Blog

November 5, 2010

One Week, Out of My 1900 On Earth So Far

(As I read this  more than a year later, I look back on a week where we had 8 mediations in six working days. Six were successful. That leaves two that may go to trial. Think of the burden on our court system if we were not settling three out of four. 02-28-2012, J.B.H.) (And… View Article

November 1, 2010

How an Attorney Can Be a Good Adversary

I have been writing some criticisms of other attorneys. No matter how well intentioned, this can seem mean spirited. For a change, I shall write what I think it takes to be a “good adversary”, that is, an attorney who is professional and effective. Every good lawyer likes to encounter such an adversary. 1. A… View Article

November 1, 2010

How an Attorney Can Be a Good Adversary

I have been writing some criticisms of other attorneys. No matter how well intentioned, this can seem mean spirited. For a change, I shall write what I think it takes to be a “good adversary”, that is, an attorney who is professional and effective. Every good lawyer likes to encounter such an adversary. 1. A… View Article

October 22, 2010

The Dilemma of the Difficult Client

Attorneys represent all conceivable interests. The Catholic Church, General Motors, non-profits, insurance companies, and the President, have attorneys. Some of us represent individual human beings, not very wealthy individuals, almost exclusively. Today I had an extended discussion with an attorney who I have been barely speaking to. We have a very difficult case together. In… View Article

October 22, 2010

The Dilemma of the Difficult Client

Attorneys represent all conceivable interests. The Catholic Church, General Motors, non-profits, insurance companies, and the President, have attorneys. Some of us represent individual human beings, not very wealthy individuals, almost exclusively. Today I had an extended discussion with an attorney who I have been barely speaking to. We have a very difficult case together. In… View Article

October 21, 2010

Common Sense, Political Correctness, and “Literacy”.

Today Juan Williams was fired from N.P.R. because he went onto the Bill O’Reilly show and said that people in “Moslem dress” make him nervous in an airplane. Within context, he was making a point about stereotypes and extremism. He GOT CANNED by N.P.R. Glen Beck calls persons of a liberal bent idiots, and the… View Article

October 3, 2010

Common Sense Advice for the Personal Injury Claimant

Dear Client: Here are some basic tips: 1. Your claim is private, to you and your spouse. We suggest you not discuss it with others. An exception is when we ask “lay witnesses” to write letters on your behalf. 2. Your acquaintances and family, and even you, have preconceptions about personal injury claims, and lawyers…. View Article

October 1, 2010

Social Media, the Internet, Texting, and E-Mail

                          And, TIPS to the Family Law Client: (Note; February 10, 2012. The passage of time since this was posted has proven the importance of the advice below. Now, every Facebook account can be downloaded in its entirety. The vast majority of family/divorce/custody cases have social media content as evidence. People have and will lose… View Article

September 17, 2010

Various Insurance Coverages – Limiting the Loss

I am reissuing this post from Sept., 2010 because I have again met a client who was injured by a driver with limited insurance. Yep; $20,000 in medical bills, and serious permanent injuries,  but the “tortfeasor” has just $20,000 per person total personal injury liability coverage! My client has no “medical payments” coverage, no medical… View Article

September 16, 2010

I Have Been Hurt by a Negligent Driver, What Can I Claim?

My new personal injury clients often tell me, “All I want is my medical bills paid.”. We can do that, assuming: a. Fault by the other party; and, b. A fund of insurance or others resources to satisfy your claim. West Virginia personal injury law permits you to claim reimbursement for reasonable medical expenses proximately… View Article