Law Commons^™

Teaching Sustainable Business Law & The Role Of Esg Lawyers, Jason J. Czarnezki, Joshua Ulan Galperin, Brianna M. Grimes

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This Article is the second paper in a series laying out the emergence of sustainable business law and the role of ESG lawyers. The first paper, Sustainable Business Law? The Key Role of Corporate Governance and Finance, argues “that ‘sustainable business law’ has emerged as a distinct area of law” and “serves as an introductory explanation to define and understand the growing subject matter at the intersection of sustainability, business, and the law.” That paper also explores the key role that corporate governance and finance play in achieving sustainability, and suggests that “[a] future project for scholars ... is to …

Non-Debt And Non-Bank Financing For Home Purchase: Promises And Risks, Shelby D. Green

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This Article explores the phenomenon of the NDNBs in home purchase and finance that has gained a growing presence in the mortgage marketplace since the 2008 crisis. Part II offers a deeper discussion of the risk-prone practices leading to the 2008 housing crisis and the regulatory and industry responses for recovery. Parts III and IV describe the emerging new models of home purchase. Part IV explores some of the apparent and hidden risks in these transactions. Part VI concludes with suggestions for assessing and managing risks and for reforms.

Equitable, Affordable And Climate-Cognizant Housing Construction, Shelby D. Green

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

The almost universal sentiment by a growing body of physical and social scientists is that climate change--with its floods, drought, heat, and cold-- portend losses of life, communities, property, and the rhythms of living. Some are more vulnerable to these impacts than others: individuals and the poor, who through official government policy and self-interest in the housing markets, have been relegated to live in poorly-constructed and poorly-placed structures--in the wake of ocean surges; in the path of strong winds; near hazardous and noxious facilities; stranded in urban heat islands. Failing to heed climate change omens will lead to a world …

Shadowing Lenders And Consumers: The Rise, Regulation, And Risks Of Non-Banks, Shelby D. Green

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Since the financial crisis of 2008, “shadow banking” or financial transactions by “non-banks,” has skyrocketed. Non-banks are not depositary institutions and as such, they roam free, largely outside the purview of the bank regulators. They occupy all parts of the credit markets, from mortgage loan origination to payday lenders. Untethered, they operate without government guarantees, such as deposit insurance and have no access to emergency government lending facilities, such as the Federal Reserve's discount window.

There are both positives and negatives in the rise of non-banks. On the positive side is market liquidity and greater diversity of funding sources for …

What Went Wrong: Prudent Management Of Endowment Funds And Imprudent Endowment Investing Policies, James J. Fishman

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Most colleges and universities of all sizes have an endowment, a fund that provides a stream of income and maintains the corpus of the fund in perpetuity. Organizations with large endowments, such as colleges, universities, and private foundations, all finance a significant part of their operations through the return received from the investment of this capital. This article examines the legal framework for endowment investing, endowment investing policies, their evolution to more sophisticated and riskier strategies, and the consequences evinced during the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond. It traces the approaches to endowment investing and chronicles the rise and, …

Mers Remains Afloat In A Sea Of Foreclosures, Shelby D. Green

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Despite the simple premise of the MERS System, opponents--or those simply trying to invalidate or forestall enforcement of their mortgages--have leveled various challenges to MERS's practices and even its basic business model. Taking an aerial view of the challenges, it is possible to discern a certain pattern as one challenge seemed to morph into the next (often following rejection of the earlier one in the courts). Some borrowers have asserted that MERS lacked legal standing to foreclose because it was a mere nominee and not the owner of the note. Even if MERS's legal standing was upheld, borrowers pointed to …

Banks And Brokers And Bricks And Clicks: An Evaluation Of Finra's Proposal To Modify The "Bank Broker-Dealer Rule", Jill I. Gross

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

As discussed in this article, the proposed rule change protects bank customers who may be solicited for the purchase of investment products and services, but only to a limited extent. It does not rectify sales practices of broker-dealers--affiliated with financial institutions--which tend to confuse, and even mislead, financially unsophisticated investors of modest means who can least afford to be exposed to excessive risk. Additionally, the proposed rule change adds no meaningful surveillance, inspection, enforcement, or punitive mechanisms to prevent and/or redress insidious practices that are akin to “bait and switch” tactics and are particularly effective against financially unsophisticated investors. In …

The U.S. Economic Crisis: Another "Lost Decade"?, Paula Chungsathaporn

Honors College Theses

America is experiencing the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression originating with problems from mortgage backed securities and seeping into every major sector in the economy. We have witnessed the downfall or government takeover of some of the most powerful companies in the country, contributing to the highest unemployment rate America has seen in decades. During the 1990s, Japan experienced what is commonly referred to as “the lost decade,” a period of prolonged stagnant growth. Many similarities can be drawn between the current U.S. crisis and the Japanese crisis of the late 90s. The macroeconomic conditions that caused the …

Disney In Asia, Again, Raymond H. Lopez

Case Studies

This case covers business strategies and financial concepts related to an international investment decision by one of the most well-known global public companies. The Walt Disney Company management team has decided on expansion of its theme park operations onto the Asian mainland. After years of exhaustive study, they have narrowed the decision down to two potential sites, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Analysis of data in the case should enable students to forecast revenues, expenses, and pro forma financial statements for operations at each location. Using discounted cash flow techniques, they should be able to calculate net present values (NPV'S) for …

The Foreign Direct Investment Regulations: Constitutional Questions And Operational Aspects Examined, Jeffrey G. Miller

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This article examines the constitutionality of the FDIR and similar regulations issued pursuant to section 5 (b), and comments upon the basic propriety and desireability of delegations of broad emergency powers to the President. The development of executive powers under section 5(b) will first be discussed with an eye toward determining, through the legislative history, congressional intent underlying the section. The role of judicial review of the exercise of executive emergency powers will be examined, followed by an analysis of the theory underlying the delegation of such powers to the President. Finally, the constitutional limitations on the emergency powers of …