David C. Sarnacki recently was named a “Leading Lawyer” in Michigan Family Law. His past designations include selection as one of “The Best Lawyers in America,” designation as a “Michigan Super Lawyer,” and acceptance as a fellow in the Michigan State Bar Foundation. Mr. Sarnacki concentrates his practice in the areas of family [...]

Posted in Contributors, Divorce Grand Rapids, Gentler Divorce, Host, Something Different, The Practice No Comments »

The Las Vegas Review-Journal spotlighted the Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling allowing a son–an attorney–to represent his father in a divorce action against his mother.
Ed Vogel writes (excerpt):
In the decision written by Justice James Hardesty, the court said that several Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct allow a lawyer to represent a family member and that “no [...]

Posted in Something Different, The Practice No Comments »

CNN and all other media outlets have reported on United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas breaking his nearly seven-year silence on Monday during oral arguments.
CNN reported (excerpt): “The next words were hard to hear in the back-and-forth between the justices. But Thomas made a joke about the competence of Yale lawyers [...]

Posted in Something Different, The Practice No Comments »

David Sarnacki has been selected by attorneys and judges for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, 19th Edition. His peer-review selection includes three areas: Family Law; Family Law Mediation; and Collaborative Law–Family Law.

Posted in Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Grand Rapids, General, Mediation/ADR, Something Different, The Practice No Comments »

The ABA General Practice-Solo Section shows what might happen when you disconnect from technology–you might just think!
Steve Andersen writes (excerpt):
But are we forgetting what it’s like to take our time and to think, process, and create? To do one thing at a time? To do it well? And to actually enjoy it? Studies show that [...]

Posted in Something Different, Technology, The Practice No Comments »

The Grand Rapids Press notes the passing of attorney Bob Dugan.
Heidi Fenton writes (excerpt):
Robert Dugan loved being involved with his community, a trait he built on for decades since signing onto the downtown law firm Rhoades McKee in the 1970s.
****
He noted that Mr. Dugan’s compassion for clients and for the community as a whole will [...]

Posted in General, The Practice No Comments »

The New York Times reminds us that trial is inherently uncertain, a gamble that often does not payoff. The study to be published in September’s Journal of Empirical Legal Studies showed that 61 percent of plaintiffs who rejected settlement offers got less at trial and 24 percent of defendants who rejected offers paid more, [...]

Posted in General, Persuasion/Advocacy, The Practice No Comments »

The ABA Journal includes advice what to do when you have to fire a client, usually for not paying legal fees, leaving out important facts and documents, having unrealistic expectations, or being uncooperative or unethical.
Brian Sullivan writes (excerpt)
1. Give reasonable notice of the end of representation [opportunity to hire alternate counsel; termination letter; reminder of [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The California Supreme Court disqualified an attorney who used opposing counsel’s notes of a meeting with expert witnesses. In Rico v. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the court stated:
Here we consider what action is required of an attorney who receives privileged documents through inadvertence and whether the remedy of disqualification is appropriate. We conclude that, under [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The Grand Rapids Pressnotes the passing of former State Bar president, gentleman-litigator and family man Stephen Bransdorfer, at age 77 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Barton Deiters writes (excerpt):
His skill and willingness to serve was recognized by governors, presidents and fellow attorneys, who honored him with appointments and awards, the last being the Roberts P. [...]

Posted in The Practice 1 Comment »

The Grand Rapids Press notes the passing of retired U.S. District Judge Douglas Hillman, a favorite among attorneys practicing in federal court:
Judge Hillman, 84, who had a passion for training young lawyers, suffered a stroke in 2000 that slowed him down. His health took a turn for the worse last month.
****
Judge Hillman will be remembered [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The State Bar of Michigan obtained a permanent injunction in Grand Rapids (Kent County) against the “We the People USA, Inc.,” and its franchises in the state from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. Apparently, “We the People of West Michigan LLC” drafted a defective special needs trust for an elderly individual, and [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The ABA includes a pdf paper from the last Tech Show on how to avoid the top ten causes of malpractice. The presenters were Mark C.S. Bassingthwaighte, Risk Management Coordinator, Attorneys Liability Protection Society, and Reba J. Nance, Director, Law Practice and Risk Management, Colorado Bar Association.

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

Judge Patricia D. Gardner received the Michigan CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Jurist of the Year award, recognizing her for exemplifying the best attributes of a Family Court Judge.
The press release quoted one CASA staff member as stating, “Judge Gardner has a wonderful ability to communicate clearly and sincerely to parents and is tireless [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The American Bar Association’s Section of Family Law has adopted Civility Standards. The Standards address the responsibility of the family lawyer to be civil to clients, opposing counsel, and the court.
I. To Client
1. Treat the client with respect.
2. Try to keep the client on an even emotional keel and
avoid characterizing the actions of [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The Grand Rapids Press reports on the candidates forum sponsored by the Family Law Section.
Elizabeth Piet includes comments from her interviews with two members of the audience (excerpt):
Alan Bedell, 66, of Grand Rapids Township, came into the forum with no knowledge of the candidates but came out impressed with Murkowski’s knowledge and his recall of [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The State Bar of Michigan is honoring Leslie C. Curry with an Unsung Hero Award for “[exhibiting] the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others.” Leslie is the Litigation Director and a staff attorney for Western Michigan Legal Services of Grand Rapids and is being honored for 25 years of [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

Law Practice Today focuses on the fit between an attorney and a client.
Dee Crocker writes (excerpt):
The most important rule in getting paid is selecting clients who are willing and able to pay for your time. Otherwise, you may find yourself providing pro bono services on cases that you accepted because you expected them to generate [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

The New York Times shows the mess that sometimes flows from the family to the court and out into the parking lots.
Avi Salzman writes (excerpt):
Mr. Spears said he used to work on criminal cases, but rarely did those clients give him the chills like some of the people in his divorce cases.
“I represented some bad [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »

Slate examines President George Bush’s relationship to his Attorney General, passing along some general comments on lawyering along the way.
Dahlia Lithwick writes (excerpt):
One of the most striking legacies of my brief foray into the wonderful world of divorce law was the observation of this difference between wealthy clients and normal ones: The wealthy clients, particularly [...]

Posted in The Practice No Comments »