Kudler Fine Foods Operations Focus
nameBSA/502
October 28, 2013
Instructor
Kudler Fine Foods Legal Focus
Kathy Kudler opened her epicurean food store in 1998 and with hard work and diligence she opened two more stores by 2003. Kudler Fine Foods has the many departments needed to maintain a productive running business as it continues to grow, including the legal department run by Kathy’s sister-in-law Anne Shousha (Apollo, 2013a). Product liability appears not as important a concern as it should be as there are no discussions, meetings, or legal advisement noted. As product liability is lacking leads to an evaluation of what product liability is, why Kathy needs to be concerned, and how to ensure Kudlers will continue to be productive.
Current Legal Process
Anne Shousha works as a successful tax attorney with a major accounting firm in San Diego, California, and maintains the duties as Kudler’s legal counsel. Currently, Kathy is the only person who has contact with Anne; managers determine if legal issues need to be referred to Kathy who decides if they should be directed to Anne. Kathy will ask for legal advice during informal telephone communications and family gatherings or occasionally meet formally with her and the insurance carrier attorneys. The legal expenses have been kept to a minimum as Anne does not charge Kathy for the informal communications and only $100 per hour for formal meetings (Apollo, 2013b).
Kudler’s had a few customer accidents where Anne recommended agreeing to a settlement, telling Kathy that (Apollo, 2013b), “going to court is like throwing dice.” (para. 4) Additionally, the forms used by Kudler’s are from off-the-shelf computer programs and slightly modified by Kathy or her assistant but usually supplied by the parties Kudler deals with. The legal department is brought into departments that will require legal advice or possible legality issues, such as with occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) where...