The National Law Journal

4 minute read