Jurisprudence Commons^™

Shareholders Do Not Have Standing To Bring An Individual Action Against Third Parties Who Have Damaged The Corporation: Adair V. Wozniak, Frank Carrino

Akron Law Review

Apart from the context of a derivative action, can a shareholder in a corporation sue individually for wrongful acts committed against the corporation by third parties?

The general rule of corporate law states that a shareholder cannot attain standing for such a suit. This rule is grounded on the theory that all shareholders should incur loss from third party wrongdoing in proportion to the amount of shares he or she holds, and likewise should proportionately benefit when the corporate entity wins an action. In addition, courts are fearful that if this rule were not in force, then there would be …

Legal Malpractice Statutes Of Limitations: A Critical Analysis Of A Burgeoning Crisis, Joseph H. Koffler

Akron Law Review

Surprisingly little has been written on the law of legal malpractice. Even more disturbing is the fact that there is little analytical writing to help guide the courts and bar in this area. The analysis and recommendations contained in this article are intended as a basis in developing rules for statutes of limitations in legal malpractice actions that meet the needs of the parties, the test of fundamental fairness, and evoke a genuine sense of confidence in society.

Freedom Of Speech And The Problem Of The Lawful Harmful Public Reaction: Adult Use Cases Of Renton And Mini Theatres, Charles H. Clarke

Akron Law Review

The constitutional right of freedom of speech protects the speech of adult erotic entertainment. The state, consequently, can not suppress such speech unless it is obscene. This constitutional protection helped to turn adult erotic entertainment into one of the nation's growth industries.

The constitutionally protected speech of adult erotic entertainment includes explicit sex films, nude dancing and erotic books. Various adult land uses sprung up to satisfy an apparent large public demand for this entertainment. Adult film theaters, of course, show filmed reproductions of live sex on a big screen. Some taverns offer nude dancing. Some adult bookstores sell more …

Three Strikes And You're Out: An Investigation Of Professional Baseball's Antitrust Exemption, H. Ward Classen

Akron Law Review

This Article will examine the economic structure of the professional sports industry, explore professional baseball's judicially created exemption from antitrust laws and discuss the impact of the Federal Baseball Club v. National League and subsequent decisions on the professional sports industry. Finally, this Article will demonstrate that while baseball's antitrust exemption may have been justified sixty-five years ago, it now promotes economic inefficiency and infringes upon the constitutional rights of professional baseball players to freely market their talents.

Flaugher V. Cone Automatic Machine Co.: The Ending Of A Trend In Successor Liability Or A Minor Setback For Product Liability Claimants?, Bryan J. Green

Akron Law Review

This Casenote analyzes the recent Ohio Supreme Court decision in Flaugher v. Cone Automatic Machine Co. to evaluate both its impact on the field of successor corporate liability and the opinion's fundamental soundness. The Flaugher court identified three issues: (1) whether the facts demanded application of one of the traditional exceptions to the rule of successor non-liability, (2) whether the court should adopt the "product line" theory of liability, and (3) whether the defendant corporations had a duty to warn plaintiff of the alleged defect in the machine which injured her. The court affirmed the lower court's decision by …

The Edward's Decision: The End Of Creationism In Our Public Schools?, Juliana S. Moore

Akron Law Review

Although many previous cases addressing this issue have gained national attention perhaps no other issue since the famous Scope's "monkey trial" has raised as much controversy as Louisiana's adoption of the "Creationism Act." Now, one thing is certain; when Susie's dad asks her what she learned in school today, she most certainly won't reply that she learned about creationism in science class. The Supreme Court's recent ruling' has insured that the separation between church and state in our public schools will remain. This casenote attempts to examine that ruling, its relationship to similar cases and its impact in the future …

Existence Of A Suicide Pact As A Complete Defense To A Survivor's Criminal Liability: State V. Sage, Diana M. Keating

Akron Law Review

Can one who encourages another's suicide through a suicide pact be absolved of criminal liability? The Ohio Supreme Court answered this question in the affirmative in State v. Sage. The court held that a suicide survivor's proof that another's death resulted from a mutual suicide pact acts as a complete defense to criminal liability. Not since 1872 has the Ohio Supreme Court discussed criminal liability for suicide pact members who aid and abet another's suicide. The Sage court did not differentiate between classic suicide pacts where each member agrees to commit suicide, and suicide-murder pacts where one person agrees …

Death From Autoerotic Asphysxiation And The Double Indemnity Clause In Life Insurance Policies: The Latest Round In Accidental Death Litigation, Francis Achampong

Akron Law Review

This paper examines the cases that have been decided on this issue, seeking to determine whether recovery under the double indemnity provision revolves around the type of clause used in the policy, or on the particular jurisdiction's stand on what is "accidental," regardless of policy language. The author seeks to determine whether any particular trend may be elicited from these cases that may shed light on the likely disposition of future cases

In Re Newman: The Federal Circuit Dismantles An Obstacle For Perpetual Motion Patent Applicants, Bruce Kramer

Akron Law Review

This note first gives a general background on perpetual motion, because a basic understanding of the subject is helpful in getting a good perspective on the case. Next, the note provides the factual setting of the case leading to the court's decision. Then, the note examines the rationale the court used in reaching its decision. Lastly, the note provides additional insight into the legal problems posed by perpetual motion, both in general and in the In re Newman case in particular.

Falwell V. Flynt: Lampooning Or Liability; The Realization Of A Three-Pronged Tort Approach For Establishing Media Liability For Fictional Defamation, Christopher C. Patterson

Akron Law Review

This article will discuss the appellate court's interpretation and application of the three tort theories of liability. It will also analyze the potential floodgate effect this case may have on future defamation actions against the media for publishing fictional publications, including political cartoons.

Computer Software Contracts: A Review Of The Caselaw, Andrew Rodau

Akron Law Review

The pervasiveness of computers in our society has led to numerous legal controversies involving computers and computer transactions. Conflicts between buyers and sellers of computer software have resulted in, and will continue to result in, both tort and breach of contract actions to redress disputes. This article focuses on those contract actions involving computer software.

A fundamental issue in resolving a contract dispute involving a software transaction is whether article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (hereinafter UCC) or the common law governs. It has been recognized that whether article 2 applies to computer software contracts is very significant especially …

Johnson V. University Hospitals Of Cleveland: Public Policy Over Traditional Principles, Robert A. Williams

Akron Law Review

This Note will examine the policies and principles relating to the recovery of child rearing expenses in wrongful pregnancy or wrongful conception actions. This Note contends that the Johnson majority overemphasized certain policy considerations and was mistaken in allowing these policies to override traditional legal principles.

Bad News: Privacy Ruling To Increase Press Litigation, The Florida Star V. B.J.F., Mary Ellen Hockwalt

Akron Law Review

This note analyzes the history and precedent upon which the Court relied in reaching Florida Star's "harsh outcome." Next, the note discusses how the Court, by refusing to extend its holding beyond the facts of the case and give broad Constitutional protection to publications of truth, failed to provide lower courts with any guidance in deciding future invasion of privacy actions. Finally, the note examines the Court's balancing test: weighing the privacy interests of a crime victim against the newspaper's freedom to print truthful information.

Pennsylvania V. Union Gas Company: The Supreme Court Employs The Wrong Means To Reach The Proper End, Christopher A. Brodman

Akron Law Review

This casenote reviews the facts of Union Gas, the history of eleventh amendment jurisprudence, and the purposes of CERCLA. The note critically analyzes the Supreme Court's approach to evading eleventh amendment immunity. Finally, the note contemplates the impact of Union Gas on CERCLA and eleventh amendment law.

Response Of John Kulewicz To Professor Shanker, John J. Kulewicz

Akron Law Review

A glaring error in Professor Shanker's recent article proves the value of the parol evidence rule at least as effectively as the balance of his scholarly contribution to this journal. In reviewing the arguments of counsel in the Marion PCA v. Cochran case,' Professor Shanker claims that the Court "was led astray by the lawyers" and that" [m]isleading from the [l]awyers" caused the Court to undertake its analysis of the Statute of Frauds.2 He stakes this claim on his apparent belief that counsel did not ask the Court to apply the parol evidence rule to the facts of the case. …

Interpreting The Pollution Exclusion Clause In The Comprehensive General Liability Policy - Ohio's Next Step, W. Roger Fry, Jonathan P. Saxton

Akron Law Review

Our purpose here is to analyze the courts' treatment of the pollution exclusion clause. From the context of insurance policy interpretation, decisions regarding the exclusion will be reviewed and placed in a national perspective. The Ohio decisions will be examined against the backdrop of current trends and the national consensus.

We conclude, for the reasons which follow, that the Ohio Supreme Court, when presented with the issue, should not adopt the findings of the Ohio appellate courts in interpreting the pollution exclusion clause, but should recognize that those decisions were wrong and follow the law which finds sudden and accidental …

Of Flags And Menorahs: The Power Of Individual And Governmental Symbolic Speech, Mark F. Kohler

Akron Law Review

The aim of this article will be to explore the nature of symbolic speech, both individual and governmental. Using Johnson and Allegheny County as a backdrop, four themes will emerge from the article. First, both individuals and government speak and speak powerfully through symbols and symbolic conduct. Second, medium-based regulation of individual speech should receive careful judicial scrutiny. Third, unlike individual symbolic expression, governmental symbolic speech is subject to substantial content-based restrictions. Finally, careful distinctions must be drawn between government-initiated symbolic speech and governmental endorsement of individual symbolic speech.

Wiggins V. State: Receiving A Fair Trial Under The Specter Of Aids, Charles Zamora

Akron Law Review

Wiggins v. State presented two unique issues: (1) whether it was proper to authorize courtroom security personnel to use prophylactic apparel while escorting a defendant merely suspected of having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and (2) the extent to which this handling procedure impacted the jury.

This Note will analyze the Wiggins decision, emphasizing the court's reasoning as it pertains to the following: (1) the guarantee of a fair and impartial jury trial for defendants either having or being suspected of having AIDS; (2) the permissible exercise of discretion by the trial judge in authorizing precautions during the course of the …

Rocky River V. Serb: Second-Guessing The State Legislature, Timothy D. Rudy

Akron Law Review

This note discusses why Rocky River was wrongly decided as a matter of constitutional adjudication and why it is likely to be overruled, irrespective of a personnel change on the court. The note concludes that the decision, written by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, was weak and based on questionable policy. The majority misapplied recent precedent on local government's home-rule powers, ignored another provision of the state constitution granting the state legislature unlimited authority in the field of public employee welfare, and ignored the stare decisis effect of its recent decisions which found the Act was a general law of statewide …

Edmonson V. Leesville Concrete Co.: State Action Or Inaction - Does It Matter?, Chad Murdock

Akron Law Review

This note first reviews the facts of Edmonson. Second, this note examines the history of judicial inquiry into the use of peremptory challenges. Third, this note reviews the application of Batson to civil cases. Finally, this note analyzes the extension of the state action doctrine in Edmonson and discusses an alternative to the Edmonson approach to state action

Judicial Misuses Of The Word Fraud To Defeat The Parol Evidence Rule And The Statute Of Frauds, Morris G. Shanker

Akron Law Review

The courts, of course, continue to recognize that the Parol Evidence Rule exists and to pay lip service to it. However, they have developed a series of so called "exceptions" to its application, and lawyers for litigants have learned these "exception" lessons well. Thus, whenever a client becomes unhappy with one or of more of the terms of a written contract which he signed, his lawyer likely will fish out one of these "exceptions" in an effort to excuse his client from it.

Unfortunately, many Ohio lawyers will not realize that their Supreme Court in its Marion Production Credit Association …

United States V. Moore: Aids And The Criminal Law: The Witch Hunt Begins, Robert Louis Stauter Md., J.D.

Akron Law Review

The United States v. Moore opinions written by Federal District Judge Diana E. Murphy and Circuit Judge Timbers reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the disease process of AIDS. The purpose of this article is to help the reader critically analyze these court opinions. To facilitate this discussion the article will first provide the reader with some very basic, yet very technical, vocabulary used by medical specialists who care for and study patients with AIDS.

United States V. Markham: The Attack On The Drug War Becomes An Attack On The Fourth Amendment, Lee A. Schaffer

Akron Law Review

In United States v. Markham, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit expanded the exception even further when it upheld the validity of a warrantless search of a mobile home parked in a private residential driveway.

This casenote will review the history behind the fourth amendment's warrant requirement and the development of the automobile exception. Next, it will examine the Supreme Court's decision in Carney to evaluate the sixth circuit's application of the automobile exception in Markham, and the court's ruling that a warrantless search and seizure of a motor home parked in the driveway …

State V. Sorenson: The Adequacy Of The Residual Exceptions In Child Sexual Abuse Cases: Five-Part Test Puts An End To The Criticism, Robert G. Renis

Akron Law Review

In State v. Sorenson, a seven-year-old girl's father and uncle had sexual intercourse with her. The court allowed a social worker to testify as to what the girl had told her. Finally, a court has set forth a detailed test for use in determining the admissibility of hearsay evidence in child sexual abuse cases. This casenote will analyze the court's five-part test, and discuss how it was applied in Sorenson. The casenote will then compare the Sorenson test (used in conjunction with the residual exceptions) to statutes providing for specific hearsay exceptions in child sexual abuse cases.

State Regulation Of Worker Safety In The Nuclear Industry: The Impact Of Goodyear Atomic Corp. V. Miller, Donald A. Mihokovich

Akron Law Review

This casenote will discuss the effect of Goodyear Atomic Corp. v. Miller on federal preemption in the nuclear industry. This decision does not mark federal preemption's demise. Preemption will continue in areas involving protection of the public from the dangers of radioactivity. Nevertheless, this decision may have an adverse effect on the private sector's continuing involvement in the nuclear industry, an involvement that is essential for both national energy policy and national defense.

Welsh V. United States, The Sixth Circuit Gives A Physics Lesson - For Every Action There Is An Equal And Opposite Reaction, Daniel L. Bell

Akron Law Review

This casenote will review the facts of Welsh v. United States and present the current judicial approaches to spoliation of evidence in civil litigation. Second, the note will analyze the Welsh court's proposed solution to the spoliation problem. Finally, the note will discuss the use of the Welsh approach in litigation and management implications for health care facilities.

Kuhlmeier V. Hazelwood School District: The First Amendment Rights Of Public High School Students, Edward S. Muse

Akron Law Review

In Kuhlmeier v. Hazelwood School District, the Supreme Court held that high school students' first amendment rights were not violated when their principal deleted articles from the school newspaper. The Court stated that the school newspaper was not a "public forum" for expression which normally receives full first amendment protection. The Court further held that the school principal did not violate students' first amendment rights when he restricted the printing of articles due to the effect that they could have on other students.

The Supreme Court's decision will undoubtedly curtail students' rights to free speech and press. This casenote …

Chalk V. United States District Court Central District Of California: A Major Victory For Aids Employees Under The Federal Rehabilitation Act Of 1973, Janet A. Michael

Akron Law Review

This note will first review the facts of Chalk v. United States District Court Central District of California and will present a broad overview of AIDS, outlining current medical knowledge of the disease. Second, this note will analyze the Rehabilitation Act, examining regulations, legislative history, and case law interpreting the Act. Finally, this note will analyze the impact of Chalk on future employment cases.

San Francisco Art & Athletics, Inc. V. United States Olympic Committee: Usoc May Enforce Its Rights In Olympic Without Proof Of Confusion, Charles F. Hauff Jr.

Akron Law Review

In San Francisco Arts & Athletics, Inc. v. United States Olympic Committee, the United States Supreme Court held that the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) could enforce its statutory rights in the mark OLYMPIC without proving likelihood of customer confusion. Because this holding extended the USOC's trademark rights beyond those engendered by the Lanham Act, the Court was compelled to subject those rights to constitutional scrutiny. The Court's holding prevented San Francisco Arts & Athletics, Inc. (SFAA) from using the word OLYMPIC to promote the "Gay Olympic Games."

The SFAA decision will probably affect future analyses of trademark rights …

Evidentiary Use Of Prior Acquittals: When Analysis Exceeds Reality, Paul Harper

Akron Law Review

The purpose of this note is to assess the basis and propriety of that decision and to highlight some potential problems with the Court's conclusion. Additionally, this casenote will attempt to envision how this holding may affect future prosecutions.

Finally it will offer an alternative model which may more adequately address the tension between the government's legitimate prosecutorial interests and the defendant's interest in finality of judgment.