Minnesota Litigator
News & Commentary
Do not consider the blog to be a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your state.
Minnesota’s Expert Affidavit Statute: A Reprieve
When 180 Days Does Not Equal 180 Days Kaplan v. Mayo Foundation et al., Civil No. 07-3630 (JRT/JJK) (D. Minn. 10/27/2008), JOHN R. TUNHEIM, United States District Judge. In recognition of the risk of forcing non-culpable defendants to defend against non-meritorious medical malpractice claims (and other professional malpractice, as well), the Minnesota legislature has long […]
Court Scrutiny of Petition for Award of Attorneys’ Fees
Bores v. Domino’s Pizza, LLC, Civ. No. 05-2498 (RHK/JSM) (D. Minn. 10/27/2008)RICHARD H. KYLE, United States District Judge Franchisees brought a breach of contract action against Domino’s Pizza. It appears they lost on summary judgment, which Domino’s, though the victor, appealed and, at the Eighth Circuit, the Appeals Court held that Domino’s motion to dismiss […]
Practice Makes Perfect: Perfecting Your Security Interest Matters…. A LOT
Noble Systems Corp. v. Alorica Central, LLC (8th Cir.) (10/8/08) The Court of Appeals affirms dismissal claims of tortious interference, fraud, intentional and negligent misrepresentation, conversion, unjust enrichment, conspiracy, and replevin under Minnesota law. The problems in the case can be traced to Plaintiff’s failure to perfect a security interest. Having failed to do so, […]
Jackson et al. v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS)
On September 10, Legal Aid attorney Amber Hawkins argued in favor of plaintiffs in this case before the Minnesota Supreme Court, the question having been certified by the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota (Ericksen, J.). The issue is the propriety of the widespread MERS system where mortgagees (lenders) use MERS as a sort of […]
Petters Problems…
Well known Minnesota businessman, Tom Petters, appears to be at the center of an alleged massive and serious financial fraud. If the allegations in the government’s affidavit for a related search warrant hold up, Petters, lawyer, Jon Hopeman, at the Felhaber law firm, will have his hands full….
2/12/09: Save the Date!
On February 12, 2009, I will be presenting on Federal and State Lending Laws as part of the Lorman Education Series. We’ll surely touch on new Minnesota laws governing mortgage brokers and new regulations as to TILA disclosures. I also expect to give a survey of current on-going related litigation in Minnesota federal and state […]
On the Ethics of Leaving A Law Firm
Eric Cooperstein, a lawyer with the Minnesota Board of Professional Responsibility has his own firm that focuses on ethics issues. “Leaving a law firm” is one of his practice areas. There are ethical and practical considerations implicated in many professional job changes, only more so for lawyers, with issues of confidentiality and privilege (for starters). […]
Goldman Sachs/Morgan Stanley Banking Holding Co.s
This is the big headline of the day as Wall Street is said to have changed forever.