Deck 1 Flashcards
Authority of Agent
An agent can bind a principal by acting with either actual or apparent authority.
Apparent Authority
When the principal holds out the agent as having authority such that a 3rd party reasonably believes the agent has authority.
Contract Liability of the Partnership
A principal can bound by an agent entering into a contract with either actual or apparent authority. A principal will not be bound if the agent acted with apparent authority and the principal was undisclosed (will be bound if partially disclosed)
Dissolution of the Partnership
Dissolution of a partnership occurs when one party disassociates from the partnership. After disassociation, the partnership will not be fully dissolved until their affairs are winded up i.e., creditors paid out.
Shareholder Derivative Claims
When a shareholder brings a suit against the board of directors on behalf of the corporation, not on behalf of themselves individually.The suit must be one in which the corporation could have brought itself, and has harmed the corporation in some way (i.e. loss suffered to corp.’s share value due to misleading statements by directors/officers). Requires shareholder to make a written demand unless it would be futile.
General Partnership Formation
A general partnership is formed when two people agree to enter into a business for profits with one another. Sharing of profits creates a presumption of partnership.
Partner Duty of Loyalty
Duty of loyalty is essentially prohibiting self-dealing or acting in their own self-interest. Partners must act in the best interest of the partnership. They must (1) account for any property or benefit derived; (2) not have a conflict of interest; (3) not compete with the partnership
Conflict Interest Transactions
Partner not liable for self-dealing if (1) the partner fully discloses the information; AND (2) all partners consent to the transaction
Piercing the Corporate Veil
Referred to as a lawsuit against the shareholders. Only permitted in close corporations and LLCs.
Generally, shareholders, directors, and officers are NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE for the debts and obligations of the corporation. However, a court will pierce the corporate veil and hold the shareholders personally liable when
(1) no separation between shareholders and corporation;
(2) failed to follow corporate formalities;
(3) corp. was inadequately capitalized at inception to cover prospective debts and liabilities; OR
(4) to prevent fraud
Diversity Jurisdiction
Diversity jurisdiction requires the amount in controversy to exceed $75,000 and complete diversity meaning no plaintiff shares the same domicile as any defendant
Federal Question Jurisdiction
FQJ is when the claim is brought involving a federal issue or statute
Citizenship for Diversity Purposes
Citizenship of individuals is determined by their home/domicile. Citizenship of corporations is determined by their place of incorporation and their principal place of business
Venue
Venue is proper where (1) one of the defendants resides if all of the defendants reside in the same state; (2) a substantial portion of the claim occurred; or (3) a substantial portion of the property is located; OR Bonus one (4) if none of the above apply, then where any D is subject to PJ.
Personal Jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction can be attained by serving the person within the state, the defendant being domiciled in the state, or if the D consents or waives PJ
Supplemental Jurisdiction
Supplemental Jurisdiction occurs when a court doesn’t ordinarily have jurisdiction over the additional claim, but they can assert jurisdiction if the claim arises out of the same common nucleus of operative fact.
Specific Jurisdiction
Specific jurisdiction is when the court has jurisdiction over the defendant because the cause of action arises out of his conduct in the state
Motion for Summary Judgment
Motion for SJ must be granted when the movant shows that there is no question of material fact and therefore is entitled to judgment as a matter of law
Change of Venue
Venue can be changed for multiple reasons. If venue is improper the case can be dismissed or moved to a proper venue in the interests of justice. If venue is proper, the case can be moved to another venue as long as the case could’ve been brought in that court originally i.e., they have jurisdiction AND the transfer is needed for the convenience of parties and witnesses + interests of justice.
Removal
Removal to federal court is appropriate where the federal court has subject matter jurisdiction; if the Ds all agree; and NO D is a resident of the original forum state (if case is DJ); AND removal must be sought within 30 days of service or initial pleading
Issue Preclusion/Collateral Estoppel
Issue Preclusion. Precludes a third party from bringing a claim on an issue that previously reached a final judgment. Can be brought if (1) valid final judgment; (2) issue is identical; (3) issue was actually litigated, and essential in prior action; and (4) the party had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in initial action
Erie Doctrine
The Erie doctrine provides that when a case is in federal court and there is a conflict between state and federal laws, the court will apply state substantive law and federal procedural law
Choice of Law Approaches
Vested Rights ApproachMost Significant Relationships ApproachInterest Analysis Approach
Vested Rights Approach
The law of the state where the transaction or event occurred is applied.For a tort action: The applicable law is that of the place of the wrong or injury.
Most Significant Relationship Approach
the laws of the state having the most significant relationship to the transaction and the parties will apply
Interest Analysis Approach
Weighs the interests of the states involved; (1) examines the connections that each state has to the parties and the events of the litigation; (2) the differences between the laws; (3) policy interests; and the law applied to the facts
Res Judicata/Claim Preclusion
Claim Preclusion. Precludes the parties in an action from subsequently re-litigating any claim that was or could have been raised in that action. Four Elements: (1) identical parties; (2) final judgment on the merits; (3) arises out of same T/O; and (4) judgment made in court of competent jurisdiction
Express Choice of Law Clause in Contract
Express CoL clauses in Ks will be strictly construed as long as they were actually agreed upon and the law chosen actually has something to do with the contractIf a state has some connection with the contract;The contract has not been entered into under fraud, duress, or mistake; ANDThe choice of law isn’t contrary to a substantial policy interest of another state that has more of a significant interest in the matter.
What factors will a court consider for a Contract Action under the Most Significant Relationship Approach?
The place of contracting;The place of negotiation of the contract;The place of performance;The location of the subject matter of the contract; ANDThe domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business of the parties. *Factors are weighed according to relevance.
What factors will a court consider for a Tort Action under the Most Significant Relationship Approach?
Where the injury occurred;Where the conduct causing the injury occurred;The domicile, residence, incorporation, and place of business of the parties; ANDWhere the relationship between the parties is centered.The laws of the state having the most significant relationship to the occurrence and the parties will govern the action.
When is a judgment entitled to full faith and credit?
JOF (Jurisdiction, On the merits, Final)When:The rendering court had jurisdiction (personal & subject matter);The case was decided on the merits; ANDThe Judgment was final.
State Action Requirement
When alleging a constitutional violation, a plaintiff MUST show that the violation is attributable to government action (also known as “state action”), which applies to ALL levels of local, state, and federal government.
When is private conduct considered state action?
Courts will find “state action” for private conduct when the conduct involves either: (a) a traditional public function – powers traditionally and exclusively reserved to the government; OR (b) when significant government involvement exists to authorize, encourage, or facilitate private conduct that is unconstitutional (i.e. government enforcement of certain private contracts, entanglement or joint action between a state and private actor, and encouragement of private discrimination).
State Sovereign Immunity
No individual can sue their state or another without the states consent to waive or approved by congress
Dormant Commerce Clause
Congress has power to regulate interstate commerce, which means the states can’t make regulations that discriminate against or unduly burden interstate commerce OR that regulate wholly out of state activities.
If it violates any of those 3, can still be permitted, if
- Market participant
- Approved by Congress
14th Amendment Equal Protection
The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clauserequires states to practice equal protection. Equal protection forces a state to govern impartially—not draw distinctions between individuals solely on differences that are irrelevant to a legitimate governmental objective.
1st Amendment Free Speech
Not all types of speech are protected under the 1st amendment. Content-based restrictions are subject to strict scrutiny (narrowly tailored to achieve compelling interest; least restrictive means).
Time, Place, & Manner Restrictions
Applies when the regulation is content-neutral. Congress MAY regulate time, place, and manner of content neutral speech. Subject to intermediate scrutiny (narrowly tailored for significant interest AND leaves open alternative channels of communication)
Unprotected Speech
Certain types of speech are unprotected or have limited protections; (1) fighting words; (2) true threats; (3) obscenities; and (4) incitement of imminent lawless action AND commercial speech has limited protection
Commerce Power
Congress may regulate interstate commerce via the (1) channels; (2) people and instrumentalities; and (3) economic activities that have a substantial effect on it
Congress may also regulate intrastate activity if there is in aggregate a substantial effect on interstate commerce, and there is a rational basis for the regulation
Takings Clause (Eminent Domain)
The government may not take private property for public use unless it provides JUST COMPENSATION. Public use is broadly defined, just needs to be rationally related to a conceivable public purpose.
Can be regulatory (i.e., laws deprive owner of all economically viable use; or Penn Central Taking) or possessory taking (i.e., physical taking or occupation)
Penn Central Taking
The three Penn Central factors:
(1) the economic impact of the regulation on the claimant;
(2) the extent of interference with distinct investment-backed expectations (the owner’s primary expectation of use for the property); AND
(3) the character of the governmental action
Common Law v. UCC
UCC governs all sales of movable goods, Common Law governs services and everything else pretty much
Contract Requirements
Offer
Acceptance
Consideration
Expectation Damages
The general measure of damages for a breach of contract are expectation damages. Expectation damages arise directly from the breach, and are an attempt to put the non-breaching party in the same position it would have been in but for the breach.
To recover, the damages must be:
(1) caused by the defendant (actual cause);
(2) foreseeable (proximate cause);
(3) certain (damages cannot be speculative); AND
(4) unavoidable (the plaintiff must take reasonable steps to mitigate his losses)
Termination of an Offer
An offer can be terminated at any point prior to acceptance. Unless, it is an option contrqct which makes the offer irrevocable.
What is an Offer?
A manifestation of intent to contract along with reasonably specific terms
What terms are required
Terms must be able to be ascertained to a reasonable degree of certainty. For sale of goods, the only essential term is the quantity term.
What is an Acceptance?
Manifestation of assent to the terms of the offer. For bilateral K, the start of performance manifests assent. For uniliateral K, completion of performance is the acceptance.
Contract Modification
Under the UCC, contracts can be modified so long as they are made in good faith. Under CL, a modification must be supported by additional consideration bc of the pre-existing duty rule.
Mirror Image Rule & UCC 2-207
The mirror image rule holds that an acceptance must exactly mirror the offer, adding additional terms constitutes a counter-offer.
The UCC does not have a mirror image rule, additional terms can be added, if; (1) both parties are merchants; (2) not a material change; (3) offer does not expressly limit acceptance to the exact terms of the offer; and (4) the offeree did not expressly object to the terms prior.
Unilateral Contract
An express offer that payment is made only upon the other party’s performance. Offeror would need to revoke before performance begins
Bilateral Contract
A contract in which both parties exchange promises to perform
Merchant’s Firm Offer
When a merchant offers to buy or sell goods in a signed writing that gives assurances that the offer will be held open. If no specific time frame is stated in the offer, a merchant’s firm offer will remain open for a reasonable time (but in no event may such period exceed three months).
Merchant’s Confirmatory Memo
Not an offer, just a way to satisfy SoF. The confirmatory memo rule states that if one party, within a reasonable time after an oral agreement has been made, sends to the other party a written confirmation of the understanding that is sufficient under the Statute of Frauds to bind the sender, it will also bind the recipient if: (i) he has reason to know of the confirmation’s contents; and (ii) he does not object to it in writing within 10 days of receipt.
Anticipatory Repudiation
Occurs when one party expresses clearly and unambiguously that they are unable to, or are not going to perform. If it is not clear, then it is not a repudiation. However, if the other party has doubts, then they can request adequate assurances.
Non-Repudiating Party’s Rights
When an anticipatory repudiation occurs, the non-breaching party may do any of the following:
(a) treat the contract as repudiated and sue for damages;
(b) treat the contract as discharged;
(c) wait until performance is due and sue when performance does not occur; OR
(d) urge the party to perform.
Mental State Requirements for Crimes
The mens rea requirement for criminal offenses.
general intent (awareness of acting a certain way),
specific intent (intent or desire to engage in the conduct or cause a result),
malice (reckless disregard of a known risk of harm), or
strict liability (no mental state is required, merely that the act occurs).
Miranda Analysis
Miranda rights attach when the suspect is under custodial arrest. Under custodial arrest when a person reasonably believes they are not free to leave. Under interrogation when the officer knew or should’ve known that their conduct was likely to elicit an incriminating response
4th Amendment Searches
Warrantless searches are presumptively unreasonable, subject to exceptions. To have standing, the challenger must have a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding the item or place searched. Courts have held that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in that of which they own or possess. T
What does an arrest need to be proper?
For an arrest to be proper, the police officer MUST have probable cause. Probable cause arises when the police officer (1) has trustworthy facts or knowledge, (2) sufficient to warrant a reasonable person to believe, (3) that the person committed a crime.