Business litigation

• Author: Steven F. Samilow
• Pages: 369-430

BUSINESS LITIGATION

4-1

CHAPTER 4

BUSINESS LITIGATION

I. GENERAL POINTS

§4:01 Small Business Issues

II. INITIATING BUSINESS LITIGATION

A. Limitations of Actions

1. General Points

§4:10 Statutes of Limitation

§4:11 The Concept of Tolling

§4:12 Continuing Torts

§4:13 Statutes of Repose

§4:14 Prospective Waiver of the Statute of Limitations

§4:15 Time-Barred Debt

2. Grounds for Tolling

§4:20 Defendant’s Absence From State

§4:21 Defendant’s Concealment of Whereabouts

§4:22 Defendant’s Use of a False Name

§4:30 Mental Incapacity and Minority

§4:40 Bankruptcy and Active Duty Military Service

§4:41 Fraud

§4:42 Assisted Living Facilities

§4:43 Insurer Insolvency

§4:44 Agreement of the Parties

§4:45 Relation Back

§4:46 Workers’ Compensation

§4:47 Medical Malpractice

B. Venue

§4:60 General Points

§4:61 The General Venue Statute

§4:62 Corporations and Limited Liability Companies—Domestic and Foreign

§4:63 Partnerships

§4:64 Registered Agent

§4:65 Forum Selection

§4:66 Multiple Defendants

C. Jurisdiction

§4:80 General Points

§4:81 Subject Matter Jurisdiction

§4:82 Personal Jurisdiction

§4:83 The Long-Arm Statute

§4:84 Minimum Contacts

BUSINESS LITIGATION

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D. Identifying the Business

§4:90 Fictitious Names

§4:91 Suing a Corporation

§4:92 Suing a Partnership

§4:93 Suing a Joint Venture

§4:94 Limited Liability Companies

§4:95 Misnomer

E. Service of Process

§4:100 Corporate Registered Agent

§4:101 Corporations—Whom to Serve

§4:102 General Partnerships

§4:103 Domestic Limited Partnerships

§4:104 Foreign Limited Partnerships

§4:105 Limited Liabilit y Companies

§4:106 Substituted Ser vice on the Chief Financial Off‌icer

§4:107 Ser vice by Publication

F. Other Issues

§4:120 Corporation Must Be Represented by an Attorney

§4:121 Suing a Dissolved Corporation

§4:122 Suit by a Dissolved Corporation

§4:123 Real Part y in Interest

§4:124 Arbitration and Mediation

§4:125 Investigating the Defendant’s Finances

III. INTRACOMPANY LITIGATION

§4:130 Derivative Actions

§4:131 Safe Harbor Rules for Directors

§4:132 Breach of Fiduciary Dut y—Corporations

§4:133 Shareholder Agreements

§4:134 Breach of Fiduciary Dut y—Partnerships

§4:135 Breach of Fiduciary Duty—Limited Liability Companies

IV. TYPICAL BUSINESS LITIGATION ACTIONS

A. Notes & Leases

§4:140 Loans

§4:141 Leases

B. Statutory Liens

1. Contractors, Subcontractors, Materialmen and Laborers

§4:150 Authorit y and Construction

§4:151 Notice of Commencement

§4:152 Notice to Owner

§4:153 Acquisition of the Claim of Lien

§4:154 The Scope and Validity of the Lien

§4:155 Necessit y of Dealing with the Owner

§4:156 Duration of Lien; Foreclosure; Contractors’ Aff‌idavit

§4:157 Final Payment Aff‌idavit

§4:158 Payment and Transfer Bonds

§4:159 Release

2. Architects, Sur veyors and Other Professionals

§4:170 General Points

§4:171 Requirements for Perfecting the Lien

3. Miscellaneous Liens and Motor Vehicle Liens

§4:180 Types of Ser vices and Materials Provided

§4:181 Personal Property Liens

BUSINESS LITIGATION

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§4:182 Privit y and Non-Privity Liens

§4:183 Liens on Motor Vehicles

§4:184 Motor Vehicle Owner Cannot Be Located

§4:185 Publication of Notice of Sale of Motor Vehicle

§4:186 Request for Hearing

§4:187 Sale Is Free and Clear

§4:188 Limit on Storage Charges

C. Contracts

1. General Points

§4:200 Statutes of Limitations

§4:201 Shor tening the Limitations Period

§4:202 Contracts to Arbitrate a Dispute

§4:203 Contracts Af fecting Jurisdiction

§4:204 Breach of Contract Action

§4:205 Contract Interpretation Principles

§4:206 Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing

§4:207 Defenses to Contract Enforcement

§4:208 Assignment of Contract Claims

§4:209 At torney’s Fees

§4:210 Fair Debt Collection Practices

2. Non-Compete Agreements—Former Employees

§4:220 General Points

§4:221 Burden of Proof

§4:222 Evidence

§4:223 Remedies

D. Torts

1. General Points

§4:230 Statute of Limitations

§4:231 Insurance Coverage

§4:232 Intentional Business Torts

2. Defamation

§4:240 General Points

§4:241 Slander and Libel

§4:242 Defamation Per Quod and Defamation Per Se

§4:243 Publication

§4:244 Defenses

§4:245 Privileged Mat ters

3. Other Torts and Statutory Claims

§4:250 Fraudulent Misrepresentation

§4:251 Negligent Misrepresentation

§4:252 Civil Conspiracy

§4:253 Conversion and Civil Theft

§4:254 Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process

§4:255 Nuisance

§4:256 Tortious Interference with a Contract or Business Relationship

§4:257 Unfair Competition

§4:258 Intentional Inf‌liction of Emotional Distress

§4:259 Bad Checks

V. PLEADINGS AND JUDGMENTS

§4:270 Complaint

§4:271 Answer, Aff‌irmative Defenses and Reply

§4:272 Application of the Economic Loss Rule Restricted

§4:273 Discovery