ProfNet Experts Available on Oil Prices, Power Outages, Prenups, More Also in This Edition: Jobs for Writers, Media Industry Blog Posts
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing.
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EDITOR'S NOTE
- How Do You Use Mobile in Your Reporting?
EXPERT ALERTS
- Workplace Retaliation Claims on the Rise
- Oil Price Collapse Leads to Skittish Lenders
- Legal Lesson in Dallas' Ebola Scare
- Power Outage Spotlights Importance of Perception
- Shredded Prenup Deal Still Most Likely Valid
MEDIA JOBS
- Writer - Boston Magazine (MA)
- Reporter - Roanoke Times (VA)
- Reporter - Central Kentucky News-Journal (KY)
OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES
- Must-Have iPhone Apps for Authors & Writers
- Words of Wisdom From Successful Women in Communications
- Blog Profiles: Blogs to Help You With Your Blogging
EDITOR'S NOTE:
To better understand how members of the media use mobile devices (phones or tablets) to produce stories, PR Newswire for Journalists is asking users to participate in a quick, eight-question survey. The survey will remain open until Nov. 30: http://svy.mk/1AslSZE
EXPERT ALERTS:
Workplace Retaliation Claims on the Rise
Mark Shank
Attorney
Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail Shank LLP in Dallas
A record number of U.S. workers accused their employers of unlawful retaliation last year. A total of 38,539 claims were reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces workplace antidiscrimination laws. Those numbers reflect a long-term trend of court rulings that have expanded the breadth and lowered the standards of such claims, coupled with a shift in attitudes. Says Shank: "The behaviors that may have been tolerated or ignored in the past increasingly lead to employee complaints, setting the stage for some type of retaliation claim. Rather than the uphill battle of proving a charge of racial or gender bias, jurors are more willing to accept a common-sense claim that a manager retaliated when faced with allegations of discrimination or harassment."
News Contact: Barry Pound, [email protected]
Oil Price Collapse Leads to Skittish Lenders
Ken Anderson
Energy Financing Attorney
Sidley Austin in Houston
The collapse in global oil prices spells caution for banks and private equity funds that have been eager to lend to energy companies. Says Anderson: "Now, with the price of oil falling, some financings with risk that had been marginally acceptable just won't get done. For example, one financing that was close to being committed on Friday fell apart by Monday. The fall in oil prices was the last straw, and the proposed lender, the credit arm of a private equity fund, elected not to go forward." Anderson also thinks it is possible there will be less acquisition-related financing activity: "Falling commodity prices often result in slowing M&A activity as buyers are looking for bargains, and sellers aren't willing to sell at bargain prices unless they get in trouble and have no choice."
Media Contact: Kit Frieden, [email protected]
Legal Lesson in Dallas' Ebola Scare
Bill Chamblee
Health Care Attorney
Chamblee, Ryan, Kershaw & Anderson, P.C. in Dallas
"Dallas' response to the recent Ebola cases offers a valuable lesson. Amidst all the outrage over how Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas handled the Ebola virus, the institution did something unexpected. It apologized to the survivors of Thomas Eric Duncan and took responsibility for its role in what happened. In doing so, the hospital changed the conversation from assessing blame to stopping the further spread of Ebola. More than Ground Zero for the first U.S. case of Ebola, Dallas became the proving ground for how to restore public confidence in our health system."
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]
Power Outage Spotlights Importance of Perception
Frances A. Smith
Bankruptcy Attorney
Shackelford, Melton, McKinley & Norton LLP in Dallas
"Recent speculation that Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC diverted profits to its parent company, Energy Future Holdings, at the expense of Texas' electric grid is a reminder of the delicate balancing act faced by all reorganizing companies that own profitable ventures. The media reported that Texas Public Utility Commissioner Kenneth W. Anderson Jr. cited data that showed Oncor's spending on power line maintenance fell more than 20 percent between 2005 and 2013, despite two utility rate increases. When October windstorms interrupted power to more than half a million North Texas customers, officials started asking whether Oncor was feeding excessive profits to EFH at the expense of the electric grid. Companies in reorganization, such as EFH, must take great pains to avoid even the appearance of impeding the operations of their subsidiaries during bankruptcies."
News Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]
Shredded Prenup Deal Still Most Likely Valid
Michelle O'Neil
Family Law Attorney
Godwin Lewis PC in Dallas
"Couples who sign a prenuptial agreement and then -- in a fit of passion or even subterfuge -- tear it up, declaring it void, are likely still bound by its terms. Even if both parties declared the prenup to be invalid and ceremonially toss the shredded bits into the ocean -- as a New York couple reportedly did on their honeymoon -- the burden is on the person seeking to invalidate the agreement to prove that he or she was fraudulently induced to sign it. A family law judge in Texas is just as likely to uphold the agreement as the judge in New York in Braha v. Braha. So if your beloved insists he's tearing up his copy of the prenup, don't buy it. Unless you both signed a subsequent legal document revoking it, you're most likely still bound by the prenup."
News Contact: Amy Hunt, [email protected]
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MEDIA JOBS:
Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/
- Writer – Boston magazine (MA)
- Reporter – Roanoke Times (VA)
- Reporter – Central Kentucky News-Journal (KY)
See more listings here.
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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:
Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]
- MUST-HAVE IPHONE APPS FOR AUTHORS AND WRITERS. As a modern-day writer, you've learned when and where you write best. Rarely does inspiration strike when you're seated at your desk in front of your computer at 9 a.m. More likely, you're inspired while you're out and about. Check out some apps that will help you research, brainstorm, write and even publish your work whether you're at home, at the office, or in the middle of daily errands: http://prn.to/1uGbgnc
- WORDS OF WISDOM FROM SUCCESSFUL WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS. On Oct. 28, New York Women in Communications presented their annual WiCi Awards, honoring nine extraordinary women who have made significant achievements in the communications field. Each of the honorees shared her unique inspiring story of how she overcame challenges and achieved success. Here are the top words of wisdom from the honorees to help guide you in the business world: http://prn.to/1x0QLBV
- BLOG PROFILES: BLOGS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR BLOGGING. As PR Newswire's media relations manager, Christine Cube comes across great blogs that cover a wide variety of topics and interests. This week, she shared info on a few blogs that can help bloggers with their blogging: http://prn.to/1phP3Kj
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