Woman Used a Commercial Will Instead of a Lawyer

The Florida Bar News edition from June 1, 2014 features an article about a woman who chose to use a commercial or generic will instead of working with a lawyer to prepare a specific will for her needs.

In this case the commercial will form saved her some money in preparing the document.  But it cost her family much more in litigating the will that the initial lawyer would have been.  The problem experienced by this woman could have been easily avoided by addressing all the necessary items in the will had she chosen to use an attorney.  This is not an uncommon story

Florida Tech Presents: Tomorrow's Lawyers

As written by Florida Tech’s School of Arts and Communication:

Second Annual Lecture in Law

Patricia D. White, Dean & Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law, presenting “Tomorrow’s Lawyers”

Thursday, September 26, 2013 in the John and Martha Hartley Room, 2nd Floor, Denius Student Center

  • 5:00 PM Late Registration & Check In
  • 5:15 PM Reception
  • 6:00 PM Lecture

Call (321) 674-8382 or email pdpregistration@fit.edu to register.  More information available on FIT’s website.

Law schools have been under attack in the popular press and the legal profession is changing in many ways. The traditional funding models for education are becoming increasingly problematic. Join Miami Law’s dean, Patricia D. White, as she addresses these issues and shares her vision for legal education and the profession. Dean White will discuss the ways in which Miami Law is anticipating the continuing effects that globalization, technology and the economy will have on the legal world.

The Agenda for the presentation is as follows:

Agenda

  • 5:00 PM  Last Minute Registration and Check In
  • 5:15 PM  Networking Reception with Light Refreshments
  • 6:00 PM  Welcome by Dr. Robert Taylor, Head, School of Arts and Communication
  • 6:05 PM  Introduction of Dean White by Brooke Goldfarb, Prelaw Mentor and Adjunct Faculty
  • 6:10: PM Dean Patricia D. White- “Tomorrow’s Lawyers”

Issues including the fact that law schools have been under attack in the popular press and the legal profession is changing in many ways are covered by Patricia D. White, law dean, University of Miami, who shares her vision for legal education and the profession. Also disscusses how Miami Law is anticipating the continuing effects globalization, technology and the economy have on the legal world, and how traditional funding models for education are becoming increasingly problematic.

  • 7:00 PM  Floor open to questions from the audience for Dean White
  • 7:15 PM  Final question for Dean White, Thank You and Closing Remarks by Brooke Goldfarb

A Bit of Legal Humor

Sometimes a lawyer just does something that catches us by surprise.  Such is a recent letter sent by N.J. attorney  Stephen B. Kaplitt in a pro bono capacity for a client that received a Cease and Desist communication from the township where the client lived.  It is highbrow humor but the meaning is certainly the shining beacon at the center of this attorney’s letter to the Township of West Orange, NJ.

A Cease and Desist communication is relatively common in business and typically serves as a request to a person or company to halt a particular action or activity and also to not resume doing that action again in the future.  A cease and desist letter can be sent by an individual or a corporation.

Many times this type of letter is used in the process of protecting (or attempting to protect) a trademark, a service mark, or other intangible asset.   You may also see this type of communication used in landlord/tenant situations or issues between neighbors.  There are some common general forms available online but before you use a generic form be sure the form you plan to use has the proper and necessary wording for your situation.

If you ever receive such a communication or think you need to send one, call me (321-631-0506) or email.  Initial consultations are always provided at no charge.

Friday Fest with Your Brevard County Public Defender Candidate

Stop by and say hi if you are at Friday Fest in Downtown Melbourne tomorrow night, March 9, 2012.  You won’t be able to miss the Vote Rhoden display with the banners, lights, and people!  We’d love to have you stay and hand out materials if you have time or just drop in for a chat with your Brevard County Public Defender candidate (and Seminole County Public Defender candidate – it covers two counties), Ken Rhoden.   See you there!

Friday Fest was Very Festive!

Friday, January 13, Ken and quite a few volunteers attended Downtown Melbourne’s Friday Fest celebration hosted by Melbourne Mainstreet.  There was music, laughter, and great fun from before 6pm all the way to closing at 10pm.  Several hundred people young and young-at-heart came by, met Ken, signed ballot petitions, and made everyone smile.  The Vote Rhoden team table was ablaze with light and bright personalities.  Thank you to all the volunteers (human and canine!) who gave up their warm plans to come and work with Ken in the chilly evening air.

If you would like to volunteer to help in the future, please call Ken, email, or visit the Volunteer Page here on this site.

Remember, Friday Fest is the 2nd Friday of every month (except December) and is a great place to spend the evening with your family!