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Family law attorneys are missing evidence on social networking sites 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: November 15, 2010

Tags: 20 Things Lawyers Need to Know in 2011, divorce, evidence, Facebook, social media, social networking, Twitter

The undeniable popularity of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites has opened up a potential treasure trove of legal evidence, especially in divorce cases where a person’s whereabouts, “friends” and employment status are often relevant.

But many divorce lawyers are missing the boat.

Don’t get hit with an overtime claim 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: November 15, 2010

Tags: 20 Things Lawyers Need to Know in 2011, employee misclassification, fair labor standards act, FLSA, overtime, paralegals, support staff

As overtime violations surge, even lawyers are falling into the trap of misclassifying their employees – and they are being sued for it.

Settlement sessions go high-tech 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: November 15, 2010

Tags: 20 Things Lawyers Need to Know in 2011, ADR, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, PowerPoint, risk analysis software, settlements, technology

Savvy attorneys are starting to use technology to speed settlement talks and mediation sessions.

Creating effective e-briefs 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: September 24, 2010

Tags: electronic briefs, technology

Electronic briefs – PDF files created from regular Microsoft Word documents using Adobe Acrobat – are the next frontier for the legal profession, according to Brett Burney of Burney Consultants LLC in Ohio, technology editor for GP Solo online magazine.

E-mail program helps users avoid sending hostile e-mail 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: September 22, 2010

Tags: e-mail, ToneCheck

Almost everyone has been in a situation where an e-mail that they sent was misinterpreted by the receiver, but a new product may help avoid such awkward situations altogether.

California litigants can choose trials with time limits 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: August 31, 2010

Tags: jury trial, peremptory challenges

California lawmakers have unanimously approved a bill that allows civil litigants to opt for trials with time limits and smaller juries.

Risk-utility test to be used for design defect claims 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: August 27, 2010

Tags: consumer expectations test, design defect, risk-utility test, rollover

The risk-utility test is the appropriate test for determining unreasonable dangerousness in a product liability suit over an allegedly defective rear occupant restraint system, the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in overturning a $31 million verdict.

Bluebook approves citations to Internet sources 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: August 24, 2010

Tags: Bluebook, citations, internet sources

The latest edition of The Bluebook citation guide allows attorneys to cite Internet sources in the same way print sources are cited.

Federal parental kidnapping law doesn’t deprive state court of jurisdiction 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: August 23, 2010

Tags: custody, Federal Kidnapping Prevention Act, jurisdiction

The federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act doesn’t deprive a state court of jurisdiction in a child protection case, Maine’s highest court has ruled.

General Motors recalls 250,000 vehicles due to seatbelt errors 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: August 18, 2010

Tags: General Motors, GM, recalls, seatbelt

General Motors is voluntarily recalling 243,403 vehicles worldwide to inspect second-row seatbelts that may not latch.