Anita Deal and Ivana Bie formed their commercial real estate business Dirt Cheap, LLC several years ago. Through 2007 it was wildly successful. Then the bottom fell out. Their friendship, tenacity and cash reserves are waning. Ivana believes that the market has turned and that now is the greatest real estate buying opportunity of all
Limits on Gifts to Teachers and other Public Servants
Dana Plato is a 6th grade student at a public school in south Texas. Plato’s favorite teacher is Mr. Socrates, who teaches world geography. Unfortunately, world geography is Plato’s worst subject. In fact, Plato is dangerously close to failing the course. Whether or not she passes is dependent upon how she scores on the final
What to do when a Client Files for Bankruptcy
Much of the corn that Ethan Awl raises is sold to Beau Plymouth for Beau’s company Plymouth’s Pride to feed its turkeys. Ethan’s payment terms are net 30 days. As the economy worsened and alternative fuels gobbled up corn supplies dramatically increasing feed costs, Plymouth’s formerly prompt payments from Beau are well beyond 30 days
SLAPP Happy – Can a Business Sue a Customer who Gave a Bad Online Review?
Xavier Breath goes to his local barbershop, the Best Little Hairhouse in Texas, looking for a cut and a new hairstyle to replace his tired comb over. His young stylist recommends a “Justin Bieber” cut, which she says is very popular. Xavier does not know who Justin Bieber is, but agrees to try it out.
Do Recreational Waiver Forms Really Limit Lawsuits?
It’s Halloween. Linda Blair, Rosemary, Buffy and fellow high school senior girlfriends are looking for something to do. Trick-or-treating is boring. The thought of staying home with parents is unbearable. With no particular plan in mind, the eighteen year olds, like all bored teenagers, head to the mall. As the girls leave Abercrombie and Fitch
Is Google Maps Responsible for Bad Directions?
Gunter Ongway lives in a suburb of Dallas and does not have a car. In preparation for his fantasy football draft (which is to take place at a local restaurant), Gunter uses Google Maps to find walking directions to the restaurant. Directions in hand, Gunter sets out on his journey across town following Google’s directions
Problems with Owning a Business 50/50
Tim and Harry were friends. They both love ice cream and inventing their own flavors. The latest, “Cold Sweat” made of an ice cream base with hot sauces, picayune, habanero and Thai chili peppers was so successful they decided to partner in a new company – 50/50… and on a “handshake.” Later, Harry bought a
Differences Between Surface & Mineral Estate Ownership
Seldon Wright, an accountant, searched for years to find the perfect piece of property to open his tax preparation business, Many Happy Returns. At long last, Wright finally located and purchased an ideal parcel from Molly Kuehl, a physicist at the local university. Several months after Wright finished construction of his office and opened for
“Whistleblower” Lawsuits
Tatt L. Tale was beside himself. His company FreshLike Grocers was the largest supplier of food sold and shipped to U.S. troops in the Middle East during the Iraq war. One day, Tatt caught his boss Kot “Red” Handid changing the “use-by” labels on the food it was supplying. Freshlike Grocers did nothing to stop
Application of Criminal Double Jeopardy
Lou Pole was indicted on charges of first degree murder and pled not guilty to the killing of his three-year-old son. The prosecution sought the death penalty in a six week trial that received intensive national media attention and was a popular topic on television talk shows. Pole did not testify at his trial. To