FMG staffs the Bell & Clements IP Risk Management Hotline. This hotline is only for insureds of Bell & Clements who have an active policy of insurance.
If you are calling for specific legal advice for risk management or a potential claim that will necessitate our first establishing an attorney-client and privileged consultation, you will need to first submit a request for consultation form and agree to the terms of our consultation. Please note that no attorney-client relationship will be formed nor exist, between the Bell & Clements insured (“you”) and Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, (“FMG”) unless and until (1) you complete the below Request for Consultation Form, (2) you agree to the terms and conditions of the engagement as set forth in the attached agreement (3) FMG advises you there are no conflicts in connection with the potential consultation, and (4) FMG accepts the request and agrees to consult with you.
In the event FMG accepts your request, you will thereafter be eligible for 2 hours of legal consultation free of charge. Please note, the activities and/or tasks to be completed [within these unpaid hours] are solely within FMG’s discretion.
Fees & Billing: In the event FMG accepts your request, you will thereafter be eligible for 2 hours of legal representation free of charge. Any additional representation beyond the complimentary hours is conditioned upon your prior acknowledgment and agreement in writing to be responsible for and pay any additional legal fees and expenses at the agreed-upon Bell & Clements agreed hourly rate beginning at the time of your acceptance. In other words, you will not be charged for any fees beyond the 2-hour free consultation, unless and until you agree to additional paid consultation and services.
*Please review and agree to the below terms and conditions of representation if my request for consultation is accepted by FMG.
More Changes in Texas Laws –Texas Expands Sexual Harassment Protections Effective September 1, 2021
9/24/21
By: Mandy Hexom Effective September 1, 2021, Texas employees will have expanded protections against sexual harassment as part of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. Surprising many, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 45 (Texas Labor Code § 21.141) and House Bill 21 (Texas Labor Code §§ 21.201(g) and 21.202). These new laws also…
Pennsylvania House of Representatives introduces anti-indemnity bill
9/23/21
By: Joshua Ferguson The Pennsylvania House of Representatives introduced House Bill 1886, legislation amending Act 164 of 1970, which relates to Indemnification Agreements in certain contracts. Like Act 164, the bill itself appears to cover agreements between ”architects, engineers or surveyors and owners, contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.” Beyond the limited Act 164, Pennsylvania does not have an anti-indemnity statute regarding contracts for the industries identified above. …
9/22/21
By: R. Victoria Fuller and Jessica Gray Kelly Intellectual Property attorneys face malpractice risks unique to their specialty. Avoiding claims from clients and complying with the rules of professional conduct requires practitioners to exercise constant vigilance. Understanding both the circumstances that tend to drive claims, and the types of conflicts that trip-up IP practitioners, will help you mitigate your risk. Recent data trends show claims arise from foreign filings,…
The rule on joint representation conflict waivers for California lawyers has loosened up
9/21/21
By: Gregory T. Fayard Under the old rules of professional conduct attributable to California lawyers, whenever a lawyer represented more than one client, the safe protocol was to get an informed written consent from both clients to the joint representation because their interests could POTENTIALLY conflict. Potential conflicts always exist, right? So, for example, if…
9/21/21
By: Julia Bover The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the Biden administration is “preparing an array of actions” to combat the ransomware epidemic by targeting the digital currency market as early as this week. Sanctions on cryptocurrency were discussed as being imminent, but the Treasury Department declined to comment for the story, leaving many to…
9/20/21
By: Aaron Miller The Supreme Court of Georgia on August 10, 2021 issued an opinion significantly limiting the apportionment statute in Georgia. The case, Alston & Bird, LLP v. Hatcher Management Holdings, LLC S20G1419, severely limits the situations in which a defendant can apportion fault to a non-party based on statutory law. The statute, O.C.G.A.…
9/16/21
By: Zachary E. Danner, Esq. Over the past several months, there have been numerous instances of significant data privacy breaches reported in the news. From Facebook, who experienced a data breach affecting over 540 million users, to Microsoft, Capital One, T-Mobile, and Volkswagon. These are all some of the largest companies in technology, communications, and transportation. …
Exculpatory clause in gym membership contract holds water in favorable NJ summary judgment ruling
9/15/21
By: Nicholas J. Hubner and William H Catto The New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, affirmed a favorable summary judgment ruling for the defendant Life Time Fitness, Inc. (“Life Time”) against plaintiff-gym-patron on plaintiff’s negligence claim, and refusal to grant application to amend the complaint during oral argument. In Skarbnik v. Life Time Fitness, Inc., the plaintiff brought a negligence claim against Life Time,…
Georgia’s new Uniform Mediation Act provides protections for private mediations
9/14/21
By: Robert E. Buckley Georgia’s Uniform Mediation Act (“GUMA”), codified at O.C.G.A. § 9-17-1, et seq., went into effect on July 1, 2021 and applies to mediation proceedings entered into from that date. GUMA provides new protections and requirements for parties and mediators engaging in private mediation in Georgia. GUMA applies where parties elect to pursue mediation with an individual who holds himself or herself out as a mediator…