Thursday, May 19, 2022

Kittens for Adoption

 

Happy Thursday!

As you all know, we had kittens born on April 1st in our office. We can't believe how quickly time has flown, but they are officially old enough and ready for their forever homes. We have three kittens left for adoption. Below I will include a picture of each and a short description.

Hobbes. Hobbes is a male, who we think will be a long hair. He is a bit shy at first but very playful once he gets warmed up to you. He loves to cuddle with his siblings and will make a good lap cat!

Brownie. Brownie is our only female left for adoption. As you can tell, it's hard to get a good picture of her because she is always moving and exploring. She's also a talker with lots of energy. She loves to climb and enjoys cuddles as well.

Joker. Joker is a male who lives up to his name. Being born on April 1st was no accident. He's the clown of the litter who loves to play wrestle with his siblings and enjoys toys too. He can be a bit of a talker but would much rather spend his time getting into mischief.

If you or someone you know is interested in one of these adorable balls of fur, please do not hesitate to contact our office. They are just the cutest!

Friday, May 13, 2022

How the Entertainment Industry Distorts the Legal Process

I absolutely love crime/legal TV and movies. I grew up watching Criminal Minds, Suits, Law and Order SVU, and all kinds of law-related movies. While all entertaining and certainly ones that I could watch over and over, unfortunately, their depiction of the legal world is far from accurate.

Today I’d like to break down the inaccuracies of these movie/TV shows and hopefully shed some light on what you can actually expect if you should find yourself in the middle of a legal dispute.

Myth: Every Case is an Exciting Nail Biter

Reality = Let’s be honest. The crazed interviews, slamming hands on the table, running to the courthouse, and being dramatic in front of a jury are all for the camera. In reality, cases involve a lot of paperwork, and time, and to be completely truthful can occasionally be boring. But that’s the job. The day-to-day life of real lawyers is never accurately depicted on TV but is essential all the same.

Myth: Court Cases Move at Light Speed

Reality = Legal claims take time. There are depositions, consultations, mediation, and a number of other factors that can cause a case to take weeks, months, and, if especially complicated, years. Unlike the trial that takes 15 minutes on Law and Order, a real court case will likely take a great deal of time.

Myth: All lawyers spend most of their time in the courtroom

Reality = A lot of what a lawyer does involves sitting behind a desk, organizing paperwork, conversing with opposing counsel, or being involved in events outside of the courtroom. Unlike shows like Suits where every attorney in the office has their day in court, some lawyers actually never have to attend a trial in a courtroom and that is just fine, as not every case should go to trial.

Myth: There is always “surprise evidence” or “surprise witnesses”

Reality = All of those “surprises” you see on TV are not possible in the real world. Lawyers are bound by rules of Evidence and Ethics and hiding evidence from other lawyers or clients could lead to that lawyer being reprimanded and potentially disbarred. That “gotcha” moment is only meant for TV.

Myth: Lawyers will try to win by any means necessary

Reality = As stated above, lawyers are bound by rules of ethics. Not to mention, most lawyers will not try to win every case at the expense of truth/honesty. Deceit could lead to losing your license, humiliating yourself, and throwing away all of the hard work that got you to be a lawyer.

I hope you found today’s blog helpful. While I am sure you love legal dramas as much as I do, it is important to know that what the entertainment industry depicts is far from the reality you will experience if you have a legal issue. Should you have any further questions, feel free to call our office!

***This blog is meant to be informational only and nothing in this blog constitutes legal advice of any form. If you have further questions about the legal process, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

 Sources: 

https://www.paralegaledu.org/2017/10/5-ways-movies-and-tv-get-the-legal-process-wrong/?msclkid=80f957efd05d11ec8dd074e4c3dc4973 https://steadfastclash.com/the-latest/10-lies-about-the-legal-system-we-learned-from-movies-tv/?msclkid=4cc6ab4bd05f11ec88b21e81b2e28e3f 

https://www.looper.com/143427/false-things-tv-legal-dramas-made-you-believe/?msclkid=eb3ba8cad06211ec81d1a66fb5ee4b26

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Legal Tips Everyone Should Know

Hi all! Happy Thursday! 

Time for another post about important tips and tricks everyone should know when it comes to the legal world. Check out the sources listed below if you are interested in learning even more!

1.) Never sign anything without also getting a copy

-Keeping documentation of things that you have signed, even if they seem insignificant can go a long way in making sure that any obligations you agreed to are met. This way, if someone is not holding up their end of the agreement or accusing you of not doing so, you have the evidence necessary to support your position.

2.) Get agreements in writing

-This may seem like a burden when you just think a discussion or handshake will do, but it will save you a huge headache in the long run. Having the agreement in writing is concrete evidence that something has been agreed to, and will go a long way in helping to support whatever your claim may be.

3.) Employers and employees are protected by the law

-Employers should work with attorneys to make sure they are complying with the rules and regulations necessary to avoid legal claims by their employees. And employees should know that they are protected from various actions by their employer and have the ability to seek an attorney if they feel that they need one.

4.) We are attorneys, not magicians

-Your attorney will do everything in their power to get the best possible outcome for your case. However, sometimes that is not how the court rules or how your case ends up. Know that your attorney is on your side, but they can’t wave a magic wand and give you everything you want. You have to trust they will do their best.

5.) Attorneys are not here to judge you

-In order to serve you best, you need to be completely open and honest with your attorney. Some things may be personal or embarrassing, but your attorney is there to help you, not to judge you based on your past actions or choices. Attorneys are here to represent you in the best way that they can.

6.) Don’t wait to consult with an attorney

-Not only do many attorneys offer free consultations, but they almost always know how to navigate the legal maze better than you. Consulting with an attorney will give you peace of mind that you are not wasting your time and can achieve the best outcome possible for your case or claim.

I hope you all found this helpful and informative. Marcie Baker is always ready to help you with your case. We look forward to hearing from you!

**This blog is informational and the thoughts and facts included do not constitute legal advice of any form. If you have a question regarding a case or claim that you may have, please reach out to our office to schedule your free consultation. 

Sources: https://www.mccartylarsen.com/10-legal-tips.html 

https://gisondolaw.com/five-things-attorneys-want-to-tell-their-clients/#:~:text=%20Here%20are%20five%20important%20things%20that%20attorneys,not%20magicians.%20Sometimes%2C%20even%20when%20an...%20More%20

Time to Say Goodbye

Happy Thursday, all! Enjoy this upcoming long weekend and the unofficial start to summer! Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and to...