A recent Maryland Supreme Court ruling underscores a risk that lenders and contract purchasers often overlook: not every term in a multi-document transaction automatically carries over to an assignee, even when it feels like it should. Lyles v. Santander Consumer USA Inc., 2025 WL 3274817 (Md. 2025) For businesses that regularly buy contracts or loan […]
When Assignment Language Cuts Off Arbitration Rights Read More »
How Can the Wording of Assignment and Integration Clauses Determine Which Rights an Assignee Actually Receives? Lyles v. Santander Consumer USA Inc., 2025 WL 3274817 (Md. 2025) For businesses that regularly buy contracts or loan portfolios, a recent Maryland Supreme Court decision is a reminder that companies cannot assume every term in the dealer’s paperwork
Lessons from a Contract Assignment Gone Wrong Read More »
A Maryland court reinforced how careful deal process, documentation, and stockholder approval can shield directors from post-closing litigation. Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P. v. TravelCenters of America Inc., 2025 WL 3280907 (Md. Ct. App. 2025) When a public company agrees to be sold, its board still must navigate competing bids, deal protections, and stockholder
A Higher Price Isn’t Always the Best Deal Read More »
A recent Fifth Circuit decision in Sims Agency, LLC v. GEICO underscores a hard truth for commission-based professionals. Courts will enforce the plain text of your contract, and nothing more. This Fifth Circuit decision reminds insurance agents and any commission-based professionals that post-termination compensation must be spelled out in writing. Sims Agency, a captive GEICO
When the Contract Ends, So Do the Commissions Read More »
A reminder that even strong infringement claims can vanish if the underlying patent doesn’t hold up. Causam Enterprises v. International Trade Commission, 2025 WL 2919058 (Fed. Cir. 2025) In this Federal Circuit case, Causam Enterprises sued the International Trade Commission, claiming that imported “smart thermostat” products infringed on its energy-management patent. The Commission ruled there
Patent Invalidity Ends “Smart Thermostat” Infringement Dispute Read More »