New Practice Information
 Cross-Examinations – Being
Prepared for Both Crosses
There are two types of cross-examinations: first, of a witness who has already
been deposed, and second, of a witness who has not. The latter type,
called a “blind cross,” requires considerable skill. Read
on to learn how you should prepare for both kinds of crosses.
Excerpted from The
Labor and Employment Lawyer’s Job: A Survival Guide
Understanding the Consequences of Biometrics
“Biometrics” means, literally, “life measures.” Research
has shown that there are many measurements that appear unique to each individual.
Companies buy and sell products that measure typing patterns, fingerprints, the
blood vessels in the eye, the length of a person’s fingers or cheekbones,
the length of a person’s stride, and the speed at which he walks. Given
that companies have already begun collecting measurements, the acceptance and
use of biometrics will expand and become more widespread. To
avoid potential pitfalls, lawyers should advise their corporate clients on the
following adequate safeguards with it comes to biometrics. Read
on.
Excerpted from The
Practitioner’s Guide to Biometrics
 The
Curmudgeon on Writing
The Curmudgeon says when you are writing a legal memorandum
for internal use, there is only one proper way to discuss a
case. Read
on.
Excerpted from The
Curmudgeon’s Guide to Practicing Law
Smart Estate
Planning with a § 529
Plan
With rising tuition costs outpacing the rate of inflation, education expenses
can claim an ever greater portion of net worth. Paying for the education of
younger family members and friends, therefore, is an increasingly popular way
to benefit future generations while reducing the donor’s potential estate
tax liability at little or no gift tax cost. Read
on to learn the
factors one should consider when selecting a § 529 plan.
Excerpted from Tax,
Estate and Lifetime Planning for Minors
 Bankruptcy: When to Follow State Law
The Bankruptcy Code is federal law. The Uniform Commercial Code
is state law. The Code and the U.C.C. should coincide and normally
they do. However, different policies exist at times, and changes
in one law may not be followed in the other. Read on to
find out how practitioners can deal with potential difficulties
when the two codes intersect. Read
on.
Excerpted from The
ABCs of the UCC: Related Insolvency Law, Second
Edition
Avoid Pitfalls in Computer Presentations
Despite all the time and preparation given to a computer presentation, it may
be all for naught if something goes wrong. Problems can occur. The more technology
that is implemented, the more likely it is that something bad could can happen.
Many of these potential problems, however, can be foreseen and avoided. Read
on to learn how.
Excerpted from The
Lawyer's Guide to Creating Persuasive Computer Presentations, Second
Edition
 Child’s
Best Interests Come First in Parenting Plans
The “best
interests of the child” standard helps judges
determine how a child’s time should be divided between divorcing
parents and who should have decision-making rights over the child.
However, this standard often works, in reality, as the best-interest-of-the-parent
standard. What works best for the parents often is presumed to
work best for the child. Read
on for more on developing a parenting
plan according to a child’s particular stage of development
that truly is in the child’s best interest.
Excerpted from Creating
Effective Parenting Plans: A Developmental Approach for Lawyers and Divorce Professionals
Stop Selling and Start Helping!
Rather than focusing on direct selling methods, the most effective way for lawyers
to sell themselves is by helping others. Read
on to find out how you can become
a trusted resource and advisor to your clients in a variety of ways.
Excerpted from Think
Again! Innovative Approaches to the Business of Law
 Reverse Mortgages Play Role with Long-Term Care
With an estimated 33 million Americans age 65 and older and more than 4 million
age 85 and older, paying for long-term care is a national concern. For most
Americans, the home represents their greatest source of wealth. When faced
with the extraordinary cost of long-term care, it is not surprising that many
elderly look for ways to avail themselves of the value of their home. Read
on to learn why the most obvious solution, sale of the residence, may not be
the most practical.
Excerpted from The
Law of Later-Life Health Care and Decision Making
Brave New World of Information
In contrast to earlier times when it was possible to ask for a file and to receive
it, now our complexity in information means it is often necessary to involve
an entirely new set of specialists to even access the relevant information.
Will this always be necessary? Hasn't litigation fundamentally changed
when specialists are now required to do what lawyers used to do routinely—namely
to collect and analyze run-of-the-mill informational records? Read
on.
Excerpted from The
Discovery Revolution: E-Discovery Amendments to the Rules of Federal Procedure |
