If Asked to ‘Confirm' Existing Oil and Gas Lease, Beware
- January 26, 2011 | By Alan D. Wenger | Oil & Gas
Many lessors with existing leases have in recent months received requests from lessees to confirm, restate, reform, reestablish, clarify, grant “surface rights” (or other labels) as to their existing leases. Usually these existing leases are 2006 or later vintage, and…
Standard-Form Oil & Gas Leases Should Leave You Disturbed
- January 26, 2011 | By Alan D. Wenger | Oil & Gas
Anyone who has been presented a standard-form oil and gas lease, and reads it, should recognize how one-sided and biased the standard leases are in favor of the lessee drilling company. An apt acronym reflecting many of the ways the…
Use Caution to Spot, Prevent Identity Theft
- January 15, 2009 | By Kevin P. Murphy | Creditors Rights, Litigation
In “Romeo & Juliet,” the question was asked, “What’s in a name?” Although Juliet thought little of Romeo’s name, she would feel differently today. Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in America. Over the past year, over 10 million Americans…
Nursing Home Moves Raise Critical Issues
- December 15, 2008 | By Neil H. Maxwell | Estate Planning
Many families must rely on the U.S. government's Medicaid program to pay the costs of a loved one's lodging and care at a nursing home. Qualifying for Medicaid can be a difficult process, full of financial, legal and emotional challenges….
Promptness, Care Drive Best Results After Car Accident
- October 1, 2008 | By John T. Dellick | Litigation
Nationally, there are approximately six million or more motor vehicle crashes each year. Each of these collisions involves one or more legal issues. Under the specific facts of the accident, the issues of law may be well-established and straightforward or…
Hidden Risks Lurk In Some Form Contracts
- May 15, 2008 | By John T. Dellick | Business & Employment, Litigation
As a matter of convenience, cost savings or industry practice, many parties confirm their agreement through pre-printed form contracts. Properly prepared form agreements are intended to be used in limited and generally routine transactions. However, the use of the wrong…
Follow These Steps To Minimize Stress In Evicting Tenant
- December 15, 2007 | By Michael J. McGee | Litigation
Evicting a commercial tenant can be a tremendous headache. But by following the right steps, a property owner can minimize the pain and restore that space back to productivity. Here are eight steps that landlords and their attorneys should keep…
Before Discipline, Consider These 10 Tough Questions
- September 1, 2007 | By Alan D. Wenger | Business & Employment
Nearly every employer faces the need to discipline or discharge an employee. Often the facts and circumstances are not so clear and simple, and questions arise as to whether the employer is following correct procedures to avoid getting into legal…