Thieves, scam artists, and sometimes even competitors pretend to be someone else to either discredit or take money away from another person or company. The acts perpetrated on the victim can be defamatory, fraudulent, and harmful.

“There is a big difference between a parody or satire of a person or company and impersonating for ill gain,” said Los Angeles entertainment attorney Anthony Spotora. “How they damage your reputation online can have big consequences in the real world.”

California did pass a law in 2011, SB 1411, that states that anyone who impersonates another via an Internet website or other electronic means to harm, intimidate, threaten, or defraud another can be fined and/or imprisoned. Compensatory damages and injunctive or equitable relief can also be sought.

Recent cases have shown that people have created fake Facebook business pages, websites, or pretended to be someone else over email. “Prompt action needs to be taken whether you are a celebrity or business to protect your identity and livelihood,” said Spotora. “When your identity is hijacked, you need aggressive legal representation to take down the comments, photos, and fraud that has occurred.”

To learn more about the Los Angeles business attorney or Los Angeles entertainment lawyer Anthony Spotora, visit http://www.spotoralaw.com/.

Law Offices of Spotora & Associates, P.C.
1801 Century Park East, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067-2302
Call: (310) 556.9641

A claimant can ask a judge to delay so that they can find an attorney who can represent them. Many claimants try to take on these hearings without an attorney and come face-to-face with a medical expert who is not being challenged by a professional.

“Claimants who are serious about their case before the Social Security Administration see the value of having an experienced attorney arguing their case,” said Brandon Social Security disability attorney David Magann. “Experience with disability hearings means an attorney knows the right questions to ask and the right objections to raise.”

Claimants should meet with a qualified attorney prior to the day of the hearing, Magann said. Last-minute, day-of representatives and non-attorneys can miss important opportunities to represent a client and can even let medical expert testimony go uncontested.

“It is a huge mistake to allow medical ‘expert’ testimony to go uncontested,” Magann said. “There are too many opportunities there for the SSA to paint a claimant in a bad light and an experienced disability lawyer can prevent that from happening.”

For example, the medical expert could be an internist testifying about an orthopedic issue or the other way around. “It seems like common sense to ask these questions,” Magann said. “But there are so many possible problems that can arise with medical expert testimony, it is just smarter to have an experienced attorney there to ask the right questions.”

To learn more about the Brandon Social Security disability lawyer David W. Magann and his law practice, go to http://www.brandonssa.com/ or call 813-657-9175.

David W. Magann, P.A.
156 W. Robertson St.
Brandon, FL 33511
Call: (813) 657-9175

View Larger Map

“Make 2012 about being in charge of your life and happiness and see to it that the kids are in a better home environment than the fake reality you might be trying to prop up every day,” said Orange County divorce lawyer Gerald Maggio.

The spouse that files the divorce papers first gets to set the tone of the proceedings, is more in control, and can request temporary orders for custody and who gets to live in the marital home while the divorce gets under way. The initiating spouse also presents their case first at court and thus establishes how the marital issues are shown to the judge.

“Do you want to be in the driver’s seat and let your soon-to-be-ex know that you are serious?” asked Maggio. “Filing first gives you leverage to ensure that you get to request what assets, child custody issues, and division of debts are your fair and equitable share from the marriage.”

Filing first allows a spouse time to protect their assets that an ex could ruin, modify beneficiary designations, and prepare the kids better. Many people might think it is not their place to be so bold to request a divorce or that they will be left alone and shunned by all their mutual friends.

“But this could not be further from the truth,” said Maggio. “There are many people that have been in your shoes. Find a single parents’ group, face your fears, and think about what things brought you happiness before you were ever married. Taking the time to rediscover yourself and a happier relationship with the kids will make you a better parent and more open to new opportunities.”

Enlisting a skilled divorce attorney can also help make sure the process is not as overwhelming or vulnerable to costly mistakes. The divorce attorney can make sure all hearings, negotiations, agreements, and binding decisions are in order and followed.

To learn more about the Maggio Law Firm or to contact a Orange County family law attorney, visit http://www.maggiolawfirm.com.

The Maggio Law Firm
Main Office
8105 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 600
Irvine, CA 92618
Call: (949) 553-0304

Riverside Office
3750 University Avenue, Suite 670
Riverside, CA 92501
Call: (949) 553-0304

View Larger Map

“The Yale Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity had a hell week that culminated in a Manhattan event that caused four deaths of its members back in 2003,” said Connecticut wrongful death attorney Joel T. Faxon, of Stratton Faxon law firm. “As they were driving back to Yale on that fateful morning, they did not have to die in a catastrophic car accident.”

Faxon is representing Nicholas Grass’ estate, the last lawsuit to deal with the wrongful deaths from back in 2003. Connecticut’s Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the estate’s appeal about whether Delta Kappa Epsilon had a duty of care to ensure that Grass and his frat brothers made it back safely from the Manhattan event. At issue is if the fraternity created the foreseeable danger or failed to act to prevent it. With the hell week activities, many frat members only had 25 to 30 hours of sleep for the whole week in addition to strenuous activities and events.

“Anti-hazing statutes already exist but with recent cases across the United States in varying college organizations, there is still more to be done to prevent injuries and deaths to college aged students,” said Faxon. “Anything is hazing if it is a compulsory event that leads to an unsafe condition.”

Grass’ case is being appealed from the trial judgment because Faxon said the court was wrong to decide against Grass’ estate and the technicalities show “…the case was dismissed improperly and his estate should have the right to refile”, Faxon noted.

If the Connecticut Supreme Court does find that the fraternity is liable, it could be fined and dissolved for a minimum of one year.

To learn more, visit the Connecticut personal injury law firm at http://www.strattonfaxon.com.

Stratton Faxon
59 Elm Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Call: 203.624.9500

Researchers found that for every 100 foreign-born workers with an advanced degree from an American university, another 262 jobs were created for U.S. workers.

“The data from this research clearly shows that Washington needs to step up and develop legal immigration policies that will boost this country’s economy,” said Houston immigration attorney Annie Banerjee. “I believe in the economic potential of targeted legal immigration reform.”

Researchers also found there is no evidence that legal immigrants take jobs from U.S. citizens, but instead, the data shows the two groups complement each other in the work force and strengthen the job market.

“The group that published this study suggested the government grant more visas in almost every employment category and I couldn’t agree more,” Banerjee said. “Priority visas for foreign-workers with degrees in STEM fields and even more H-1B and H-2B visas for temporary workers both skilled and unskilled has been shown again and again to have the potential for great economic success in the U.S.”

The study analyzed employment numbers state by state and looked at how legal immigrant workers affected the job statistics for American citizens. The study also showed that highly educated immigrants actually paid more in taxes than they use in government services.

The policy proposals set forth in the study suggested the American economy could be boosted by strategic changes to legal immigration policy.

Annie Banerjee believes in reforming legal immigration policies in the United States in order to improve the economy and keep America as the leader in the global technology economy. Annie Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer specializing in helping people become United States citizens. The law offices assist in visas and other legal immigration requirements as well. To learn more, visit http://www.visatous.com.

Law Offices of Annie Banerjee
131 Brooks Street, Suite #300
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
Phone: (281) 242-9139

“This is an important step by the VA to acknowledge that we simply do not know enough about the chronic illnesses veterans have developed as a result of the Gulf War,” said veterans disability lawyer Jim Fausone with Legal Help for Veterans. “The VA should not be cutting anyone off who is still developing symptoms from that war.”

Veterans will be eligible to apply for compensation for what the VA calls Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses until the end of 2016.

Many veterans returned home from the Gulf War with chronic pain and illnesses from headaches and memory loss to joint pain and fatigue. Medical professionals have had a difficult time pinning down the exact causes and treatments for some of the reported symptoms. The VA, in response, has agreed that chronic issues suffered for six months or more that a veteran thinks is related to his or her service in the war are presumed to be war-related.

“We owe it to these veterans to continue to research Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses so that we can find causes and cures,” Fausone said. “More research can help the medical community treat Gulf War veterans and prevent future soldiers from having similar problems.”

About 700,000 service members were deployed to the Middle East during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.

James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability lawyer and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability attorney or Veterans lawyer call 1.800.693.4800 or visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800

British Virgin Islands (Law Firm Newswire) February 1, 2012 – An experienced transactional lawyer, Clinton rates the BVI as the world’s leading offshore corporate jurisdiction, and Hempel and Boyd will focus exclusively on the BVI.

According to Clinton: “There is no better offshore jurisdiction for international transactional work and asset holding structures. After 13 years of practice in the BVI, I am very excited about the prospect of delivering BVI legal services to clients across the globe, under the banner of “Hempel and Boyd”.”

Clinton, a former Allen and Overy lawyer, and more recently the joint managing partner of Maples and Calder’s BVI office, will be joined by Greg Boyd, an accomplished finance lawyer. Formerly with Baker & McKenzie in London and Maples and Calder in the BVI, Greg brings significant experience to the new practice, with his London experience and hands-on BVI commercial knowledge and awareness. Both Clinton and Greg are recognised as leading BVI corporate and finance lawyers by the main international legal directories.

In outlining the ethos behind Hempel and Boyd, Clinton explains: “We understand the support role played by the offshore lawyer in international transactions. We will not un-necessarily crowd the boardroom, or conference calls, or complicate transactions. We ensure that the offshore component of the transaction complements the overall commercial objectives.”

While headquartered in the BVI, Hempel and Boyd has taken the unique step of opening an office in Cape Town – becoming the first offshore law firm to open an office in Africa.

“A significant part of our work has been on transactions involving investment into Africa – be it from China, Canada, Latin America, Russia or elsewhere,” adds Greg. “With the inclusion of South Africa in the BRICS organisation of leading emerging economies, Cape Town was an obvious location for an office, giving Hempel and Boyd the unique opportunity to offer clients BVI expertise, on the ground in Africa.”

A further advantage is that European and Russian based clients will be able to deal with Hempel and Boyd, through the Cape Town office, in a friendly time zone. While the African presence also brings the practice closer to clients in Australia and the Far East.

“These are obviously challenging times, but the BVI – a well regulated, internationally respected and business friendly jurisdiction – remains an important component in facilitating the cross-border flow of capital.”

Clinton can be reached on clinton.hempel@hempelandboyd.com and Greg on greg.boyd@hempelandboyd.com

Hempel and Boyd
HB Chambers
Rodus Building, Road Reef Marina
PO Box 3093
Road Town, Tortola
British VIrgin Islands
http://www.hempelandboyd.com

“Rule number one is that you must have engaging content on your website, marketing collateral, and offline strategies or you will be ignored,” said Bigger Law Firm‘s editor Krystina Steffen. “Take the time to read how you can unlock the writer within you and reinvigorate your firm’s communications.”

The legal magazine also covers how electronic billboards can reach sought-after clients. With costs for this type of advertising decreasing and the message easily updated, law firms should explore how this can help them attract a future client base. Bigger Law Firm also talks to Steve Ratner from Ivy Creative, who has a wealth of experience in ad slot buying. TV commercials and how a firm’s message might need to change with the seasons is critical to be successful in this medium.

“Many attorneys have also come to us asking us about the relevance of starting a Google+ page and using QR codes in their marketing,” said Steffen. “ Bigger Law Firm is known for showing readers how to create a social media page and access resources to create ways for smartphone users to connect with the firm easier.”

Proactive attorneys are also using LinkedIn and the connections they make on the site much like a Rolodex to mine for business and speaking engagements. Having a good profile, sharing articles and presentations, and being an active part of discussions on the site can positively impact a firm’s business.

“It’s also interesting to note that attorneys who are blogging about political content are getting more site visits and inbound links in this election year,” said Steffen. “We’ve seen a big up-tick for firms that research political issues well, convey the content in a no-spin way, and show how it relates to their practice area.”

Readers of the lawyer magazine also receive a free Law Firm Newswire press release for every month of subscription to help with their law firm marketing. To learn more about how to build a Bigger Law Firm™, visit http://www.seolawfirm.com/blf-magazine/ or call 1.800.728.5306.

Bigger Law Firm™, a magazine for attorneys
SEO | Law Firm™
An Adviatech Company
9280 Bay Plaza Blvd
Suite 706
Tampa, FL 33619
Call: 1.800.728.5306
http://www.seolawfirm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bigger-Law-Firm-magazine/209258985809522
Twitter: http://twitter.com/blfmagazine

View Larger Map

“With an election looming, Obama will want to try and get the Hispanic vote on his side. That is going to be a tough when you consider his approach to deportation has caused 5,000 U.S. born kids to be placed in foster homes. Who in their right mind would think those left behind would vote for him and his policies?” asked Larry S. Rifkin, managing partner at Rikfin & Fox-Isicoff, an immigration law firm with Miami immigration lawyers and Orlando immigration lawyers.

Interestingly enough, the Obama election machine is cranking out reports that the President’s support is going up amongst Hispanic voters, which is hard to fathom since that community would be the first to express its displeasure and frustration with the lack of immigration reform. What would make the President’s campaign think that those who voted once based on an election promise for much needed changes in the immigration system would vote a second time for the same thing, when nothing has happened since he was elected?

“The answer may well lie in the latest bunch of Republican candidates who are vocally on the side of persecuting illegal immigrants. That would make Obama look mighty attractive by comparison, or to quote a proverb, ‘Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t’,” Rifkin remarked. On the face of things, it appears the President is attempting to support comprehensive immigration reform and pushing measures to improve the quality of Hispanic’s lives.

One thing appears to be clear and that is in the “knock ‘em down and drag ‘em out” atmosphere of the campaign fight, whatever the Republicans have said against reform will be trotted out to remind the public what this is all about. This will likely include scandal-ridden Herman Cain’s disparaging remark about erecting an electrified wall. To say the 2012 election campaign is going to be interesting, if not vitriolic, is likely an understatement.

“The bottom line for this election is that immigration reform is, once again, crucial to the Latin voters. They offer up a huge block of votes, and stand to lose the most at the polls if they vote for Republican policies; the ones that say they want to back the rich and work with the large companies,” outlined Rifkin.

Even if Obama looks to be better than the other guys, he still has a long and arduous trip ahead of him to swing the Hispanic vote. Their community is sick to death of seeing families scattered all over the map thanks to deportations. “Frankly, you can’t have it both ways and expect people to vote for you,” Rifkin added. “Especially not in light of the recent figures that show over 46,000 undocumented parents of kids born in the U.S. were deported between January and June.”

If the deportation trend continues, the numbers of children in foster homes will rise exponentially. What will Obama do about that? To date, he has indicated those cases could be reviewed to allow the parents to have some contact with their children. “I don’t know about you, but that’s not good enough for me, and frankly, I don’t think it’s good enough for immigrants either. The question is what else is there for an alternative?” said Rifkin.

To learn more or to contact an Orlando immigration attorney or Miami immigration attorney, visit http://www.rifkinfox.com.

Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff, P.A.
1110 Brickell Avenue
Suite 210
Miami, Florida 33131
Toll Free: (866) 681-0202

“What this shows is that properly allocating and protecting assets is crucial to maintaining your wealth,” said Dallas wealth management attorney and estate planning attorney John Hale, of The Hale Law Firm. “Wealth management helps a family prepare for wealth transfer, business succession, tax planning, and managing risk.”

The Williams’ Group study noted that successful transfers also occurred when heirs were prepared for “taking over the reins” of responsibility. This could include charitable endeavors, the family business, or overseeing family priorities. A family mission and well thought out strategy helped heirs maintain wealth.

“Times are changing. Today, patriarchs and matriarchs are more open to the idea of engaging in discussions with heirs regarding the scope and nature of their investments and their expectations regarding its future management. They are also learning the value of involving heirs in decision making to make sure they have the knowledge and experience to be good stewards,” said Hale. “It’s important that families seek experienced professional counsel as they begin the process.”

With the New Year, there is no better time to start communicating with family members about one’s wishes for their family and legacy. Professional guidance can make all the difference. .

John Hale is a Dallas estate planning lawyer and Dallas elder law attorney with The Hale Law Firm. To learn more about the Dallas elder law firm and Dallas estate planning, call 972.351.0000 or visit http://www.thehalelawfirm.com/.

The Hale Law Firm
100 Executive Court, Suite 3
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Call: 888.425.3911

View Larger Map