Experts Beware… Financial experts that handle construction defects claims should be familiar with the doctrine of economic waste, the potential limitations on a damages claim, and recognize the potential of this doctrine arising in a damages engagement. The author shares how this doctrine may arise and what to look for before accepting a damages engagement. “Economic waste is the label that courts have adop ...

When All You Have is the Price for Many (Patents) It is rare for all patents included in portfolio license or sale agreements to have equal value. In a patent infringement case, the individual values of the patents are needed. So, when only a small subset of patents are at issue, how can we estimate their worth? This article provides insight as to how value can be adduced. It is rare for all patents include ...

Through Pop Culture References It often takes more time and skill to explain something simply and shortly and less time to use a lot of words, spreadsheets, and technical jargon. Nevertheless, pop cultural references can be used to quickly crystalize issues because many people are familiar with them and their underlying meaning. This article identifies some pop cultural references that can be used to help r ...

For Business Valuations Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842: Leases is the lease accounting standard published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which replaces prior guidance from ASC Topic 840. ASC 842 brings previously off-balance sheet operating leases onto a company’s balance sheet. The new standard takes effect for private companies in fiscal years starting after December 15, 2 ...

At a Deposition or Court Hearing To begin to understand the subject, we must point out that the “Reglas de Evidencia de Puerto Rico” (the Puerto Rico Rules of Evidence) and the Federal Rules of Evidence adopted in the district of Puerto Rico—which is part of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals—allow for expert testimony to be inserted into the "record" of a case in a deposition or in a court hearing, are ba ...

This article builds on the author’s May 11, 2022 “Being Different is More Profitable Than Being Better” article. In this article, the author provides five questions that my enable one to differentiate oneself from the competition. How do your clients think you’re doing? You don’t know unless you ask. Because knowing what they want and then giving it to them is the easiest (if not the best) way to stand out. ...

How to Avoid Them! A 409A valuation refers to a method of determining the value of a company's common stock. In other words, the 409A valuation is a method of calculating fair market value (FMV) according to the regulations under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). This valuation can be carried out using various types of valuation methodologies, however, it is important to avoid pitfalls in 409A valuation when ...

Two Major Approaches Adopted by Courts Assessing Claims This article discusses the challenges that COVID-19 and other recent catastrophes present when calculating business interruption claims. It surveys the two common approaches adopted by courts, examines their outsized impact on an insured’s recovery, and discusses how the influx of new decisions will change the business interruption landscape. It also a ...