Legal Entrepreneurs Dominate Forbes 30 Under 30 List

Law grads turned entrepreneurs top the Forbes list of 30 under 30 because a good legal education teaches us lawyers how to think critically and see options. I post a lot about Lawyers screwing up; even the best can screw up. 

Whatever your dream, if it includes building or growing a business, a legal education may help you get there, not only because we live in community, guided by laws, but because it will help you attack problems. Consider going to law school, and consider hiring a lawyer as an advisor not just to advise on law, but also to help you chart the way. We at StangerLaw are advisors to help you. CAN WE HELP?

But also remember if your lawyer screws up, WE CAN HELP; Give us a call.

Massachusetts Supreme Court To Tackle Thorny Issue - Rules of Professional Conduct

In response to IPethics and INsights post: http://ipethicslaw.com/massachusetts-high-court-to-take-on-subject-matter-conflicts-in-patent-prosecution/#more-8061

Different lawyers in two different offices of one law firm are representing two different inventors in applying for patents. One of the inventors, call her Imaginative, sues her lawyer for malpractice. Here is the odd thing, Imaginative got all she wanted, she got her patent. In her case she does not allege that she is damaged, she does not allege that she should or could have gotten more; in affect she only alleges that law firm shouldn’t do that under the Rules of Professional Conduct (in Massachusetts).

Imaginative’s new lawyers filed this case in Federal Court where it is thrown out because it does not involve a Federal issue. On to state court it is thrown out because there was no claim of any harm. Whether or not this is a conflict of interest can be debated. What is clear is that Imaginative is just that both in inventing things and in claims against her lawyer. What is also clear is that there is no point to a malpractice claim where the client is not damaged, but a great place to report a lawyer who violates the Rules of Professional Conduct. But it is not finally decided yet – the highest court in Massachusetts will hear the case and decide what happens next. WE CAN HELP you understand if you have a good claim against a lawyer. Call us WE CAN HELP.

When You Should Expect Your Lawyer to Dump You

Ever been dumped by someone? Ouch!!! Does it matter if you are at fault. But I thought he was my lawyer not my lover!

Some examples of when you should expect your lawyer to dump you:
- you share with your lawyer that you are going to commit a serious crime in the future. - you repeatedly disregard the advise of the lawyer
- there is just to much disagreement and arguing going on- can't agree on reasonable goals for the "together" part of your lives
- total loss of respect for the other
- the lawyer is not getting what he needs / expected (money) from the relationship
- your personal interests are in conflict
- it's just not fun anymore or in other words the relationship simply isn't working

There are limitations on when a lawyer can dump a client depending on the circumstances. Call us if you think we can help.

Low Cost Divorce

I have helped agreeable couples get the court process going, agree on the terms of the divorce, sign a settlement agreement and get divorced in court for $1-2,000, but that requires a cooperative approach by both husband and wife. More common for all the above would be $3-5,000.

Mediation does assume some level of understanding that compromise is a goal. This is especially important for the family unit if there are minor children.

I have helped high conflict couples through the divorce as well, at higher costs.

How often do lawyers behave badly by failing to encourage their clients from the start to consider peace and reconciliation as a goal in the divorce? I have seen it, all too frequently.

If you need a lawyer to mediate call us. If mediation is not the answer, we can also help kick butt if needed, but with an understanding that the goal is resolution not war. Think stick and carrot.

We are also here to go after damages against lawyers who have behaved badly.

Call us WE CAN HELP

Rules for Tax-Smart Charitable Giving

In celebration of #GivingTuesday this year, the global day dedicated to giving back, Bruce and Leah share some thoughts on charitable giving. 

"Doing good deeds is second nature to many of my friends. These deeds can be small or large. They can be in acts of personal kindness or more global attempts to fix a problem. They can be by writing a check or spending time.

Some say what really matters is the intention or reason for giving of oneself. I don't agree. What matters is the good that is done. A good deed that helps others remains a help to others. So my thought as I reflect on Giving Tuesday is that we need more people to give. We should encourage giving even by those who give out of a sense that they do not want to be judged only by those other things they have done. Who knows the good deed may and should feel so good that it will encourage more positive conduct in his or her life. A journey starts with an intention to take one step." - Attorney Bruce Stanger

"So many nonprofit organizations contribute so much to our society and the quality of life in our communities. Find a nonprofit organization whose mission resonates deeply with you, and whose passion you share. Make sure that the organization is committed to excellence and best practices in all aspects of its operations. Give as generously as you can afford. Then enjoy the satisfaction that comes from contributing to something you care about." Attorney Leah Cohen Chatinover 

In oil baron's divorce, company lawyer plays star role

Wow billions to split in a divorce with most of the money tied up in a closely held business creates different dynamics. Is the lawyer for the company behaving badly by being in the court room during the divorce (behind closed doors)? Probably not. See the article posted on Reuters here.

When one spouse owns a business worth a lot of money the other spouse has a right to learn a lot about that business. Are funds being hidden? What is the business really worth? Should/could the owner be taking more money out of the business which could increase the alimony/child support a court may award.

So bottom line, if you or your spouse owns a business, expect your lawyer to ask for information about that business and expect a fight over what will or should be disclosed.

When billions are at stake the decision on whether or not to chase that information is easy. It is hard to decide how much money and energy to spend on the typical smaller business valuation. We have experts that we use to do such a valuation in the divorces we handle. We decide with the client if it is worth doing so. It is a cost benefit analysis. An analysis that has be done with limited information.

Call if we can help.

A Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde

Lawyers sometimes are simply crooks. Just like any other crook they take advantage of opportunities to steal from others. Our crooked lawyer in this case worked as a patent lawyer for a big company on the companies patents. He was an employee of the company working full time for just that one client, his employer.

A patent lawyer can and should do research both before and after applying for a patent of other patents that are related. For example research into other patents to see if what their client wants to patent is truly something new. One enterprising crook who is of course a lawyer (well at this point he and his wife are alleged crooks as the case has not gone to trial) with his wife created a fake patent research company. Our lawyer behaving badly sent invoices from his fake patent research firm to his employer, who of course made the payments. The charges were on average between $30,000 and $40,000 per month. This went on for years allowing them to buy those extra toys like summer homes, boats etc. The total alleged stolen was $5,000,000.

In response to -
http://ipethicslaw.com/a-modern-day-bonnie-and-clyde-former-ip-general-counsel-and-his-spouse-accused-of-racketeering-theft-in-alleged-5-million-patent-search-billing-scheme/