insights, news and announcements for our members, colleagues and community
by Matthew McCoyd For those of you whom I have not yet had the privilege of meeting, please let me introduce myself: I grew up about a mile from the DeKalb County courthouse, in a house where my parents still…
Be sure to RSVP by Monday, September 12, for the Bar Luncheon on Thursday, September 15, at the historic Old Courthouse on the Square, 101 E. Court Square in downtown Decatur. RSVP now by clicking here to register. Here is…
by Elizabeth Marum
DeKalb Bar News Editor
em@torrientemarum.com
www.torrientemarum.com
About a year and a half ago, I first came across a check scam targeting attorneys with trust accounts. In a nutshell, the firm where I worked received a letter (I believe by UPS or FedEx) with a certified check and instructions for a wire-transfer. The letter asked that the firm deposit the check in their trust or escrow account and then wire the money to the payee less any fees owed to the firm. Immediately, the office manager was on the phone with the GBI, confirming that this was, in fact, a counterfeit check scam.
by Jeri Kagel, M.Ed., J.D.
Trial Synergy, LLC
www.trialsynergy.com
I want to share with you some research that I read recently that was done to demonstrate how a juror’s (psychological) “sense of entitlement” impacts decisions on damages. Simply stated, when one has a sense of entitlement, one feels that he or she has the right to some benefit. Entitlement is psychologically different from desirability. Each of us, just by virtue of living, deserves the good that life can bring us. Thinking “I’m entitled” often comes without a sense of responsibility or thoughtfulness.
by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com
Thanks to my brilliant paralegal, I have overcome my reluctance and have embraced the idea of incorporating social media into my law practice, management and marketing. You must understand that I have resisted doing this for years now despite urging from my colleagues and friends. Regardless of the success of other lawyers who have been doing this forever, I stayed in my shell and shut out all the information that has been thrown my way at CLE conventions year in and year out.
So what were my fears? Well, for one thing, although I long ago learned to be myself when dealing with clients, judges, opposing counsel, and most importantly juries, I have always been cautious about sharing my personal opinions with the world. It’s not that I’m ashamed of my particular views in any given topic, but I wouldn’t want to alienate potential clients or others just because of some perception about who I am based entirely on one stated position.
The State Bar of Georgia is offering free one-hour demonstrations to instruct attorneys and their staff on how to maximize use of the new free legal online research tool provided to all State Bar of Georgia members. Attorneys are also…
DeKalb Bar Association Luncheon Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the historic Old Courthouse on the Square, 101 E. Court Square in downtown Decatur Family Law Section Breakfast Sept. 1, 7:30-9 a.m., in the historic Old Courthouse on the Square,…