Story Ideas

The following are some story ideas that you may find interesting for your publications. There is a summary and contact information included with each piece.

NH Supreme Court Establishes New Law Regarding Dissemination of Trade Secrets within the Mortgage Lending Industry

The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed a judgment in favor of Team Mortgage, LLC and Signature Mortgage Consultants LLC, and their principals, Joseph C. Davey and Steven Michael Carbone, respectively, who were each accused of trade secret misappropriation and misuse of alleged confidential information by their former employer, The Mortgage Specialists Inc. The Court also reversed a substantial post-trial award of monetary sanctions against the two companies and their principals.

The Mortgage Specialists Inc. originally claimed that the two defendants had violated federal financial privacy laws, the New Hampshire Uniform Trade Secret Act and a host of common and statutory causes of actions, when they retained certain client information upon the termination of an independent contractor arrangement. During the course of a six-day trial, however, the jury was convinced that the information retained by the defendants did not qualify as trade secrets.

The Supreme Court affirmed the jury's verdict that The Mortgage Specialists Inc. had failed to demonstrate the existence of trade secrets. Establishing new law in New Hampshire, the Court also said that the Trade Secret Act preempted the other claims to the extent such claims were based on the alleged misappropriation of confidential business information.

Robert Lucic and Christopher Cole were attorneys for the defendants of this case. They can speak more in-depth on the effect this will have on mortgage lending in New Hampshire and how that will affect builders and consumers. Please click on their names for biography and contact information.

Gov. Lynch Signs Law Changes Medical Decision-Making Options in NH. How Does This Affect You?

Gov. John Lynch signed into law an updated and revised statute governing medical decision-making for adults who lack capacity (temporary or permanent) to make healthcare decisions for themselves.

HB 656 clarifies many aspects of laws regarding Do Not Resesitate Orders and Durable Power of Attorney issues. That includes providing an option to request a "Do Not Resuscitate Order" with a standardized ID bracelet, necklace, card or other written medical order to alert emergency medical and other providers that they do not want CPR in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

These new laws make these life-changing issues more clear and easier to express, but there are still pitfalls people must be aware of before moving forward.

Katherine Hanna was an advisor with Gov. Lynch in regards to health care issues and is the head of the Health Care practice group at SPB+G. She can speak more in-depth on the effect HB 656 will have on New Hampshire residents. Please click on her name for biography and contact information.