Tales from the Trenches

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Office of the General CounselNortheastern University

Matt McIntyre, Esq.Nick Bradley, Esq.Tales from the Trenches1Pressure Points2

Millions of dollars have been won and lost by folks over these points. The University strives to be clear in all of its agreements on these critical points. NU Pressure Points*WarrantiesConfidentialityIP - Work Product/Work for HireIndemnityLimits of LiabilityDispute Resolution and Governing LawTerminationUse of NUs NameAmendments*Non-templatesNot My Employee!3The University of Massachusetts and UMass Medical Center had clinical affiliation agreements for UMASS medical students to perform educational clinical rotations at the Medical Center.

The agreements were seemingly contradictory as to which entity is responsible for the students while they are on clinical.

In the case of malpractice by a resident, who has the liabilitythe University or the Hospital?

Cruising in the Rain!4A university entered into an agreement for a 3-hour cruise around Boston Harbor during one of the Tall Ships festivals. The event was marketed and several hundred people purchased tickets for the cruise.

By oversight, the contract was not sent to OGC and the agreement did not have an exit strategy in case of inclement weather.Show Me the Money!5

Tuskegee University engaged Mallory & Evans to renovate one of its dormitories at a cost of $3.85 million.Contract required prior approval by the Purchasing Department of Tuskegee if the cost of any work under a change order would exceed the total cost of $3.85 million. About $600,000 was lost!No Way Out6

A university entered into a lease for office equipment and related maintenance. However, the agreement automatically renewed without providing a termination clause. Eventually the equipment became outdated.

Really Bad Drafting7

In 1985, Cetus Corp. collaborated with Stanford University to develop a process for determining the level of HIV in a persons bloodstream.A Stanford researcher joined the research efforts and signed separate agreements with Stanford and Cetus regarding assignment of his rights to inventions resulting from the collaborative research efforts.Anybody Want a Ferrari?8A college terminated a probationary, tenure-track faculty member.

The faculty member claimed that her tenure-track appointment was equivalent to an appointment with tenure.

The $18 million Motorcycle RideOn April 1, 2012, Bobby Petrino, head football coach at the University of Arkansas, was involved in a motorcycle crash with his 25-year old mistress. Petrinos employment contract contained a multi-million dollar severance package in the event that he was terminated without cause.

How could the University terminate Petrino for his behavior without paying his guaranteed $18 million severance?9

Moral Turpitude clause saves the day!10

The University protected itself by including a moral turpitude clause in Petrinos employment contract which provided grounds for termination.

Petrinos morally questionable conduct and misleading statements cost him more than $18 million remaining on his contract. It was quite an expensive joy ride.Sinking Stadium11

The ProjectA new $50 million multi-use stadium is 70% complete. In eight months, the seats will all be filled for the football teams home opener. After that, more football, soccer, lacrosse, and outdoor concerts are scheduled.

The ProblemThe University notices horizontal cracking in the concrete support columns. Investigation by structural engineers reveals the stadium is sinking under its own weight at six support columns.

Costs are expected to exceed $8 million.Who assumed the risk for the structural failures?12The contract between the University and the Architect used the American Institute of Architects (AIA) standard form agreement. The contract included 3 troubling provisions:

Mutual Waiver of Consequential DamagesExclusive RemedyLimitation of LiabilityMutual Waiver of Consequential Damages13

The Architect and the [University] waive consequential damages for claims, disputes or other matters in question arising out of or relating to this Agreement.Impact of the ProvisionThe University cannot recover the following costs:$2 million in lost future profits$800,000 incurred because of increased interest rates$200,000 cost of the forensic engineers investigation$1 million delay claim by the contractorExclusive Remedy14In the event any of the services of the Architect performed under this Agreement are adjudged to fail to meet the standard of ordinary caresuch services shall be deemed Defective Services. The Architect shall re-perform all such Defective Services at the Architects sole cost and expense, and such re-performance shall be the owners sole and exclusive remedy for such Defective Services.Impact of the ProvisionArchitect only required to re-perform defective servicesServices must be adjudged to be defectiveArchitects risk of loss is the design value ($100,000) v.Universitys risk is estimated at $7.9 million

Limitation of Liability15

the extent of the Architects liability to the Owner for any and all claims and damages recoverable under the terms of this Agreement is limited to the fee actually paid by the Owner to the Architect under this Agreement.Impact of the Provision$2 million liability cap$6 million shortfall for the University

QuestionsOffice of the General CounselNortheastern University378 Columbus PlaceBoston, MA 02115Tel: (617) 373-2157http://www.northeastern.edu/legal/16These materials are the sole property of Northeastern University. The information contained in these materials is for the informational and educational use of members of the Northeastern University community only. These materials are not intended as and cannot be construed as legal advice on any matter or for any purpose. Northeastern Universityexpressly disclaims all responsibility and liability for any actions taken or not taken on the basis of any of the information contained on this site.

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