Blog
2016 WVU College of Law Family Law CLE
I know, “Sexy Title”, right? Family Law. At least this article has the merit of brevity. After a couple of days in St. Louis with 60 “super nerd” “lawyers of the future” last month, my 40 years of small town practice experience had me much more comfortable in Morgantown with a group of WV family law… View Article
Memories of a Small Town Lawyer #1
Today I was showing my paralegal Letetia our old sample form files. Four bankers boxes, carefully tabbed with tables of contents. The results of thousands of hours of work. Been upstairs out of the way 10 years. I also kept 3″ by 5″ file cards of every, single, newly reported WV Supreme Court case, indexed… View Article
Self-Represented Mediation
Let me make a few things clear: People should not be their own lawyers in family court or in pursuing their personal injury claim with an insurance company; The average person, even with due diligence, cannot cope with the power imbalance, the myriad rules, the statutes, the case law, and the techniques necessary to prepare… View Article
Photographic Literacy: Ideas for the Small Firm Lawyer or Intelligent Lay Person
Burt’s Sony Cybershot DCS RX100 Everyone has become a photographer/videographer. That’s good for Rodney King, but it sure leads to a lot of bad photography. What should a small lawyer or an intelligent lay person do? You are taking photos/videos every day. Shouldn’t they try to capture reality, or even be creative, or, occasionally, art?… View Article
Time for a Subject for the 2016-2017 Video Competition
I am struggling with the title for the 2016-2017 WV State Bar and Dept. of Education Video Competition for Middle School and High School Students. But, I think I have settled on the subject. The news of yesterday and today reminded me that this issue is still in the forefront of American politics, 230 years… View Article
Is It Time to Revise Mediation in WV?
(Editor’s Note: I have received some constructive criticism that my effort to promote common mediation rules for all courts is an over-reach. I understand that criticism, and will try to address it. The rules for circuit and family courts are detailed, and the drafters have a proprietary interest in them. And, standards must be maintained, and… View Article
It Is Six Months After My Rear End Collison: What Should I Do?
The question above is a good one, but a tad late. Let’s discuss whether it is too late. If you took a small sum and signed a release of your injury claim, that’s it. It’s over, regardless of whether you have continued symptoms or treatment. If you have limited medical insurance, or did not know you… View Article
Why is it Ok for WV Lawyers to “Live it Up” at the Greenbrier?
Last year, at my first meeting of the board of governors of the West Virginia State Bar, I learned this year’s meeting would be at the famous Greenbrier Resort. I knew that was a meeting I would not have to ask Nancy twice to attend. As I heard of rising unemployment and a state budget… View Article