Brainscape Flashcards
- Characteristics of the legally astute manager, proactive approach;
PG 11 Legally Astute Manager – Is the ability of a manager to communicate effectively with counsel and to work together to solve complex problems. (1) Negotiate contracts, (2) protect and enhance the realizable value of the firm’s resources, (3) create options through contracts and other legal tools, (4) convert regulatory constraints into opportunities. PG 5 Proactive Approach – Dealing with the interface between a firm’s business and the natural environment that go beyond environmental regulatory compliance have been associated with improved financial performance
- Ariely’s theory on the rationality of decision-making and examples
Movie Ariely’s Theory – Challenges readers assumptions about making decisions based on rational thought.
- Relationship between law and ethics;
PG 20 Law and Ethics – The law does not prohibit all “bad” behavior. An action that is unethical may nonetheless be legal.
- how to incorporate ethical principles into a -tree;
See chart
- how to promote ethical behavior,
PG 21 How to Promote Ethical Behavior – Set at the top. The chief executive officer plays the most significant role is installing a sense of ethics throughout the organization.
- Different ethical theories: e.g. Kant & Rawls
Rawlsian- Worst off person, Katian- look at action rather than result, Universe (wan everyone to act in this way) & Reverse (would want this rule applied to ones self?) PG 25 Rawlsian Moral Theory – A deontological line of thought that aims to maximize the utility of the worst off person in society. Kantian Theory – An ethical theory that looks to the form of an action, rather than the intended result, in examining the ethical worth.
- teleological theories, e.g. utilitarianism and egoism
Theological Theory – Concerned with consequences. The ethical good of an action is to be judged by the effect of the action on others. Utilitarianism – a Major teleological system of ethics that strands for the proposition that the ideal is to maximize the total benefit for everyone involved. Egoism - Egotism means placing oneself at the core of one’s world with no concern for others, including those loved or considered as “close,” in any other terms except those set by the egotist.
- Distinction between federal and state court jurisdiction.
Federal Jurisdiction – Federal Question Jurisdiction (does the dispute concern federal law), Diversity Jurisdiction (Lawsuit is between citizens of two different states, or between a citizen of a state and a citizen of a foreign country, over 75k), Determining Citizenship (an individual is a citizen of the state where that person has his or her legal residence or domicile.) State Jurisdiction – Most criminal cases, Probate (involving wills and estates), most contract cases, Tort cases (personal injuries), Family law (marriages, divorces, adoptions), etc
- What is discovery?
Discovery – The process through which parties to a lawsuit collect evidence to support their claims. It is designed to promote settlement and more efficient trials by reducing the asymmetric information problem, which arises because each party has information not possessed by the other party.
- What is its purpose ina lawsuit?
Purpose of a lawsuit – An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. Civil is punitive or monetary damage, Criminal is typically a crime against the state (people) and you are subject to jail/prison and a fine.
- What is a deposition?
Are written or oral questions asked of any person who may have helpful information about the facts of the case.
- What is voir dire?
• Voir Dire (Pg. 66) – Each side may challenge any number of jurors for cause during questioning of potential jurors
- What is a class action lawsuit?
• Class Action Lawsuit (Pg. 59) – if the conduct of the defendant affected numerous persons in a common way, the case may be brought as a class action by a representative of the class of persons affected
- What are the trial courts of the federal system?
• Trial Courts of the Federal System (Pg. 52) – District courts, courts of appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court
- What is a summons and its function?
• What is Summons and its function (Pg. 64) – Officially notifies the defendant that a lawsuit is pending against it in a particular court and that it must file a response to the complaint within a certain number of days
- What is an appeal and how does the court hear appeals?
• What is appeal and how does the court hear appeals? (Pg. 67) – When a trial judge does not grant the motion for a new trial, the losing party can appeal the decision. The appellate court will review how the trial judge applied the law to the case and conducted the trial. Appeals court can review presentation of evidence at trial, the denial of motion for a directed verdict, the jury instructions, and even the jury award of damages. The appellate court will not review the facts de novo and will reverse a judge’s findings of facts only if they are clearly erroneous
- What are sources of U.S. laws?
• Sources of U.S. Laws (Pg. 48) – Federal and state courts look to the U.S and state constitutions, statutes, regulations, and common (case) laws
- What is common law?
• Common Law (Pg. 48) – A.K.A case law – the legal rules made by judges when they decide a case where no constitution, statute, or regulation exists to resolve the dispute
- What is stare decisis?
• Stare-Decisis (Pg. 48) – Common law is developed through the doctrine of Stare Decisis which means “to abide by decided cases”
- Personal jurisdiction and how it is obtained.
• Personal Jurisdiction and how it is obtained? (Pg. 55) – P.J. means that the court has legal authority over the parties to the lawsuit. It is obtained by means of telephone, calls, the mail, and fax machine
- What is federal diversity jurisdiction?
• Federal Diversity Jurisdiction (Pg. 61) – Exists when a lawsuit si between citizens of two different states or between a citizen of a state and a citizen of a foreign country and the amount in controversy exceeds $75.000
- Concurrent jurisdiction?
Exists when two or more from different systems simultaneously have jurisdiction over a specific case
- What is discovery? How does it impact document retention policies?
Before trail is held and sometimes before an arbitration hearing or minitrial is conducted, parties collects evidence to support their claims, design to promote settlement and efficient trails by reducing asymmetric information problem. Failure to implement an effective policy can have disastrous effects, the company risks violating federal obstruction of justice statutes and discovery rules and incurring judicial sanctions.
- Constitutional principles relating to business;
• Pervasive regulation of business include federal, state, and local levels. Depends on the type of business issue, regulation and the level of government involvement. Government regulation takes two forms: social regulation: workplace safety, equal opportunity, environmental, and consumer protection. Economic regulation: prices, production, and industry conditiona. • Although many provisions in the Constitution apply only to government actions, managers of private organization should be aware of the societal values reflected in the Constitution. These include the right to fair and equal treatment and respect for the individual.
- what speech is protected and to what extent.
The US Supreme Court has not applied the 1st Amendment to protect all speech to the same degree. The type of speech most clearly protected is political speech, including speech critical of governmental policies and officials. A government may violate the right to free speech not only by forbidding speech, but by commanding it as well. • Defamation of Public figures by Media: defamatory words that harm a person’s reputation are protected by the 1st, even when they are false. • Obscenity: obscene material does not enjoy any protection • Commercial Speech: Especially advertising is subject to reasonable regulations regarding the time, place, and manner. Some state may prohibit false commercial speech if its misleading.
- Limitations on interpretations and limitations on state actions related to the commerce clause.
Commerce clause gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with other nations, with Indian tribes, and between states. Federal powers enumerated in the Constitution impose many limits on state action. The Supremacy Clause makes federal laws supreme over state law. Limitations on interpretations to allow federal regulation of such areas as interstate travel, labor relations, and discrimination in accommodations.
- What is equal protection?
The equal protection of the 14th amendment provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
- What are the tests for the validity of government actions under equal protection?
The Supreme Court uses 3 different test to determine varies types of discrimination: (1) rational basis test, (2) strict scrutiny test, (3) substantially related test
- What types of distinctions/classifications require which types of test by the courts?
Rational basis test: applies to all classifications that relate to matters of economics or social welfare. Will be upheld if there is any conceivable basis on which it relate to a legitimate governmental interest. (system of progressive taxation) • Strict scrutiny test: exercise a fundamental right based on race or color subject to strict scrutiny. Valid only if its is necessary to promote a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest (right to vote, right to travel, right of privacy) • Substantially related test: occasionally applies because is stricter than the rational basis test but less strict than strict scrutiny. Known as intermediate-level test, applies to gender and legitimacy of birth.
- What is the Supremacy clause?
States that the Constitution, laws, and treaties of the US take precedence over state laws and that the judges of the state courts must follow federal law.
- What is freedom of speech and how does it apply to business conduct?
Although the 1st Amendment stat that Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, the US Supreme Court has not applied he 1st Amendment to protect all speech to the same degree. For business conduct, regulation is no more extensive than necessary does not require the least restrictive means, it requires only a “reasonable fit” between the government purpose and the means chosen to achieve it. For example, restricting liquor and tobacco to minor, unless state law required disclosure.
- What kind of business speech is protected? By whom?
• Business speech especially advertising has always been subject to reasonable regulations regarding the time, place, and manner of such speech. The state may prohibit false commercial speech as well as explicity or inherently misleading business speech. First, the speech must concern lawful activity and not be misleading. The government regulate it by (1) asserted governmental interest in regulating the speech is substantial (2) regulation directly advances the governmental interests asserted (3) restriction is no more extensive than necessary to serve that interest.
- What are limits on government’s regulation of commercial speech?
Commercial speech, especially advertising has always been subject to reasonable regulations regarding the time, place, and manner of such speech. Gov can still restrict as long as 1. Gov interest in regulating the speech is substantial 2. Regulation directly advances the gov interest asserted, 3. Restriction is no more extensive than necessary to serve that interest.
- When may government take property through eminent domain? What are the criteria?
Power to take property for public uses, such as: building a school, park, or airport. The gov’t must pay ‘just compensation for the take over of land. The use of takeover must be for public purpose and the there must be just compensation. pg 118, 607-609
- What is an agency relationship? How is it created?
a. “In an agency relationship, one person-that agent- acts for or represents another person- the principal. The agency relationship is consensual in nature and is typically created by agreement of the parties, which can usually be either written or oral. pg. 130
- What duties are owed by the agent to the principal? Principal to agent?
The agent becomes a fiduciary. Loyalty, obedience, and care are the hallmarks of the fiduciary relationship. An agent has a duty to act solely for the benefit of his or her principal in all matters directly connected with the agency undertaking (duty of loyalty). An agent must exercise the same level of care that a reasonable person in a like situation would use. An agent is also obligated to obey all reasonable order of his or her principal. The principal must disclose all pertinent information, that could possibly benefit or harm, the relationship. pg 129-132
- What is a fiduciary? How do you distinguish between an agent/employee/independent contractor?
Fiduciary: A person entrusted to protect the interests of another. An agent has to look out for the best interest of the principal, and the principal therefore can almost dictate the action of the agent. An employee relationship (the most common form) is ruled as a ‘master-servant’ relationship. The employer has the right to control the conduct of the employee. In an independent contractor relationship, the contractor may be working for the client (ex. plumber for the homeowner), however the independent contractors conduct is not fully subject to that person [client’s] control. pg 240 & 130
- What is actual authority (implied and express)? What about apparent authority?
a. Actual authority is when the principle (“person”) gives the agent the authority to enter into agreements on their behalf. They may give consent to act for or bind the principle. b. Once an agent has “expressed authority”, they also have “Implied authority” is to do whatever is reasonable to complete the task at hand. If they have previously conducted certain actions in the past they have the implied authority to conduct them in the future (usual & customary) c. Apparent authority is created when a third party reasonably believes that an agent has the authority to act for and bind the principle. This belief may be based on the principle’s words or actions or on knowledge that the principle has allowed its agent to engage in certain activities on its behalf over an extended period of time.
- For what actions is the principal bound? What is respondeat superior?
a. If the third party does not know that the agent is acting for the principle (an undisclosed principle) the principle will nonetheless be bound by any contract the agent enters into with actual authority. b. A principle may be liable for not only the contracts but also the torts of its agents. c. Respondeat superior- states that the agent’s employer will be liable for any injuries or damage to the property of another that the agent causes while acting within the scope of his or her employment. If the principle is required to pay damages to a third party because of the agent’s negligence, the principle had the right to demand reimbursement from the agent.
- What are administrative agencies?
a. Fourth branch of government: Agencies solve problems that cannot effectively be handled by the legislature or courts, make rules, resolve conflicts, conduct investigations for compliance, revoke license, issue fines. b. Examples of admin agencies: IRS, SEC (Security Exchange Commission), they regulate pollution, emission, hazardous waste, internet, radio, television, food and drug, health and safety.
- What are their powers?
- Making rules 2. Conducting formal adjudications (court like proceedings) 3. Formal discretionary actions 4. Conducting investigations
- Know the process of developing rules and how agencies may act.
a. 3- step process i. Notice to Public- gives notice to public of its intent to impose a rule; gives the public the opportunity to submit written comments; not required to hold formal public hearings; comments include: 1. Identifies the person that’s concerned 2. Explains why their concerned 3. Suggests a specific change to the language of the proposed rule 4. Provides factual information to support its position ii. Evaluation- evaluates & responds to comments; the agency may decide on the final rule or if there are substantial changes they may publish a revised proposed rule for public comment iii. Adoption- they will adopt the rule by publishing it in the “Federal Register” along with an explanation of the changes, then the final rule will be codifies …adding it to the “code of federal regulation”
- Does the right to a jury trial exist?
a. The seventh amendment right to a jury trial extends only to cases for which a right to trial by jury existed in common law before the enactment of the 7th amendment. Because administrative agencies came after, there is NO constitutional right to a jury trial in a formal adjudication before an administrative agency.
- Standard for judicial review of agency decisions.
Congress sets the standards for judicial review. 1. Courts will uphold agency action unless it is arbitrary and capricious. 2. Substantial evidence standard-courts to determine whether evidence could reasonably support the agency’s conclusion. 3. Statutory interpretation- courts will generally defer to an agency’s interpretation of a statute within its area of expertise. 4. Courts may not impose view on agency, they may only require the agency to comply with its own procedural rules and conform to the requirements. 5. No right to probe the mental processes of the agency. 6. Exhaustion of remedies – the timing and substance of thee administrative review process. 7. Ripeness-ensure court are not forced to decide hypothetical cases. 8. Standing Sue- a)injury in fact that is concrete and particularized b)injury must be fairly traceable to the challenged action c)must be likely as opposed to merely speculative.
- Power of administrative law judges.
ALJ are entitled to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, rule on offers of proof and relevant evidence, authorize depositions and decide the case at hand. (pg. 146)
- Ways businesses should work with administrative agencies.
Seven basic steps for working well with an admin agency: 1. Investigate to applicable standards that will govern the agency’s actions. 2. Identify and evaluate the agency’s formal structure. 3. Determine what facts are before the agency. 4. Identify the interests of others who may be involved in the decision-making process. 5. Adopt a strategy to achieve the desired goal. 6. Eliminate any adverse impact on other interested parties. 7. Get involved in the administrative process early and stay involved. (pg. 153)
- When agencies can inspect.
• There is very little limit to the investigatory powers of administrative agencies. • Agencies can inspect a regulated company or person to determine if they are complying with the applicable laws and/or regulations. • Are not required to have probable cause before an investigation. • Can use their subpoena power to make mandatory requests for information, conduct interviews, and perform searches. (pg. 142 & 157)
- Distinction between common law and civil law legal systems and the impact of those distinctions on businesses.
Common law is case law, that is, legal rules made by judges when they decide a case where no constitution, statute or regulation exists to resolve the dispute. Civil law is based on the constitution, statutes and regulations. Impact of civil law and common law on businesses????????????? (more to come)