Tyler Chapman Presents at MCLE Business Litigation Conference on Frustration of Purpose Developments
Todd & Weld’s Tyler Chapman recently served as a presenter at a business litigation program hosted by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). The conference brought together a distinguished faculty of U.S. District Court judges, magistrate judges, Massachusetts Superior Court judges, and leading practitioners to provide timely updates on significant developments in business litigation and emerging case law trends.
Tyler’s presentation focused on “Frustration of Purpose 2.0 in Breach of Contract Cases,” examining how the doctrine has evolved in the wake of COVID-19–related performance disruptions across goods and services contracts, commercial leases, and other business arrangements. He provided a structured overview of the key case law developments that emerged during the pandemic and how courts have interpreted frustration of purpose arguments in complex commercial disputes.
The session also addressed how more recent developments, including funding claw-backs, contract cancellations, tariffs, and shifting tax policies, continue to test the boundaries of the frustration doctrine. Tyler explored how these evolving economic and regulatory pressures are shaping litigation strategies and influencing judicial analysis in breach of contract cases.
In addition, Tyler offered practical guidance on proactive contract drafting, including the use of force majeure clauses, limitation of liability provisions, and other risk-allocation mechanisms designed to address uncertainty in long-term commercial agreements. The program provided attendees with actionable insight on both litigation strategy and transactional risk mitigation in an increasingly volatile business environment.
Read more about the program: https://www.mcle.org/product/catalog/code/2260215P01