Section Newsletters

Articles on Business Law

A new world order: Harvard Professor John Ruggie’s final guiding principles on business and human rights By Michael G. Congiu Business Advice and Financial Planning, April 2012 The final U.N.'s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights pose an enormously significant set of parameters upon corporations and signify a critical departure from the historical obligation of states to protect and promote the human rights. According to the Guiding Principles, companies now have human rights obligations that are commensurate and may even exceed the obligations of sovereign states.
News from the National Labor Relations Board By Alan M. Kaplan Business Advice and Financial Planning, April 2012 President Obama recently appointed three new members to the NLRB.
Small and medium enterprises considering exporting to China should be mindful of protecting their intellectual property rights By John J. Tufano Business and Securities Law, April 2012 For small and medium enterprises considering exporting to China, understanding how to protect intellectual property rights abroad is a key component to due diligence.
7th Circuit successor liability law as extended by Ordonez v. Akorat By Brian P. Welch & Barry A. Chatz Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2012 In Ordonez, et al v. Akorat Metal Fabricators, Inc., et al, the Northern District provided a roadmap of the federal doctrine of successor liability and gives asset-purchasers guidance on how not to plead a Motion for Summary Judgment asserting that successor liability is inapplicable as a matter of law.
The danger of Internet checks as part of a company’s hiring process By Peter LaSorsa Labor and Employment Law, February 2012 The latest endeavor by companies is to check Web sites like Facebook and Twitter to see what new information they can learn about prospective employees. Is this a good idea? Are there potential land mines that the company could step on?
International Internet jurisdiction under the Convention on the Use of Electronic Communication in International Contracts By Kitsuron Sangsuvan International and Immigration Law, January 2012 When two states claim jurisdiction over transactions, international jurisdictional conflict arises: Where can the plaintiff sue? Which country’s laws apply?
Are “drag along” provisions valid in Illinois? By William A. Price Business and Securities Law, November 2011 Private equity transactions routinely include the right to compel owners of a minority interest in a company to take the same price that the majority gets in future deals, without the appraisal and “fair value” process provided in the Illinois Business Corporation Act. Is this type of provision valid?
Current issues in connection with capital formation for privately held companies By William Hadler Business and Securities Law, November 2011 In early 2011 Goldman Sachs made two investments in Facebook, Inc. igniting a national debate over the regulatory framework governing private capital raising alternatives. 
The future of corporate structures: The Washington, D.C. approach By Frank M. Grenard Corporate Law Departments, November 2011 For better or for worse, what has started with the nation’s capital has the potential to reach the Illinois General Assembly’s eye and ear, particularly if it results in a significant attraction to companies to set up shop in a BOC-type jurisdiction.
Maximize your profits and minimize your risks by understanding your sourcing agreements By Caroline Berube & Michelle J. Rozovics International and Immigration Law, November 2011 A look at the different issues surrounding sourcing in China.
Recent developments in Swiss business law By Florian S. Jörg International and Immigration Law, November 2011 A list of changes to note when doing business in Switzerland.
Breach Notification Laws—What every business owner needs to know By Gary Zhao & Peter Maris Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, October 2011 For any multi-state or nationwide business, preventing information security breaches is most likely the easiest and cheapest way to comply with breach notification laws.
Business results from the fall and spring sessions By William A. Price Business Advice and Financial Planning, August 2011 Recent changes in Illinois taxes affecting business lawyers.
Ethical issues for business and intellectual property lawyers, part 2 By Eugene F. Friedman Business Advice and Financial Planning, August 2011 The second installment in this series on ethics for business lawyers.
Canada Consumer Product Safety Act went into effect June 20, 2011—What retailers need to know By Douglas F. Harrison Corporate Law Departments, July 2011 Retailers operating in Canada began facing significant new obligations under the new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, which went into effect on June 20, 2011.
Company Web sites: Best practices for avoiding securities fraud By Elizabeth A. Bleakley & Daryl M. Schumacher Business and Securities Law, July 2011 A look at some of the regulatory issues, as well as the application of antifraud provisions of federal and state securities laws to company Web sites.
Federal jury acquits in-house counsel of criminal charges arising from client’s response to government investigation By Lisa Simmons Corporate Law Departments, July 2011 A federal judge has acquitted a former in-house lawyer for GlaxoSmithKline of six criminal charges that she obstructed a federal investigation and made false statements to investigators.
The curious history of resale price maintenance By Charles A. Stewart Business Advice and Financial Planning, June 2011 The agreement between manufacturer and retailer to set minimum prices eliminates, or at least dramatically restricts intrabrand competition among retailers of the articles and so is an obvious restraint of trade deemed illegal by the Sherman Act.
Ethical issues for business and intellectual property lawyers—Part 1 By Eugene F. Friedman Business Advice and Financial Planning, June 2011 The first installment in this series on ethics for business lawyers.
Hazards of failure to register as a foreign corporation By Stephen M. Proctor Corporate Law Departments, June 2011 Although registering as a foreign corporation will subject the corporation to the state’s jurisdiction and taxation, some consequences, as shown in Centralia Mining Co., v. Deneen Crawford, could be even more severe.
The Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index By Marc A. Garcia Diversity Leadership Council, June 2011 Since 2002, through the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the Human Rights Campaign has surveyed major businesses, including law firms, to benchmark important employer benefits and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees and their families.
Lender’s use of SBA in Illinois By James P. Kelly & Lewis F. Matuszewich Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, June 2011 In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, 213 different banks utilized an SBA guaranty on 1,975 loans for a total of $504,968,498.
Trademark protection—Practice points to consider By Elliott C. Bankendorf & Melaina D. Jobs Corporate Law Departments, June 2011 A general overview of the trademark registration process.
3 ways your business can run afoul of tax authorities By Gregory A. Zbylut Federal Taxation, May 2011 Steer clear of these minefields and you may have fewer tax-related headaches.
Acquisition of company assets may include hidden unclaimed property liabilities By Stanley R. Kaminski State and Local Taxation, May 2011 To combat the potential unclaimed property problem, a purchasing company should consider adding a provision to the acquisition agreement dealing with past or existing unclaimed property.
The curious history of resale price maintenance By Charles A. Stewart Business and Securities Law, May 2011 The agreement between manufacturer and retailer to set minimum prices eliminates, or at least dramatically restricts intrabrand competition among retailers of the articles and so is an obvious restraint of trade deemed illegal by the Sherman Act.
Recent developments in Swiss business law By Florian S. Jörg International and Immigration Law, May 2011 Developments of particular interest to international business law practitioners.
Regulation D securities offerings By Elizabeth A. Bleakley & James L. Kopecky Business and Securities Law, May 2011 A discussion of Regulation D and exemptions available under Rule 504, Rule 505, and Rule 506.
Case law developments Corporate Law Departments, April 2011 Recent cases of interest to corporate attorneys.
Establishing a corporate giving program By Leonard W. Sachs Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, April 2011 A look at Howard & Howard's corporate giving program, and some guidance for establishing your own.

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