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This article discusses the importance of incorporating funeral planning into estate planning practices. It explains that under common law, a dead human body is considered quasi-property belonging to the nearest relative, and therefore, the right and duty of disposition is granted to the nearest family members. However, as families become more complex and options for disposition increase, the authority established by disposition directives during the preplanning process has become increasingly important. The article provides a case study highlighting the complexities that can arise when there are disagreements among family members regarding the deceased's final wishes. It emphasizes the need for proper funeral planning and the importance of having separate, accessible documents for disposition instructions. The article also discusses the broader aspects of funeral planning, such as preferences for funeral details and the handling of cremated remains. It suggests that attorneys can play a role in assisting clients with funeral planning, either by initiating discussions and making referrals or by helping set up and fund funeral expense trusts or preneed policies. The article concludes by emphasizing the value of providing comprehensive care to clients and ensuring that their final wishes are respected with dignity and respect. [Extracted from the article]

The rise of legal AI tools is expanding access to affordable legal services, allowing consumers to obtain customized legal documents and legal advice at a lower cost than traditional lawyers. To mitigate UPL risks, providers of AI legal tools should distinguish between legal information and legal advice, use clear disclaimers, educate users about the tool's limitations and ensure data privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Natalie Harsdorf, head of the Austrian Federal Competition Authority, is presented wherein he talks about the structure and tasks of the Austrian Federal Competition Authority, how large is the Competition Authority, and the number of notifications that the Authority sees.

Properly implemented document automation can drive productivity gains, cost savings, and competitive advantage for law firms through optimized document production Document automation uses software to automatically generate common legal documents from templates and predefined processes, saving attorneys time on routine drafting. Major acquisitions in recent years like Clio's acquisition of Lawyaw (renamed Clio Draft) and NetDocuments' acquisition of Afterpattern (renamed PatternBuilder) indicate growing potential for document automation platforms in the legal industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the rise of electronic signatures and the shift towards virtual closings in the modern world. It explains the validity of electronic signatures under various laws and regulations, such as the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act (UETA) and the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN). The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital transactions, and electronic signatures have become the norm in many countries, including Japan. The article also highlights the benefits of eSignature platforms, factors to consider when evaluating them, and the importance of security, compliance, and identity verification. It concludes by emphasizing the need for attorneys to carefully choose the best eSignature software for their firm and clients. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the job of drafters of legal instruments such as statutes, regulations, contracts, wills and the like. Topics discussed include the author's view on writing definitions as a professional lexicographer, background of a case in which a patent drafter defined throttling-valve, and reasons why legal drafters are urged to be abstemious lexicographers.

This article offers eight strategies for improving legal writing. It emphasizes the importance of creating documents that are easy to understand and persuasive. The strategies include tips on writing a first draft, knowing the audience, organizing the document, using visuals, being succinct, avoiding legalese, using active voice, and revising thoroughly. The goal of these strategies is to help lawyers create clear and effective legal documents. Additionally, Katherine Mikkelson discusses the importance of using concise and active language in writing, providing examples of nominalizations and suggesting the use of active verbs for improved clarity and impact. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the repercussions of providing inaccurate answers in legal settings, using the example of Claudine Gay's testimony on Harvard's policies regarding hate speech. Topics include the importance of thorough preparation for witnesses, the nuances of answering yes-or-no questions, and the significance of understanding legal documents to avoid misinterpretations and maintain credibility in court.

South Africa will likely seeincreased adoption of technology by legalprofessionals, greater collaboration betweenlaw firms and tech companies, andthe emergence of innovative, homegrownsolutions tailored to the unique needsof the South African legal landscape. THE FUTURE OF LEGAL TECH ININDIA The collaboration between the government,judiciary, lawyers, clients, and techcompanies is the future of legal tech inIndia. [Extracted from the article]

Sometimes I am asked, "Why is it the case that the UK merger control authority is looking at deals between non-UK businesses, two U.S. companies merging? And I will just add in addition to our fabulous work with the FTC we have state disgorgement still available for us in many states and we have state civil penalties. Section 2: Until the Antitrust Division brought its case against Google along with our state AG counterparts in 2020, it had been over twenty years since the last filed standalone Section 2 litigation case, United States v. Microsoft. The proposed rulemaking by the FTC will preempt these varying state laws and move the enforcement regime to the federal government and away from these experienced state enforcers. State enforcement actually predates federal antitrust enforcement, and there are many states that have anti-monopoly principles built in as fundamental rights in state constitutions. [Extracted from the article]

The AI-Powered Contract Abstracter The obvious first use for AI is reading and extracting information from legal and business documents. What I saw fell into five categories: (1) the AI-powered contract abstracter, (2) the AI-empowered "virtual receptionist" and intake clerk, (3) the AI-enhanced litigation support paralegal team, (4) the AI-turbocharged research engine, and (5) the AI-adjacent contract reviewer and drafting assistant. They will enable transaction attorneys to write better contracts, contract managers to better understand their portfolios, litigation attorneys to have more insight into their cases, and appellate attorneys to write better legal briefs. [Extracted from the article]

In the absence of specific state rules governing drafting of mediation agreements, a lawyer-mediator is left to navigate an ethical minefield. A successful divorce mediation culminates in the memorializing and signing of an agreement resolving the economic issues. Rule 20:2.4 provides that the drafting of documents does not create a client-lawyer relationship between the lawyer and a party; however, the lawyer shall exercise the same competence and due diligence as the ethical rules require for a lawyer representing the parties to the mediation. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the impact of the Starbucks unionization effort on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB has experienced a significant increase in workload due to the Starbucks campaign, with 566 union elections administered and 10,916 Starbucks employees becoming unionized. This workload includes processing unfair labor practice charges, issuing board decisions, and litigating in various courts. The NLRB has also engaged numerous outside lawyers for this effort. The article argues that this level of resource expenditure highlights the inefficiency of the current labor law regime and raises questions about the NLRB's capacity to handle larger-scale unionization efforts. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports that the trials and evidentiary hearings pose challenges that discovery does not. Topics include examines those proceedings move faster, less predictably, and in front of audiences that assess performance and considered during discovery as study a document request, reflect on it, walk around the block and ponder whether they have an objection.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) held its 41st Session of the Assembly in Montreal from September 27, 2022, to October 7, 2022. The informal legal advisers (outside of the Legal Committee of the Council of ICAO) who worked assiduously to share and develop the competency framework for enhancing the skills and knowledge of civil aviation legal advisers have to be commended. Its aim is to provide aviation security middle and senior management personnel with new management skills and a greater understanding of the application of the [SARPs] contained in Annex 17 [to the Chicago Convention] [Aviation Security], while maintaining a creative and pedagogic philosophy. It is noted that a good portion of the subjects identified in the appendix to the working paper involve ICAO's work, which is appropriate as a legal adviser must be conversant with civil aviation at the highest level of international cooperation. [Extracted from the article]

RETHINK YOUR PRACTICE AREAS A law firm engaged in practice areas that the lawyers love is more likely to be a flourishing law firm. A flourishing law firm consists of satisfied clients, employees with a sense of well-being and lawyers who value what they do. I recently found LinkedIn profiles such as: "Liz Jones, Lawyer at Doe Law Firm", "Matt Ford, Lawyer at Smokey Stanley LLC" or "John Ellison, Corporate Lawyer." Employees who feel valued in such a manner are more likely to actively participate in the law firm's efforts to provide quality work and great client service. [Extracted from the article]

CONCLUSION Managing a boutique personal injury law firm can be challenging due to the complex nature of personal injury cases, which require a deep understanding of medical and legal issues and can be emotionally challenging for clients. Managing a boutique personal injury law firm is no easy task. Personal injury law firms often rely on case management software, document management systems, and other tools to streamline their operations, manage client information, and track case progress. [Extracted from the article]

TITLE COMMITMENTS A title commitment is the documentcreated by the title companyas a commitment to issue a titleinsurance policy. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A TITLE REPORT Title reports are essential in helpingdiscover any issues that can affectthe ownership or title to a property. ACQUIRING TITLE Ownership of a property is representedby a legal document such asa deed or certificate of title. As the industry grew, title companiesbegan providing essentialservices to real estate buyers, sellers,lenders, brokers, attorneys,developers, builders, and others. [Extracted from the article]

When the Supreme Court's members find that the most plausible reading of a law would make it unconstitutional, what should the Court do? The Executive Vesting Clause is one of three originalist pillars for the unitary executive theory, the idea that the President possesses executive powers like removal without congressional limitations (that is, the powers are indefeasible). In the area of electric grid governance, the federal government enlists independent, private entities called regional transmission organizations (RTOs) to implement federal policy and achieve state energy goals. [Extracted from the article]

Including an acknowledgment clause helps mitigate liability on the part of the firm and attorney in the event the client brings an action against the firm or attorney. Client authorizes the Firm to endorse checks payable to Client and to deposit the funds in Firm's lawyer's trust fund for Client's account. CLIENT COOPERATION: Client agrees to be truthful with Attorney, to cooperate, to keep Attorney informed of any information or developments that may come to Client's attention, and to abide by this agreement. Engagement letters detail client-attorney relationships from the scope of representation to compensation. [Extracted from the article]

When IG investigators followed the money, they discovered that April Wilson's money and her husband's money was placed into a series of personal and business bank accounts owned or managed by Douglas. Substantiated allegations of fraud in guardianships with the notion of court-oversight deteriorates the public's trust. The Fraud Triangle, which can be used to understand guardianship fraud includes l pressure; 2 opportunity; and 3 rationalization, (13) All persons within their individualized realized levels of pressure, opportunity, and rationalization will commit fraud. Bank records revealed that Douglas transacted a teller withdrawal totaling $55,197, and the withdrawal slip was signed by Douglas as "Guardian for the Ward.". [Extracted from the article]

With the promulgation of revised Rule 5.4, the Utah Court approved a pilot program allowing lawyers to share fees with nonlawyers and permitting lawyers to practice with nonlawyers. In addition, only lawyers and other individuals licensed or certified by the Arizona Supreme Court may provide legal services. The rule also requires lawyers to provide written notice to a prospective client that one or more nonlawyers holds a financial interest in the organization in which the lawyer practices or that one or more nonlawyers exercises managerial authority over the lawyer, and advise the client in writing about the financial and managerial structure of the organization in which the lawyer practices. [Extracted from the article]

Had such documents been in place, S.T.'s attorney and the trial court would have had an attorney-infact appointed by S.T. herself to look to rather than appointing the guardian ad litem to determine S.T.'s capacity and to make the settlement decision. The decision also does not address the fundamental issue of whether S.T. had the capacity to retain attorneys, but the 1515 Broad court emphasizes that S.T.'s attorney was acting in good faith. The New Jersey Supreme Court addresses appropriate procedures in the context of a court proceeding but does not necessarily address the responsibilities of a lawyer in a nonlitigation context, such as an estate planning lawyer. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the concept of the "imitation game" proposed by Alan Turing in 1950, which tests whether a machine can think by comparing its responses to those of a human. It explores the challenges and potential problems that arise when computers are able to produce responses that are indistinguishable from humans, such as bias and hallucinations. The article emphasizes the need for legal and moral frameworks to ensure responsible use of AI technology, and highlights the work of the ABA's Presidential Task Force on the Law and Artificial Intelligence. It also mentions the potential benefits of AI in legal education and access to justice, but cautions against the unintended consequences and risks that may arise. The article concludes by referencing Albert Einstein's perspective on the responsible use of scientific discoveries and emphasizes the importance of considering the moral implications of AI. [Extracted from the article]

Using document assembly software, you can create a shell template that contains instructions to insert designated templates into the main template at run-time or to assemble a collection of individual documents with a single interview. To convert an ordinary template into a "master template" you need to compare the base template to your similar templates and add in all the alternative language you find in your other templates. A more consistent styling will also allow lawyers to create a package of templates with correct styling and numbering across several templates at a time. Template Consolidation We will call templates that you identified the new "base templates.". [Extracted from the article]

I sold the condo and made my second purchase, which was a four-bedroom, two-bath house also in Glendale, California. I sold my condo on the 19th floor and purchased a penthouse unit on the 32nd floor. I've been an attorney since December 10, 1996, but I've been a real estate investor for more than 30 years and a serial entrepreneur for more than 37 years. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses How to Fix Formatting Problems in Microsoft Word, which includes formatting disagreement arises because most Word users aren't even aware that every document comes with built in default formatting; and even if they are aware of this, they don't know how to change it, the vast majority of new documents in a law practice are created from existing documents previously drafted for other clients or cases.

And if the witness resides outside of the trial court's jurisdiction, state and local prosecutors are required to file applications to compel the witness's testimony through the domestication of a trial subpoena. Any concern about prosecuting for perjury a witness testifying remotely can be addressed with a statutory amendment that the witness can be prosecuted where the testimony is uttered or received. Not requiring witnesses to testify in person simply to authenticate documents or explain routine processes would shorten trials and enable counsel to introduce testimony in a more cohesive manner for the trier of fact. Livestreaming would significantly reduce the financial burden to the party calling the witness, eliminate any personal inconvenience to the witness, and minimize the operational disruption to the witness's employer. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Document assembly (DA) which is a disruptive technology and its impact on legal services. Topics discussed include the use of software to generate customized Microsoft Word documents, DA provides intelligent language building and a short list of prominent options such as ActiveDocs, Aurora and Bighand Create.

THE TROUBLE WITH ONLINE "LEGAL" PLATFORMS I had always been cynical of DIY-type models fortransactional type work such as contracts and wills, andI was especially concerned when these companies tackledassistance for an actual legal action. Our experience atLevine Family Law was almost always "DIY stinks", and weeven have a "wall of shame" primarily dedicated toproblems that clients had with existing DIY services. THE SOLUTION I know it's easy for lawyers to be skeptical of DIY law,and many turn their back on DIY options. [Extracted from the article]

As tempting as it can be to turn to social media during a family law case, it is important to limit or stop using these platforms during a divorce or custody action to limit the dissemination of information that could serve as harmful evidence in your case. Social media use continues to rise at an exponential rate through an ever-increasing number of platforms across all demographics. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the practice management priorities for lawyers for 2019. Topics discussed include evolution in the profession, practice and business of law; commodification and open sourcing of legal documents; and preparation of legal documents for clients. Also being discussed is rationing time and estimating fees.

The article focuses on building a law practice centered around core values, exemplified by Kim Wright's journey and her establishment of a practice aligning with her values. Topics include evolving legal practices, global systems change, and the integration of personal values into legal documents and consulting services.

The article focuses on legal writing. It mentions about following modes of persuasion, establishing beats and rhythm in prose, and looking for correct figure of speech. It also informs that final sentence begins by returning to a 3-beat line, because jumping directly to 4 beats after the 2-beat resolution might seem too much of a leap.

The article reports on the importance of financial documents in finding hidden income. Topics mentioned include the several forms of financial documents including loan and leasing applications, tax returns, and divorce decrees, the importance of business documents in determining income, and the guidelines for reviewing financial statements. Also mentioned are the several factors that needs to be examined to protect clients including compensation, pension income, and depreciating assets.

The article offers information on the prevention of error in document discovery and seek a 502(d) order. Topics discussed include inadvertently producing privileged information; failing to produce responsive documents; and failing to preserve responsive material. It also discusses the preparation of a witness for deposition and reviewing documents.

The article offers oral argument tips to lawyers from a battle-hardened appellate veteran and an appellate newcomer. Topics discussed include technological access to records and briefs; using humor while making argument; and never leave the court with the impression that you are hiding something or any facts.

However, immigration status does not affect people's need to plan for the distribution of their assets in a way that reflects their personal preferences, status, and values. Transferring wealth outside of probate is pref-erable for these communities, and estate attorneys must be able to flag this potential issue to cus-tomize an estate plan accordingly. Estate attorneys should team up with immigration attorneys to effectively transfer the wealth of their immigrant clients. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents suggestions for own legal representation while dealing with spouse's lawyer. Topics discussed include suggests to get help from a licensed attorney on discrete tasks of divorce, focus on tasks such as drafting documents and investigating facts; and investigate the lawyer's background along with meeting deadlines and follow up on promises to provide information or to follow agreed-upon guidelines.

The article focuses on the ethical considerations and potential issues related to lawyers signing documents on behalf of clients. It explores the implications of lawyers signing for clients without their explicit consent or misrepresenting the client's participation in signing the document. It further emphasizes the importance of adhering to ethical rules and guidelines regarding client communication, informed consent, and candor obligations.