Lawsuit Millionaires

Discover Financial Services Lawsuit Settlement

2011-12-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

Discover Card Class Action Settlement

Opening my Discover Card statement this week, a little loose leaf page fell out. It was covered with a list of court cases brought against Discover Financial Services, et al and DFS Services LLC. It states that it is regarding those enrolled in or billed for Discover payment protection, Accountguard, identity theft protection, and credit score tracker. It is between the dates of Jan 21, 2004 and Nov 9, 2011.

The notification is as follows:

If you were enrolled in or billed for Discover Payment Protection, Accountguard, Identity Theft Protection, Profile Protect, Wallet Protection, The Register and/or Credit Score Tracker between January 21, 2004 and Novemember 9, 2011, This notice describes your rights in connection with a settlement of lawsuit and your potential recovery.

You may be entitled to a payment under a proposed class action settlement. In the actions entitled Walker v. Discover Financial Services, et al. (N.D. III. Case No. 10-cv-06994-JWD), Callahan v. Discover Financial Services, et al. (N.D. III. Case No. 1:10-cv-07181-JWD), Alexander v. Discover Financial Services, et al. (D.S.C. Case No. 7:10-cv-02754-HMH), Sack v. DFS Services LLC, et al. (W.D. Tenn. Case No. 2:10-cv-02906-JPM), Boyce v. DFS Services LLC, et al. (E.D. Pa. Case No. 2:11-cv-00265-LLD), Conroy v. Discover Financial Services, et al. (C.D. Cal. Case No. 2:10-cv-5260-MMM-E), Triplett v. Discover Financial Services, Inc., et al. (S.D. Fla. Case No. 1:11-cv-20519-AJ) and Carter v. Discover Financial Services, Inc., et al. (E.D. Pa. Case No. 2:11-cv-01656-BMS)(collectively, the "Actions"), Plaintiffs challenge as improper certain of Discover Bank's ("Discover") alleged marketing, enrollment, pricing and administration practices for its Discover Payment Protection (formerly known as Discover AccountGuard) ("DPP"), Identity Theft Protection (formerly known as "Profile Protect") ("ITP"), Wallet Protection (formerly known as "The Register") ("WP") and Credit Score Tracker ("CST") products (together, the "Products"). Discover vigorously denies these allegations and denies any claims of wrongdoing. However, in settlement of the Actions, Discover has agreed to establish a settlement fund of $10.5 million. This notice is only a summary. Details of this settlement, including information on how to file a claim, are available at http://www.walkersettlement.com or by writing to or calling the Settlement Administrator at the address or toll-free number below.

Discover's records indicate that you may be a member of the Settlement Class because you were enrolled in or billed for a Product at some time between January 21, 2004 and November 9, 2011. Class members may (1) file a claim for money from the settlement, (2) exlcude themselves from the settlement, or (3) object to the settlement. Class Counsel estimate that settlement payments will be between $10 and $60, but could be more or less based on factors including the number of claims submitted and the amount of fees you paid. You have the right to cancel your enrollment, call 1-800-347-5538.

You cannot receive a payment unless your claim is received by June 6, 2012. In addition to payments to the Settlement Class Members, the settlement provides for not more than $3,500,000 in attorney's fees, costs and $2,500 service awards for the representative plaintiffs to be sought from the Court by counsel for the Settlement Class. Remaining monies will paid to charity.

If you do not want to be legally bound by the settlement (and receive no money from the settlement), the Settlement Administrator must receive your request for exclusion no later than March 23, 2012. The detailed notice fully explains how to exclude yourself or object.

If the settlement is approved, all Settlement Class Members who do not exclude themselves will be bound by any judgement entered whether or not it is favorable to the Settlement Class and they will give up the right to sue Discover or related parties for any known or unknown claims relating to the Products.

To obtain the instructions for excluding yourself, filing an objection or filing a claim, go to http://www.walkersettlement.com, or write or call the settlement administrator at P.O. Box 8023, Faribault, MN 55021-9423 or (866) 944-5034 (Toll-Free).

This is only a summary of the settlement and your rights. Do not call or write to the court or the clerk of the court. Do not contact Discover about the settlement. Telephone representatives are not authorized to change the terms of the settlement or this notice.

STA1211PPL 12-10031

Lawsuits - Should you Fight or Settle?

2011-11-17T00:53:00.001-08:00

In this day and age where the words “I’ll see you in court” isalmost as common as “I’ll see you at lunch”, we no longer get surprised wheneven nicest people we know are embroiled in some kind of lawsuit. America hasbecome known as the country of litigation. Everywhere you see people suing eachother left and right for the smallest things. Now lawsuits don’t exactly comecheap. So the question is, should you fight or settle?

As a rule, it is usually better to settle out of court rather thantake a person to trial. It will save both of you a great deal of time, money,effort and aggravation. In deciding whether you should fight or settle, thereare many things you have to consider.

"Filing a lawsuit is very expensive..."

First, consider the amount you would have to spend in the lawsuit.Filing a lawsuit is very expensive, especially if big money is at stake. Youmight be able to save money by settling out of court.

Second, lawsuits can be very time consuming. Consult your lawyerand ask for an estimate on how much time the lawsuit might take. Factor in thedelays and other things that are beyond your control.

Third, consider your chances of winning. Look at cases similar toyours. How have they fared? If your chances for winning are slim then it mightbe best to settle. However, if too much is at stake then maybe it would bebetter to push through with the lawsuit. So again, it depends on the situation.

Fourth, publicity. You can’t keep a trial private. Anyone can justgo in and watch the proceedings. So unless you don’t want bad publicity or yourprivate affairs to be made public, it would be best to settle. There might besensitive personal information that can be divulged because of the trial. Orthey might be important trade secrets of your business that might have to berevealed in order for you to win the case. Consider what you are willing togive up in order for you to win the case. If it’s worth it, then by all means,fight for it. But if not, then let it go and settle.

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Defending Debt Collection Lawsuits

2011-06-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

Mistakes you should avoid

Mostly, people face problems with the lawsuits filed against them by debt collectors. The majority of people become so panicky that they make various mistakes while defending themselves against the collections lawsuit. Moreover, collection agencies are hard to handle. Thus, it becomes important for you to know how not to defend a debt collection lawsuit or the mistakes that you should avoid while defending yourself.

How not to defend debt collection lawsuits

First of all, in order to avoid making any kind of mistakes while defending yourself against a collection agency filing, it is important for you to know about the debt laws in your state. In order to do that you can take the help of an attorney. It is the lawyer, who can help you with better understanding of the laws related to debt collection, how the collection agencies are supposed to act and what are they prohibited from doing and what your options are as a debtor. While handling a court case, it is also better to get help from your legal adviser so that you cannot go wrong in any way.

You should know that basically a lawsuit is started by filing it with the court. Now, the FDCPA or the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act prohibits the debt collectors from filing the case in a court which is situated far away from the place of your residence. If this happens, you have the option to file a claim in the court and also file complaints against the collection agency with the Federal Trade Commission or the FTC and the State’s Attorney General. The lawyer can also help you in this.

Then after the case is filed, you are supposed to be served with a summons, to which you are required to respond. In this case too, it is better to take the help of your legal advisor. Attorneys are in general more experienced in dealing with such situations and answering to the summons in the right way. You should never make the mistake of attempting to defend yourself by not answering to the lawsuit.

Another mistake that most of the debtors make is that they didn’t have any account with the collection agency. But this is a silly thing to argue about and should be avoided anyhow while defending yourself against the collection lawsuit. You should know that debts can be sold off to debt buyers (collection agencies) by the creditor. If the debt buyer had legally bought the debt from the creditor, the agency has the right to try and collect the dues from you or even file a case against you (debtor).

In addition, you should not make the mistake of not checking with your credit report before going to the court. It is extremely important for you to be aware of the state of all of your accounts and this particular account against which the case has been filed. There are many such cases where case has been filed by collection agencies against accounts which were well beyond the Statute of Limitations or SOL. The SOL is the time limit within which the creditor or the collection agency can sue you for not paying off the debt. If you find out that the SOL on the debt against which the collection agency is suing you have expired, discuss it with your legal advisor and take the necessary steps to prove this in court. The collection agencies (and the creditors too) cannot pursue any lawsuit against you and win the same after the SOL on a debt has expired.

So, you will have to keep in mind all of these things while defending yourself against a debt collection lawsuit.

Guest post by Rebecca

Loyola Law School of Los Angeles

2011-03-07T22:45:00.000-08:00

Loyola Law School Los Angels

Loyola Law School

919 Albany Street

Los Angeles,
CA
90015

Aside from giving away a good grade point average, Loyola Law School of Los Angeles is a really great law school! This southern California branch opened its doors to the world in 1920 and is a division of Loyola Marymount University. It was also initially the premiere ABA-approved (American Bar Association) law school in California with requirements of pro bono work for graduation. Loyola also boasts Alumni representation in all 50 states!

Loyola Law School Facts

Loyola Law School of Los Angeles opened in 1920.
Accredited by the American Bar Association in 1937.
Designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry.
About half of the entering class, does so on grant assistance or scholarship.

Law Degrees Offered at Loyola Law School

Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor/Master of
Business Administration
Juris Doctor/Master of
Laws in Taxation
Master of Laws in Taxation

Scholarships and Tuition

Tuition for Loyola runs around $37,890 for a full-time law student, and around $25,340 for evening classes. Financial aid is available for most students, with around 85% receiving assistance in one form or another. Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships by the Admissions Office. Those who are awarded a full tuition scholarship, will still be responsible for mandatory fees and a stipend for books. Students interested in a scholarship to Loyola Law School should make sure to research the Fritz. B. Burns Scholarship, The Public Interest Scholars Program, Yellow Ribbon Award, Dean's Scholarship, and the Loyola Scholarships.

The Loyola Law School Campus

Loyola Law Campus

Loyola Law is located in the Pico-Union district, in the building that now houses the William M. Rains Library. Loyola Law School is on Albany Street, just off Olympic Boulevard and West 9th Street in Los Angeles, California. Just blocks away from the Good Samaritan Hospital. Another draw of the Pico-Union area is the South Bonnie Brae Tract Historic District (which can be find on the National Register of Historic Places), where you'll find blocks of homes that date to the 1890s and reflect Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architecture.

Loyola is quick drive off of the Harbor Freeway, at exit 22A. From the exit, take your first right on Blaine Street, then take your next left onto Olympic Boulevard. You'll find the campus two blocks down on the right.

Guest Post: Fom John

2011-01-23T23:08:00.000-08:00

Your Pet Parrot, Rat, or Snake is No Longer a Service Animal

Almost all of the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act are perfectly sensible on paper, and were written with the best of intentions: to ensure that individuals with physical disabilities do not face discrimination in employment, when their disability doesn’t affect their ability to do the job, and to ensure that businesses that serve the public are reasonably accessible to the disabled.

Few will argue that such measures are a bad thing in the abstract. However, I’ve discussed before how these laws can be abused, often placing a significant burden on small businesses. One abuse that I didn’t discuss, however, is the practice of designating virtually any pet, whether it’s a dog, monkey, spider, or snake, as a “service animal,” allowing their owners to take them into any business they like. This is because the Americans with Disabilities Act requires most businesses which disallow animals on the premises to make exceptions for service animals.

After a flurry of complaints from business-owners, the Obama administration has promulgated a new regulation, set to take effect on March 15, which limits the definition of “service animals” to dogs, with a few very narrow exceptions.

Most business owners will probably be pleased with this, because a well-behaved dog can be almost anywhere without causing any problems. And this may just be my own personal bias, but who doesn’t like dogs? Furthermore, this regulation should have few effects on many people who are actually disabled, and in need of a service animal, since the overwhelming majority of service animals are dogs, anyway.

And for many people who try to bring their non-canine pets wherever they want under the protection of the ADA, the disability they claim to be afflicted with is often questionable, at best.

These new regulations, if they end up being enforced (and, more importantly, business owners are apprised of their rights to eject disruptive animals and their owners from their businesses), should go a long way in mitigating some of the most ridiculous abuses of the ADA, while hopefully ensuring that it still protects the people it was meant to protect.

However, the ADA is a federal law. It applies nationwide, but is meant to lay out the bare minimum level of protection from discrimination that the disabled receive. Individual states can adopt laws that provide additional protections, and several have. For example, in California, protections for the disabled go much, much farther than the federal law. These additional protections take many forms, including a broader definition of what constitutes a disability, and much greater protections for service animals.

Again, when California lawmakers created these protections for the disabled, they probably had no clue that these well-intentioned rules would be abused.

What is the solution to this? Obviously, changing the law on this subject to make it clearer, thereby making outlandish interpretations of it less likely, would help. However, when it comes to civil rights laws, any change that does not unambiguously expand their scope runs the risk of being interpreted as a “rollback” of civil rights for a particular group.

So, lawmakers will have to tread very carefully in this area, to avoid the appearance that they’re trying to curtail the civil rights of disabled Americans. However, most mainstream groups that advocate for the disabled already acknowledge that abuse of laws like the ADA is a problem for everyone, including the disabled community; such abuse makes all disabled individuals, most of whom simply want a reasonable chance at the same economic opportunities that most people take for granted, and feel that people who abuse laws for their own convenience make people with real disabilities look bad.

Hopefully, with the support of the mainstream disabled community, making laws like the ADA less prone to abuse will become politically tenable.

Top 39 Law Schools of 2010

2010-08-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

This is a top 100 list compiled and ranked by U.S. News and World Report. This list of law schools of course is titled as the Top 39 Law Schools of 2010. That is because the periodical decided it would be a good idea to create so many ties, for the same positions. Hence, the shortened list. Shortened by 61 schools... ha ha, go figure. Those schools are:

Yale University
127 Wall Street, New Haven, CT 06511
Harvard University
1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
Stanford University
397 Panama Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2237
Columbia University
435 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027
University of Chicago
1111 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637-2776
New York University
40 Washington Square South, NY, NY 10012
University of California
71 Dodd Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095-0001
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
University of Michigan
625 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
University of Virginia
580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903-1738
Duke University
210 Science Drive, Durham NC 27708
Northwestern University
School of Law | 375 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611-3069
Cornell University
Myron Taylor Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850
Georgetown University
Law Center 600 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001
University of California
Los Angeles, Box 951476, Los Angeles, California 90095-1476
The University of Texas School of Law
727 East Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78705
Vanderbilt Univ Law School
131 21st Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203-1181
USC Gould School of Law
699 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130
The George Washington University Law School
2000 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052
University of Illinois College of Law
504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820
Boston University School of Law
765 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Emory University School of Law
1301 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta Georgia 30322 USA
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities
Walter F. Mondale Hall, 229-19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
University of Notre Dame Law School
P.O. Box 780 Notre Dame, IN 46556
University of Iowa
College of Law Admissions Office
The University of Iowa
320 Melrose Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52242-1113

Indiana University--Bloomington (Maurer)
211 South Indiana Avenue
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7001
Phone: (812) 855-4765

Boston College
College of William and Mary (Marshall-Wythe)
885 Centre Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02459
Phone: (617) 552-4340
University of California
71 Dodd Hall
Box 951445
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1445
(310) 825-2080
University of Georgia
225 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602-6012
(706) 542-5191
University of North Carolina
Van Hecke-Wettach Hall
160 Ridge Road, CB #3380
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3380
(919)962-5106
University of Wisconsin
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706-1399
(608) 262-1128

Fordham University | New York, NY
Ohio State University (Moritz) | Columbus, OH
University of Washington | Seattle, WA
Washington and Lee University | Lexington, VA

Arizona State University (O'Connor) | Tempe, AZ
University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL
University of Colorado | Boulder, CO
Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC

Brigham Young University (Clark) | Provo, UT
George Mason University | Arlington, VA
University of Arizona (Rogers) | Tucson, AZ
University of California (Hastings) | San Francisco, CA
University of Utah (Quinney) | Salt Lake City, UT

University of Florida (Levin) | Gainesville, FL

American University (Washington) | Washington, DC
Southern Methodist University (Dedman) | Dallas, TX
Tulane University | New Orleans, LA
University of Maryland | Baltimore, MD

Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA
Yeshiva University (Cardozo) | New York, NY

Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL
University of Connecticut | Hartford, CT

Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH
Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH
University of San Diego | San Diego, CA

Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA
University of Houston | Houston, TX
University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL
University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN

Baylor University (Umphrey) | Waco, TX
Lewis and Clark College (Northwestern) | Portland, OR
University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY

Brooklyn Law School | Brooklyn, NY
University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS
University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM
University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA
Villanova University | Villanova, PA

Pennsylvania State University (Dickinson) | University Park, PA
Seton Hall University | Newark, NJ
St. John's University | Jamaica, NY
Temple University (Beasley) | Philadelphia, PA
University of Hawaii--Manoa (Richardson) | Honolulu, HI
University of Oklahoma | Norman, OK

Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL
University of Nevada (Boyd) | Las Vegas, NV

Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) | Chicago, IL
Louisiana State University (Hebert) | Baton Rouge, LA
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey | Camden, NJ
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey | Newark, NJ
University of Denver (Sturm) | Denver, CO
University of Oregon | Eugene, OR

Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY
Indiana University | Indianapolis, IN
Northeastern University | Boston, MA
Seattle University | Seattle, WA
Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY
University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR
University of Richmond (Williams) | Richmond, VA

Chapman University | Orange, CA
Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA
University of Missouri | Columbia, MO
University of Nebraska | Lincoln, NE
West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV

Catholic University of America (Columbus) | Washington, DC
DePaul University | Chicago, IL
University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA
University of the Pacific (McGeorge) | Sacramento, CA
William Mitchell College of Law | St. Paul, MN

Chapman University School of Law in Orange, CA

2010-08-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

About Chapman University School of Law

Chapman University was actually named after the chairman of its board of trustees, an entrepreneur and benefactor named Charles Chapman. It is a school of Law and College of Educational Studies. Surprising for a private school, it is actually a nonprofit university that is located in Orange, California and is affiliated with the Christian Church.

"Chapman University School of Law opened in 1995 as Orange County’s only law school on a university campus. In 1997, construction began on a home for the school at a site that was once part of the historic Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, granted by the Spanish government in 1810."

-http://www.chapman.edu/law/about/chapmanhistory.asp

Ranked number 93 on the U.S. News & World Report 2010 Best Law Schools.

Juris Doctorate Program and Admissions

Degree seeking students can receive their Juris Doctorate through their Chapman legal education. The university has a vast criterion when determining admittance for their undergrads. You can find out more from the admissions page, but some of these items include:

The enrollee's LSAT score(s).
Ability to write
Foreign language skills
Letters of recommendation

Financial Aid

Chapman does offer financial aid to degree seeking, eligible students.Their is a range of programs offered: These programs include merit scholarships, Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Federal Perkins Loans, Graduate PLUS, private educational loans, Federal Work-Study, short-term emergency loans, and bar examination loans. More on Financial Aid.

Contact Chapman University School of Law

Chapman University School of Law
One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866
Phone: (714) 628-2500
Website: http://www.chapman.edu/law/about/chapmanhistory.asp

Directions

From the North: From the Riverside Fwy, transfer onto the south bound Orange Fwy (57). Exit off the freeway just after the Angel Stadium of Anaheim, left on W.Orangewood (turns into W. Walnut Ave). You'll find it a few blocks from Camino Real Park.
From the South: From the Garden Grove Fwy, turn Northbound at Hart Park onto S Glassell St. Continue north (thru the Plaza Square roundabout) until you reach Chapman.
From the East: From I-5 the Santa Ana Freeway, exit on the Eastbound Chapman Ave, toward Orange, CA. You'll pass St. Joseph Hospital by one block. Turn left on Glassell St and continue on to University Drive, which will be on your right.
From the West: From the Costa Mesa Freeway (55), almost equally between Handy Park and Yorba Park. Turn Westbound onto Walnut Ave. Continue on past N Cambridge St. Six blocks from N Cambridge, hang a left onto N Orange St toward Liberty Plaza.

Other Law Schools In The Area

American College Of Law, 100 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805
Western State University of Law, 1111 North State College Blvd. Fullerton, California 92831
Whittier Law School, 3333 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Wm Howard Taft University, 3700 S Susan St # 200, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Irvine University College of Law

2010-07-23T23:32:00.000-07:00

College of Law at Irvine University

The College of Law at Irvine University is located in Southern California, in the Long Beach and Anaheim area. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Vocational Education (BPPVE) was created by the State of California with the responsibility for approving and regulating private postsecondary educational institutions.

In 1993, the California Council for Private Postsecondary Vocational Education granted Irvine University institutional licensing under the provisions of Section 94900 of the California Education Code. Since then, the University has continually been authorized and approved to grant academic degrees in Business, Law, and Liberal Arts.

Registered as a law school with the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE)

The College of Law has been continually registered as a law school with the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) of the State Bar of California since 1993. Students who complete the prescribed course of study are eligible to take the State Bar Examination and upon successfully passage practice in the State and Federal courts of California. Commencing January 1, 2008 all registered law schools in California will be operated under the Unaccredited Law Schools Rules adopted by the State Bar Board of Governors on July 20, 2007.

LSAC

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) provides various
services to law schools such as the Law School Admission
Test (LSAT) that many applicants choose to take in the
admissions process. Irvine University College of Law takes part in LSAC
sponsored activities. The LSAC Code for Irvine University
College of Law is 4285. It also sponsors workshops and conferences
for law school administrators, deans, and registrars.

Driving Directions and Near By Amenities

Irvine University College of Law
10900 183rd Street, Cerritos, CA 90703-5342
(800) 433-3243
Website: http://www.irvineuniversity.edu/index.php/programs/college-of-law/

Irvine University College of Law is near the 605 San Gabriel River Freeway. If you are North bound on the 605 Fwy, take the 7A exit to Studebaker Rd. Take a right on Studebaker Rd, and follow it to 183rd St. Take a right, and the school will be a block down on the left hand side.

Southbound on the 605 Fwy - Take the 5B exit, near the Lexus of Cerritos dealership. Take a right on South St. At Cerritos Infiniti, take a right onto Studebaker Rd. Follow Studebaker Rd to 183rd St, and take a left. Irvine University College of Law will be on the left.

Landmarks you will find in the nearby area are the Best Plaza Shopping Center, Westgate Park, Valley Christian High School, and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse.

View Larger Map

Admissions Office:
(562) 865-7111
admissions@irvineuniversity.edu

Registrar’s Office:
(562) 865-7111
registrar@irvineuniversity.edu

Irvine University College of Law Reviews

Ron R. Said -
This school is geared toward the person who wants to earn a law degree and take the bar exam and still hold down a full time job. Classes are on the weekends and evenings. It has excellent professors who have practice law in the real world. The tuition is competitive with other schools in the area.
[Source - http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3710783142/irvine-university-college-law-cerritos]

Albert W. Said -
I loved this school so much that I became the alumni president for my school AND I donate money. How is that for a review?
[Source - http://www.yelp.com/biz/university-of-california-irvine-irvine-2?rpp=40&sort_by=relevance_desc&start=40]

Sean K. Said -
(...)I found half a dozen amazing professors, some of which I would meet after class at the UCI Pub for hours of debate and discussion over many many drinks. I met people from all over the world with various political views who were eager to share just as I was. I went to tons of events with focuses ranging from Irish history to promoting democracy in Russia to open forum debate on the middle east.

In regard to the non-academic events, I got to hang with Steve-0 and Wee man my freshman year when they visited our campus promoting their stunts, I saw tons of bands and frat dancing displays, and joined the Pre Law frat Phi Alpha Delta.

I know I've just listed my experiences here, but I truly feel that the variety of my life has decreased greatly since being at UCI. I grew to love the culture and was never intimidated for being the minority (caucasian). As always some professors were boring as hell and I slept through tons of classes, but the above poster who said college is what you make of it was right. This university has everything you need to get the degree and perspective required to succeed in adult life, but just like any other experience, if you truly want it, you'll have a much better time(...)
[Source -http://www.yelp.com/biz/university-of-california-irvine-irvine-2?rpp=40&sort_by=relevance_desc&start=40]

Other California Law Schools

Whittier Law School
3333 Harbor Boulevard
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1501
(714) 444-4141
Taft Law School
Taft Law School
3700 South Susan Street, Office 200
Santa Ana, CA 92704-6954
Admissions@TaftU.edu

Taft Law School | Santa Ana California

2010-07-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

Taft Law School in Southern CA

Taft Law School is a freestanding institution as of 2008. It is America's oldest nationally accredited distance learning law school. This has not always been the case however, as the entity formally operated as part of William Howard Taft University. Currently the law school is one of two, private postsecondary educational institutions operating in the Taft University System.

Accreditation

From what I've read, while researching this article, there are a lot questions regarding the creditability of this law school. According to the school's official website (http://www.taftu.edu/TLS/index.htm):

Taft Law School, through The Taft University System, is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). On June 7, 2008 the Commission voted to extend its accreditation until 2013. This action was taken after consideration of an extensive self-study prepared by The Taft University System and the report of a site visitation team that included representatives of both regionally and American Bar Association accredited schools. The five-year extension is the maximum permissible under DETC standards.

This is verifiable on the DETC website. I was also able to find a positive quote that comes from a law based forum called LawSchoolDiscussion.org:

Taft graduates are able to take the California Bar, and become fully registered CA attorneys. I'm in my 2nd year at Taft, and it's pretty decent. If you want to become a California attorney, and don't have the time or money for regular law school, it is a good option.

The only drawback is that to become an attorney, California makes you take a "Baby Bar" after the first year. The pass rate is only about 20%. So this is how California weeds out the non-accredited law school students. The "Baby Bar" is a subset of the regular bar, but only covers Torts, Contracts, and Criminal law. If you pass the "Baby Bar" (actual name "FYLSE"), then about 70% of the 4-year graduates ultimately pass the regular bar.

Contact Taft Law School

Taft Law School
3700 South Susan Street, Office 200
Santa Ana, CA 92704-6954
Voice Line: 800-882-4555 | 714-850-4800
E-mail: Admissions@TaftU.edu
Website: http://www.taftu.edu/TLS/index.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51180081657

Driving Directions

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The school is conveniently located a couple blocks off of the 405 San Diego Freeway. Look for the IKEA Costa Mesa at the freeway exits. The facility is on South Susan Street, between Harbor Blvd and Fairview Rd.

Some landmarks in the area you might look for are Galaxy Concert Theather and the Courtyard Costa Mesa South Coast Metro. Also a few blocks away from Segerstrom High School and Wimbleton Park.

Whittier Law School | Costa Mesa California

2010-07-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

Whittier Law School In Costa Mesa, CA

If you are looking for a law school a short drive away from the Huntington Beach and the Santa Ana area... this is the school for you. Whittier is located in beautiful Orange County, on a spacious 14 acre lot. Aside from having a great location , the school actually has really good reviews from its Alumni.

The American Bar Association provisionally accredited Whittier in 1978, and then fully approved the school in 1985. Whittier has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) since 1987.

In July 2008, the school boasted an impressive 84.3% bar passage rate (according to their website). Centers in Intellectual Property, Childrens Rights and International and Comparative Law are offered. The Institute of Trial and Appellate Practice is also offered for those seeking a career as a trial or appellate lawyer.

Where is Whittier Law School?

Conveniently located off of the 405 San Diego Freeway, at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Sunflower Street. Also fairly close to the 55 Costa Mesa Freeway. Whittier Law School is just blocks from John Wayne Airport, Orange Coast College, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, and Galaxy Concert Theater.

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Financial Aid for Prospective Students

So, let's be honest. Most people looking to attend law school, probably don't normally have the means to pay for it. Sounds like this isn't a problem here, Whittier offers a program called a “need-blind” admissions policy. This is from their Financial Aid page:

Whittier Law School has a longstanding tradition of administering a financial assistance program to help students pay for their legal education. The Law School adheres to a “need-blind” admissions policy, admitting the best students regardless of family financial strength. The following is a description of the application procedures and the sources of financial aid available at the institution. Prospective and current students with any questions or financial aid counseling needs should contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance.

Contact Whittier Law School

3333 Harbor Boulevard
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1501
(714) 444-4141
(800) 808-8188
website: http://www.law.whittier.edu/

Whittier Law School Reviews

You get as much as you put in!

This school isn't an Ivy League, but it's ABA approved, and I enjoyed my time there.

The professors are helpful (I heart Professor Martin!), and they'll make the time to see you. The curriculum is really focused on passing the Bar, so they have a lot of classes that are geared toward that. The exams mimmick the exams on the Bar as well. There is not too much emphasis on the actual practice of lawyering, but you can't be a lawyer unless you pass the Bar.

I passed the Bar on my first try, and I'll give the credit to WLS!

Hints: Take all the classes that geared toward taking the Bar! Also, take any class that Professor Heilman teaches!

Susan D.
Fountain Valley, CA [Via Yelp.com - http://www.yelp.com/biz/whittier-law-school-costa-mesa]

Where I go to school. Where I spend as little time as possible when I'm not in class. I really like this school because I found that the professors are amazing. Another great thing that I got from this school, is the group of close friends that I have accumulated in my first year.

The campus is beautiful. Small, but nice. It's nice to just lounge in the grassy area or bring a homemade lunch to sit outside. The classrooms are nice and clean, mostly stadium seating. However, the wi-fi here is soooo bad. We didn't even HAVE Wi-Fi the first year I was here, and i hear that it was promised years before me. Now that we finally have wi-fi, it's off and on...and somehow, we are supposed to take our exams on the net during finals week!!! Can't wait to see how that works! Especially since our class will be the first class to use it. Guinea pigs we are!

The parking lot is awesome. I came from UCLA where we walk everywhere, and park nowhere. Here, there are PLENTY of parking spots, so much that we take it for granted. Every time I go to UCLA and park, I bitch and moan now.

The library is also nice, but I hate that i can't have a study room to myself. You need to have 2 or more people to get a room. This is why I don't study here. I'm a loner when I study. I hate the common study area because you can't eat, can't make noise, can't type hard, etc. I need to have coffee flowing at all times, something to munch on all the time, and I type really loud.

Debby L.
Santa Ana, CA [Via Yelp.com - http://www.yelp.com/biz/whittier-law-school-costa-mesa]

Lohan's Lawyer Throws In Towel

2010-07-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

Shawn Chapman-Holley Abruptly Quit

I guess there are some things even "above the law" celebrities like actress Lohan should be cautious of, like back stabbing your high priced lawyer in the back. What I am referring to is that Lindsay Lohan allegedly hired a new attorney to replace Shawn Chapman-Holley, in an attempt to find anyway out of her 90 day jail sentence. While most reports cannot confirm why Chapman-Holley abruptly quit, getting replaced seems to be the consistent reason.

The Verdict For Lindsay's Sentence

Lohan received a 90 day sentence based on three different accounts. According to NYDailyNews.com: Lohan, 24, was sentenced to three consecutive 30-day terms - plus 90 days of rehab - for breaking her probation on two 2007 DUI convictions.

30 days in jail for reckless driving.
30 days in jail for the first DUI case (consecutive).
30 days in jail for the second DUI case (consecutive).

In the courtroom footage, as Lindsay realizes what she is hearing, she bursts into tears. She is almost shocked that she will be held accountable for her actions. Watching closely, you can see her whispering the word "what?" a couple times during Judge Marsha Revel's verdict reading (See image below).

About Shawn Chapman Holley

Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump and Aldisert LLP partner. A boutique law firm that deals with business litigation and entertainment, based in Santa Monica, CA. The website http://www.kwikalaw.com/sholley states: She was the Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office of The Cochran Firm and the head of its national Criminal Defense Section. With more than sixty trials to her credit, Ms. Holley is the rare trial attorney who practices in the areas of both civil and criminal litigation.
Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump and Aldisert LLP
808 Wilshire Blvd. 3rd Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Lohan case sources

NYDailyNews.com - Lindsay Lohan's lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley quits after actress gets 90-day jail sentence
People.com - Lindsay Lohan's Attorney Resigns
TMZ.com - Lindsay Lohan's Lawyer: I Quit!

Levin Papantonio Law Firm and BP Oil Spill Lawsuit

2010-07-03T00:11:00.000-07:00

BP Oil Spill Lawsuit

The Florida based law firm of Levin Papantonio, is working with residents on the Gulf of Mexico to recover losses due to the BP Oil spill. The law firm is not undertaking this task alone. Quite the contrary really. According to a Business Wire press release, Papantonio has invited the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. to join in on the environmental suit. Among the noted advocates is Erin Brockovich.

Grounds for the BP Oil Lawsuit

The goal for the law firm is to seek to recover damages suffered by clients as a result of the Gulf oil spill. Obviously there are many, many coastal residents who survive off the bounty of the sea and from tourist dollars. Brockovich was quoted saying I would like to tell the local commercial fishermen who aren’t able to earn a living, and other business owners, ‘You have rights and we can help.’

Who are these Lawyers involved in the firm?

About the best thing I could find is a post in forum, from someone who sounds like they know about the lawyers:

Who is Fred Levin? He's one of the best trial lawyers in the world and lives in Pensacola. He'll he owns half the town. If Fred gets them their going to be seriously hurting. Good for them, Tony Heyward is going to wish to God he didn't screw with Pensacola. :P The little people have a BITE. :P He lives there.

If you don't believe me look at what Fred Levins law firm has won verdict wise...[he then continues to list a cases won, that is directly from the Florida Personal Injury Lawyer's website]

Judging by the numbers, and positive reviews... he's completely right. With over $2 billion in firm jury verdicts, it seems that the Levin Papantonio Law Firm is one of the nation's premier civil litigation law firms!

Where is the firm based?

There are a lot of the southern states that are effected by the gulf oil spill, so which one is home to Levin Papantonio? They are located in Pensacola, FL. Near the Pensacola Museum of Art and Corinne Jones Park. The firm's address is:

316 South Baylen Street

Suite 600

Pensacola, FL 32502

Phone: (850) 435-7000

Toll Free: (888) 435-7001

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BP in the Media

[Yahoo! Finance on BP]

The case against the BP brand is not so much that the company will enter bankruptcy. It is that BP may end up breaking into pieces for its own sake. This may be to put the liabilities for the Deepwater Horizon spill into a company that also holds escrow capital to cover the huge costs of clean-up and suits. BP may also want to separate its successful refining operations from its exploration business, or recreate an American- based company similar to BP America, which existed for two decades. A restructuring of BP would also allow the firm to take a badly crippled brand and give the oil operation a new name -- much as it did when it changed its name from British Petroleum. The second time may be the charm.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/110018/10-brands-that-may-disappear-in-2011

Tiger Woods To Pay Wife $750 Million Divorce Settlement

2010-06-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

The $750 Million Divorce Settlement

Elin Nordegren, the soon to be ex wife of golf legend Tiger Woods, is rumored to get anywhere between $750 million to $833 million in a high publicity divorce settlement. This is undoubtedly one of, if not the most, highest settlement payouts in history. Especially in the case of a divorce.

According to reports, Elin will receive full phyiscal custody of the Woods children, with Tiger having the ability to share in the decision making in their lives. They will share legal custody of the children. The daughter Sam (3 year old) and son, Chalrie (1 year old) will also have to kept away from Tiger's future women. It was also reported that other women maybe allowed to be near the Woods children, should Tiger remarry.

This should all take place at an Orlando County Court, near the couple's residence.

From The Legal Team

According to Zap2It.com, a close family friend of the couple said Elin's legal team has done a great job digging up all sorts of assets. The price of the huge sum is her silence: no interviews, tell-all books, or TV appearances about this for the rest of her life -- even if Tiger dies first -- or she'll lose the lot.

Another source (wusa9.com) quoted a Washington DC divorce attorney Rita Bank: What it tells us is that Tiger is worth at least twice what she received because it wouldn't be unusual for someone to receive 50 percent of the estate. Which of course at $750 million, would put Tiger's net worth at over $1.5 billion! In fact, Forbes has ranked Woods as the most powerful athlete on their most powerful list. Even though he has lost over $30 million in dropped sponsorship earnings in 2010, he has still managed to make $105 million. They also stated that despite his run of recent set backs, he will continue to be the highest paid athlete in the near future.

Glossary | Law Terms "A"

2010-06-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Law Terms That Begin With The Letter "A"

Acquittal - A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.
Active judge - A judge in the full-time service of the court. Compare to senior judge.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) - The federal agency responsible for collecting court statistics, administering the federal courts' budget, and performing many other administrative and programmatic functions, under the direction and supervision of the Judicial Conference of the United States.
Admissible - A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases.
Adversary Proceeding - A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that begins by filing a complaint with the court, that is, a "trial" that takes place within the context of a bankruptcy case.
Affidavit - A written or printed statement made under oath. Affirmed In the practice of the court of appeals, it means that the court of appeals has concluded that the lower court decision is correct and will stand as rendered by the lower court.
Alternate Juror - A juror selected in the same manner as a regular juror who hears all the evidence but does not help decide the case unless called on to replace a regular juror.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - A procedure for settling a dispute outside the courtroom. Most forms of ADR are not binding, and involve referral of the case to a neutral party such as an arbitrator or mediator.
Amicus Curiae - Latin for "friend of the court." It is advice formally offered to the court in a brief filed by an entity interested in, but not a party to, the case.
Answer - The formal written statement by a defendant in a civil case that responds to a complaint, articulating the grounds for defense.
Appeal - A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the "appellant;" the other party is the "appellee."
Appellant - The party who appeals a district court's decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision.
Appellate - About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of a lower court (trial court) or tribunal. For example, the U.S. circuit courts of appeals review the decisions of the U.S. district courts.
Appellee - The party who opposes an appellant's appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the district court's decision.
Arraignment - A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
Article III Judge - A federal judge who is appointed for life, during "good behavior," under Article III of the Constitution. Article III judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Assets - [General] Property of all kinds, including real and personal, tangible and intangible.
Assume - An agreement to continue performing duties under a contract or lease.
Automatic Stay - An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments, and most collection activities against the debtor the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed.

Law Terms A - F| Law Terms G - L| Law Terms M - R| Law Terms S - Z

Lawsuit Millionaires | Law Terms A-F

2010-06-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

Law Terms A-F

Law Terms beginning with "A" -

Abstract of Judgment: A written summary of a court judgment stating how much money the losing defendant (the judgment debtor) owes to the person who won (the judgment creditor), the rate of interest to be paid on the judgment amount, court costs, and any specific orders that the losing defendant must obey. The abstract is acknowledged and stamped so that it can be recorded and made official with the government. The purpose is to create a public record and create a lien or claim if necessary on any real property owned or later acquired by the defendant located in the county in which the abstract of judgment is recorded.
Actual Damages: In a lawsuit based on one party's injuries, the loss or harm suffered by the injured person, or the specific amounts of money that the person loses as a result of the injuries, including lost wages and medical expenses.
Attorney Fee: The payment made to a lawyer for legal services. These fees may take several forms: hourly, per job or service -- for example, $350 to draft a will, contingency (the lawyer collects a percentage of any money she wins for her client and nothing if there is no recovery), or retainer (usually a down payment as part of an hourly or per job fee agreement). Attorney fees must usually be paid by the client who hires a lawyer, though occasionally a law or contract will require the losing party of a lawsuit to pay the winner's court costs and attorney fees. For example, a contract might contain a provision that says the loser of any lawsuit between the parties to the contract will pay the winner's attorney fees. Many laws designed to protect consumers also provide for attorney fees -- for example, most state laws that require landlords to provide habitable housing also specify that a tenant who sues and wins using that law may collect attorney fees. And in family law cases -- divorce, custody and child support -- judges often have the power to order the more affluent spouse to pay the other spouse's attorney fees, even where there is no clear victor.

More "A" Law Terms

Law Terms beginning with "B" -

Bachelor of Laws: A degree in law from a law school, abbreviated to LL.B ("Legum Baccalaureus"), which means that recipient has successfully completed three years of law studies. Most accredited law schools now grant a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree instead. Law schools that made the switch allowed their LL.B. holders to claim a J.D .retroactively.
Bail Bond: A bond that a court accepts in exchange for allowing the defendant to remain at liberty until the end of the case. The defendant pays a certain portion of the bail to a bondsman, usually 10%, and may also have to pledge collateral, such as an interest in real property. The bondsman offers the bond to the court. If the defendant appears at all court dates, the bail will be exhonorated, or ended, but the bondsman will keep the 10%. If the defendant fails to appear for a court hearing, the judge can issue a warrant for his arrest and demand the entire bail. Usually, the bondsman will look for the defendant and bring him back, forcibly if necessary, in order to avoid having to pay the entire bail or selling the collateral to satisfy the bail.

Law Terms beginning with "C" -

Capital Punishment: The death sentence.
Case Law: The law based on judicial opinions (including decisions that interpret statutes), as opposed to law based on statutes, regulations, or other sources. Also refers to the collection of reported judicial decisions within a particular jurisdiction dealing with a specific issue or topic.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: A type of bankruptcy that allows businesses to reorganize their debt load in order to remain in business.

Law Terms beginning with "D" -

Date Rape: Forcible sexual intercourse by a male acquaintance of a woman, during a voluntary social engagement in which the woman did not intend to submit to the sexual advances and resisted the acts by verbal refusals, denials, pleas to stop, and/or fighting back. The fact that the parties knew each other or that the woman willingly accompanied the man are not legal defenses to a charge of rape.
Defense Attorney: The attorney representing the defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Attorneys who regularly represent clients in civil lawsuits are often called "plaintiffs' attorneys."
Digital Millennium Copyright Act: A federal statute that addresses a number of copyright issues created by the use of new technology and the Internet including digital rights management (methods for stopping infringement), and certain rights and privileges (safe harbors) that protect Internet Service Providers.

Law Terms beginning with "E" -

Earnest Payment: A partial payment (deposit) demonstrating commitment in a contractual relationship, and commonly made in real estate transactions. The remainder of the payment is due on a particular date or after a particular event has occurred. The seller keeps the earnest money if the buyer fails to make timely payment in full (or if there is a similar breach of the agreement).
Embezzlement: The crime of stealing the funds or property of an employer, company, or government or misappropriating money or assets held in trust.
Emergency Protective Order: Any court-issued order intended to protect a person from harm or harassment. An emergency protective order is issued by the police, when court is out of session, to prevent domestic violence. Most emergency protective orders are stopgap measures that last only for a weekend or holiday, after which the abused person is expected to seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a court.

Law Terms beginning with "F" -

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): A federal law that regulates the use and content of credit reports to protect consumer privacy and ensure the accuracy of the information they contain. The FCRA restricts the information that may be included in a credit report, limits who may request a credit report and how the report may be used, and requires credit reporting agencies and those who use credit reports (such as employers and landlords) to follow specified procedures in dealing with consumers.
Family Court: A separate court or a separate division of the regular state trial court, that considers only cases involving family-related issues, which could include divorce, child custody and support, guardianship, adoption, and the issuance of restraining orders in domestic violence cases.
Felony: A serious crime (contrasted with less serious crimes such as misdemeanors and infractions), usually punishable by a prison term of more than one year or, in some cases, by death. For example, murder, extortion, and kidnapping are felonies; a minor fist fight is usually charged as a misdemeanor, and a speeding ticket is generally an infraction. In some states, certain crimes (known as wobblers) may be charged as both a misdemeanor and a felony, and the eventual designation depends on the defendant's ability to fulfill the conditions of his sentence.
FYLSE: Stands for First-Year Law Students' Examination and is also known as the "Baby Bar." A California exam, given twice a year that is based on a subset of the regular bar, but only covers Torts, Contracts, and Criminal law.

| Law Terms G - L| Law Terms M - R| Law Terms S - Z|

Lawsuit Millionaires | Law Terms G-L

2010-06-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

Law Terms G-L

Law Terms beginning with "G" -

Garnishment: A court-ordered procedure for taking money or property from someone to satisfy a debt. For example, a debtor's wages might be garnished to pay child support, back taxes, or a lawsuit judgment.
Grand Larceny: The crime of theft of another person's property over a certain value set by state law (a specific dollar amount decided by the court). It is distinguished from petty (or petit) larceny, which is the theft of property that is lesser in value. Some states recognize only the crime of larceny, but have both misdemeanor larceny (punishable by imprisonment in a local jail and a fine) and felony larceny (punishable by state prison time).
Guilty: In a criminal case, the admission by a defendant that he has committed a charged crime, or the finding by a judge or a jury that the defendant has committed the crime.

Law Terms beginning with "H" -

Hiring Firm: Commonly refers to a business that hires one or more independent contractors. Unlike an employer, a hiring firm does not have to withhold tax, contribute to Social Security and Medicare, or provide workers compensation for an independent contractor, nor does it have to follow a variety of employment laws that prohibit discrimination, impose wage and hour obligations, or require time off.
Homicide: The killing of one human being by the act or omission of another. The term applies to all such killings, whether criminal or not. Homicide is noncriminal in a number of situations, including deaths as the result of war and putting someone to death by the valid sentence of a court. Killing may also be legally justified or excused, as it is in cases of self-defense or when someone is killed by another person who is attempting to prevent a violent felony. Criminal homicide occurs when a person purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or with extreme negligence causes the death of another. Murder and manslaughter are examples of criminal homicide.

Law Terms beginning with "I" -

Implied Warranty of Merchantability: A warranty implied by law that property is fit for the ordinary purpose for which it is used.
Impound: In a criminal proceeding, when the court or police take possession of personal property. The property may be returned to the owner at the end of the proceeding or it may be forfeited to the state (e.g. in the instance of a controlled substance).

Law Terms beginning with "J" -

Joint Defendant: One of two or more defendants charged with the same crime or sued in the same claim.
Judicial Foreclosure: A foreclosure in which the foreclosing party files a lawsuit in the county where the real estate is located, seeking a court judgment allowing the property to be sold at a foreclosure sale because the owner has defaulted on mortgage payments. A few states use what are called strict foreclosures, which let the judge order ownership of the property transferred to the foreclosing party without a sale. Judicial foreclosures commonly take much longer than nonjudicial ones.
Juris Doctorate: Upon successful completion law school, a student will receive a degree called a Juris Doctorate.

Law Terms beginning with "K" -

Kangaroo Court: Slang for a court that operates unjustly or with unfair bias.

Law Terms beginning with "L" -

Legal Cause: A cause that produces a direct effect, and without which the effect would not have occurred.
Legal Services: The work performed by a lawyer for a client.
Legal Tender: Currency that is issued by a government. Checks, credit cards, and other non-cash payments are generally not legal tender.

Law Terms A - F| Law Terms M - R| Law Terms S - Z

Lawsuit Millionaires | Law Terms M-R

2010-06-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Law Terms S-Z

Law Terms beginning with "M" -

Magna Carta: An historical document from England that helped establish common law and statutes [it is a founding document] of the law as we know it today. When King John reluctantly signed it in 1215, it was essentially a document for the nobility; however it became the basis of modern individual rights.

Law Terms beginning with "N" -

Nonprobate Transfer: The distribution of a deceased person's property by any means other than probate. Many types of property pass free of probate, including (in some states) property left to a surviving spouse and property left outside of a will through probate-avoidance methods such as pay-on-death designations, joint tenancy ownership, living trusts, and life insurance. Property that avoids probate is sometimes described as the nonprobate estate.

Law Terms beginning with "O" -

Obstruction of Justice: An attempt to interfere with the administration of the courts, the judicial system, or law enforcement officers, including threatening witnesses, improper conversations with jurors, hiding evidence, or interfering with an arrest. Such activity is a crime.

Law Terms beginning with "P" -

Partial Disability: The result of an injury that permanently reduces a worker's ability to function, but still permits the worker to do some gainful activity.

Law Terms beginning with "Q" -

Question of Law: An issue arising in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution which only relates to determination of what the law is, how it is applied to the facts in the case, and other purely legal points in contention. All "questions of law" arising before, during, and sometimes after a trial are to be determined solely by the judge and not by the jury.

Law Terms beginning with "R" -

Residuary Beneficiary: A person who receives any property by a will or trust that is not specifically left to another designated beneficiary. For example, if Antonio makes a will leaving his home to Edwina and the remainder of his property to Elmo, then Elmo is the residuary beneficiary.

Law Terms A - F| Law Terms G - L| Law Terms S - Z

Lawsuit Millionaires | Law Terms S-Z

2010-06-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Law Terms S-Z

Law Terms beginning with "S" -

Settlement:

The resolution of a dispute or lawsuit.
The distribution of property and wrapping up of a decedent's affairs by the executor.
Payment or adjustment. For example, a debtor might settle an account by paying the full amount owed, or an insurance company might settle a property damage claim by paying the insured for the covered damage.
The transfer of real property from the seller to the buyer; closing.

Law Terms beginning with "T" -

Tax Court: A federal court which hears taxpayers' appeals from decisions of the Internal Revenue Service. Tax courts hear taxpayer appeals "de novo" (as a trial rather than an appeal), and taxpayers do not have to pay the amount claimed by the IRS before their case is heard by the tax court. Tax court decisions may be appealed to the Federal District Court of Appeals.
Tort Law: A civil wrong other than a breach of contract. Tort usually refers to the causing of damage to property or to a person's reputation, or harm to a person's commercial interests.

Law Terms beginning with "U" -

Unbundled Legal Services: The provision of legal services by an attorney who does not represent the client or take over the entire case, but performs specific services such as appearing at one hearing, preparing a legal brief, or negotiating a settlement after the client has prepared the case as a self-represented party. Most common in divorce cases.

Law Terms beginning with "V" -

Vigilante: Possibly my favorite form of justice. Someone who takes the law into his or her own hands by seizing someone and attempting to convict and punish the supposed criminal.

Law Terms beginning with "W" -

Weight of Evidence: The strength, value, and believability of evidence.
Wrongful Death: The taking of the life of an individual resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons.

Law Terms beginning with "X" -
Law Terms beginning with "Y" -

Yellow-Dog Contract: It sounds like a "yellow-dog contract" is unenforceable. It's an agreement in which an employer forbids an employee to join a labor union.

Law Terms beginning with "Z" -

Zoning Law: Laws issued by local governments to regulate the size, type, structure, and use of land or building in designated areas. These laws divide the cities into district areas according to use. For instance, single-family homes, commercial establishments, and industrial plants.

Law Terms A - F| Law Terms G - L| Law Terms M - R

Lawsuit Millionaires | Wrongful Death

2010-06-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Lately, I've been reading articles relating to lawsuits and whatnot, finding topics of interest for me to write about here. Every now and then a word (or term) comes up that I don't know. Or worse yet, sounds like you know, when you don't know exactly what it means. So, starting with this post, I'll be adding a glossary of law terms to this blog. It should prove helpful for me, and for readers. Today's term is (obviously), Wrongful Death.

Wrongful Death - (Also known as Wrongful Death Action or Wrongful Death Claim)

Wrongful Death, is pretty much just like it sounds. One person is at fault (wrongfully - is it ever considered right?) for the death of another. Here's the interesting tidbit: The victim’s survivors are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the improper conduct.

Dictionary.Law.Com says:

Wrongful death is the basis for a lawsuit (wrongful death action) against the party or parties who caused the death filed on behalf of the members of the family who have lost the company and support of the deceased. Thus, a child might be entitled to compensation for the personal loss of a father as well as the amount of financial support the child would have received from the now-dead parent while a minor, a wife would recover damages for loss of her husband's love and companionship and a lifetime of expected support, while a parent would be limited to damages for loss of companionship but not support.

A wrongful death claim generally consists of four elements: (1) the death was caused, in whole or part, by the conduct of the defendant; (2) the defendant was negligent or strictly liable for the victim’s death; (3) there is a surviving spouse, children, beneficiaries or dependents; and (4) monetary damages have resulted from the victim’s death. - FreeAdvice.com

(Back to Law Glossary)

Law School | Yale

2010-05-15T01:22:00.000-07:00

Curious About Yale Law Admissions

So I am told Yale is THE school to go to. If you can graduate from Yale, you can write your own ticket. Or so they say. So what if you not only get accepted, then graduate... but graduate with a law degree?

If this is the case with Yale, then what does it take to attend a school of such prestige? They've got be looking for the best of the best right? Maybe they are simply just look for students who's tuition checks clear. I was curious about the Yale law admissions process, so I looked up their website (http://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/admissions.htm).

Admissions
Admissions to the Yale law program seems to be at the very least... extremely competitive. According to the "Apply for the J.D." section of the website, Yale Law School has received approximately 3,400 applications for fewer than 200 spots in the first-year class. Staggering numbers huh? Yeah, I know. Applications for the J.D. Program are accepted from late September through February 15, and most applicants will receive a final response by the end of April.

Yale Law Programs:

The J.D. Program (3 year course study)
The LL.M. (one-year course of study for students who have completed their law degree and are interested in law teaching)
The J.S.D. Program (open only to LL.M. graduates)
The M.S.L. Program (one-year course of study intended for experts in other fields who want to explore how the law relates to their fields)

Financing Law School
So here is the cool part about the Yale law school program, they have loan assistance program. It is set up so that students who participate in nonprofit organizations, public interest, government, academia, or small firms, can receive loan forgiveness. It is called the COAP (Career Options Assistance Program). There are also many grants outside Yale to help students, which are based solely on financial need.

Yale Law Address and Contact

Yale University Law School is located at:

127 Wall Street, New Haven, CT 06511

Phone: (203) 432-4992
or
(203) 432-1660

Admissions Office Email: admissions.law@yale.edu

Jon Gosselin Sues TLC, Then Reaches Settlement

2010-03-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

TLC gets hit with $5 Million Lawsuit from Jon Gosselin

Celebrity, reality TV dad Jon Gosselin filed a lawsuit against the television entertainment station TLC. According to the website "The Hollywood Gossip," the $5 million suit was one of two between the star and TLC. The website states:

"That prompted a lawsuit filed by TLC against Gosselin for alleged breach of contract, claiming that he was making paid TV appearances without their consent[...]. TLC sought and won an injunction effectively making Jon STFU. Later, Gosselin filed a $5-million counterclaim, saying that the network damaged his career."

Jon's end:

What's going on on Jon Gosselin's end? The gist of the whole thing, is that Jon felt that TLC was stifling his ability to earn income. Mostly by TLC discouraging other media venues from contacting or following through with interviews and appearances with Gosselin. His lawyer, Mark Heller was quoted with saying "Their behavior has caused Jon great anguish and it has caused him financial losses."

Settlement Statement from TLC:
TLC: "TLC has reached a settlement with Jon Gosselin and will be undertaking procedural steps to conclude the litigation. All terms of the settlement are confidential. The whole Gosselin family remain under contract with TLC."

Article Sources:

The Hollywood Gossip, Feb. 17 2010: "Jon Gosselin, TLC Agree to Legal Settlement"
People, November 13, 2009: "Jon Gosselin Files $5 Million Lawsuit Against TLC"
Limelife Blog, Feb. 18, 2010: "Jon Gosselin And TLC Reach Private Settlement"

Lady Gaga Sued For More Than $30 Million

2010-03-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

Ex-boyfriend and Producer Sues Lady Gaga

The singer is being sued by ex-boyfriend and producer, Rob Fusari, for over $30 million. Last Friday the news broke that Lady Gaga (real name: Stefani Germanotta ) was being sued, but outraged fans wanted to know why. Multiple reports have indicated that Fusari stated that he is the one who co-wrote some of her hit songs, including Gaga’s mega-hit “Paparazzi,” and even came up with her stage name.

The case may be thrown out however, on the grounds of its validity. Lady Gaga (who is counter-suing Fusari) is claiming that she was deceived, as Rob Fusari was never a licensed talent agent. The claim is that any signed documents or promises made, would then be deemed as an "unlawful arrangement."

Why is Fusari claiming he's entitled to $30 Million?

Here are some the items he feels he is owed money for:

Claims he is responsible for the discovery and development of Lady Gaga.
Rob also contends that he had a hand in the creation of several of Gaga's hit songs, as a co-writer: “Paparazzi,” “Brown Eyes” and “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” — plus the bonus tracks “Disco Heaven,” “Again Again” and “Retro Dance Freak.” [As was reported by a Rolling Stone Article]
As some metamorphosis via a cell phone spell checker, the term "Radio Gaga" (originally off of a Queen Album: The Works) was mistakenly converted to "Lady Gaga." Which became the name the singer would be known as.
A 20% stake in revenues and merchandising.

The Rolling Stone article also had this statement from Rob's lawyer: “It’s an age-old story in the music business,” said Fusari’s lawyer Robert Meloni. “You become famous and you turn on the person who discovered you.”

Lawsuit Article Resources:

March 20th - NY Daily News [Title: Lady Gaga aims lawsuit at ex-producer Rob Fusari for conning her into signing illegal contract]
March 19th - Rolling Stone [Title: Lady Gaga Sued For $30 Million By Producer/Ex-Boyfriend Rob Fusari]

Yelp Lawsuit | Popular Review Site

2010-02-28T03:38:00.000-08:00

What is Yelp?

Yelp is a user based website that allows consumers the opportunity to write a personal experience with a business. Whether this review is good or bad, it gets published. The idea being, that other users interested in the goods or services of a business, have a place to go to hear about past customer's personal experiences and feelings about that business.

According to their website, Yelp was founded in 2004. Their number one item in their 10 Things you should know about Yelp section is: "Yelp was founded in 2004 to help people find great local businesses like dentists, hair stylists and mechanics." In another section of the website, the company is described as: "Yelp is an online urban city guide that helps people find cool places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play, based on the informed opinions of a vibrant and active community of locals in the know. Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great — and not so great — in your world."

The Yelp Lawsuit

Why is Yelp involved in a lawsuit? According to Fox News, a suit was filed against the San Francisco-based Yelp website for fraudulent reviews. A lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday, with allegations pertaining to extortion.

The extortion claim is that when Yelp gets a negative review for a business, they then contact that business and inform them that a negative review has been posted. The business owner then is given a chance to purchase an "advertising package" for several hundred dollars, where the website will remove the negative review, and give the business some ad space on the website. On some occasions, it is said that employees of the website will also write negative reviews themselves!

The Tools of an Attorney

2009-11-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

The Quagmire

The other day I was thinking about Family Guy, the Fox animated series. I don't remember now... but my thoughts went to the character of Glenn Quagmire. Quagmire is one of my favorite character in Family Guy, and I got to wondering about the origins of his name. I thought, "You know what? His name must mean something... like awkward situation," or something similar.

I came to find out that the definition of Quagmire means:

a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position : predicament

Sounds about right for an Attorney huh? That's exactly it, the quagmire is one of the most powerful tools a lawyer can have at his disposal. Put your opponent in a quagmire. If you can't argue or defend yourself... how can you win your case?

This becomes especially perplexing when a jury is involved in your case. Why? Because at the point you are rendered speechless by a crafty lawyer, the seed of doubt is planted. If the lawyer can evoke doubt in the jury, then the lawyer can also spin the facts.

I am sure this is one of the fundamental qualities they teach in law school. It would have to be. Mock trials and mock debates would play out like three dimensional mental chess matches. The pivotal move? Put your opponent in Quagmire.

In closing, here is a tip for all you law students out there. If you want to become the best attorney you can possibly be, learn the principals of utilizing the quagmire. Whether you are the defense attorney or the prosecutor, use intelligent and entrapping questions. Then attack (or defend) from a position of strength, on the basis of doubt.

Nicolas Cage Vs. Levin & Co. Management Inc.

2009-10-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

Actor Nicolas Cage Files Lawsuit Against Agent-

Friday October 9, 2009, Nicolas Coppola (better known as Actor Nicolas Cage to the American) filed a $20 million lawsuit against former Agent Samuel Levin. Levin was terminated by Cage earlier this year. According to the press, the suit was filed in Los Angeles County, California, Superior Court. Cage is seeking damages for both breach of contract and professional negligence.

Although the actor brought in over $40 million between 2008 and 2009, he has claimed to be in "financial ruin." Rumored to owe the government over $6.6 million in back taxes, Coppola also has botched financial investments, including multiple high risk and very speculative real estate ventures. Levin is faulted for the misconduct of the actor's financial tax affairs, as well as a multitude of slipshod financial crises. Most of which is noted in the actor’s attorney's formal complaint.

Amongst assets the actor must now liquidate, is Midford Castle. He had purchased this Castle mid 2007 near Bath, in the southern United Kingdom. The media has said that Cage has three properties in the area.

Nicolas Cage fun facts:

Cage's uncle is Francis Ford Coppola (of the Godfather movies).
Nicolas Cage won an Oscar for his role in Leaving Las Vegas. Category: Best Actor in a Leading Role.
His father August Coppola was a comparative literature professor.
Ex-wives: Lisa Marie Presley and Patricia Arquette

15 Films you might know Nicolas Cage from:

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Raising Arizona (1987)
Honeymoon in Vegas
Guarding Tess (1994)
It Could Happen to You (1994)
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
The Rock (1996)
Con Air (1997)
Face Off (1997)
City of Angels (1998)
Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
Windtalkers (2002)
Matchstick Men (2003)
National Treasure (2004)
Ghost Rider (2007)

The Lawyer Wasn't The One Lying?

2009-09-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

Andrew Brzyski - Not a Lawyer.

I came across an interesting story tonight, while watching Dateline, about a man posing as a Lawyer. His name is Andrew Brzyski, and apparently he is only a lowly, lying debt collector. Not a lawyer or attorney, as he claimed to be.

Brzyski would call people in debt, and instruct them to send their payments to Attorney Andrew Brzyski. Dateline caught up with this guy and followed him to a grocery store across from the Debt collecting agency he worked for, where he was collecting money via Western Union wire. Final Claims Asset Locators is the name of company Brzyski was calling from and that Chris Hansen from Dateline was investigating. Brzyski would act as a third party and instruct the people in debt to wire the money to himself under the guise of an Attorney of the law. Read the whole story here.

Oregon Law on Twitter

2009-09-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

Law Schools on Twitter?

In the quest for information on law schools, I was rather interested to stumble across a School of Law on Twitter. The University of Oregon has a Twitter site for its law school!

Now I'm sure there are many a law schools with Twitter accounts and what not... but since the University of Oregon's law school was the first one I found, it won the honor of having an image added to this blog, along with it's URL. If you are interested in checking it out, click here. You can also just go to http://twitter.com/Oregon_Law.

Along the Law School's tweets are these little tid-bits:

"Oregon Law Welcomes New Adjunct Faculty Members..." (An adjunct faculty member is contract teacher or someone who is not tenured and a permanent teacher.)
"Professor Michelle McKinley to Compete in National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend..."
"Wayne Morse Center Welcomes Dale Jamieson as 2009-10 Chair of Law and Politics..."
"It's A Family Affair for Oregon Law's 2009 Reunions: When Oregon Law's faculty, staff, student..."
"Former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Betty Roberts to Participate in Video Conference August 27..."

The Law School Twitter account has 690 followers. It appears to be updated on very consistant basis and is pretty through. The Law School also allows an RRS feed to be subscribed to. It's always interesting what kind law related things you can find out there. Even on social media sites such as Twitter.

Law Schools in California

2009-07-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

Oak Brook College (Law School)

Looking for Law Schools in California? If so make sure to take a look at Oak Brook College. Never heard of it? I hadn't either.

The Oak Brook College of Law was founded in 1994. Oak Brook is founded on moral principles, with a focus of turning out lawyers and law graduates with professionalism and tact, based in an alternative educational style which has major emphasis on biblical teachings and biblical ethics. The focus is lay an educational foundation in both law and biblical ethics. Hence, an Oak Brook College of Law education is a hybrid of these two devices.

Oak Brook's curriculum is centered in three educational programs.

Paralegal
Juris Doctor
Legal Studies

Oak Brook's courses are correspondence based law school communications with a class schedule. The law school includes a peer education and interaction style of learning. According to the prospectus, Oak Brook College of Law is an unaccredited school registered under the California Committee of Bar Examiners of the state.

Oak Brook College of Law is based in Fresno, California. Business hours are 8:00AM to 3:00PM, for contact information. For more information on this Law School visit their web page at http://www.obcl.edu/.

The Ten Top 2010 Law Schools!

2009-06-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

Law School

I decided to do a little looking at the average cost of Law Schools tonight. I wanted to see what the average law student pays for their education. In my search, I actually came across the top 100 law schools of 2010 (according to the website http://www.top-law-schools.com/rankings.html).

According to the site the top 10 law schools of 2010 are:

Yale Law School
Harvard Law School
Stanford Law School
Columbia Law School
New York Law School
UC Berkeley Law School
University of Chicago Law School
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Michigan Law School
Duke University Law School & Northwestern Law School (Tie)

Students looking to attend law school, on average will pay between $20K and $30K a year! Student loans are sky rocketing as well! On average, $80K is what the average student debt upon finishing. This cost is generally paid off quickly, due to the fact that most of these students will make over $100K a year starting. Right out of the gate! Not a bad deal huh? You've got to love the law.

(Photo Credit goes to Peter Skadberg of Grand Rapids)

Layman to the Law

2009-03-15T14:57:00.000-07:00

The Law

As I start to add more and more to this legal blog, I think it will become painfully obvious to the reader that I know really nothing about the law. This blog is intended to explore the law through research and news events.

Information you find in this blog will most likely be inaccurate at times. I don't want any readers to take what I write in here as gospel, because it is all subject to interpretation and legitimacy. Furthermore, if you find something that needs correction, omission, tweaked, twirled, or edited... please let me know. I will try and keep things here accurate... to the best of my ability.

As far as I know, one is legally allowed to share opinions, so you will see my opinion on subjects quite often. Anytime I slander, misuse, hurt, belittle, misinform, or any other act; punishable by litigious action... please let me know. I will do my best to delete, edit, or altogether change posts and entries. I am after all, a layman to the law.

2009-03-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

Law Suit Millionaires

Law suit Millionaires is a blog that was started to explore a litigious society. A nation of sue-happy schemers and dreamers who want to have a Hollywood glamor life overnight. This blog will explore those types of law suits.

This blog will also explore the process of becoming involved in the law. I will try to interview lawyers, law students, judges, police officers, or any other person who may have useful and/or interesting input.

I should also explain that I do not have any background in law. I do not have any family members who are high priced defense attorneys. I don't have a local lawyer paying me to advertise for them through this blog. No, none of the above are reasons for my writing of this blog. I'm more curious to explore questions like: "Why are there so many criminal defense shows on TV?" or "How many years of college and law school will take for me to become a lawyer?" Questions like: "How much money was paid last year in attorney fees in America?" There are tons of evil lawyer jokes... Why? Why do hate them so?

Hit TV shows like 1997's Ally Mcbeal, Night Court, and Law & Order have dominated cable and prime time television. Block buster movies such as The Firm, A Time to Kill, and The Devil's Advocate are all centered around courtroom drama. We even have celebrity judges... ask Judge Lance Eto. He's been a round about celebrity for years now. Robert Schapiro is a household name. What is our fascination with the law?

From Scott Peterson to the Wendy's finger in the chili law suit, to the McDonald's hot coffee law suit. Some court cases are absolutely legitimate. Some are false law suits for riches. Let's face it, some are just stupid people who should be euthanized. Whatever the case, it will be explored and questioned here.

My ultimate goal is explore the legal process. To find about law and it's origins. To investigate the law's metamorphosis over the years, law's evolution.

All feed back is welcome. Input is helpful. Enjoy.