Wednesday, January 27, 2010

POST-TRIAL REMEDIES - NEW TRIAL

POST-TRIAL REMEDIES - NEW TRIAL

A new trial may be granted for several reasons following a verdict decided upon by a jury or judge. A new trial may be granted for errors in the trial which are serious enough that they affected the substantial rights of the parties. Another common ground for granting a new trial is that the trial judge erroneously admitted or excluded evidence. It is important to note that for most types of errors at the trial court level, the party injured by the error must make a timely objection, or immediately object to the error. A new trial may also be granted because of improper conduct by a party, witness, or attorney, that posed a substantial risk that an unfair verdict was reached. A trial judge or appeals court may set aside a verdict if it was reached against the weight of evidence (this is used to curb the influence of improvident jury decisions). A new trial may be granted where a verdict is excessive or inadequate. In other words, the damages awarded did not align with the facts presented. A trial may also grant a partial new trial which is a retrial of a particular issue. This generally occurs when the trial judge believes that the jury verdict was reasonable as to liability, but not regarding damages. Thus limiting the retrial to the issue of damages. Lastly, a trial judge may grant a new trial because of newly discovered evidence that would likely produce a different result. This circumstance seems highly unlikely given the fact that the party only has 10 days to file a motion for new trial after receiving judgment.

Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

POST TRIAL REMEDIES

POST TRIAL REMEDIES

There are remedies that a litigant has following the commencement of a trial that may provide some relief. The two remedies outlined below are (1) a request for a new trial, or (2) for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (judgment as a matter of law). A motion for a new trial must be filed no later than 10 days after service of judgment.

Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

TRIALS WITHOUT A JURY

TRIALS WITHOUT A JURY

A case will be tried without a jury if either no right to a jury trial exists or all parties have waived the right to a jury trial. If there is no jury then the trial judge serves as both the finder of fact and adjudicator. If an action is tried without a jury the judge must set forth the facts of the case with particularity and state, in a separate section of his/her opinion, the law which he/she believes applies to those facts.

Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.

Friday, January 8, 2010

IMPORTANCE OF ENTITY PROTECTION – LIMITED PERSONAL LIABILITY-Drafting Operating Agreements

IMPORTANCE OF ENTITY PROTECTION – LIMITED PERSONAL LIABILITY

EARLY INVOLVEMENT OF YOUR NEVADA BUSINESS LAWYER IS ESSENTIAL

Drafting Operating Agreements and Effects of Handwritten Amendments (continued)

1. Vague and open to interpretation

When a contract is vague and ambiguous courts will go beyond the language of the agreement to consider the intent of the parties. A contract is ambiguous when it is subject to more than one reasonable interpretation. This “intent” is discovered in light of the situation existing at the agreement’s execution. As such, the intent of the parties is subject to interpretation, which could lead to negative results for all parties involved. In order to limit the chance that your agreement could be subjected to interpretation by a court, it is important to retain the services of an attorney.

Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

JURY TRIAL - DIRECTED VERDICTS

JURY TRIAL - DIRECTED VERDICTS

Even if a jury is present either party may move for a directed verdict. This takes the case away from the jury, and a judge determines the outcome as a matter of law. Motions for a directed verdict, or judgment as a matter of law are made when the opposing party has been fully heard on the relevant issues and claims. Therefore, the defendant can move for directed verdict at the close of the plaintiff’s cases, and either party may move for a directed verdict if both sides have rested, or made their case. In general, the court will direct a verdict if the evidence is such that reasonable people could not differ as to the result or outcome of a given case.

Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.

Monday, January 4, 2010

IMPORTANCE OF ENTITY PROTECTION – LIMITED PERSONAL LIABILITY-Drafting Operating Agreements

IMPORTANCE OF ENTITY PROTECTION – LIMITED PERSONAL LIABILITY

EARLY INVOLVEMENT OF YOUR NEVADA BUSINESS LAWYER IS ESSENTIAL

Drafting Operating Agreements and Effects of Handwritten Amendments (continued)

1. Construed against

Whenever handwritten amendments are made to an operating agreement and they are ambiguous, this ambiguity will be construed against the drafter. In addition, even if all parties agree to the changes within an operating agreement the handwritten amendments may be contested as ambiguous and a business will leave it up to a court (not a party in interest) to determine the meaning of the agreement at the time it was created. As such, it is vital to retain the services of an attorney when creating an operating agreement to ensure that it fits the needs of your business and reflects the agreements of your constituent members.


Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.

Friday, January 1, 2010

IMPORTANCE OF ENTITY PROTECTION – LIMITED PERSONAL LIABILITY-Drafting Operating Agreements

IMPORTANCE OF ENTITY PROTECTION – LIMITED PERSONAL LIABILITY

EARLY INVOLVEMENT OF YOUR NEVADA BUSINESS LAWYER IS ESSENTIAL

Drafting Operating Agreements and Effects of Handwritten Amendments

An operating agreement is an agreement among members of an LLC outlining each member’s financial and managerial rights and duties. In Nevada, an operating agreement is preferred at the outset of formation of an LLC. An operating agreement is similar in function to corporate by-laws or a partnership agreement within a multi-member LLC. The larger the LLC, the more complex the agreement becomes necessitating the services of an attorney. Handwritten amendments to an operating agreement can be disastrous as explained below.


Disclaimer: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If you have questions or need specific advice relating to the matters contained herein, please contact Lovaas & Lehtinen, P.C.