Estate Attorneys

Question: I am a widow and I would go to my house, my daughter, if I die. If I am an act that I own well with it as a tenant with a right to survivor’s pension?

Answer: The signing of such an effect, the means to achieve the objective, to ensure that the house is for his daughter after your death, and would also ensure that the Assembly is not scheduled by the home.

However, there are problems with this type of planning for the fortune.

First, your daughter, co-owners of the building that you made a gift to your daughter. Provided that the value of the interest your daughter is worth more than $ 12,000 (the annual gift tax exclusion amount), you have a file a gift tax for a statement regarding of this report to the IRS.

In most cases, no taxes actually paid to be at this stage, but the gift has not yet been reported.

Moreover, given that his daughter was now in a facility of the property, all creditors of your daughter would be able to meet their interest in the property. Their interests are not protected, in so far as they are not considered residents of private property.

Finally, if you and your daughter, a fall, you do not have the power to remove, as owner of the building.

A better approach would be to sign the so-called “beneficial effect.” Receiver document it is stated that, after your death, your interest in all of the property is transferred to the beneficiary who is your daughter in this case -. The act must be signed before your statements and death, but the transfer will not enter until you die.

The transfer in the context of an act of beneficiaries out of the opening of wills. They may revoke or modify the act’s name receiver at any time. The beneficiaries were acts of Arizona since 2001, and the law is a useful tool for estate planning.

Q: Do I need a living trust, so that my presence will not be with us by whom? I heard that if my presence at the crossing of the state might think, all assets, and the process could take years.

A: Probate often last longer than most people expect, and with the heart, all your assets in a trust is a way to avoid that, in our country, deal with them. Most of the horror stories you hear about Arizona are simply not true.

Each state has a different process for the opening of wills, Arizona, it is relatively straightforward. If a trust is for you and your family must be decided on a case-to-case basis.

Many people with whom I have spoken have misconceptions on trusts and setting us.

I am going home, the process in detail in next month’s column.

Andy Heideman’s column appears as a public service. It is not as legal advice and does not address general. Do you have a question about a matter that affects you personally, please contact a lawyer.

They are in good health and in your 30s. When is considering developing one, and that other legal documents should you prepare? Experts say it depends on your situation. But Kalamazoo lawyer said Andrew J. Vorbrich everyone should have a will. “ I think people do not expect to death, so it was not for her,”he said. Michiganians who do not plan, he said, as a general rule, the affairs of the State to decide for them.

You should have a will, the experts say that if:

Individually of its assets in securities that are not designated beneficiaries, such as real estate, unlike life insurance. Advertisement You have children.

In which you worried about how your wealth is up. Mark Stinson, director of planning for the State of Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors Inc., said: “ Otherwise, your fortune is your passport to the state laws.”

Are you a partner. Most countries do not recognize the rights of unmarried partners, including a nonspouse your will, health proxy and durable mandate covers rights.

There are some things that know

WHO’S ON DECK? — If you have children, those under 18, it provides that, a desire which they may perceive that if both parents do not live. Make sure the potential guardians to consider whether to accept the responsibility, before entering your wishes.

WHAT’S PLAN B? — The name of a guardian angel for your children in case your first choice is unable to secure, if the time comes.

TWO PEOPLE OF TWO JOBS - If you left the property or assets to your children, a name of the depositary bank or managing trustee, in the 18th round, children, it is the best guardian, and that the guards people are so different, there is no conflict of interest.

Who do you trust? — To make sure that your intentions are implemented, the name of an executor of the will. He or she should you trust someone, and that would be a common ground so that you want. For most young people, and that person is a friend or a family member, “said Stinson.

POWER TRANSFER - In addition, it is a certified financial planner Bedda D’Angelo, Durham, NC, recommends that every 18 years or more, a permanent attorney, a health care proxy and a living. Once the man “ go to college, she probably financial delegate tasks, their parents, so that the right way to do it with a permanent power,’’said D ‘Angelo.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPTS - A proxy permanent name of the person to manage your finances, you may not be able to health proxy is the person medical decisions for you, if you can not, is a country living , What you want medical treatment or do not want to receive if you are too sick or injured to send its own supplies.

ANTICIPATE AND PLAN FOR SOME HURDLES - In some states, like Maryland, half of the fortune of a deceased return to the values, the spouse and children to half. If the deceased has no children, while half goes to the parents. “ You could accidentally enterben your spouse,’’said Stinson.

And now?

It is true that there is an unlimited number of online services and software to support the man and without a solid is the cost of consulting an attorney, said Vorbrich Internet sources are not suitable the individual needs of human beings and, in some cases, can be confusing. It is estimated that 80 per cent, he saw, were not properly filled out, to a certain extent, as in the wrong place inappropriate or tense, to try something it may not. The Kalamazoo County Bar Association us free advice from an agency, that the questions are posed. It is 9 o’clock in the morning until noon, the first and third Tuesday of the month, at the Kalamazoo County Probate Court, 150 E. Parkway Cross Town. The association also provides free legal advice clinics, which may be useful. “ Check Kalender”auf its website, www.kalamazoobar.org. The association can be contacted at 381-4693.

Thousands of young families migrate Naperville in the south this week to escape the Arctic winter of the last embrace - while the spring officially begins March 20.

Book your tickets, and bags filled with SPF 45 sun protection of the wing and water for children. , Parents have perhaps his last wishes kritzelte on a piece of notebook paper, in case the unthinkable, of the importance of their concerns, it would be education for their children and how they want their property to benefit of their children. For most parents, when the dominant thinking is the fun in the sun with nary a concern for what would happen if one or two of them are seriously injured or worse.

Unfortunately, life is a habit, and not, as planned, and if the unthinkable happens, their families are supervised and present its final vows?

The only way to ensure that those wishes are honored, even for a young family, it is good for reducing planning. Fortunately, and contrary to the year, good fortune planning within the reach of the average family and youth is also well suited to each family situation. Typical of the planning of fortune would also be a number of wills and trust in a family to address the needs and concerns.

A Note to provide the person whose will is being written, including as Erblasserin or testator. This document defines the guardian for the children and notes, the distribution of the family. Each building to be distributed to minor children applies to their advantage to be up to 18 years.

If you have small children or older children who are not yet in a position of financial responsibility, you should think about setting up a family trust. Most young people will not be able to take possession of the property until they are 18, 18 years and many are simply not ready, inasmuch awesome burden by controlling the amount of the property and use it for the best interest rates. A trust can be properly drafted immediately assumed that the control of the property, at the age of 25 or 35 or even 65, if appropriate. At the same time, the trust can be used for the costs of housing, education spending, or even a deposit for a house.

Given that, for those who believe they were involved in planning the final assessment of their intentions in writing on a sheet of notebook paper, they are wrong. In Illinois, is valid for one to be, we must meet certain legal requirements. Unfortunately, while the notebook paper may contain exactly the final wishes, it does not mean the trial will be given the document.

You need to contact a lawyer on the best options planning fortune at the disposal of your family.

Sooner or later, someone for your “stuff.”

Your photos on the wall, socks in a drawer, even the pots and pans in the kitchen disappear.

Some elements of value, some trash. There are some things you require, nobody else does. There are two things ones are not required to fight, like yours Waterford crystal, and your collection of Santa Claus Snow Globes.

“That’s why it is important for everyone to have a will, even if you think you do not have a lot of money,” says Fay Blix, Laguna Hills, California, the elder law attorney.

“First, appoint a person, on a personal level, representatives and executors, and secondly, you can say what you want to do important things with you, instead of the state to decide where to go things. ”

Question: How can I write a will?

Answer: In most cases, should be ensured by a desire for a written power of attorney. A manuscript is valid in California, if it is a complete in your own handwriting and original and dated. But given that these are some of the most important decisions in your life, it is worthwhile to spend the money from a lawyer to ensure that everything is OK.

Q: What about the willingness on the Internet or other pre-printed forms?

A: The main problem with fill-in-the-blank wants is that people do not always understand what the words, before the cards are really say. In some ways, preprinted forms, which can be worse than handwritten.

Q: People want to avoid writing. Why? Because it means, the thought of death?

A: Exactly. But there are still quite a few that what happens things after your death.

They should be more concerned with the health advance directive, for example. With this directive, if you do you can sign forms for your health, there is a mechanism, a person for whom you are signing.

Q: So, wants to do more of the list, where porcelain, silver and the coin?

A: There are many more things in one. Move to the computer passwords and other online information on financial matters. The names and phone numbers of important players in your life, such as doctors and pharmacists and insurance. And you receive all entries and say organised where people can learn about your daily and monthly bills.

Q: Is that something that should be discussed with the family?

A: Sure. Put yourself in the place of your children. If you asked someone suddenly to life, what would it be easier for you? Just talk with them on issues relating to assist.

How do you want to be informed when you use your memory to be lost, for example? For a doctor or to a friend or family? The fact is that everything that a knock-down drag-out.

Q: Is there a difference between a desire for planning and wealth?

A: Estate planning for peace of mind and for all, irrespective of the value of the property. They speak about the values of the heart. A confidence, but it is important to the people, their property and do not want us. It is easier, if the level of incapacity or death, in matters which are the private property.

Q: Do you have children in all?

A: In general, it’s not a good idea to serve children. Choose one over the other. Be sure to see what is on the list of decision-makers, it is someone younger than you. And if you have a disease that talk with your children. Plus you can expect from your needs, children are able to prepare.

Q: And what about your funeral?

A: Someone will decide. Give your opinion, to the few clues.

Cheri L. Kurman of Kurman Law Group has been invited by the Ventura County paradise Legal Association to discuss and explain the recent changes in Conversatorship Laws to the Conference of the associations, April 5. It is a timely topic, with which recent developments and conservatorship issues regarding the land of the pop-singer Brittney Spears, “said Kurman, Principal lawyer Kurman Law Group.

Ms. Kurmans an hour, the presentation of amendments to the laws on real conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings. This presentation will support in all conservatorship whether his often or rarely, “said Kurman. The paradise Ventura County Legal associations MCLE spring conference will be held at the Sheraton Four Points Ventura. Ms. Kurmans presentation is 3:45 am to 2:45 pm

Cheri Kurman, Kurman Law Group, a local lawyer is certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law. Kurman woman offers advice and support, helping their clients to avoid the pitfalls and notes the concerns of the End-of-Life Decisions, taxation, and uncertainty, which is the beneficiary. For more information on Kurman Law Group, please visit the website www.kurmanlaw.com or by phone at 805-445-7670.

GIREM, the Inde’s Largest Real Estate & Urban Planning Leadership Summit, today announced that the renowned economist Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, which is a line of supporters of free trade and is now widely regarded as a pioneer of ‘intellectual reforms in India, the complete address of the collection Officers of the real estate industry on the opportunities and challenges of global society in the economic landscape, the opportunities and challenges in the new building of ‘Urban India.

GIREM, a global platform, will be held from 14 On May 16, 2008, at GOA. The event is organized jointly by all the parties concerned Real Estate and Urban Planning from the beautiful beach at the Holiday Inn, GOA. The theme of the entry during the year “, where the chances of completing.”

Professor Jagdish Bhagwati said: “the rapid growth of India for nearly fifteen years after their embrace of the reform that some of us had argued, for those who are already in the 1960’s, was marked by a greater role for the private sector. result of urban growth a reality, the new economy, free from the hand of ideology, and with the private sector and repugnant in a pragmatic fashion, should be expanded to urban development in well. Urbanism must be made by an expanded role for the economy of real estate, in the spirit of reform began, India, and significantly to the reduction of poverty. Realty sector in India is aging, and how we come to greater global economic stature, Urban Planning, integrates the experience and know-how first-hand the expansion of the real estate industry with the views of other groups Interest is one of the new challenges, such as India forges. GIREM is an important summit that the various interest groups, for a clear road map, India, the role of real estate sector in this important task in advance, can be defined. ”

Mr. Shyam Sundar, Executive Director, Triple Tree, said: “GIREM the privilege to Professor Jagdish Bhagwati in the real estate sector in India. A person of his stature, they can, quite rightly, to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the industry in a global economy. Its leaders talk of the real estate industry, give some ideas to discuss the efforts, among the best in the world. ”

Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, professor of the University, Economics and Law at Columbia University, Senior Fellow in International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. It is regarded as one of the most eminent scholars and political commentator for international trade. It was also the economic advisor of the policy of Arthur Dunkel, director-general of GATT (1991-93), special advisor to the UN on Globalization and external consultants to the WTO. He was in the group of experts, that the WTO Director-General on the future of the WTO and the advisory committee for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the NEPAD process in Africa, and was also a member of the group of Eminent Persons, chaired by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso On the future of UNCTAD. Five volumes of his scientific writings and two of his public policy essays have been published by MIT press. Recipients of six festschrifts in his honor, he also several prestigious awards and honorary titles, the most prestigious awards, by the Governments of India (Padma Vibhushan) and Japan (Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star ). Professor Bhagwati latest book “In Defense of Globalization” has been published by Oxford University Press in 2004, on the recognition of everyone, and was recently again in a new edition with a postscript.

GIREM was designed, with an emphasis on fostering partnerships and offers. The summit, in conjunction with exhibitions, Leadership conferences, roundtables and Urban Planning Corporate Leadership Award for Excellence, everything is on a world-class event. GIREM, a triple room Tree event brings developers, businesses consumers, hotel groups, groups of retail investors, architects, town planners and policy makers from all over India and the world. On GIREM, 2000 main actors and decision makers, exchange ideas and do business in the friendly environment.

OFTEN, financial planning school books to say that you keep your wealth, you have on the legal protection of your assets, defer or reduce your tax liabilities, reduce the opening of wills; eliminate estate taxes , and subsequently have a wealth tax efficient transmission to the next generation. To me, this concerns only the very wealthy, and not all. Allow me to elaborate.
Recently, a friend of mine, John, 60 is sold in the industry in the print media, he started 30 years and $ 3 million vereinnahmte. He approached for advice on the preservation of wealth.

As a financial adviser, I am ready to take all my knowledge to advise on the best way to preserve wealth. Of course, with such a wealth of many years in a structured manner, every effort should be undertaken in order to better manage and effectively. In fact, it is of utmost importance to protect what you have established.

Instinctively, my immediate goal was to establish confidence with John, verification of its obligation estate debts (has been abolished, before placing them in our budget for 2008) and help around him for the good of the wealth of its real survivors . But, as I have seen in his idea of preserving prosperity, I recognized that it was on the traditional strategies.

After the sale of his company, John felt that approximately $ 70000 per year in its standard of living of all the retirement benefits. As a conservative man, he did not want to risk his capital. He said he would not be satisfied with the capital, because the rich can ausschweifend.

John is a simple man. What he wants is the conservation of the entire $ 3 million - or as many items as possible - and at the same time ensure the retirement of their income.

The usual strategy includes a cumulative value of living in retirement and the main drain slowly throughout the age of the year part-time.

John realized that if it makes $ 3 million into an instrument to earn 2 percent, the money could be his last also the age of 85. But that was not what he wanted, because it is in death, it is possible that little or nothing remains for his heirs.

I am not saying that this is a bad way of planning - only that it is only useful if a retiree Decides that, from a great legacy is not its primary purpose.

My goal was to help the John reduce risk, preserve, and what he established at the same time, income from the electricity generated by its accumulated assets not to drain, so that the next generation enjoy his wealth, if they are redistributed.

One of the biggest emotional problems asset planning is the determination of the future of the family tent. Here are some tips to be followed:

Communicate

“Transfer of the family home your child can be your dream, but it should not be their dream,” says Hugh Chartered Accountant Nichol, a partner in Dawson Gray Chartered Accountants in Haliburton. “Communication is the key. As parents, you need to discuss what you want to do, then talk with your children about them. ”

Make sure your kids can afford it

“The acquisition of housing is one thing, but in this situation, to keep it is another,” says Nichol. “Property taxes, insurance and maintenance can be very costly.”

Determine what is fair for all

“A child may not want the cabin and to the extent of it, while the other may not be,” says Sue Chartered Accountant Bragg, a partnership with Gaviller & Company LLP in Collingwood. “In this case, the mass could be done to the shack to children and other children, an amount equal to your institution.”

Decide, if you wish, we descend

“It can ensure that the house until his death, and leave it on your real estate, tax moves for as long as possible,” says Bragg. “You could also on the hut, for your children, if you live, but you could trigger gains from the disposal of years before you need it. ”

Remember that if you use at home, in front of their children to death, which is the market value have been sold. In addition, as you, your children have only one exemption from the principal residence. While maintaining the cabin May your presence will reduce fees opening Bragg said that these costs are often relatively small compared to tax, depending on the value of any property.

Reduce tax

“An opportunity to become familiar with the tax is that the insurance pay a tax on your death,” said Nichol. “You can create your shack designate as your principal residence to avoid capital gains taxes.” Nichol advises you on your taxes in 1994 to see if you have the opportunity, which this year with the election of identifying capital gains, the liabilities have been made, but not before February 22, 1994.

Do you have a comprehensive agreement

“It is wiser for brothers and sisters who together their own homes, to determine how decisions are made and how the costs are shared,” says Bragg.

Ask a Chartered Accountant

“Values of transfer of assets and planning issues are complex,” says Nichol. “At CA, you can determine what the taxes and how to reduce them.”

Until recently, foreigners’ buying ‘one country over Thai standard, the companies financial benefits from the protection offered by a legal mortgage or first shipment across the country. This gave legal recognition of the money, which was “borrowed” by a stranger in Thai society, in the country whose name has been actually purchased.

Regarding the creation of a legal mortgage agreement, it is now necessary to develop a plan for the eradication of form, similar to the nature of the schedule for the repayment used when someone one buys a car on credit.

The eradication plan is subject to regular monitoring and formal when the cash-eradication plan is not maintained, the fines that may be imposed! Have to pay interest on the money “borrowed” by Thai companies and foreigners “lender” is subject to the income tax law on Thai interest rates.

In addition, in order to prevent speculation on the exchange rate of the Thai baht, the exchange rate for the repayment of these agreements by the Bank of Thailand. These new rules were once the most redundant provide mortgage option for expatriates.

For many expatriates, one of the best options for saving directly to the enjoyment of property in Thailand is a lease of 30 years, it is entered, in a local government-Thai Land Office. These leases can also be options for renewal.

Estate Planning

Since there is currently no restrictions on ownership of housing Thailand, it is relatively straightforward for this type of property to the beneficiaries. Right from the protection of leasing as part of a country can also beneficiaries.

However, it must be borne in mind that trusts that do not have legal recognition in Thailand. As such, they are not able, for a Thai bank account, or shares of a brokerage account and are in a position either as an owner or other asset-Thai.

For expatriates in Thailand, trusts and other types of assets can continue to plan your vehicles off-shore, which is one reason why overseas are often required to keep most of their assets outside their country of residence, where they live.

Regardless of the convenience centers offshore financial planning, such agreements can help avoid discounts and offer a hedge against movements of capital and exchange controls.

Structuring of property situated in Thailand is likely, in a room rather than the traditional way of the nature and meals expat assets of the planning and estate planning.

Perspectives

The rent has always been a natural alternative to the purchase and allows you to benefit from the assets of those who do not possess the necessary facilities for the purchase of them are possible. It also allows those who have the means by which the definitive acquisition, freedom, the allocation of resources in other ways.

It is also recalled that the yard of a house in Thailand probably enjoy greater freedom of design as would be the case in the countries of origin of most Western expatriates and on capital taxes, that the kingdom Thailand is a fraction of what it was “Back home”.

It’s your money and your peace.

Richard Colburn is a qualified financial adviser with British Sterling Assets. Questions to the author can be sent to 053839 463

Best Best & warriors and Merrill Lynch offers a free seminar on “Estate Planning for our Companion Animals” at 5:30 pm on Thursday, Rancho Las Palmas Resort, 41-000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.

“In today’s world, our companion animals are fast, such as children at home,” said Joseph Hahn, a lawyer at Best Best & Krieger, specializes in the planning and fortune for the opening of wills .

“Often, the animals can survive us and our active strategic planning documents must be on the ground, to ensure that our animals are well-managed, after that we are gone,” said the tap.

Reservations are not necessary.

The law firm of Stark & Knoll Akron is pleased to report that the addition of G. Nada Faddoul.

A 2007 graduate of the Institute of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and a magna cum laude graduate of John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Knoll Faddoul grows strongly and the process of conduct and employment department . She is a member of the American, Ohio State, Cleveland and Akron Metropolitan Bar Associations and is admitted to practice in Ohio.

Faddoul is fluent in Arabic and the french and was previously a country of immigration company in Cleveland. She is a native of Hammana, Lebanon and lives in Strongsville. On Stark & Knoll, Faddoul focuses on business disputes, immigration and provide advice to clients on matters relating to issues of employment.

Since 1985, Stark & Knoll, the legal counsel of a large number of Ohioans North East and organizations. With more than 20 experienced lawyers Stark & Knoll law practices in the following areas: social, wealth planning, family management, planning, real estate and construction, business processes, human resources and labor, trust us and the administration, the health sector, and the imposition of intellectual property.

Martin Hagan opened a law office at One Gateway Center, Downtown. Mr. Hagan focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and elder law.

Fowler White Boggs a banker J. Brownlee Hunter, Linda J. Carbone, David A. Gemunder, Mitchell R. Golden, James M. Matulis, Elaine M. Rice, John D. Russell, and Jack A. Weiss shareholders. Brownlee, the company’s Tax Practice Group and its practice covers all areas of the Confederation and the country’s authorities taxation, mergers and acquisitions, the company and the partnership. Carbon is in the company’s Trust and Estate Practice Group and focuses his practice in the area of succession planning, with us, and the confidence of the administration and land ownership. Gemunder is in the Corporate Finance and Securities Practice Group. His practice focuses on the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities and corporate law. Golden concentrated his practice in the areas of workers’ compensation and general insurance defense in the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. Matulis is in the company of products Liability Practice Group and focuses his practice in the field of intellectual property, including the negotiation and settlement of consumer disputes On patents, trademarks, copyrights, Internet products and liability claims. Rice is in society Securities, Financial Services and White Collar Practice Group. His practice focuses on securities litigation and commercial litigation. Russell is the company Insurance Coverage Practice Group and its practice focuses on the provision of insurance clients in the analysis and the conduct of assurance process and other issues related to the protection of the contract exposure for all the lines and shapes policies on the appeal process and the courts. Weiss is at the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. His practice covers all aspects of workers’ compensation law, both in testing and the court of appeal.

Frank E. Brown, Melissa A. Register, and Christa L. Sterling joined Macfarlane, Ferguson & McMullen in Tampa. Brown joined as a shareholder in the labor and employment law division. Register joined as an associate and concentrates in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and corporate and business matters. Sterling joined the real estate practice group as an associate.

Aug. 31–The philosophy is a good one: Take your experience as a customer and use it when you start a business.

That’s what Nancy Payne Ellis did.

Ellis is the chairman of Oklahoma City-based Heritage Trust Co. She’s used her experience as a client to help build a fast-growing business. Her guiding principle has helped fuel the fast growth — customer service comes first.

Ellis says she feels strongly about providing good customer service, because she learned first hand how important it can be. That was 21 years ago, when Ellis’ husband died. She was left with four children and a mountain of financial responsibilities that come with a large inheritance.

Ellis said there were hard financial questions to be answered. Her answer to the many questions was simple: “All I had to do is say you need to call Liberty Bank… and they’ll help you. And they did. It really is a personal business.”

Ellis said she started Heritage Trust with four bankers from Liberty who had more than 100 years of combined experience. Heritage was formed in December 1997 and chartered in June 1998. It provides services in estate planning, probate administration or estate settlement, trusteeships, custodial accounts and investment management.

Heritage has grown quickly, faster than expected, actually. The business plan called for profitability within three to four years, said Mike Carroll, the company’s president and chief executive. But Heritage was turning a profit in less than two years.

The company has generated $250 million in assets under management in about 2 1/2 years and has grown from five employees to 13.

Several factors have been attributed to the fast growth, but the company’s success is built on good customer service, Carroll said.

“It’s a people business, and I think that’s really our core strength,” Carroll said. “They (clients) really don’t want a 1-800 number. They want local decision-makers. They want someone that knows them, knows their family, knows their business.

“That’s a very desirable situation for our clients,” she said.

More : accessmylibrary.com

How does a Minnesota attorney end up as a guest on Maine Public Radio’s Maine Things Considered? Rider Bennett business law attorney Patrick Robben is convinced he got on the show because his law blog — the Minnesota Business Litigation Blog — attracted the attention of the show’s producers. Robbens appeared on the show last month to discuss legal issues surrounding blogging in general. Attorneys who maintain law blogs say they can be an effective marketing device that gets their names out to potential clients as well as other lawyers who may serve as referral sources. Minneapolis attorney LaVern A. Pritchard, founder of the LawMoose legal search portal, said that law blogs can be particularly useful to attorneys who like to write and understand that it is a long-term rather than a short-term project. In principle, it can be a good idea if you actually have something to say and there is a defined niche area that you know a lot about, he said. The real successful ones are those with good writers, good thoughts and good ‘takes’ on things. Minneapolis consumer law attorney Samuel J. Glover, who has been running his law blog — caveatemptorblog.com — for nearly a year and half, said that blogging is a method attorneys can use to reach people in a unique way. Lawyers need to find new ways of marketing and communicating with clients, he said. Marketing tool Lawyer bloggers start their blogs for a variety of reasons — they like to write or they want to bring relevant information to the public. For most, however, the blog is an effort to market their name or law firm over the Internet to potential clients. It’s a marketing tool to bring in business and market myself in the abstract sense, said Glover. Brendan J. Flaherty, an attorney with Pritzker Ruohonen & Associates in Minneapolis, said his firm started up its Food Poisoning Law Blog about a year ago, in part because it wanted to provide the public with information about product recalls and other food-related issues. We wanted to fill a need as far as what information is lacking, he said. Flaherty acknowledges that the blog is also an effort to market the firm’s food-poisoning practice. We want to show that we are experts in this area. Our website was not enough of a venue to do that, he said. We had to have a blog. Minneapolis solo practitioner Andrew S. Miller, who practices in the areas of estate planning, probate and Internet law, is relatively new to the world of law blogs, having started his blog just last month. I thought that having a blog would be a huge source of information for the public and a way to get my name out there, he said, noting that while most lawyers focus on traditional methods of marketing, he wanted to pursue a different avenue.It’s a good way to reach an audience that is already into blogging. According to Pritchard, the traditional means of legal marketing are good, but different people are good at different things. Some are naturally good at writing and publishing on the Web, he said. The best marketing strategy is something that feels natural to you. Pritchard added that a lot of law firm marketing is institutional these days. Blogs, on the other hand, are more personal. This is more of a one-on-one relationship with a potential client or potential referral source, he said. Lawyers say that in addition to reaching potential clients, blogs reach other lawyers, who may then refer potential clients. I think a lot of lawyers view blogs too, so it’s a good referral source, said Flaherty. Worth the effort? The question in many nonblogging lawyers’ minds is whether it’s worth it. Will a blog attract enough good clients to make the time and money spent worthwhile? Most lawyer bloggers would say yes, especially since the cost of setting up and maintaining the blog is minimal. Miller said that setting up his blog cost him nothing and that it’s easy to maintain and update. He noted that it takes only 15 to 20 minutes to make a posting and he tries to make several postings every month. According to Robben, there were some initial costs involved in coordinating the graphics on his blog, but that going forward, the costs are negligible. The return on the minimal investment pays off for many lawyer bloggers. Glover’s blog has been an unqualified success. He told Minnesota Lawyer that he can now trace approximately 90 percent of his clients back to his blog. They may have a problem that I talked about on my blog, he said. Glover added that the quality of his clients has improved since starting the blog as well. He attributes this to the information he posts. Many people who might have just picked up the phone and called will now think about whether they have a claim first, he said. I try to educate people about issues they may be facing before they call. Flaherty said that his firm’s food poisoning blog has proved beneficial. He pointed out that whether a blog is successful as a marketing effort depends on how well it is integrated with an overall marketing plan. The blog also should be integrated with the firm’s website, he added. Flaherty explained that his law firm’s blog contains a subtle message to check out the firm’s website, which has the call to action and the information a person needs to contact the firm. It is working for us. Search engines pick up blogs better than static websites, he noted. Miller said that it’s too soon to know whether his blog will be an effective marketing tool, but he said that other websites — like mortgage broker and financial sites — are beginning to link to his blog. It’s interesting to see who’s interested in it, he said. Less is more Lawyer bloggers have some advice for attorneys who are thinking of starting a blog for marketing purposes. Groves said to stay up to date with the blog. There is nothing worse than a blog with just one posting a month or so, he said. They are a fantastic way to market and to raise the firm’s profile. But don’t do it unless you are going to do it. Pritchard’s advice is to avoid having the blog look like an overt marketing tool. You want them to be in an individual voice because that is more interesting and insightful, he said. Flaherty suggested keeping the blog simple. It’s more effective to have it simple, less cluttered, he said. Less is more.

Minnesota’s lawyer bloggers Only a handful of Minnesota attorneys have taken the plunge into the world of blogging. Here are is a sampling of their blogs: * http://www.aerolegalservices.com/aviationlawdiscussions.shtml * http://businessdisputeresolutionservices.com/blog * http://www.andrewmillerlaw.com/blog.htm * http://www.thehlo.tumblr.com * http://www.caveatemptorblog.com * http://www.minnesotalitigation.com * http://medialawminnesota.blogspot.com

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Fred Goldberg has been appointed as a trustee on the Cascade Township board of trustees.

Goldberg, a member with Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones, PLC, in Grand Rapids, concentrates his practice on corporate and securities, higher education and technology matters.

Elections

Robert C. Gardella of Brighton has been elected as a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.

Gardella focuses his practice on family, criminal defense, civil litigation, business and motor carrier matters.

Honors

Howard Hertz has been named a “Michigan Super Lawyer.”

Hertz, co-founder of Hertz, Schram and Saretsky, P.C., in Bloomfield Hills, was named for entertainment and sports law.

Michelle Alamo has received the New Leader Award from the Detroit Chapter 183 of the National Association of Women in Construction.

Alamo, a member with Dickinson Wright PLLC, centers her practice on construction and commercial litigation.

Several attorneys from Warner Norcross & Judd LLP have been named in the “Best of the U.S.” They include: Richard E. Cassard (healthcare); Kathleen M. Hanenburg (immigration); John G. Cameron Jr. (real estate); Mark K. Harder, Kenneth W. Kingma, Stephen R. Kretschman, John H. Martin, John R. Marquis, Susan G. Meyers, Jeffrey B. Power, Jerome M. Smith and W. Michael VanHaren (tax); and Mark K. Harder, Kenneth W. Kingma, Susan G. Meyers, Jeffrey B. Power, Jerome M. Smith and W. Michael VanHaren (trusts and estates).

Robert A. Boonin has been named a charter fellow of the American Academy of Trial Counsel.

Boonin, a shareholder in the Ann Arbor office of Butzel Long, concentrates his practice on labor, employment discrimination, wage and hour, public contract and education matters.

David L. Porteous has received the Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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Jul. 19–Randall W. Jennings has joined Orthopedic Associates of Northern Illinois as orthopedic surgeon. Jennings has a special interest in sports medicine, having served as chief of sports medicine, staff orthopedic surgeon, and team physician. He was chief of sports medicine at the U.S. Air Force Academy and more recently was the team physician for South Beloit High School and Beloit Turner High School, and an orthopedic consultant to Beloit Memorial High School and Clinton High School. Jennings served a sports medicine fellowship at Methodist Sports Center in Indianapolis in a group, which covered the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University, and Purdue University among other colleges and high schools. In addition, he served his residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. Jennings and his wife, Jane, a Beloit native, have two children and live in Beloit.

Peter Thomas of the financial-services firm Edward Jones recently won the firm’s Century Award for outstanding performance in 2003. He was one of only 351 of the firm’s more than 9,000 brokers to receive the award.

Edward Jones, the only major financial-services firm advising individual investors exclusively, traces its roots to 1871 and currently serves more than six million clients.

Lisa Green has earned a real estate license and has joined Century 21 Affiliated-Blowers in Janesville. She is a graduate of Rock Valley Real Estate Academy’s pre-licensed training course. She is also a past business/education history graduate of the Brown Mackie Business College in Salina, Kan., and is bilingual.

Crispell-Snyder has added the expertise of a transportation engineer and a storm water technician at its Lake Geneva headquarters.

Matthew J. Fineour joined the firm as a project engineer III for the firm’s storm water management section in Lake Geneva. Fineour was the storm water technician for the village of Mt. Pleasant, for five years. He holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the UW-Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from Ohio State University.

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When Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend prepared to testify on a bill before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Wednesday, the chairman, Sen. Walter M. Baker, D-Upper Eastern Shore, commented that Townsend had been before his committee earlier in the week and said he was thinking of making her a member. “I may have other plans for next year,” said Townsend, who has resisted saying formally that she is a gubernatorial candidate. “That’s the closest I have ever heard,” Baker said of Townsend’s hint.

Big fish, small pond

Illustrating that size is relative, Davis, Coover, Agnor & Barr is touted in a recent news release as one of the largest law firms based in Howard County four partners, four associates and six support staff. The firm was formed by the merger of Davis & Agnor with Coover & Barr. The four partners at the Columbia firm Michael W. Davis , Fred L. “Chip” Coover, Jeffrey T. Agnor and John R. Barr focus their practices, respectively, on estate planning, probate and guardianships; zoning, land use, real estate and litigation; business law; and municipal, administrative and banking law.

Appeal wasn’t kosher

The wrongful termination action Barry E. Abramson, a Jewish ritual butcher, or shochet, filed against the Orthodox Jewish Council of Baltimore Inc. and Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, is on its way back to Baltimore City Circuit Court after the Court of Appeals dismissed an interlocutory appeal the defendants filed.

Clipping coupons

The Alexandria, Va.-based Coupon Information Corp. settled its federal claims in Baltimore against William F. Carter, Steven R. Cohen and Kenneth J. Goldscher, sons-in-law and former employees of Jack I. Millman, the former owner of Farm Fresh Supermarkets Inc. The three men earlier pleaded guilty to mail fraud in connection with the submission of massive quantities of “cents off” coupons that consumers had not used for retail purchases.

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Dec. 18–CUPP APPOINTMENT IS ANNOUNCED: Imperial Credit Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: ICII) announced the appointment of Richard S. Cupp as chairman, president and chief executive officer of its principal subsidiary, Southern Pacific Bank. Cupp will succeed interim president and ICII board member Michael McGuire, who will be returning to his full-time position as president of Affinity Bank.

Cupp’s appointment is subject to non-objection by the bank’s principal regulatory authorities, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the California Department of Financial Institutions. Cupp also was elected to the board of directors of ICII.

Cupp most recently was president and chief executive officer of First Bank of Beverly Hills, FSB, until July. Previously, Cupp was the president and chief executive officer of HF Bancorp, parent of Hemet Federal Bank, and prior to that position was president and chief executive officer of Ventura County National Bancorp. His experience also includes executive positions with California Federal Bank and First Interstate Bancorp in corporate and commercial banking.

PHILLIPS NAMED TECOM PRESIDENT: TRAK Communications Inc. in Tampa, Fla., appointed Ralph L. Phillips as president of TECOM Industries in Chatsworth. Phillips will take over day-to-day operations at TECOM and implement plans to profitably grow TECOM through selected acquisitions and through indigenous growth in the commercial embedded wireless and custom military antenna marketplaces.

Phillips joins the company from Northrop Grumman where his last position was as vice president of business development of the Integrated Systems Division. At Northrop Grumman, previously known as Litton, he held numerous management positions.

HOUSHMAND NAMED SALES VICE PRESIDENT: Capstone Turbine Corp. (Nasdaq: CPST), a producer of low-emission microturbine systems in Chatsworth, has hired Mory Houshmand as vice president of sales and business development for Asia, South America and Africa.

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