Thursday, April 18, 2013

The symposium at the Charleston School of Law was sponsored by the Charleston Law Review and the Riley Institute at Furman University.


O'Connor's endorsement test proposed that a government action can violate the First Amendment's separation of church and state if a reasonable observer sees that action as either endorsing or disapproving religion. But O'Connor, who is 83 and who retired from the court in 2006, said that there is no grand unified theory for applying to such cases. Over the years the Supreme Court has made seemingly contradictory decisions.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Lawyer: Murtha-linked Pa. brothers to plead guilty

Two brothers who owned defense contracting businesses that benefited from earmarks obtained by the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha will plead guilty to charging the military $650,000 for parts that were never delivered and paying a kickback to another contractor, a defense attorney said.
Ronald and William Kuchera will waive their right to be indicted and plead guilty to charges filed late last week by federal prosecutors, said Ronald Kuchera's lawyer, Stanton Levenson. They're waiting only for U.S. Judge Kim Gibson in Johnstown to set a court date, Levenson said.
Murtha, the powerful Democrat who chaired the House Defense appropriations subcommittee, isn't mentioned in the twin four-page criminal informations charging the Kucheras with major fraud against the federal government and conspiracy via two companies they owned, Kuchera Defense Systems Inc. and Kuchera Industries Inc., of Windber.
But another businessman and his company previously linked to the late congressman in a lobbying-for-earmarks scheme are mentioned: Richard Ianieri and Coherent Systems International Inc.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Employment Lawyer's Group - Wrongful Termination

Some of the most complex and financially sizable employment lawsuits center on allegations of wrongful termination. Plaintiffs in such cases range from restaurant servers and factory workers to high-level executives making six- or even seven-figure salaries, and valid causes of a wrongful termination action cover a broad spectrum.

At the Employment Lawyers Group, we have achieved many significant recoveries for people who were fired illegally. We have also helped people obtain compensation after being forced to quit due to intolerable work conditions and those whose employment contracts were violated.

http://www.venturaemploymentlawyer.com/practice-areas/wrongful-termination

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Cliff avoided: Congress staves off tax hikes

Past its own New Year's deadline, a weary Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation to avoid a national "fiscal cliff" of middle class tax increases and spending cuts late Tuesday night in the culmination of a struggle that strained America's divided government to the limit.

The bill's passage on a bipartisan 257-167 vote in the House sealed a hard-won political triumph for the president less than two months after he secured re-election while calling for higher taxes on the wealthy.

Moments later, Obama strode into the White House briefing room and declared, "Thanks to the votes of Republicans and Democrats in Congress I will sign a law that raises taxes on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans while preventing tax hikes that could have sent the economy back into recession."

He spoke with Vice President Joe Biden at his side, a recognition of the former senator's role as the lead Democratic negotiator in final compromise talks with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

In addition to neutralizing middle class tax increases and spending cuts taking effect with the new year, the legislation will raise tax rates on incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples. That was higher than the thresholds of $200,000 and $250,000 that Obama campaigned for. But remarkably, in a party that swore off tax increases two decades ago, dozens of Republicans supported the bill at both ends of the Capitol.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Court allows hearings in Nevada abortion case

The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request to block a judge's hearings into the health risks of a mentally impaired woman's pregnancy.

The court's unanimous ruling allowed Washoe County District Judge Egan Walker to resume the evidentiary hearings Tuesday morning in a case that has drawn the attention of national anti-abortion groups.

The 32-year-old woman's parental guardians asked the court Friday to halt the hearings, saying Walker lacks the authority to terminate the pregnancy of their daughter, who has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old.

They claim they have exclusive authority over her health care decisions, and they want their daughter to carry the baby to term in line with their Catholic religious beliefs.

But the high court sided with Walker, saying he has the authority to monitor the woman's welfare and hold the hearings.

Justices noted the guardians failed to file an annual report regarding their daughter's condition and their performance of duties as required by state law. They also said the court obtained information about concerns over the woman's medical condition.

"The purpose of the evidentiary hearings at this time is merely to obtain information in order to make well-reasoned and informed decisions regarding the ward's medical care," justices wrote. "Under these circumstances, we conclude that the district court has not exceeded its jurisdiction or arbitrarily or capriciously exercised its discretion."

Attorney Jason Guinasso, who represents the guardians, was tied up in Tuesday's hearing and unavailable for immediate comment, according to his secretary.

Guinasso has said he's aware of only one similar case in the country. It involved a Massachusetts judge who ordered a mentally ill 31-year-old woman to have an abortion and to be sterilized against her wishes. The state Appeals Court overturned the decision Jan. 17.

The Nevada couple said that while the pregnancy poses health risks to their daughter and the baby, medical experts back them in their decision to continue the pregnancy. The woman suffers from epilepsy and is on medication.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

MJM Law Office Property Crime Lawyer

Property crimes involve the taking of money or property, and often result from times of financial stress.  Crimes in this category are addressed by Chapter 164 of Oregon Revised Statutes and include theft, shoplifting, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, computer crimes, mail crimes, money laundering, burglary, trespass, arson, vandalism and criminal mischief.

These are understandable events in today’s difficult economic climate.  Maybe you wrote a bad check at a time that you were desperate, or borrowed some money that you planned to pay back. Maybe you did worse.  Whatever the case, you need to proactively work to protect your rights and future against damaging criminal charges.  There may be alternatives to a criminal record, and we can help you pursue them.

If you are charged with a property crime, you could be facing a large prison sentence, significant fines and other consequences.  Sometimes, reductions in the seriousness of the crime can be negotiated.  If you are not guilty, you need a strong advocate to fight for the truth.  We listen to the specifics of each client’s unique situation, and develop an optimum strategy through the legal system, whether it be a plea agreement or taking your case to trial.

If you are facing property crime charges call MJM Law Office, P.C. to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Eugene, Oregon.

Contact Us online or call 541-505-9872 to schedule a consultation or visit us on the web for more information http://www.mjmlawoffice.com/criminal-law/property-crimes

Monday, August 6, 2012

Pettler&Miller LLP - Estate Planning

An estate plan is not only for the elderly. People are often mistaken, but regardless of age or size of an estate, it is recommended to start estate planning as soon as possible. Our experienced estate planning attorneys will assist you throughout the process. We also provide useful tools that enable you to manage and transfer assets easier upon your death or incapacity.
Our experience of almost 40 years have given us the efficiency in creating estate planning documents granting you all the wishes you want, minimizing taxes, and providing effective management tools in any case you become incapacitated or have an unexpected death.
All documents are created working closely with the client to ensure that the estate plan includes all desires of the planner. We have a simple goal of making the management of assets as quickly, economically, and stress-free as possible.
We are here to help. Contact our Torrance office for a free initial consultation. We are glad to answer any questions or concerns regarding your estate planning.