LawSight E-Letter

The Year 2000 Computer Problem and the Practice of Law

The Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act of 1998
Accredited for 3 hours of Continuing Legal Education
November 16, 1998, , 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
CupAJoe Internet Cafe, Mission Valley, Raleigh North Carolina

Why is December 3, 1998 the most critical date for the Y2k problem so far?

- There will be 100's of billions of dollars in claims in Year 2000-related litigation, based in great part on ‘year 2000 statements' made by parties.

- Protection against evidentiary use of both past and future >year 2000 statements is available under new Federal ‘Good Samaritan' legislation. Those who refuse protections under the legislation may be substantially disadvantaged in defending Y2k lawsuits compared with those which obtain it.

- Organizations are losing available protections for ongoing statements daily.

- There is an absolute deadline of December 3, 1998 for claiming protection for past statements.

- Organizations with valid year 2000 claims have strict deadlines for contesting such protection claims, varying according to method of publication and receipt.

- Attorneys who assisted drafting Y2k statements may have an affirmative duty to notify their clients of these protections.

The weakened defenses to Year 2000 related litigation which may result from failure to obtain the evidentiary protections under the legislation, or the failure of parties with Year 2000 claims to take prescribed steps to contest protective designation by their potential adversary, may result in negative effects on business, corporate liability, directors and officers insurance and similar items.

The protections for preexisting and ongoing Year 2000 statements and many other important provisions are found in the ‘Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act of 1998', signed into law on October 19, 1998. The seminar will cover the issues surrounding the legislation in detail, with emphasis on practical steps which gain most protection for your client and yourself. In addition to the legislation, the seminar will also cover other issues raised by the Act, as well as more general Y2k issues, including origins, the role of government and a review of Y2k litigation.

More information can be obtained by calling 919-790-1443, online at www.lawsight.com, or by e-mail at seminars@lawsight.com.

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The seminar instructors are William H. Skeels, IV, Esq. of LawSight, Inc., and Steven Dunn, Esq. of the Raleigh, North Carolina firm of Emmanuel and Dunn. Mr. Skeels consults with law firms, corporate legal departments and businesses on strategic database issues, with a focus on the Year 2000 computing problem. Mr. Dunn is a lawyer involved in business contract litigation and a variety or other corporate issues.

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