Whole Foods Inc. is refusing to play games with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and when they proposed changes to rules regarding the agency’s administrative complaint for multiple cases including complaints about anti-competitive mergers, Whole Foods stood up and just said no!

There are two controversial provisions on the table:

1. Setting strict time frames for an evidentiary hearing after the commission files an administrative complaint against a party, unless the agency rules otherwise. According to Whole Foods, this is unfair because it puts them at a disadvantage by limiting time to make their case.

2. Allowing the commission the first opportunity to rule on motions that would dispose of a case including a summary judgment before a hearing takes place.

Whole Foods is calling for other companies to join a committee opposing the changes.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Our economy is melting away jobs for lawyers. Slow practice areas include real estate, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets. If you are a lawyer working in that area, beware. For example, at Chicago based Bell Boyd & Lloyd, 10 associates were let go.

“Like many firms, Bell Boyd is facing unprecedented market conditions and we are taking measures to ensure the firm’s efficient operation and growth,” said Managing Partner Nancy Bertogio in a prepared statement. “This is a belt-tightening measure that will put us in a better position to ride out the economic storm and remain competitive in what we expect will be a challenging business environment for law firms and our clients.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

Financial institutions are being swallowed by the economic tidal wave. As they try to exit bankruptcy or find reorganizations, the lack of financing to assist them may lead to these five things, as researched by the National Law Journal:

1. Sudden, prenegotiated mergers or buyouts, similar to Lehman Brothers’ fate.

2. Increased asset liquidation, rather than traditional reorganizations.

3. Significant international costs related to layoffs of overseas employees, based on foreign severance protections.

4. As firms merge and restructure, a loss of in-house counsel jobs.

5. Significant changes in executive retention packages to reflect attitudes against large bonuses.

Popularity: 10% [?]