U.S. Chamber
HAPPENING NOW: U.S. Chamber President Looks Toward an Improving Economy, Promotes Plan to Spur Job Creation

In his annual State of American Business address, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue was cautiously optimistic about the state of the economy and outlined a four-point plan to put jobless Americans back to work.


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Bloomberg News
Small-Business Confidence in U.S. Fell in December on Outlook

Confidence among U.S. small businesses dropped in December for the first time in five months, indicating a sustained rebound will take time to develop, a private survey found.

The National Federation of Independent Business optimism index decreased to 92.6 from November's 93.2 reading that was the highest since the recession began in December 2007, the Washington-based group said today. Four of the index's 10 components fell, led by a dimmer outlook on the economy.

The New York Times
Judges Take Lawyers To Task In Foreclosure Cases

With judges looking ever more critically at home foreclosures, they are reaching beyond the bankers to heap some of their most scorching criticism on the lawyers, accusing them of processing shoddy or even fabricated paperwork in foreclosure actions when representing the banks.

More broadly, the courts in New York State, along with Florida, have begun requiring that lawyers in foreclosure cases vouch for the accuracy of the documents they present, which prompted a protest from the New York bar. The requirement, which is being considered by courts in other states, could open lawyers to disciplinary actions that could harm or even end careers.