News Archive

Morris Nichols partner Michael Houghton spoke with The News Journal about a recent U.S. Supreme Court discussion on unclaimed property which cited Delaware as an example of concerns with unclaimed property owner notifications.  Mike has advised Fortune 500 companies and others on unclaimed property issues for more than 25 years and is a member of a Legislative Task Force currently examining, and making recommendations concerning, Delaware’s Unclaimed Property program.  He is also co-chair of the Uniform Laws Commission Drafting Committee to Revise the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.  In the article, entitled “Supreme Court Calls Out Delaware on Unclaimed Property,” Mike comments on a recent concurring opinion issued by two U.S. Supreme Court Justices which suggests some states - including Delaware - may not be satisfying  due process requirements in how they undertake to reunite owners of unclaimed property, remitted to the states, with that lost property.

Morris Nichols partner Michael Houghton contributed comments to the BNA Weekly State Tax Report article entitled “Pennsylvania Sues Delaware, MoneyGram for $10.3 Million in Uncashed Checks.” Mike has advised Fortune 500 companies and others on unclaimed property issues for more than 25 years and told Bloomberg BNA the case is “extremely unusual.” He observed that the lawsuit was filed directly against Delaware State Escheator David Gregor, although the dispute appears to lie between the two states. He noted his skepticism that such a dispute, effectively between two states, could be successfully pursued “in a federal district court in Pennsylvania,” noting “I don’t know how that’s sustainable.”

Wilmington, DE (February 19, 2016) - This week, Docket Navigator released its 2015 Year in Review of U.S. patent litigation. The annual report analyzes data on patent litigation cases and administrative proceedings to highlight trends in the patent landscape.

Wilmington, DE (February 17, 2016) - Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP is pleased to announce that former Vice Chancellor Donald F. Parsons, Jr. will be joining the firm as Senior Counsel in March 2016. Vice Chancellor Parsons retired from the Delaware Court of Chancery in October 2015. During his tenure on the bench, Vice Chancellor Parsons issued hundreds of opinions and rulings addressing important and cutting edge questions concerning corporation law, alternative entities, trademark and intellectual property law, and other complex commercial matters. As a former member of the Court of Chancery, Vice Chancellor Parsons will help Morris Nichols continue to deliver the highest caliber of legal services to its clients in the areas of alternative dispute resolution, corporate governance, special committee assignments, internal investigations, mergers and acquisitions, and stockholder activism. In addition, with the benefit of his twelve years on the bench and previous years of experience in patent and other complex litigation, Vice Chancellor Parsons will be a tremendous asset for Morris Nichols in developing its alternative dispute resolution practice, including serving as a third party neutral in mediations and arbitrations. 

Wilmington, DE (January 12, 2016) - Last evening, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce presented the prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup Award to retired Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP partner O. Francis “Frank” Biondi.

Wilmington, DE (January 6, 2016) - Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP partner Karen Jacobs has been named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. An honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars, the Fellows demonstrate outstanding achievements and dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.

Wilmington, DE (January 4, 2016) - Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP is pleased to announce that Mac Measley, Andrew Remming and Jason Russell have been elected partners, and that Karl Randall has been promoted to special counsel, effective January 1, 2016.

Morris Nichols partner Michael Houghton contributed comments to the BNA Weekly State Tax Report article entitled “Unclaimed Property, New Revenue, in Focus in Delaware: Legislative Preview.”  He noted that unclaimed property is the third-largest revenue source for Delaware and commented that some of the state’s unclaimed property laws are being challenged in court.

Wilmington, DE (November 19, 2015) - The Turnaround Management Association hosted its 2015 TMA Asia Pacific Conference in Singapore and Morris Nichols Partner, Eric Schwartz was invited to present on the Judges Panel covering the topic of Restructuring Regimes.  He joined Judicial Commissioner Kannan Ramesh of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Judge Bingkun Ye of Xiamen Intermediate People’s Court, Fujian Province (P.R.C.) to discuss how various regimes may interact to produce efficient and effective cross-border restructuring and resolution of corporate insolvency matters.

Wilmington, DE (November 16, 2015) - In early November, the Taiwan Corporate Governance Association hosted the 11th Annual International Corporate Governance Summit, a two-day event in Taipei focused on strengthening internal and external corporate governance mechanisms. Members of the Delaware corporate governance community played prominent roles in the conference, with Morris Nichols partner John P. DiTomo presenting the keynote address and Delaware Supreme Court Justice Randy Holland invited as a guest of honor and delivering several speeches addressing emerging issues of Delaware law.

Wilmington, DE (November 2, 2015) - U.S. News - Best Lawyers® has once again ranked Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP in its annual guide of the “Best Law Firms.” In the 2016 edition, the firm was selected for inclusion in a diverse array of bankruptcy, corporate, intellectual property, and trust law practice areas in Delaware.