All too often, desires to “get the deal done” or “get it signed” or “get it built” result in poor contractual administration and eventual (often avoidable) problems. That is somewhat understandable, given the fact that most contractual arrangements begin with…
During the economic downturn in 2008-10, contractors on North Carolina public projects suffered significant losses due to the double payment risks in the then existing Little Miller Act. Taking their concerns to the legislature and working closely with other groups…
Confusion often exists as to the differences between the multiple types of guaranty agreements and suretyship agreements in North Carolina. Although subtle differences can dictate when the liability of a party may be triggered, they do share some initial similarities. …
In the past, many whistleblower claims arose out of simple revenge. A fired or aggrieved employee seeking retribution against his employer for a termination or demotion. Today, however, people are reporting complaints at an ever-increasing rate under a variety of…
Effective July 1, 2013, identification of an individual who is party to a UCC-1 Financing Statement changed. Gone are the days of listing the debtor as “Joe Smith.” Now, you must use the name as it is indicated on the…
Consider the following scenario: Seller claims $100.00 is due for goods provided. Buyer claims that only $75.00 is owed. Buyer then mails a check to Seller for $80.00, marked “paid in full”. What are the consequences if the Seller deposits…
As part of the continuing series of articles identifying important construction contract clauses, perhaps the most impactful clause in a contract can be the standard termination for convenience clause. Imagine this scenario: your firm expended time and material in bidding…
My first job out of law school was situated two blocks from the White House, working in a cubicle for the Internal Revenue Service. I worked as a tax lawyer in the Exempt Organizations Group and reviewed organizations for a…
If you are like most folks this time of year, you have already seen more television ads, heard more on the radio, and had more robo-calls than you can stomach – and the primary election has only just come and…
By: Chad J. Cochran Non-compete agreements can have huge ramifications. Sometimes, they serve to protect a company’s vital clients. At other times, they prohibit an employee from finding gainful employment to support his family. As a result, judges generally…
Have you ever heard of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)? If not, you will as it appears it has reared its head in the court system, again. The basic premise of the SCRA is to prevent those in the…
Generally speaking, secured lending is defined as a loan or extension of credit in which the borrower pledges an asset as collateral for the loan. A secured loan or transaction generally involves a two document system: an acknowledgment of the…
The Federal Reserve administers a key economic indicator, the federal-funds rate. Banks use the federal-funds rate to conduct overnight transactions which trade account balances maintained at the Federal Reserve. When the Fed raises this key rate, personal and business loan…
Every now and then the listserv for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section lights up with a discussion which is of interest to creditors. One such discussion occurred recently regarding the duty of a creditor to report payments to…
By: Chad J. Cochran Yesterday at lunch, a woman ahead of me in line asked to pay for her sandwich with a check. The deli worker looked a bit startled and then replied, “I’ve been working here three months and…