Many providers wrongly assume that copying their lawyer on communications somehow means that the communication is automatically protected from discovery under an attorney-client privilege. A recent ruling in U.S. v. Halifax Hospital Medical Center points out that this is not always the case and includes important reminders for what is […]
Publications
There’s Still Time to Claim a Business Property Tax Credit in Iowa for 2013
The deadline to claim an Iowa business property tax credit is January 15, 2014. As we reported in a June 14, 2013, article, Iowa enacted legislation to reform certain types of property taxes. One reform applies to businesses that pay property taxes and allows for a credit of up to […]
Overcoming M&A Hurdles in Closely Held Banks
This article was originally published by BankDirector.com on January 6, 2014. The family dynamic in closely held banks is a powerful driver in bank mergers and acquisitions today, and deals involving closely held financial institutions often take a very different tack than transactions by their publicly traded brethren. Whether […]
EPA Adopts Additional Standard for Environmental Site Assessments
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) adopted an amendment to the All Appropriate Inquiries (“AAI”) rule found in 40 C.F.R. § 312, to allow, but not require, a new ASTM standard to meet the requirements of the existing AAI rule. We previously reported on a proposed amendment relating to […]
Patent Trolls Focus on the Banking Industry
As the Nebraska Attorney General takes to Capitol Hill to testify to the deleterious practices of patent trolls on Nebraska banks and businesses, many institutions are still grappling with exactly what a “patent troll” is, how they operate and why they are allowed to do what they do. Patent […]