With the Fourth of July approaching, skylines and neighborhoods will be dotted with American flags. This widely known symbol of patriotism and pride can sometimes lead to legal issues. Take, for example, the 40×80-foot American flag flying above the parking lot of Gander RV (formerly Camping World) in Statesville, North Carolina. CEO Marcus Lemonis publicly refused to take the flag down, despite increasing fines for its alleged violation of a city ordinance limiting the size of flown flags. Statesville passed the relevant ordinance in an effort to prevent the growing practice of displaying Confederate flags. Lemonis, and others, objected that the ordinance applies to flags of any kind, even…
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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF POLITICAL CONSULTANTS, INC. v. FCC: “Robocalls” and the First Amendment
In a recent decision, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed the First Amendment implications of federal debt-collection automated calls. More specifically, the court analyzed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”), a law which protected such calls as an exemption to its general prohibition against calls to personal phones using an automated telephone dialing system. What is the TCPA? In 1991, Congress enacted the TCPA to protect consumers from unwanted, unsolicited, and intrusive automated calls, which were becoming ubiquitous. Initially, the law recognized two exemptions to the general prohibition on the practice commonly known as robocalling: calls to notify the public of an emergency and calls made…
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UPDATE: LET THEM DRINK LEMONADE
What’s better than a cold glass of lemonade in the summer sun? With summer upon us, lemonade stands are in the news once again. Texas passed a law permitting the sale of lemonade or other nonalcoholic drinks at stands on private property. How does North Carolina handle lemonade stands? Previously discussed by Lindley Law, perhaps it is time for a refresher on the legality of this refreshment. Laws, Permits, and Ordinances, Oh My! Setting up a lemonade stand may seem like it should be simple; however, the regulations young entrepreneurs must understand and comply with may leave a sour taste. Some states require a business license, obtained…
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THE SHAREHOLDER LAWSUIT AGAINST PYXUS INTERNATIONAL: A VIEW OF CLASS ACTION CASES
A class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court with the Eastern District of North Carolina against Pyxus International, Inc. (“Pyxus”). The lawsuit focuses on those persons who acquired shares in Pyxus between June 7, 2018 and November 8, 2018, a period which coincides with steep drops in the company’s share price. Class action lawsuits are common shareholder litigation, but what exactly is a class action lawsuit? State or Federal Court? Class action lawsuits are available in state court – including North Carolina state court – as well as in federal court. Since its effective date, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (the “Act”)…
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INTERSAL, INC. v. SUSI H. HAMILTON, et al.: a Separate Battle over Pirates and Treasure
In another case distinct from last week’s shipwreck blog post, salvage company Intersal, Inc. (“Intersal”) seeks to overturn a decision in favor of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (the “NCDNCR”), the Secretary for the NCDNCR, the State of North Carolina, and the now-dissolved non-profit company Friends of Queen Anne’s Revenge (“FQAR”). Unlike the previous blog post, which addressed alleged copyright infringement, the litigants to the instant dispute are debating the enforceability of two contracts between the parties, whether the NCDNCR breached those contracts, and whether FQAR induced NCDNCR’s alleged breach. The Permits In 1994, the NCDNCR granted two permits to Intersal to search for…
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FREDERICK ALLEN and NAUTILUS PRODUCTIONS, LLC v. ROY A. COOPER, III, et al.: a Battle over Piracy and Sunken Treasure
The plaintiffs in Frederick L. Allen and Nautilus Productions, LLC v. Roy A. Cooper, III,, et al., a four-year civil lawsuit over the rights to video and photographic footage of the recovery of the wreckage of the Queen Anne’s Revenge (the ship captained by the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard), recently filed a petition for a writ of certiorari seeking the United States Supreme Court to rule on the dispute. The History of the Queen Anne’s Revenge In the early eighteenth century, Blackbeard commandeered the slave ship La Concorde, renaming it the Queen Anne’s Revenge and captaining the ship for years near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. …
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UPDATE: ARETHA FRANKLIN’S ESTATE
At the time of her death last year, it was believed that Aretha Franklin died intestate, or without a will. In the absence of a will, state intestacy laws determine how estate assets will be distributed. However, three handwritten wills were recently discovered in the famed singer’s home. If one or more of these documents is found to be a valid, enforceable will, the terms of the document(s) will determine the distribution of Franklin’s estate. Two of the handwritten wills were dated from 2010 and discovered in a locked cabinet in the home. The third, and most recent, was discovered in a notebook under a seat cushion. It was…
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RULE 38: NO SUBSTITUTION FOR GOOD JUDGMENT
The recent North Carolina Court of Appeals decision in Weishaupt-Smith v. Town of Banner Elk represents North Carolina’s first appellate ruling interpreting Rule 38(b) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure, which provides the second of three (3) categories in which substitution of a party to a dispute on appeal is permitted. Although this rule was adopted in 1975, courts remained silent on its interpretation until Weishaupt-Smith. Rule 38 Substitution of Parties Rule 38 provides three specific categories under which a party to a dispute on appeal or while appeal is pending may be substituted. The first, Rule 38(a), permits substitution when a party dies but the…
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LAMARRE V. MARTINEZ: A (QUIET) DISCUSSION OF ACTIONS TO QUIET TITLE
The recent North Carolina Court of Appeals decision in LaMarre v. Martinez addresses an action to quiet title between parties to a real property transaction. Specifically, the court provides guidance for determining the applicable statute of limitations. Actions to Quiet Title In North Carolina, an action to quiet title may be brought to determine the validity of adverse claims by multiple persons to an estate or an interest in real property. The court’s role in such actions is to determine the rightful owner to a particular piece of real property. Disputes over rightful ownership to real property often arise in the context of interfamilial transfers or transfers that…
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JOHN SINGLETON CONSERVATORSHIP AND ESTATE
John Singleton entered Hollywood in a truly historic fashion. Not only was he the first African American to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Director for his debut film Boyz N the Hood, but he did so at the age of 24, making him the youngest ever nominee for the category. Sadly, Singleton’s career was cut short when he died last week at age 51 following a stroke. Before his death, Singleton’s daughter, Cleopatra, disputed the characterization of Singleton’s medical condition by Singleton’s mother and business manager, Shelia Ward. Ward claimed Singleton was in a coma, petitioning the court in Los Angeles to be named temporary conservator for…
