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Articles 1 - 8 of 8

Full-Text Articles in Law

Activist Investors, Distressed Companies, And Value Uncertainty, Michelle M. Harner, Jamie Marincic Griffin, Jennifer Ivey-Crickenberger Oct 2013

Activist Investors, Distressed Companies, And Value Uncertainty, Michelle M. Harner, Jamie Marincic Griffin, Jennifer Ivey-Crickenberger

Michelle M. Harner

Hedge funds, private equity firms, and other alternative investment funds are frequently key players in corporate restructurings. Most commentators agree that the presence of a fund can change the dynamics of a chapter 11 case. They cannot agree, however, on the impact of this change—i.e., do funds create or destroy enterprise value? This essay contributes to the dialogue by analyzing data from chapter 11 cases in which funds are in a position to influence the debtor’s exit strategy. The data shed light on what such funds might achieve in chapter 11 cases and the potential implications for debtors and their …


A More Realistic Approach To Directors' Duties, Michelle M. Harner Sep 2013

A More Realistic Approach To Directors' Duties, Michelle M. Harner

Michelle M. Harner

Expectations for what fiduciary duties can achieve in the corporate context are unrealistic. This segment of the law—and the alleged deficiencies therein—are blamed for corporate scandals, securities fraud, failed business plans, and even a company's insolvency. Risk is, however, inherent in business, and human beings are flawed. Fiduciary duty law cannot change these basic facts. To the extent we think it can, we will continue to be disappointed and frustrated. This essay considers recasting (and to a greater extent codifying) directors’ duties in a positive frame to help foster better director oversight. It does not suggest that codifying greater clarity …


Corporate Culture And Erm, Michelle M. Harner Jul 2013

Corporate Culture And Erm, Michelle M. Harner

Michelle M. Harner

The attitudes and actions of those viewed as leaders within a company (commonly referred to as “tone at the top”) help to define corporate culture and are critical to implementing a successful enterprise risk management (ERM) program. This paper explores the challenges and benefits of creating a risk-aware corporate culture, including the potential legal implications for boards of directors.


Ignoring The Writing On The Wall: The Role Of Enterprise Risk Management In The Economic Crisis, Michelle M. Harner May 2013

Ignoring The Writing On The Wall: The Role Of Enterprise Risk Management In The Economic Crisis, Michelle M. Harner

Michelle M. Harner

No abstract provided.


Teaching Business Law Through An Entrepreneurial Lens, Michelle M. Harner May 2013

Teaching Business Law Through An Entrepreneurial Lens, Michelle M. Harner

Michelle M. Harner

The legal market has changed. Although change creates uncertainty and fear, it also can create opportunity. This essay explores the opportunity for innovation in the business law curriculum, and the role of simulation to help create more practice-aware new lawyers.


The Potential Cost And Value Of Erm, Michelle M. Harner Mar 2013

The Potential Cost And Value Of Erm, Michelle M. Harner

Michelle M. Harner

The concept of enterprise risk managment (ERM) as a holistic approach to managing a company's risk profile has tremendous appeal. However, companies are frequently skeptical about its value and whether the results will justify the cost, effort, and challenges of implementing a meaningful ERM process. This report considers some of those concerns and highlights the governance, compliance, and cultural value of ERM.


Series Llcs: What Happens When One Series Fails? Key Considerations And Issues, Michelle M. Harner, Jennifer Ivey-Crickenberger, Tae Kim Feb 2013

Series Llcs: What Happens When One Series Fails? Key Considerations And Issues, Michelle M. Harner, Jennifer Ivey-Crickenberger, Tae Kim

Michelle M. Harner

Entity choice law is constantly evolving and innovating. The series LLC form is one such example. Although the form provides governance and operational flexibility and efficiencies, the law governing the form is still developing. As such, uncertainties linger, particularly in the context of a financially distressed or insolvent series. This article explores many of the issues that arise when a master LLC or one of its series experiences financial distress and contemplates a bankruptcy filing. It also identifies strategies for parties to potentially mitigate certain of these issues in the planning stage. The article concludes by suggesting parties using the …


Developing Professional Skills: Business Associations, Michelle Harner Jan 2013

Developing Professional Skills: Business Associations, Michelle Harner

Michelle M. Harner

Incorporating skills training into a traditional Business Associations course is challenging. This creative and original book provides ten independent exercises designed to develop student skills in legal drafting, client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, and advocacy. Each exercise is based on fundamental legal rules and doctrines so that the book can be used on its own or as a supplemental text with any doctrinal casebook. Students are required to spend a manageable one to two hours on such tasks as outlining discussion points for major meetings and negotiations, drafting advisory letters to clients, crafting a demand letter to a board of …