Sherri Shepherd’s (The View) three-year fight to invalidate her surrogacy contract has established the law in Pennsylvania (In Re: Baby S.) on surrogacy contracts. The decision could not have come sooner for the gestational carrier, Jessica Bartholomew, a Pennsylvania resident.…
Keeping Up With Khloe’s Divorce
It was surprising when reality television star Khloe Kardashian and former NBA star Lamar Odom called off their divorce after Odom was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel, apparently from a drug overdose. The divorce was all but finished when…
Divorced At Last
After preventing a same-sex couple’s divorce for the past two years, Mississippi came through on Tuesday, when Chancery Judge Mitchell Lundy, Jr. divorced Lauren Czekala-Chatham and Dana Ann Melancon in his chambers. Melancon, who moved to Arkansas after the couple…
Do You Know What MCLEs Your Paralegal Needs?
Every paralegal knows the MCLE requirements and reporting period for his or her attorney. They are familiar with the various ways attorneys earn MCLE—attending live seminars, webcasts, webinars, in-house programs, or self-study—and who the MCLE provider is. As an attorney,…
Is Your Client’s Case Ready for Mediation?
When considering mediation to resolve your client’s dispute, consider these points: 1. Are the Parties Really Ready for Settlement? Mediation works only if the parties really desire to resolve the matter, meet in good faith, and have a reasonable evaluation…
Attorney v. Client – Walking the Ethics Tightrope
As a legal ethics and risk management advisor, I am often asked whether litigation between an attorney and client is permitted during engagement on another matter. This situation often arises as to legal fee disputes; however, lawsuits between in-house or…
Be A Tax Document Hoarder
However mundane, documents are key to reducing your firm’s taxable income. Be ready to claim every allowable expense at tax time, and respond to a tax inquiry later. Why be a hoarder First, taxpayers have the burden of proving deductions…
California Creates "Transfer on Death Deed" for Real Estate
The California legislature has created a new “transfer on death deed” for real property. On Monday, November 9, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 139 into law, allowing for deeds that provide for a transfer upon the death of the owner.…
Divorce is the (Peach) Pits for Former Beverly Hills 90210 Actor
Many thought that Brian Austin Green (“Beverly Hills 90210”) was the luckiest guy in the world for marrying Megan Fox (“Transformers” and “Jennifer’s Body”). Unfortunately that luck has run out. After five years of marriage, two children and a total…
Cellar Blindness in Mediation and How to Avoid It
Most of us have encountered a lawyer who seems to have no perspective about the case. When confronted with a weakness in the case, such lawyer seems stunned. Whether this is a result of carelessness or simply an inability to…
BASF Welcomes Roger Moss to its Mediation Services Panel
BASF’s newest addition to its Mediation Services panel, Roger Moss, brings a wealth of experience in mediating family, business and real estate cases, including conflicts associated with addiction and mental health issues. Moss understands that protracted conflict injures people, damages…
Beware of CLE Requirements
All active California lawyers must complete 25 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) every three years, or risk being placed on inactive status. (Bus. & Prof. Code §6070, subd. (a).) Additionally, misrepresenting that one has completed those hours may result…