Also known as: alternate · alternats · alternated · alternating · right of alternat · alternating signature
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A diplomatic practice of rotating precedence among states or diplomats when signing treaties. Each participant receives a copy of the instrument with its own signature appearing first on that copy.
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Avalon Pharmaceuticals seeks to operate in a new state under a name already taken by another entity. It adopts an alternate name that is distinguishable on the secretary of state's records and delivers the required application stating its formation details. The secretary registers the alternate name for the partnership's exclusive use for one year.
Alice Atkins sues her employer in federal court for a workplace injury. The employer raises a state workers' compensation exclusivity defense. The court treats the defense as substantive rather than procedural and allows it to bar the federal claim.
Antonio Alvarado, a law firm partner, learns of a client's planned tender offer and trades on that information. Prosecutors charge him under Rule 14e-3 even without proving a breach of duty to the target. The rule supplies an independent basis for liability.
After a divorce, Amber Alonzo's ex-spouse remains named as beneficiary on her ERISA plan. Washington law automatically revokes the designation upon divorce. The Supreme Court holds the state statute preempted because it directly conflicts with ERISA plan documents.
A state political party receives large soft-money donations that influence federal candidates. Congress enacts a ban on such contributions to state committees. The Court upholds the restriction as a valid means to prevent circumvention of federal contribution limits.
Congress passes a statute creating a federal civil remedy for gender-motivated violence. A victim sues her attacker in federal court. The Court strikes down the remedy as exceeding Congress's commerce power because the regulated conduct is noneconomic and intrastate.
A foreign limited liability partnership may register an alternate name only if the name is distinguishable on the secretary of state's records from names that are unavailable. The partnership must file an application containing its true name, jurisdiction and date of formation, and the alternate name.
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Registration of a name or alternate name under the Uniform Partnership Act is effective for one year after the date of registration.
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The court must instruct the jury to begin its deliberations anew once the alternate joins the panel.
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…of the Senate to represent the States as discrete sovereignties, but the Amendment did not convert the judiciary into an alternate shield against the commerce power. C The Court's choice to invoke considerations of traditional state regulation in these cases is especially odd in light of a distinction recognized…