f/k/a archives . . . real opinions & real haiku

Yesterday’s discussion of Missouri’s new lawyer advertising rules

raised the issue of how consumers choose lawyers.  Today, I want

to tell you about a wise consumer who knew which lawyers not to pick.

 

A reader who found this weblog when Googling about contingency fees,

wrote to tell me about a firm with whom she was discussing a case

potentially worths millions of dollars.   Here are her own words

(emphases added by me):

                                                                            

 

I had met with these attorneys a month ago about my case. 

They were with me for five hours learning the details and asking

lots of questions. Upon my leaving, they presented me with a

contract to review and sign.

 

One of the attorneys was putting lots of pressure on me to hurry

and sign, and at that point, I just needed some time to really think

about my decision and my motivations.  

 

I finally decided I was ready to proceed forward, and called them last

week.  We sent up a meeting for this past Monday.  I had brought with

me a copy of the first contract they had given me to make sure things

were the same. 

 

Once I was there, they presented me with the contract and things had

been changed. Big things…like the percentages and also their attorneys

fees had gone up.  I immediately questioned the percentages, and he

said that it was a mistake and was quick to correct those.  As far as the

higher attorney’s fees, he said it was to my benefit, since it applied to

the other side having to pay.  Needless to say, I was taken aback. 

 

One of the attorney’s said to me this morning, “It’s like you are

purchasing an airline ticket.  You don’t ask all these questions about the

fine print on the back of the ticket…you just buy it!”  I said to him, “If that

ticket was going to cost me $5 million dollars I most certainly would ask

a lot of questions!”

 

Anyway, I went and picked up my materials today.  He had told me if I didn’t

have something ready to sign by tommorow at 5:01 I could come pick my

things up.

I’m glad she walked out.  Personally, I’d love to file a grievance against these

lawyers — or give them a little infam-e.  Am I being too critical, impractical,

or naive?

 

“Fiduciary/Schmiduciary” is not an acceptable attitude for a law firm.

 

 

afterthought (Sept. 28, 2005):  A consumer who’s willing to invest some

time in finding a lawyer, should consider reading Jay G. Foonberg’s

Finding the Right Lawyer.  (even its table of contents is helpful)  The

author sells it for $19.95, but the Amazon.com Marketplace has

copies for as little as $1.14 today.   Also, legal reform group HALT

has an online brochure, “Before Your Hire a Lawyer,” that lists your  

rights as a consumer of legal services and the kinds of information

and treatment you should expect from a lawyer.

 

 

first snow falling
I trust in his hand…
bridge by the gate

 

 

entrusting it to young folk
I sleep…
cozy wood fire

 

trusting its fate
to the autumn wind…
duckweed

Kobayashi Issa 

       translated by David G. Lanoue  

 

                                                                                                                                             “EyeChartN”

Political and humor junkies better head right over to catch the

first online animated campaign commercial in Kinky Friedman’s

2006 independent race to be governor of Texas.  It’s called I Looove Texas,

 

As the weblog post launching the ad explains:

Narrated by Friedman, “I Looove Texas” features

endangered cowboys, sexy cheerleaders, and stereotypical politicians

proclaiming their love for Jesus.   It shows Texas through the

unconventional eyes of Kinky and reminds Texans they have another

choice for governor next year-a true Texas independent. 

 

“I grew up in Texas, I played music in Texas, I wrote my mystery

novels in Texas, and I have traveled the world, but Texas is my home,”

Friedman says in his KinkyToon(TM).

Not having a giant campaign warchest, the mystery-writing-ex-country-rocker

says, “We’re asking our supporters to distribute the ad to friends and family

so that it spreads like a bad rumor.”   It left me smilin’, so pass it on.

 

  We reviewed Kinky’s latest nonfiction book, Texas Hold ‘Em:

How I Was Born in a Manger, Died in the Saddle, and Came

Back as a Horny Toad (St. Martin’s Press, 2005), here.

 

 

a flea jumps

in the laughing Buddha’s

mouth

 

 

 

 

 

autumn’s first geese
crapping on people
fly on

 

 

 

Kobayashi Issa 

       translated by David G. Lanoue  

 

 

 

                                  

 

 

 

abandoned still–

broken mason jars

sparkle in the moss

 

 

 

 

 

exploring the cave . . .

my son’s flashlight beam

disappears ahead

 

 

 

 

 

 

morning calm . . .

heavy with frost the leaves

continue to fall

 

 

 

 

 

closing-out auction–

the farmer clenches the muscles

in his cheek

 

 

Lee Gurga 

from Fresh Scent: Selected Haiku of Lee Gurga (Brooks Books, 1998) 

 

 

• 
  
  by dagosan                                         

three-years’ worth

of cobwebs — first,

he dusts off his Swiffer

 

 

                          [Sept. 27, 2005]

 

                      

Thanks to Todd “Mowabb” Chatman and Blawg Review #25, my newly-discovered

weblawg of the week is the two-day-old Law Spouse weblog.  It’s hosted by law-school

widow (and mother of two) “j spaulding.”  Law Spouse‘s tagline is “a blog community

for those who love a law student.”  The editor notes:

“If you’re married, law school and its attendant headaches affect BOTH 

of you, for good or for ill. It’s compounded by trying to work while you

attend law school — even more so if you have children (no matter what

their ages).

                                                                                               

“This blog is meant to not only relate my experiences as a law school 

widow — what works and doesn’t, fears and victories — but to act as a

venting place for other law school spouses who sometimes feel like

they’ve earned the right to have that “Juris Doctor” tattoed on their behinds,

as well.”

This weblog is a very good idea and I hope it will attract a broad following — with

the “community” offering a lot of “what works” and not just “what irks” when

trying to share a life with a law student.

still no wife
his voice grows hoarse…
katydid

Kobayashi Issa 

       translated by David G. Lanoue  

Finding Law Spouse, reminded me that I’ve been meaning to mention two books

that could be helpful for those who are trying to love a law student or a lawyer:

  (1) Should You Marry a Lawyer?: A Couples Guide to Balancing Work,

Love and Ambition, by Fiona Travis, PhD (Niche Press 2003).  A promotional piece

for this book (for which I cannot vouch) says: 

“You will learn …

The secrets behind the lawyer personality.
How lawyers differ from the rest of us.
How to love your lawyer without losing yourself.
How to argue with your lawyer … and survive.
How to build intimacy with the lawyer in your life.
How lawyers can be better, more loving parents.
How to keep billable hours from destroying your marriage
How to help your spouse find career satisfaction in or out of the law

“So, whether you date, live with, are engaged to, work

for … or are already married .. to a member of the bar, this book is for you! “

(2) Living with Lawyers, by Frances M. Weiner, et al. (Quarry Publishing, 2001).

This book “explores”:

– The Lawyer Personality – the traits successful lawyers share    
– What the lawyer has learned in law school that changes him/her forever
– The unique stresses of the legal profession

Living with Lawyers will empower people and help them improve your

relationship with a lawyer by revealing:

– The 7 Secrets to Living with Lawyers
– The most effective techniques to communicate with a lawyer
– How you and your lawyer can manage your stress
– How to love a lawyer without losing yourself

Both books are under twenty bucks.  The life you save may be your own.

hey big cat
shake a leg!
the wife calls

pretending not to see
his wife’s face…
defeated wrestler

Kobayashi Issa 

       translated by David G. Lanoue      

 Lawyers Choosing a Spouse:   When drafting his recent sermons

advocating self-assessment by law school applicants, students and lawyers, as

well as keeping one’s options open (and budget under control), Prof. Yabut

avoided an important topic that needs to be mentioned — who you choose to

marry.   This may sound obvious, but sometimes it is lost in the blush of

young love and lust, or inertia: marrying a spouse who, for all your good traits,

is also highly invested in the expected lifestyle and respectability of a financially-

successful lawyer, can greatly (1) limit your future career and life choices;

and (2) exacerbate forces within the profession that so often lead to a focus

on profits, power, and prestige rather than service to society. 

Which is to say: your spouse could be the one snapping on those golden 

handcuffs — or at least be an enabler or cheerleader as you attach that ball

‘n’ chain.  So, while you’re finding out your own values and priorities, make

sure you also know those of a prospective spouse (including once children

arrive), and she or he knows yours.   

spring rain–
in the wife’s sleeve
coins jingle

a wife, a child…
foretelling my fate?
blossoms scatter too

becoming beautiful
Buddhas, butterfly
husband and wife

Kobayashi Issa 

       translated by David G. Lanoue      

• by dagosan:  

“can I ask you a question?”

ducking, the law students says

“you just did”

              [Sept. 27, 2005]