Legal Bugle

In the classic TV sitcom M*A*S*H, Jaime Farr played a young corporal named Klinger so desperate to get out of the military that he took to wearing women’s clothing in hopes of getting an eventual Section 8 discharge from his military service during the Korean War. Not surprisingly, it didn’t work then, and it won’t work now. The legal ramifications of ending a military commitment early can be quite serious. Going about it the wrong way can have an adverse effect on your future civilian life. (more…)

As a legal professional, prospective clients will come to you frequently, giving you the opportunity to discover more about their case and their specific situation. While understanding their problems and developing a solution is part of your job, getting a quality view of what makes their issues unique will help you gain a better idea of how you can help. Take a look at the following tips for getting the most from your legal interviews that will save you time and resources while giving you an idea of how you can help. (more…)

While “whiplash” may sound like the name of a professional wrestler (or indeed that of a different, rather more suspect kind of professional), it is actually a colloquial term used to describe a kind of neck injury caused by its sudden distortion. The latter is officially known as “cervical acceleration-deceleration”, while the injury itself and its symptoms are known to doctors as “whiplash associated disorders”. But in what circumstances are whiplash claims usually made, and how can you tell if your injury is one you can claim for? Read on to find out. (more…)

When it comes to scandals involving drug use in the sporting world, it’s generally a player that is being reprimanded by the league, not the other way around.  But following the deaths of several former players, with drug use cited as a contributing factor, retired footballers have come together to launch a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that the organization is partially to blame for the situation and that measures need to be taken to protect the players from treatment that could be damaging down the road.  Granted, football itself is known as a profession in which players are called upon to abuse their bodies for as long as they can (and they’re often well-paid for it).  But the claimants in this case are alleging that drug-pushing in the locker room has led to many post-career conditions about which the players received no warning, and that something must be done to stop it. (more…)

The company that has become synonymous with meeting the entertainment and communication needs of consumers via their many iDevices (iPod, iPad, and iPhone) is facing big trouble in China thanks to an inability to secure the trademark for the iPad.  In their ongoing battle over trademark rights with Hong Kong company Proview Technology there has been quite a bit of back and forth (with lawsuits flying not only between the two companies, but also targeting retailers that sell Apple products in China), but recently a court decision came down saying that Proview is the lawful owner of the trademark, despite any previous agreements made between the two companies.  Apple, for its part, plans to appeal. (more…)

Do you have a legal issue that you need advice on? If you are in this situation but don’t know how to find out what your rights are, there are many resources you can use to acquire the information that you need. From online guides and forums to free help lines, you can learn more about what your legal course of action should be before hiring a lawyer. (more…)

Naturally, you want to focus your attention and energy on your art. You do not need to work part-time as a lawyer. As a matter of everyday practice, therefore, you can keep copyright compliance perfectly simple and straightforward. You own each of your designs until you sell each individual piece. (more…)

When you hear about a whistleblower lawsuit, you expect it to come from nefarious companies like those that manufacture potentially unsafe products, skirt environmental laws, or engage in unfair labor practices…or, you know, chains that are notorious for their poor treatment of employees, like Walmart.  You don’t expect to hear about a whistleblower scandal involving a company that is known for its devotion to providing safe and natural food options to consumers looking for healthy alternatives to the chemical- and preservative-laden goods that permeate most grocery stores.  You don’t expect a store like Whole Foods to be involved in firing employees that report health hazards in the company’s operations. (more…)

Protecting yourself from a drunk driver is about more than just watching other people on the road. You should also watch your friends and family to be sure they are not endangering others by driving drunk. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay on the road this holiday season. (more…)

It appears that those in the Occupy movement aren’t the only ones that are mad as hell about the shortcomings of our government, the banks, and pretty much anyone in on the lending crisis.  And the state of Massachusetts may actually be able to do something about it…or at least they intend to give it the old college try.  State Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against no less than five major banking institutions: Ally Financial/GMAC, Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Wells Fargo & Co.  The charges being brought against them center on accusations of “unlawful and deceptive conduct” throughout the course of foreclosures and Coakley’s office called it the first “comprehensive lawsuit” to go after banks since the housing market crisis (and attendant foreclosures) began. (more…)