Court: BigLaw firms missed $1.5B error, erasing JPMorgan's security interest in GM loan

". . . .The problems began when a partner at Mayer Brown instructed an associate to draft documents to release the bank’s security interest in $300 million in financing that GM was paying off, according to opinion. The associate asked a paralegal to search for UCC-1 financing statements documenting the security interest. The associate found the correct two documents, along with a third–the most important financing statement for an unrelated $1.5 billion loan by a syndicate of lenders for which JPMorgan Chase was the secured party of record.
“No one at General Motors, Mayer Brown, JPMorgan, or its counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, noticed the error,” though documents were sent to each organization for review, the appeals court said. A lawyer at Simpson Thacher had responded, “Nice job on the documents.” The mistake went unnoticed until GM’s bankruptcy in 2009." More.



Originally posted by Debra Cassens Weiss in ABA Journal News.  Jan. 22, 2015
The Law Lady.  For more info about us, click here.  To be added to our email circulation with MUCH, MUCH more law, click here and specify whether you wish to be added to our CRIMINAL, CIVIL, HEALTH & INSURANCE, 11th CIRCUIT, or all FEDERAL Recent Decisions of Interest. 

After Sony hack attack, companies are curtailing email use and storage

"After a stunning attack late last year by hackers who stole and publicly released a wide array of confidential Sony Pictures documents, business executives are rethinking their approach to confidential information...'Sony would have fared much better if its executives simply hadn’t made racist jokes about Mr. Obama or insulted its stars—or if their response systems had been agile enough to kick the hackers out before they grabbed everything,' he wrote.
Key lessons from the attack on Sony include the need for companies to actively monitor their systems for evidence of any security breach, chief security strategist Richard Bejtlich of FireEye tells CBS News."  More.


Originally posted by Martha Neil in ABA Journal News.  Jan. 16, 2015
The Law Lady.  For more info about us, click here.  To be added to our email circulation with MUCH, MUCH more law, click here and specify whether you wish to be added to our CRIMINAL, CIVIL, HEALTH & INSURANCE, 11th CIRCUIT, or all FEDERAL Recent Decisions of Interest. 

Dorothy F. Easley Honored as an Expert in Appeals

Dorothy F. Easley, Attorney of Easley Appellate Practice, P.L.L.C., has been recognized for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in appellate law.

Ms. Easley has 20 years of professional experience as an appellate attorney, and almost ten years as a President of Easley Appellate Practice, P.L.L.C. On a daily basis, she serves as the supervising appellate attorney of the firm while managing its operations. In addition, she mentors other attorneys and handles the appeals process for the firm's clients.

Ms. Easley is a nationally recognized author of the federal appellate treatise, "Successful Federal Appeals in All Circuit Courts: A Practical Guide for Busy Lawyers", available on Amazon.com with a second edition soon to be released in 2015. She attributes her success to the fact that she appreciates the value of hard work, perseverance and tenacity. More.

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals says abortion ultrasound law violates First amendment

"A federal appeals court has ruled that North Carolina’s abortion ultrasound law violates the First Amendment. The law requires physicians to perform an ultrasound, display the sonogram, and describe the fetus to women seeking abortions, even if the woman averts her eyes or refuses to listen. The measure does allow an exception in cases of emergency. In a ruling (PDF) on Monday, the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law is “quintessential compelled speech” that is by its very nature content-based."  More.


Originally posted by Debra Cassens Weiss in ABA Journal News.  Dec 22, 2014 

The Law Lady.  For more info about us, click here.  To be added to our email circulation with MUCH, MUCH more law, click here and specify whether you wish to be added to our CRIMINAL, CIVIL, HEALTH & INSURANCE, 11th CIRCUIT, or all FEDERAL Recent Decisions of Interest.