Corporate Law

‘Best software developer in the building’ is fired after boss learns he outsourced work to China

An unidentified software developer was fired after his boss learned he routinely spent his work day on Internet activities, having outsourced all of his duties to a Chinese consulting firm. There was no issue with the quality of the man’s work; he was regularly rated as “the best software developer…

Jan 16, 2013 11:01 PM CST

Longtime Canada-based legal shops are top-listed for M&A work, survey says

International mergers among law firms are a hot trend right now. But, at least among Canada-based legal shops, when it comes to bringing in the most global M&A business, the traditional top-drawer firms that have grown more conservatively and are perhaps still best known for their work in Canada are…

Jan 16, 2013 10:33 PM CST

Two lawyers among 11 federally indicted re massive alleged HOA corruption scheme

Two Las Vegas lawyers were among 11 defendants federally indicted Tuesday in an alleged massive scheme to take over area homeowner associations. Keith Gregory and Barry Levinson and the other nine defendants were all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Some defendants face additional…

Jan 16, 2013 8:29 PM CST

New law expected to bring more home-baked goods to stores and farmer’s markets

Joining 30 other states, California has enacted a bill to allow entrepreneurs to cook some food at home for sale to the public. The new law, known as the California Homemade Food Act, is expected to encourage start-up businesses that sell bread, pies, cookies, jams and jellies, among others. While…

Jan 16, 2013 6:20 PM CST

AIG Won’t Join Suit Claiming Its Government Bailout Harmed Shareholders

The board of American International Group won’t be joining a $25 billion lawsuit that claims shareholders were harmed by onerous terms of the insurer’s government bailout. The board announced its decision on Wednesday, report the New York Times Taking Note blog and the Associated Press. AIG has repaid the United…

Jan 10, 2013 1:19 PM CST

A Corporation Is Not a Person for Car Pool Lane Purposes, Calif. Judge Rules

A corporation is considered a person under the law of California (and numerous other states). But that doesn’t mean a corporation counts as a passenger when it comes to satisfying a car pool lane requirement that a vehicle contain two or more people, a California judge has ruled. Jonathan Frieman…

Jan 9, 2013 6:33 PM CST

AIG Considers Joining Suit Claiming Its Government Bailout Harmed Shareholders

American International Group will likely appear an ingrate if it agrees to join a lawsuit against the U.S. government claiming the insurer’s $182 billion bailout harmed shareholders. But AIG could face additional shareholder lawsuits if it decides against joining the $25 billion suit and the action ultimately proves successful, according…

Jan 8, 2013 2:35 PM CST

In-House Counsel, Accused of Stealing $9M By Paying Fake Law Firm Bills, Gives Himself Up to Police

A suspended New York lawyer who has been accused of embezzling $9 million while working as an in-house counsel in Houston gave himself up weeks ago at a Rhode Island police station, his lawyer says. And when Anthony Chiofalo turned himself in, he also gave up something else, his lawyer,…

Jan 4, 2013 5:58 PM CST

Transocean to Pay $1.4B to Resolve DOJ Criminal Probe, Other Federal Claims re Gulf Oil Spill

The company that owned the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and safety equipment involved in the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill nearly three years ago has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to settle federal claims over the fatal environmental disaster. Transocean Ltd. will plead guilty to violating the Clean Water…

Jan 3, 2013 10:52 PM CST

Does Legal Fees Motion in $590M Citigroup Case Include $1K Per Hour for Low-Paid Contract Lawyers?

A protester has filed an objection to a legal-fees request in a securities case settled by Citigroup for $590 million, contending that the lead plaintiffs law firm is trying to charge $1,000 per hour for some contract attorneys who were actually paid only a small fraction of that amount. Attorney…

Jan 3, 2013 8:03 PM CST

Unprecedented Era of Insider-Trading Enforcement Casts a Wide Net, With Help of Electronic Evidence

With the help of electronic technology, those in charge of enforcing securities laws have created an unprecedented era of enforcement against those who betray workplace confidences, friends or even family members with corporate connections, to score illegal gains by buying and selling based on inside information. While federal prosecutions in…

Dec 21, 2012 9:36 PM CST

3 Arrested re ‘Maple Syrup Gang’ Accused of Stealing 6M Gallons From OPEC-Like Canadian Cartel

In an $18 million international theft case that a representative of the victims compares to stealing oil reserves from OPEC, authorities say they have brought at least some members of the “maple syrup gang” to justice. Three men were arrested Tuesday and five others are being sought in what is…

Dec 20, 2012 11:12 PM CST

Wal-Mart Says Retailer Is Investigating Possible Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Issues in Mexico

Responding to a New York Times report earlier this week about a claimed pattern of bribe-paying by a Mexican subsidiary, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it has been looking into the alleged incidents discussed by the newspaper as part of an internal investigation of potential Foreign Corrupt Practices Act issues that…

Dec 19, 2012 4:52 PM CST

NY Times Says It Pursued Internal Probe Dropped by Wal-Mart, Describes Claimed Bribes in Mexico

When a lawyer for the Mexican subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. allegedly told executives at the retail giant’s Arkansas headquarters that managers across the border routinely resorted to bribery to avoid zoning, environmental and permitting regulations when building new stores, an internal investigation ensued. But it was also shut down…

Dec 18, 2012 10:18 PM CST

As Freaked-Out Social Media Users Exit, Instagram Says Newest Service Terms Will End ‘Confusion’

Updated: In response to social media users freaking out over new Instagram terms of service that seemingly give the site the right to use an individual’s photos—“along with any associated metadata”—for advertising purposes, a leader of the site is promising that the new terms of service will be revised to…

Dec 18, 2012 8:49 PM CST