The Law Blog - Joseph P McCaffery & Associates 2010-03-18T09:50:27Z http://lawblog.jpmlaw.net/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast DIY Legal Services - You Get What You Pay For tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2010-03-01:42f12990-5bcd-4a43-887b-9a028e6fb74c Administrator 2010-03-01T20:07:00Z 2010-03-01T20:07:00Z Would you do your own surgery or choose a licensed surgeon? More than 2 years ago we published a guest posting, Self-Representation: The Perils of PRO SE, and the risks of self-representation - and using DIY legal services - remain. Would you do your own surgery or choose a licensed surgeon? More than 2 years ago we published a guest posting, Self-Representation: The Perils of PRO SE, and the risks of self-representation - and using DIY legal services - remain. Social Media: Bringing People Together or Breaking Families Apart? tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2010-02-23:38119fb7-d937-4ca1-b777-0567d48bb553 Meghen K Pitts 2010-02-23T23:46:00Z 2010-02-23T23:46:00Z Social media – Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc. – are designed to bring people together, but reports indicate networking sites also are tearing people apart. From rekindling long-lost romances to finding evidence of extramarital affairs or dispersal of marital assets, social networking sites are increasingly linked to divorce matters. Social media – Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc. – are designed to bring people together, but reports indicate networking sites also are tearing people apart. From rekindling long-lost romances to finding evidence of extramarital affairs or dispersal of marital assets, social networking sites are increasingly linked to divorce matters. New Year, New Laws tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2010-01-01:b7bbfc16-d2d6-47ac-afc7-a1f308570d4a Joseph P McCaffery 2010-01-01T06:37:00Z 2010-01-01T06:37:00Z ABC News reports on the new laws in the nation, including a couple affecting Illinoisans. ABC News reports on the new laws in the nation, including a couple affecting Illinoisans. Happy Holidays tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-12-25:f65cfff4-29aa-4879-92cc-795d61bfc001 Administrator 2009-12-25T14:25:00Z 2009-12-25T14:25:00Z Wishing all our clients, staff and friends a happy and safe holiday season. Wishing all our clients, staff and friends a happy and safe holiday season. JPMA is Going Mobile - New .mobi Site Launched tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-11-20:a2be8c6e-f603-4520-8d12-142ccd8e3032 Administrator 2009-11-20T06:03:00Z 2009-11-20T06:03:00Z Look Who's Going Mobile.&nbsp; You now can check us out on your PDA or SmartPhone at <a href="http://www.jpmlaw.mobi" target="_blank">jpmlaw.mobi... Look Who's Going Mobile.&nbsp; You now can check us out on your PDA or SmartPhone at <a href="http://www.jpmlaw.mobi" target="_blank">jpmlaw.mobi... JPMA Clerks Pass Bar - Meet Our Three New Lawyers tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-10-01:f355b848-001e-4825-9777-4828fd25ff3c Joseph P McCaffery 2009-10-01T23:20:00Z 2009-10-01T23:20:00Z Our heartfelt congratulations go out to three members of our JPMA team who today received their results of the Illinois Bar Exam taken this summer... Our heartfelt congratulations go out to three members of our JPMA team who today received their results of the Illinois Bar Exam taken this summer... Chicago Cloutmeisters Sing Out tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-08-22:bd9469d8-607d-4cd6-a354-58bebed21918 Joseph P McCaffery 2009-08-23T01:47:29Z 2009-08-23T01:47:29Z In 1969 one man, Michael Shakman, took a stand against political patronage in Chicago. Shakman's efforts resulted in the Shakman Decrees but 40 years after his initial efforts, Chicago still suffers the effects of political clout. A couple of city employees - Emery Joe Yost who is a longtime JPMA client, and Pat McDonough - have brought many of the issues raised by Shakman back into the spotlight garnering a great deal of media attention with the release of a song about Chicago Clout. In 1969 one man, Michael Shakman, took a stand against political patronage in Chicago. Shakman's efforts resulted in the Shakman Decrees but 40 years after his initial efforts, Chicago still suffers the effects of political clout. A couple of city employees - Emery Joe Yost who is a longtime JPMA client, and Pat McDonough - have brought many of the issues raised by Shakman back into the spotlight garnering a great deal of media attention with the release of a song about Chicago Clout. Barriers to Justice: Language tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-08-09:53c3d158-2818-4b17-bc47-6aeb4e227a49 Administrator 2009-08-09T19:07:00Z 2009-08-09T19:07:00Z Language barriers must be overcome for justice to be served. Bilingual and multi-lingual attorneys are a must in a fair court system. Language barriers must be overcome for justice to be served. Bilingual and multi-lingual attorneys are a must in a fair court system. Whose House is It Anyway? tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-07-27:f551c852-3402-4324-8bce-5fa4f7485ee3 Joseph P McCaffery 2009-07-27T15:20:00Z 2009-07-27T15:20:00Z Banks are walking away from foreclosed properties, leaving neighborhoods devastated by abandoned homes and placing homeowners, who thought their property had been taken away, with financial obligations often beyond the deficiencies of their loans. Banks are walking away from foreclosed properties, leaving neighborhoods devastated by abandoned homes and placing homeowners, who thought their property had been taken away, with financial obligations often beyond the deficiencies of their loans. When Your Case is a Train Wreck, Get Experienced Counsel tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-07-16:7297d8b2-5ad6-470f-ab95-ced9972c07d7 Joseph P McCaffery 2009-07-16T20:53:00Z 2009-07-16T20:53:00Z What makes train wrecks more complicated than other personal injury, wrongful death or property damage matters? First, the laws and jurisdictions governing intermodal transportation companies differ from those which govern other industries. Further complicating matters is the various carrier contractors and subcontractors that may be involved in transporting products or equipment via rail. Changes in and various jurisdictions’ interpretations of law also have created greater vulnerability regarding damages and liable parties that a law firm experienced in intermodal transportation liability can expose. What makes train wrecks more complicated than other personal injury, wrongful death or property damage matters? First, the laws and jurisdictions governing intermodal transportation companies differ from those which govern other industries. Further complicating matters is the various carrier contractors and subcontractors that may be involved in transporting products or equipment via rail. Changes in and various jurisdictions’ interpretations of law also have created greater vulnerability regarding damages and liable parties that a law firm experienced in intermodal transportation liability can expose. Buyers’ Revenge or What’s Mine is Mine? tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-07-15:e5a66dab-a816-411f-8871-492784fa6156 Joseph P McCaffery 2009-07-16T04:25:00Z 2009-07-16T04:25:00Z “Buyers’ Revenge” - homeowners in foreclosure are removing appliances, fixtures and other amenities from their foreclosed-upon homes. In some cases – short of trashing property – we suggest this isn’t revenge but, rather, making the most of a bad situation. “Buyers’ Revenge” - homeowners in foreclosure are removing appliances, fixtures and other amenities from their foreclosed-upon homes. In some cases – short of trashing property – we suggest this isn’t revenge but, rather, making the most of a bad situation. Faux or Fraud? Extreme Home "Staging" in the Real Estate Crisis tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-07-12:73d2d0fe-b742-41f6-9db8-8539cc01c13d Joseph P McCaffery 2009-07-12T20:41:00Z 2009-07-12T20:41:00Z A trend in marketing homes for sale – temporary residents to give a home a “lived in” feel – is raising legal questions. “Faux homeowners,” as they are called in a recent Wall Street Journal article, are presented by marketers as a natural extension of “staging” – traditionally referring to decorating a new home or neutrally redecorating a previously owned home to appeal to a broader base of buyers. The Journal piece quotes Steve Rogers, president of Windermere Exclusive Properties in San Diego, saying these human props provide “that little extra mint on the pillow.” The legal question – faux or fraud – is in how these transitional residents of these homes are portrayed to prospective buyers... A trend in marketing homes for sale – temporary residents to give a home a “lived in” feel – is raising legal questions. “Faux homeowners,” as they are called in a recent Wall Street Journal article, are presented by marketers as a natural extension of “staging” – traditionally referring to decorating a new home or neutrally redecorating a previously owned home to appeal to a broader base of buyers. The Journal piece quotes Steve Rogers, president of Windermere Exclusive Properties in San Diego, saying these human props provide “that little extra mint on the pillow.” The legal question – faux or fraud – is in how these transitional residents of these homes are portrayed to prospective buyers... "No Refusal" Back in Kane for Another Holiday tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-07-02:e59fa554-247d-4d7a-9fbd-e4f2a229bda1 Joseph P McCaffery 2009-07-02T15:10:00Z 2009-07-02T15:10:00Z The Daily Herald reports SA John Barsanti and crew are giving "No Refusal" one more shot, despite the questions of legality of the sting operation... The Daily Herald reports SA John Barsanti and crew are giving "No Refusal" one more shot, despite the questions of legality of the sting operation... Appeal Filed Today in "You Tube" Divorce: Smith v. Walsh-Smith tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-06-05:ccb37d27-f058-4994-ae4d-6874df036bf3 Joseph P McCaffery 2009-06-05T23:56:00Z 2009-06-05T23:56:00Z An appeal was filed today in the New York State Supreme Court in the matter of Smith v. Walsh-Smith, one of the most publicly covered divorce cases of 2008. Attorneys for Tricia Walsh Smith... An appeal was filed today in the New York State Supreme Court in the matter of Smith v. Walsh-Smith, one of the most publicly covered divorce cases of 2008. Attorneys for Tricia Walsh Smith... Do "Routine" Immigration Checks Cross the Line? tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-05-20:72fbd69b-82af-4a69-a16e-c7f0b588a36d Joseph P McCaffery 2009-05-20T18:34:00Z 2009-05-20T18:34:00Z The Obama administration is expanding a program to make the checking of immigration status a routine measure during local jail bookings. The result, it’s suggested, could be a tenfold increase in illegal immigrants identified for deportation...it is designed to identify what authorities call “criminal aliens.” The Obama administration is expanding a program to make the checking of immigration status a routine measure during local jail bookings. The result, it’s suggested, could be a tenfold increase in illegal immigrants identified for deportation...it is designed to identify what authorities call “criminal aliens.” AG Madigan Trying to Close Public Info Loopholes tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-05-20:2dffd619-0caa-4a3f-9097-053930a0406b Joseph P McCaffery 2009-05-20T13:55:00Z 2009-05-20T13:55:00Z Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is proposing changes to Illinois law that will make government more transparent... Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is proposing changes to Illinois law that will make government more transparent... Loopholes in Illinois Law Allow Officials to Deny Access to Public Records tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-05-03:cfc42c48-29ec-42a4-903c-fde64a5f650f Joseph P McCaffery 2009-05-03T05:03:00Z 2009-05-03T05:03:00Z In Illinois, getting a public record is a frustrating labyrinth of excuses, delays and denials...the state's Freedom of Information Act has more pages devoted to what records you can't get than what you can... In Illinois, getting a public record is a frustrating labyrinth of excuses, delays and denials...the state's Freedom of Information Act has more pages devoted to what records you can't get than what you can... Just Say No When it Comes to Unreasonable Vehicle Search tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-04-29:436bb048-c6ff-403c-b305-a2a3bc3c760f Joseph P McCaffery 2009-04-30T01:02:00Z 2009-04-30T01:02:00Z The Supreme Court issued a victory for supporters of Fourth Amendment rights and a blow to law enforcement last week when it placed new limits on vehicle searches by police... The Supreme Court issued a victory for supporters of Fourth Amendment rights and a blow to law enforcement last week when it placed new limits on vehicle searches by police... JPMA expands staff, deepens tax and family law resources tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-04-23:18cfb46e-91eb-46fc-bf46-ea6e24b7d88e Administrator 2009-04-23T17:28:00Z 2009-04-23T17:28:00Z JPMA expands its staff and deepens its resources in tax litigation, financial planning, family law and mediation. JPMA expands its staff and deepens its resources in tax litigation, financial planning, family law and mediation. State's $1.75 million death penalty defense fund exhausted tag:lawblog.jpmlaw.net,2009-04-13:68a3ee43-2aba-4cdc-b255-c975d00ba90b Joseph P McCaffery 2009-04-13T16:37:00Z 2009-04-13T16:37:00Z Today's Chicago Tribune reports that the $1.75 million the state pledged to the Illinois Public Defender's office for the defense of death penalty cases this year has been spent, with more than half of the money covering costs that exceeded last year's budget. Today's Chicago Tribune reports that the $1.75 million the state pledged to the Illinois Public Defender's office for the defense of death penalty cases this year has been spent, with more than half of the money covering costs that exceeded last year's budget.