Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with lawyer

An Appeal for an Appeals Lawyer

Shane — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:16:37 -0800

How to find an appeals lawyer who will want to take a (probable win) appeal to the US Supreme Court? Like, do they, um, hang out on the 'Net somewhere? A friend of mine is the defendant in a CT State civil suit she is appealing to the US Supreme Court. The law under which she was prosecuted is extremely vaguely-worded and tends to trample on basic constitutional rights. So far this law has been used only twice, in each case to "smack down" people who have ticked off the State of CT. Lawyers, not just my friend and my (biased) self, agree on these points.

How can she find a good lawyer willing to take the appeal on a limited budget, hopefully for the chance of an impressive win in the Supreme Court? Or is that really something lawyers want? Maybe someone young and hungry? Countersuits would naturally follow a successful appeal, should the lawyer be interested.

She could also use legal counsel on a budget, of course.

Thanks, folks.

Working Outside the US with a US Law Degree?

plaidrabbit — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:04:01 -0800

How does an attorney, educated and licensed in US law, get hired in other countries (preferably Canada) that need someone who knows US law? First of all, I have to apologize if this has been asked before. I did a seriously thorough search through the archives, and I got nothing about lawyers and working abroad. So, having said that...

I'm trying to consider all of my options when it comes to the whole "getting a job" thing after I graduate law school next May. I'm currently completing judicial clerkship applications, doing an internship right now and an externship in the fall, and everything else I can think off. I also understand that most markets (hell, the entire US) is "tight," and getting any type of job is going to be tough.

I have lived in Canada in the past, and really enjoyed it. I also was in Ireland for six weeks last summer, and really enjoyed that as well. I would love to live and practice law in these areas, but I also know that getting licensed in those areas is nigh on impossible without re-attending a local law school/university. What I would like to do is advise companies based in these countries on contracts, business deals, corporate law or securities regulations regarding US law and its affects on their (hopefully international) business dealings.

Problem is, I've got no idea where to start. I did find some articles on getting hired in China, but I desire to live there about as much as I desire getting punched in the face. I am also thinking that I might have no luck doing this as a fresh graduate, and have a better shot later on when I can do a lateral move if I want. Does this matter? Do firms in other locales like young lawyers, thinking they're more likely to learn more of the local law system?

Any ideas? If there's anyone who actually does this for a living, and can tell me how they got into it, that'd be superb.

Do I need a lawyer for possible SEC investigation?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:40:12 -0800

Earlier this year, as part of my 401K, I sold some of my investment in my company's stock (total value ~$2000). A couple of weeks later, my company released a press release that said that they would be restating earnings due to accounting irregularities. I'm now on the list being questioned about insider trading. Do I need my own lawyer? I was contacted last week by a lawyer representing my company wanting to ask me about my trade. After some initial reluctance, I did talk to him and answered all of his questions. During that interview, the lawyer indicated that the SEC may or may not want to talk to me about the trade. (I made it clear to him that I did not have any information about the upcoming restatement, and that I only sold the stock as part of an ongoing process of occasionally selling the company stock to reduce my exposure to the wild swings of the stock).

I'm really reluctant to spend the money on a lawyer because it is only $2000 in my 401K, but I also don't want to lose anything else.

I guess I have two basic questions:

1. Does it seem like I need representation in this matter?

2. If I do, how do I find someone to represent me for a reasonable fee?

How much should I pay my lawyer to settle a wrongful death claim?

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:38:11 -0800

I'm going to hire an attorney to settle a wrongful death claim in the state of Ohio, USA. I hope to reach a settlement rather than going to court. What percentage of my settlement should the attorney get? A law firm offered to represent me for either 20% of whatever is gained by reaching a settlement, or 35% of whatever is awarded by a jury if the case goes to trial. Does this sound reasonable? Should I try to negotiate a lower percentage in either case, and if so, what is the lowest percentage I might reasonably expect them to accept?

We've already had a free consultation with the lawyers who will be involved. If I wish to negotiate the contract further, what protocol should I follow - ask for another meeting (and more of their time), call them up or send an email?

Anything else I should know before signing up with a law firm? The claim is against an estate, so a personal injury lawyer and an estate lawyer will both be involved. Their contract seems fairly straightforward and includes their expenses plus the percentage.

Can anyone recommend a NYC criminal defense attorney for a disorderly conduct charge?

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:17:33 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good NYC criminal defense attorney to help me with a disorderly conduct charge? I am facing a disorderly conduct charge in NYC. I'm not going to elaborate on the details of the incident here for all of the obvious reasons. Suffice it to say that no blows were exchanged and that I was never handcuffed or formally arrested -- arrested in the sense of having the Miranda warning read to me or sent to Central Booking for processing.

I know that the charge is bogus and penny-ante, that I could probably resolve it by showing up, pleading guilty and paying a fine. But I don't want even this charge on my record; something that seems penny-ante at this point could become a more major deal down the road, perhaps impeding my ability to find work or travel to some countries. And more importantly, I don't think I was doing anything wrong. So I'm not going to plead out. I intend to fight this charge.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced defense lawyer in New York City who would be good for this? What sorts of rates would they typically charge?

Thanks in advance.

Personalized Lawyer License Plate

cainiarb — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:40:23 -0800

Personalized (vanity) lawyer/legal license plate ideas needed. Here are the ones that I have so far. Does anyone have some other suggestions for legal / lawyer related personalized plates?

LITIG8
NOTGILT
IOBJEKT
CUINCT
IMASHRK
NEGOT8
SOSUEME
NOETHCS
CRIMPAYS

Know a good San Francisco lawyer?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:15:45 -0800

I've decided to buck the trend and not ask you for legal advice and go straight to getting a lawyer. So... do you have a recommendation for a lawyer in San Francisco to help me through a business/contract/billing dispute? I developed software for a client, client is using the work but refuses to pay the final payment and also refuses to stop using/selling the software.

I don't have a SF (in the city proper) lawyer yet and I'd like to find someone I could use as a regular resource helping me out with various unfortunate things that a small business owner sometimes has to deal with.

However for now I need someone to write the Scary Letter and maybe a cease and desist and give me advice about small claims court. (The amount due is just under the small claims $7,500 limit.)

Any referrals are deeply appreciated, though I'd be happy with hints in how to narrow the choices. So far my search has narrowed the field to merely thousands.

For private conversation contact IMadeUpAName@gmail.com

Suck up at my review or quit?

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:58:47 -0800

Impending performance review. I don't know whether to quit or somewhat disingenuously promise improvement and committment to the job. I am a lawyer. I have been working in policy for about a year and a half. Around January of this year, I realized that I really dislike it and would like to get back to being a lawyer. For the past month or so, I have been actively looking for a new job. It hasn't gone that well, but I have some leads.

I have been dealing with some pretty bad depression. I have not been myself. It's I-don't-want-to-brush-my-teeth depression. My work is suffering, but it is definitely not the primary cause of the depression. I didn't like job before I became depressed and I have done a good job here when I wasn't depressed, even when I didn't like it.

My boss is pretty cool, and normally very hands-off about HR issues, to the point where my coworkers and I rarely know where we stand. I just got word that we have performance reviews coming up. We didn't have one last year (boss just blew them off). I get some positive feedback from boss, and some negative, but always just on a case-by-case basis. "Great job on X," or "You need to handle Y better."

My problem is I don't know how to handle the review. I really would like to acknowledge what I think has been subpar performance, but I feel weird about making any promises for improvement. I am in treatment for the depression, which is one thing that I can say, but I feel like making a new workplan or something would be disingenous. I am certainly trying to do a better job, and I can certainly try to kick ass until I leave, but I feel weird, knowing I will leave when I find what I am looking for. On the other hand, I may never get that great job I'm looking for...

So should I acknowledge the performance, explain the depression, and then later, when I give my notice (which could be a ways off, if ever), say I thought it would improve but the job is part of the unhappiness?

Or should I be totally honest, quit, and do contract work while I look? I know that's not a great career move in general for lawyers, but maybe it's equal/almost equal/only a little worse than staying in a non-legal job that I hate? For future employers, I can tell them I wanted to get back into legal work ASAP?

I am mildly concerned that my performace review will be me getting fired, but I don't really think that's the case. But maybe the small chance is worth quitting and not having a termination on my record? More likely, if boss wants me to leave boss would give me a chance to quit, I think. But I don't know.

Also, the job itself is a good job, with good benefits. I like the employer, just not the position. Internal move is not possible, though. I don't even know how hard it would be for me to get a contract job. I'm in a major east coast city, and my field is in demand. I have only a few years of experince, but it is good experience.

Thanks for the help.

Do I have to pay my roommate's debt?

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:06:38 -0800

I'm in a financial pickle due to a bad choice of roommates two years ago. What are my options? Two years ago, I moved in with a girl during my divorce. I was put on the lease as an "addendum" and while I lived in her apartment, I paid 100% of the bills. About a week after I moved out (before her lease was up), she skipped out on the lease. Stupidly, when I turned in my key, remote and parking pass, I asked for a copy of the lease with my name stricken from it and was told that it wasn't necessary... the office woman assured me that I didn't need it and they would strike the addendum from the lease. I walked out not realizing that this girl was planning on moving out, but she did... and left owing almost three thousand dollars. How, I don't know, because I paid EVERYTHING when I stayed there.

For the past year and a half, I have been receiving notices from the creditor who purchased the debt. I spoke with someone recently and tried to explain my situation... unfortunately, the divorce coupled with an IRS audit has cost me over $30,000 and I am more or less penniless. The last thing I can afford now is to pay for someone stupid and irresponsible's mistake.

Unfortunately, the credit company has had no luck getting this girl to pay. She apparently has no bank account, no assets to seize, and refuses to work out a payment plan for the debt. I consulted a lawyer and was told that at some point, the credit company has the right to put a lien on my home to recover the debt. Apparently, this can be done without going to court and without notifying me... and will be horrible for my credit. What options do I have? I cannot pay the debt. I have sold everything of value I own, down to my shoes and clothing. Every penny I have goes to my house payment. It's all I have left. I have accrued almost five thousand dollars in credit card debt just buying groceries and so forth so I cannot put this debt on a credit card... it's maxed out.

Can I negotiate some kind of "settlement payment" with the credit company without a lawyer? I have already tried going directly to the apartment complex people, who told me I was "in collusion" because we left during the same 30-day period. They will not give me a copy of the lease, or the addendum. I cannot afford a lawyer. I have been told I can try going to the Texas Tenants Union, since I'm in Texas, but they probably won't be able to do much.

Has anyone else been in this situation? If so, how did you handle it? I'm worried that before I know it, they will put the lien on my home, and then I won't be able to sell it if I have to. Things are very touch-and-go financially for me, so I would prefer to avoid the lien.

Another person told me that my best option would be to settle the debt directly with the credit company and then take the former roommate to small claims court; how can I do that if I have to charge my groceries as it is? Wouldn't I have to pay a lawyer for that, too?

If anyone would like to respond off-site with ideas or suggestions, please email roommatetrauma@gmail.com. As stated, I am in Texas, if that helps.

Privacy and GrandCentral?

ooklala — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:33:22 -0800

I am thinking of using GrandCentral for my telephone needs, and want to know the safety and privacy of the service. I have already read the Terms of Use, and am pretty sure that they won't use my data for anything, but I am not good at reading things like this, and they have this weird part in it which concerns me.
"COMMUNICATIONS WITH GRANDCENTRAL
Subscriber may provide information, including but not limited to feedback, data, answers, questions, comments, suggestions, plans and ideas to GrandCentral. Such information shall be deemed non-confidential and GrandCentral assumes no obligation to protect such information from disclosure. The submission of such information to GrandCentral shall in no way prevent the purchase, manufacture, or use of similar products, services, plans and ideas by GrandCentral for any purpose whatever. GrandCentral shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose and distribute such information to others without restriction. Subscribers shall have no recourse against GrandCentral for alleged infringement or misappropriation in connection with any information or materials submitted to GrandCentral hereunder."
(here)
Is anybody with legal experience (or somebody who is good at reading these things) able to demystify my rights?

Can my minor children receive a gift from their great aunt that is excluded from the gift tax?

Duluth?! I Hardly Know Her! — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:08:02 -0800

Can my great aunt make a $12,000 gift to me, my wife, and each of our two kids (for $48,000 total) without incurring the gift tax? My (very generous) great aunt would like to give gifts to various extended family members but wants to be careful with the gift tax. From my research online, it seems beyond a doubt that she can give up to $12,000 per donee per year without triggering any gift tax or any obligation to report the gifts to the IRS.

The one question that I cannot find a straight answer on is whether she can give $12,000 to each of my 2 minor children and have that count separately from her gifts to me and to my wife. It seems to me that the answer is yes - I cannot find anywhere that the answer is no - but confirmation of this specific fact situation has eluded me.

If it matters, my family will use the combined money, including the kids' portion, immediately; it will not go into trust or into an account for when the kids turn older. Instead, we will use the money to fund improvements on our house that we have been deferring because we couldn't afford it. So when the money came in, I would sign my check for myself and sign the kids' checks on their behalf, deposit the money into our family's checking account, and then hand it over to a contractor.

Thanks for whatever help you can offer. I acknowledge that I should consult an independent professional and that if you are a lawyer or accountant you are not mine and you are not offering advice.

Gifts for someone finishing law school

chndrcks — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:47:25 -0800

My brother is graduating from law school soon and my sister and I are looking for a gift or gifts. We usually spend around $50/person for things like this, although we'd be wiling to go a little higher. I've thought about something like a Barrister's bookcase, but he lives in a tiny apartment right now and there's probably no room for it (and I'm not sure how furnished his office will be).

When he was my best man I got him a nice decanter and tumblers, which I thought would be good for a lawyer's office.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Know any good tax lawyers?

whitelight — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:52:36 -0800

Can you recommend a tax attorney in Washington State? Business taxes (Department of Revenue), specifically - but any tax attorney you've had good experience with would be appreciated!

Do debt collectors have to pay a fee if they call you after you have had an attorney contact them?

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:58:11 -0800

Do debt collectors have to pay a fee if they call you after you have had an attorney contact them? I had a dispute with someone over $140, and they have hired a debt collector. I asked my lawyer to take care of it. The agency (who originally implied they are lawyers, but apparently are not) called myself and my husband several times before I had the lawyer take it over.

My mother said if the debt collection agency calls me or my husband again, that they have to pay a $500 fine each time, since they are not supposed to contact us after the lawyer contacts them. The lawyer told them they need to send him some sort of letter explaining the debt, and he will reply.

They have since called my husband 3 times asking him to pay it, when they know I am not paying it and that we have had our attorney involved.

Do they now really owe us $1500? I have searched online and am having trouble finding something to back up my mother's claim, especially with a figure of $500.
If so, can I just pay her out of it and take the rest? Or do we only get it if this goes to court? Or is this nothing?

We are in the state of Texas. My lawyer is in Pennsylvania. He has been out of town for a few days so I have been unable to catch him in office. Figured you guys might be able to explain if this $500 thing is real or not.

(I know this sounds silly over $140. I was willing to just pay the person the money until they started making outrageous claims about what they did and claiming I am using their work. So please don't tell me to just pay it, since not only do I not owe it but they are really messed up.)

Should I take the unlicensed driver who destroyed my car to Chicago small claims court?

hypocritical ross — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:38:29 -0800

My car was just totaled by an unlicensed, uninsured 16-year-old driver in Chicago. I'm insured, but I have no collision coverage, so any/all expenses are strictly out-of-pocket. The teen responsible was found to be 100% liable on the police report. Can/should I take the family to small claims court? Related: Can anyone suggest a salvage guy that pays a fair price for junked cars and a decent lawyer to represent me in small claims court? Do I even need a lawyer in small claims court? Sorry - I'm new to this. Driving along to work this morning, when a car pulls out of nowhere right in front of me. Nobody was hurt luckily, but it was a hard crash... with way more damage to my car than to hers. She turned out to be uninsured, unlicensed, and was also cited for failing to yield at a stop sign.

Unfortunately I never sprung for collision insurance (bare minimum in Chicago is liability insurance), so I'm pretty much hung out to dry as far as paying for the repairs. The estimate is about $3800 - which just so happens to be the same as the blue book value of the car ('95 Honda Accord).

I'm thinking my best option is to trash the car, get what i can from a salvage guy for it, and put that towards a new hoopty off Craigslist just so I can get to work (my commute is roughly 20 miles - I live in the city but work in a suburb that isn't particularly accessible by public transportation). So I guess I have three questions:

1) Is this the best solution?

2) If so, do you know the name/number of a good salvage guy in Chicago that won't totally rip me off?

3) Can I take this to small claims court, if I can should I get a lawyer, and if so do you know one?

GRAND JURY YO!

madmamasmith — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:37:53 -0800

Do all misdemeanor cases get to bypass the grand jury? Is there such a thing as a federal misdemeanor? I know FEDERAL capital offenses must go before a grand jury and each STATE handles this differently, ie NY both sides and a judge, no grand jury. But I am confused on this process...help, test tommorrow!!

Are lawyers just vampire money-pit evil people?

Brockles — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:30:18 -0800

Wanted: Most expedient and financially prudent way to apply for permanent residence in Canada. I can't find any specific questions or direct help in the various government websites for my particular circumstances, so am looking for anecdotal evidence or a person in the know:

I have a work visa in Canada, and I have been here since October 2006. I am English and I have a very specific and technical job here that I am extremely well/over qualified for, with 15 years employment in the field. I'd like to apply for permanent residence, and have had quotes in the region of $2.5 to 5K for the process from immigration lawyers. At the moment, that is quite a lot of money to me, although I could save that without major hardship if I had to.

So questions are as follows:

1: Is there any advantage in turn-around time going with a lawyer? (please quantify answers). How long does either take?

2: I can't decide how likely I am to screw up the process if I don't use a lawyer (my work permit took two goes to go through when we tried to do it ourselves) so am weighing cost/arse-factor of just getting it done over not paying $3K or so. Any experience?

3: After having got a work visa, and having had lawyers offer to take my case on (expressing, as they would, high chances of it being successful), are lawyer supported applications a reasonable certainty?

4: I've heard rumours that there may be difficulty extending my 2 year work permit - which seems nonsensical to me. Is there any truth in this? The difficulty revolved around needing a few months gap between visa expiry and additional applications, which seems stupid.

5: Does it make it any easier that I am already employed and living here?

So. I am essentially looking to take the right decision for reliability of application. I also want to get this over and done with.

Can anybody help with this?

How to get a west coast prosecution job?

autojack — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:36:49 -0800

Asking for a friend: I want to be a prosecutor. Badly. It doesn't have to be all glamor and glory, I just want to get into court. I am looking at the Northern CA, OR and WA areas. Does anyone have any inside information on areas that are hiring/firing? I should add some personal details. I have excellent work experience, as I am putting myself through law school at night while working in law enforcement as a paralegal. I am attending a school in SoCal that is lower tier 1. Good grades, secondary journal, and a summer internship at the local DA.

I'm mining my local contacts, but wanted to see if MeFi had any insight. As a general rule, I've found that lawyers are usually 1) risk-averse and 2) creatures of habit. When hiring, they go with the local schools that everyone else went to, or the big name schools that everyone knows. How do I get the local DA to open its doors?

Tax lawyer to move to investing or general management?

shivohum — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:14:45 -0800

A friend's been a tax lawyer of six years at a law firm. With that and a CPA, he wants to change careers: either manage investments or be a general mgmt type. What positions should he pursue, esp in this business clime? Recs for headhunters? He likes money, prestige, and is somewhat risk-averse. He's willing to go int'l, but only speaks english.

Am I too old for the law?

Any Moose In a Storm — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:29:27 -0800

Am I too old to go to law school? I'm 33 and . . . I already have a Masters in one of those liberal arts subjects that does not a career make. (Career 3.5ish gpa haven't taken any test LSATs)

The law sounds like it could be intellectually vigorous and well paying but what kind of jobs do 36 year old Law grads get? Enough to pay back their loans and raise a kid?

Mediate this, sucka!

hal_c_on — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:57:24 -0800

IMAL Filter: So I am volunteering to go to mediation today. What can/should I do to get the most favorable outcome? I am an employee-plaintiff in a (not yet certified) class-action case regarding all sorts of violations ranging from meal-breaks to altering time sheets. Of course, getting a class-action certified is tough, but I have ALL sorts of documents, emails, etc that will make it pretty damn easy. REALLY easy.

But before that is done, my attorneys suggested that we may save a lot of time (and the other team may save a lot of attorney hourly fees) if we come to a settlement through mediation.

I looked up the the mediator and the the site; the situation looks pretty straightforward.

I heard it could be an ALL-DAY event, while the mediator is going back and forth between the two physically separated parties. There will be a LOT of downtime, knowing the bastards I'm dealing with. I'll have my wifi going, so I'll be able to mefi all day long.

Has anybody gone through this? Besides the basics of being flexible and patient, does anybody have any tips of what I could do to improve the outcome?

Thanks mefites, I love this site because of you guys.

Canada customs siezed my laptop.

Meatbomb — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:58:29 -0800

Please: recommend a lawyer in Vancouver, BC? I am in sudden need of trusted legal advice, connected to seizure of laptop by Canadian customs for "verification of contents".

Although I am not a terrorist or pedophile, having them go through all my stuff with a fine tooth comb freaks me out - who knows what they'll find, and what they would feel is enough justification to permanently confiscate the machine and / or press charges? This totally sucks, I need a lawyer right now.

Looking for a lawyer, but with no clue who to trust as I have no previous dealings in this area, and can't even define exactly what area of law / specialty I need here... I hope that some MeFite local to BC can suggest a trusted lawyer person who can help me, or at least point me in the right direction as to where to look.

Email in profile if you wish to speak privately.

What will happen in interview for lawyer job?

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:32:06 -0800

Lawyers: I spent the first part of my law career self-employed, so have never been through the interview process. Now I'm looking for a "real" job. Please hold my hand. Background: During law school, I worked in my father's solo law practice, and after graduation went directly into practice with him, so I know nothing about the interview process for law jobs. Now I want to get a regular job at a firm, and am terrified at the prospect of interviewing.

It seems that most places will do a telephone interview first, then follow up with a real interview if they are still interested after that. What kinds of questions can I expect in the phone interview? In the real interview? Do they ask for specific examples of cases you've worked on? Numbers of cases? Average caseload? Billable hours? Proof of billable hours worked? Do they give you hypotheticals? I'm no hotshot and despite having practiced for several years, am probably looking at coming in as a 2nd-year associate or staff attorney, if that helps.

Also, how do I deal with references? We practice in a small community, and if people get wind that I might be moving, they will stop hiring me, which would be disastrous. I really don't even want to ask anyone if they will give me a reference until I'm sure I have a job offer. Is this reasonable?

I have heard of firms just picking up the phone and randomly calling people in your legal community to see what they think of you, and this, too, would be Very Bad. How do I stop this from happening without seeming like the paranoiac I really am?

The bigger problem regarding references is finding them when the time comes. I've been doing almost exclusively transactional work or research and writing for cases that my father actually litigates, so no judges really know me very well. For the same reason, I haven't had a lot of interaction with other attorneys. I've been out of school for too long to use professors. And, obviously, I don't have any employer to give me a recommendation. What is the best way to handle this?

Submitted anonymously due to aforementioned paranoia about losing business due to people finding out I'm job hunting.

Can I change my name now, but start using it later?

fiercecupcake — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:45:38 -0800

Complicated name-change issues. I am changing my last name, but not due to a legal marriage. Can I get my name changed now, but start using it for everything later? My (same-sex) partner and I live in Texas; thus, we can't get legally married. However, we share finances (including several joint accounts) and have lived at the same address for over two years, as evidenced by our driver's licenses and growing amount of mass mailings. Now we are "lawyering up" in order to make a will, take care of powers of attorney, and do other assorted health/property-related paperwork.

We are having a wedding in October; however, all of this official stuff will be done before then. I want to change my name by adding her last name after my current last name, but it would be best to do it now and have that name be correct on all the paperwork we are filing, and I need to apply for a passport, and I would want that to be in the new last name, too.

So: Can I change my last name legally right now, use it for this paperwork and maybe even the passport, and then start using it in October? Or can I go ahead and change it everywhere legally now, and just tell people in October? If my last name is still part of my name (I want to go by MyFirst MyLast HerLast), I shouldn't have any problems depositing checks or the like, right?

What are the implications of buying an existing LLC in Massachusetts?

pikaboy202 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:48:34 -0800

What are the implications of buying an existing LLC in Massachusetts? I'm currently thinking of buying an existing law practice (LLC) in Massachusetts. The previous owner is a friend of mine and she wants to sell it to me.

She's going to close down all operating and IOLTA accounts before transferring it to me. She also rents an office space which I hope will be re-leased by the time I take it over in March. If not, as the new member/manger of an old LLC, am I responsible for the lease? I do not want to take over the lease since I have my own separate office space.

Am I responsible for any malpractice she might have committed while she was the member? What other things should I consider before doing this?