| Volume 89 Number 5 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
We all know it's important to check our credit reports regularly, but have you ever heard of a CLUE report? Your CLUE report is just as important in determining your insurance rates, but unfortunately, most consumers don't even know it exists. Take advantage of the law and get a free report every year.
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President Signs Student Loan Bill
After student loan interest rates doubled on July 1, some students began to panic over the increased cost of education. Ultimately, congress would have to cut a deal and get it to the President's desk before the start of the school year for any compromise to actually help.
On Friday, President Obama signed into law a measure reducing student loan rates. Under the deal, undergraduates will borrow at 3.9% this year, with rates capped at 8.25% in future years. Rates for graduate students will be much higher.
For details on student loan rates moving forward,
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President Outlines NSA Reform Initiatives
Ever since Edward Snowden leaked classified documents detailing NSA domestic surveillance, many have publicly criticized the program. In order to temper public distrust in the government and foster greater transparency, President Obama unveiled a plan to reform US intelligence protocols and procedures.
Under the plan, program officials will work with congress to improve the telephone data program, reform the secret court that approves the program, offer up legal authority for the program, and appoint an independent group to oversee the program.
Do the proposed steps make you feel better about domestic surveillance?
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President Asks Congress to Shut Down Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
On Tuesday, President Obama called on congress to reform the nation's mortgage finance system and shut down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In essence, President Obama wants the mortgage finance system handled within the private sector, ending the decades old system currently in place.
What will it mean for homeowners if the government gets out of the mortgage business?
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Your Money
Is your home's value greater than your mortgage loan?
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For the Lawyers
Court follows Sutter and affirms attorneys’ fee award.
The D.C. Court of Appeals relied on the Supreme Court’s opinion in Oxford Health Plans LLC v. Sutter, 569 U.S. ___ (June 10, 2013), and refused to vacate an arbitration attorneys’ fee award. Co-counsel argued the arbitrator exceeded his powers by addressing an issue outside the scope of the arbitration and by basing his award on notions of ethics instead of the co-counsel agreement.
In its analysis, the court summarized that the “‘sole question’ before the court in a challenge [that an arbitrator exceeded his power] is ‘whether the arbitrator (even arguably) interpreted the parties’ contract,’” citing Sutter. Given that limited question, and the fact that the court said there was “no doubt” the arbitrator reached his decisions after interpreting the parties’ co-counsel agreement, the court affirmed the district court’s denial of the motion to vacate.
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