Inside this Issue:

April 2009Issue 2 • Volume II

Sherrod+Bernard Attorneys at LawP.O. Box 1154 | 8470 Price AvenueDouglasville, GA 30133

May 2012 • Volume III • Issue 9

Call or visit www.sherrodandbernard.com

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P.O. Box 11548470 Price Avenue

Douglasville, GA 30133

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Client’s Bill of Rights

Thedownturninthenational,state,andlocaleconomieshasforcedAmericanstoreconsidertheirpersonalbudgets,sourcesofincome,andfinancialfuture.Manyareconsideringself-employmenteitherbecauseofeconomicnecessity,hardshiporbecauseofthecontinuedpursuitoftheAmericandream.Workingforoneselfcanbeverygratifying,butalsoextremelydemanding. Ifyouareconsideringself-employment,itisimportanttostartoffontherightfoot.Whetheryouareinterestedinbuyingafranchise,startinganewbusiness,orrevitalizinganexistingbusiness,duediligenceiskey.Duediligencemeansthatyouhavetakentimetoconsideryourbudget,thelocalenvironment,businesslicenserequirements,insuranceneeds,andtheproperlegalorganizationofthebusiness. Therearemanyformsofbusinessorganizationsintendedtoprotecttheownerfrompersonalliability;therefore,itisimportantthatyoudiscusseachformwithalawyerandselecttheformthatbestsuitsyourneeds.Inaddition,taxliabilitiesshouldalsobeconsideredwhenselectingabusinessform.Thisarticledoesnotaddresstaxissuesbecausesuchissuesshouldalwaysbediscussedwithacertifiedpublicaccount. Manypeoplechoosetheprotection,orcorporateveil,associatedwithanincorporatedbusinessoralimitedliabilitycompany.Eitherformprotectstheownerfromliabilitybeyondtheirinvestment.Further,organizingabusinessasacorporationorasanLLCshieldstheowner

Thankyouforthereferrals...Areferralfromaformerclientorfriendisthegreatestcomplimentourfirmcanreceive.Wearegratefulforeveryreferral–belowisalistofthepeoplewhorecentlyreferredafriendorfamilymembertoourfirm.Wewouldliketopubliclythankeachandeveryoneofthembylistingtheminournewsletter.Andagain,wesay,“ThankYou!”WeatSherrod&Bernardappreciateallourreferringfriends,eventhoseinadvertentlyomitted.Thislistwasgeneratedsoleyfromclientsreportinghowtheyfoundourfirm.Thankyouforyourconfidenceinourlegalteam.

againstpersonalliabilityassociatedwiththebusiness.Thisshield,orcorporateveil,islargelydependentuponwhetherthebusinessisactuallyoperatedasaseparateentity,ratherthananalteregooftheowner. Whilebothorganizedentitiesfacepotentialclaimantsseekingtopiercethecorporateveil(thismeansattacksagainsttheindividualowner’sassets),theabilitytoattackthepersonalassetsoftheownerisbasedonhowthebusinessisconducted.Forexample,arecontractssignedindividuallyoraretheysignedasacorporateentitybyapersonwithsignatureauthority?Doesthecorporationmaintainseparateaccounting,accounts,andinventoriesapartfromtheindividualowner?Doestheownerseparatehisorherlifestyleoutsideofthebusinesscheckingaccountoristhelifestylerunthroughthebusiness?Doesthecorporationhaveadequateinsurancecoveragetomeetthedemandsofliability?Doesthecompany’scheckbookactasanowner’scashregister? Notwithstandingthetaxelection,itisimportanttohaveanorganizedentityespeciallyforbusinessesthataresubjecttoexposurefornegligentacts,accidents,claims,orpremiseliability.Insuranceisafirstlineofprotection,buttosleepbetteratnightoneshouldformalegallyrecognizedseparateentity.Interactionwiththepublicnecessitatestheneedsforbothadequateorganizationandinsurance. Remember,beingself-employedisrefreshingandrewarding,butitalsorequirescommitmentandsacrifice.Therefore,beforeyoutaketheplungeintoself-employment,besuretotalktoalawyerandaccountant.

HowtoStartaNewBusiness:AmericanEntrepreneurship–WorkingforYourselfBy: Ken Bernard

MelindaAbercrombie PattyHowell PatriciaMaurer VictoriaSchaffer SandyWhite

BillBailey JeromeKee DonnaMcGinnis BillShelton MarthaWhitlock

JustinBarker RobbieKing SherriMcKinley CamilleSheppard ChelleyWilliams

TimBrown BillyKnight BonnieandGaryMiller RodSisson DaveWilliams

LesChoo JohnJackson CrystalMills JoshuaSkinner StaceyWord

AngelCordle JeannieLanders TerryOsborne ConnieSmith ChrisWynn

Dr.CharlesCraton DavidLatham CadeParian RichardSmith HubertYoder

JayDavis WesleyLeonard CourtneyandPatrickPoston JonlSteinke Dr.EricZeigler

BruceEmory KathyLedford SandyPayton DonitaTownsel

BrendaandBarryHead BradLoudermilk SuvessRicks Dr.LesliWalker

BryanHilton GwynneMaurer LeanneRoberts ChadWhite

Lawyerswilltellyouthatitisimpossibletoofferaguaranteeinthelegalbusiness,butwedisagree.Wesaythatlawfirmclientsshouldsettlefornothinglessthanaguarantee.Remember,yourattorneyworksforyounottheotherwayaround.AtSherrod&Bernardwebelievewecanguaranteeourclientsqualityservicewithpersonalattention.Webelievethat,asourclient,youareentitledtohavethe:1)Righttoloyaltytoyouandyourcause.2)Righttobeupdatedregularlyandinatimelymannerastotheprogressofyourcase.3)Righttoourrespect.4)Righttoexpectcompetencefromourfirmandallwhoworkhere.5)Righttoknowthetruthaboutyourcase.6)Righttopromptattentionfromourstaff.7)Righttohaveyourlegalrightsandoptionsexplainedinsimpletermswithoutalotoflegalmumbojumbo.8)Righttoafairwrittenfeeagreementwithourfirm.9)Righttoafairfeefortheservicesweprovide.10)Righttomakethefinaldecisionsinyourcase.

REFERRALSWewantyoutothinkofusasyourlawfirm.Ifyouhavealegalmatterthatneedsattention,pleaseletusknow.Ifwecannothandlethematter,wewillreferyoutoafirmthatcan.

RecipeoftheMonth..................2

RecentNews&Activities............2

EmployeeSpotlight....................2

WorkingwithaLegend..............2

SpecialClient.............................3

Univ.SystemofGAFoundation...3

MemorialDaySafetyTips...........3

Client’sBillofRights..................4

AtlantaBraves’2012Schedule...4

TOLL FREE: 877-798-8979LOCAL: 770-920-8350

RECENTNEWS&ACTIVITIES•JohnSherrodwasaguestspeakerattheSouthernTrialLawyersAssociation’sAnnualConferenceinNewOrleans.Johnspoketofellowtriallawyersabouttrialtacticsusedinarecentcase.•CongratulationstoSydneySherrodwhorecentlygainedadmissiontotheGradySchoolofJournalismattheUniversityofGeorgia.•KenBernardrecentlyhostedtheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaFoundation,Inc.’sAnnualGala.Atthisevent,heservednotonlyasthefoundation’schairman,butalsoastheemceefortheevening.TheUSGFoundationisresponsibleforsupportingtheprimarygoalsoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaandits35publiccollegesanduniversitiestoensureaccesstoacademicexcellenceandeducationalopportunitiesforallGeorgians.•Congratulationstoourown,KatieAlford,forbeingnamedthe2011ClubwomanoftheYearonboththelocalanddistrictlevelforherdedicationandhardworkasamemberoftheBremenJuniorWoman’sClubwhichisavolunteer,non-profitorganization.•KenBernardandStephanieRegasrecentlyledalegalteamthatwonaCourtofAppealsdecisionagainstaninsurancecarrierthatfailedtopayajurytrialjudgmentagainstitsinsured.•CongratulationstoJackTaylorBernardformakingthe8thgradebaseballteamatWoodwardAcademy.•KenBernardwasrecentlynominatedtoserveathirdtermasChairmanoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaFoundation,Inc.•CongratulationstoLindseySherrodforbeingelectedasherClassPresidentfor2013.•KenBernardwasappointedasChairmanoftheInternalAuditandRiskCommitteefortheBoardofRegents.

S&BGivesBackSherrod&Bernardproudlycontributedtothefollowingcauses:AlexanderDugoutClubDenimandDiamondsCharitiesofDouglasCounty,Inc.DouglasCountyBoardofCommissioners–AnimalShelterFundraiserCompassionateCareHospiceofClarkCounty–InMemoryofDorisLeslieAllenCASAofDouglasCountyChristianCityChildren’sHome–FashionwithCompassioneventTheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaFoundationInc.

RECIPEOFTHEMONTHKey Lime Pound CakeBy: Stephanie Regas Pound Cake Ingredients1/2pound(2sticks)butter,plusmoreforpan1/2cupvegetableshortening3cupssugar5eggs3cupsall-purposeflour,plusmoreforpan1/2teaspoonfinesalt1/2teaspoonbakingpowder1cupmilk1teaspoonvanillaextractPound Cake DirectionsPreheatovento350degreesF.Withamixer,creambutterandshorteningtogether.Addsugar,alittleatatime.Addeggs,1atatime,beatingaftereachaddition.Stirdryingredientstogetherinabowlandaddtomixeralternatelywithmilk,startingwiththeflourandendingwiththeflour.Mixinvanilla.Pourintoagreasedandflouredtubepanandbakefor1to11/2hours,untilatoothpickinsertedinthecenterofthecakecomesoutclean.Key Lime Topping Ingredients112oz.canofcondensedmilk2cupsofheavywhippingcream1bottleofNellie&Joe’sFamousKeyLimeJuiceKey Lime Topping DirectionsWithamixer,whiptheheavywhippingcreamuntilitpeeks.Continuingwhippingandgraduallypourinthecanofcondensedmilk.Continuingwhippingandaddkeylimejuicetotaste,Isuggest6-8ounces.Preparation DirectionsAddadollopofkeylimetoppingtoeachsliceofpoundcakeandenjoy! WORKINGWITHALEGEND

By: John Sherrod

JohnSherrodandourfirmrecentlyworkedwithlegendarytriallawyer,BobbyLeeCook,onawrongfuldeathcaseinChattoogaCounty.AlthoughCookandSherrodwereonthesamesideofthecaseinvolvingahorrificcarcrash,thepairrepresenteddifferentfamilymembersofthevictims.“ItwasarealtreattoworkwithsomeoneinmyprofessionthatIhavelookeduptosinceIwasachild”saidSherrod.“ThiswasthesecondcasethatMr.CookandIhaveworkedtogetheron;hemaymovealittleslowerbutheisstillassharpasever”addedSherrod. BobbyLeeCook,now85,hastriedcasesoverthepastsixdecadesinmorethan40statesandseveralcountries.FrommoonshinerstotheRockefellers,Mr.Cookhasrepresentedallwalksoflife.ItiswidelybelievedthatthetelevisionshowcharacterBenMatlockwasinspiredbyMr.Cookandhisbodyofwork.

May:•EmployeeHealth&FitnessMonth•ToxicEncephalopathy&ChemicalInjuryMonth•OlderAmericansMonth•FosterCareMonth•MentalHealthAwarenessMonth•NorthAmericanOccupationalSafetyandHealthWeek=May6-12•NationalAlcohol&DrugRelatedBirthDefectsAwarenessWeekMay13-19•Mother’sDay-May13•MemorialDay-May28June:•FlagDay-June14•Father’sDay-June17•GreatOutdoorsMonth•HomeSafetyMonth•FireworksSafetyMonth(endsJuly4th)

EmployeeSpotlight OnFebruary1stofthisyear,ourfirmwelcomednewstaffmember,KatieAlford.KatieisaParalegal,aswellas,thenewOfficeAdministratorforourfirm.ShewasbornandraisedinMississippi,buthaslivedintheCarrollCountyareaofGeorgiaforthepastelevenyears.KatiegraduatedfromtheUniversityofWestGeorgiawithaBachelor’sofSciencedegreeinCriminologyandaminorinPsychology.Inaddition,shealsopossessesanAssociate’sofArtsdegreeinParalegalStudiesfromAshworthUniversity. Beforejoiningourfirm,KatieworkedasaparalegalintheCarrolltonareaforovertenyearsandfocusedprimarilyoncriminallawandfamilylaw.Atourfirm,Katieisresponsibleforthefamilylawportionofourpractice,alongwithworkingonsomeprobateandcorporatecases.Herfirmdutiesalsoconsistofmanagingthedailyactivitiesofourbusiness,whichincludessuchaspectsas,handlingaccountspayable/receivableandcompanypayroll. Outsidetheoffice,KatieisacurrentresidentofBremenandisveryactiveinhercommunity.SheisaproudmemberandexecutiveboardmemberoftheBremenJuniorWoman’sClubwhichisavolunteerbased,non-profitorganizationthathelpsfulfilltheneedsoftheHaralsonCountycommunitybyfundraisingandraisingawarenessforsuchcausesasveteran’saffairs,children’sliteracy,specialeducation,andwomen’shealthissues. Inadditiontocommunityactivities,inherfreetime,Katiealsoenjoysspendingtimewithfamilyandfriends,caringforherbelovedpets,traveling,reading,andattendingconcertsandsportingevents.

ASPECIALCLIENTBy: John Sherrod

IfirstmetMarkinICUatGradyHospitallateoneSundayevening.Hiswife,Janice,askedthatIcomevisitandofferlegaladviceonthecatastrophicsituationthattheynowfoundthemselvesdealingwith.AsIrodeuptheelevator,Ihadnoideaofthecharacterofthepersonawaitingmyarrival. Daysearlier,Mark’slifewaschangedforeverashedrovedownNeboRoadinPauldingCounty,justafewmilesfromhishome.Withoutwarning,aflat-bedwreckerbackedoutfromaprivatedriveintoMark’spathcausingahorrificcollision.Uponimpact,thewrecker’shitchtorethroughthecabofMark’ssmalltruck.Immediately,herealizedsomethingwasterriblywrong.Ashelookeddown,Marksawthathisleftleghadbeenseveredabovetheknee. Miraculously,anoff-dutyparamedicwasthefirsttocomeuponthecrashscene.HespottedMarkcrawlingfromthewreckage.AtourniquetmadefromabungeecordkeptMarkalive.Hisleg,however,couldnotbesaved. Afterintroducingmyself,IlistenedtoMarkrecountthehorribledetails.HethensaidsomethingthatIwillneverforget.Lyinginahospitalbedwithabrokenpelvisminushisleg,hesmiled,andsaid,“youknow,John,sometimesweareputonthisearthbyourMakertofacechallenges,andIamdeterminedtoturnthisnegativeintoapositive.”Holdingmyemotionsincheck,Isimplyreplied,“letmehelp.” Almostdailyforthenextsixmonths,ourfirmworkedonvariouslegalissuesfacingMark’sfamily.IamproudthatwewereabletoresolveMark’scasesuccessfullyagainstalltheculpableparties.IamalsohappytoreportthatMarkwalked(yes,“walked”)intomyofficeonthedaythatweconcludedhiscase.Aprosthesisallowshimtogetaroundwithlittleproblem.Hisspeedyrecoveryisatestamenttohisworkethic.Incredibly,Markhopestobebacktohisphysicallydemandingjobsoon. AsIlookbackoverthelastsixmonths,IfeelfortunatetohavebeenaneyewitnesstoMark’srecovery.Ihaveseenfirst-handarareindividualtakealife-dealtnegativeandturnitintoapositive.AlthoughIamcertainthatMarkandJanicehavebeendownanextremelytoughroad,mostpeoplewouldneverknowit.Throughoutthecase,thecoupleremainedupbeatandpositive. Thankyou,Mark,foryourfriendshipandallowingmetoshareyourinspiringstory.

USGFoundationRaisesFundstoSupportCollegeScholarships

RegentandUniversitySystemofGeorgiaFoundationChairman,KenBernard,recentlyhostedtheFoundation’sannualRegents’SalutetoEducationawardsdinner,whichisnowinitseighthyearofraisingfundsforstudentscholarshipsandhonoringdistinguishedalumniandfaculty. OneofthehighlightsoftheeveningwasacheckpresentationbyChairmanBernardtoGovernorNathanDealinsupportoftheGovernor’sREACHneed-basedscholarshipprogram.SpeakingonbehalfoftheUSGFoundation,ChairmanBernardnoted,”WeareexcitedaboutREACHanditspotential,andpleasedtoprovidea$50,000contribution.Weseeitasaninvestmentinourstate’sfuture.” Inadditiontothissignificantcontribution,morethan$200,000inscholarshipfundswillbeawardedtoUSGcollegesanduniversitiesmadepossiblebytheproceedsofthisyear’sevent. ThisisMr.Bernard’ssecondtermaschairmanoftheUSGFoundation,andhehasrecentlybeennominatedtoserveathirdconsecutiveterm.

Office: P.O. Box 1154 | 8470 Price Avenue | Douglasville, GA 30133

ForagreatMemorialDayWeekend,safetyisamust!

Travel Safety-Withmorepeopleontheroadsovertheholidayweekend,itisextremelyimportanttodrivesafelybyfollowingsomeofthesetips:Bewellrestedandalert;Alwayswearyourseatbelt;Observethespeedlimits;Ifdrinkingalcohol,alwayshaveadesignateddriver;Turnyourheadlightsonatduskandduringinclementweather;andLetsomeoneknowyourdestination,yourroute,andestimatedtimeofarrival.

Water Safety-Learningtoswimisoneofthebeststepstoensuringwatersafety;however,inadditiontothat,thesetipsarealsorecommended:Noone(adultorchild)shouldeverswimalone,andanychildnearabodyofwatershouldbecloselysupervised;Teachchildrentoalwaysaskpermissionfromanadulttogonearthewater;Fortheprotectionofcuriouschildren,anypoolshouldbesurroundedbyafencethatisatleastfourfeettall;obeyNodivingsigns,andonlyswimindesignatedareas;weakorinexperiencedswimmersshouldwearU.S.CoastGuardapprovedlifejackets-“floaties”or“waterwings”arenotsufficient;andtakeaCPRclasstolearnvaluablelife-savingskills.

Grilling Safety-Whetheritbewithgasorcharcoal,oneofAmerica’sfavoritepastimesiscookingout.Makesuretofollowthesetipsforasafegrillingexperience:Beforegrilling,doaquickchecktomakesuretherearenoleaksorholes;Alwaysuseyourgrillinanopen,wellventilatedarea;neveraddstarterfluidaftercharcoalshavealreadybeenignited;closelysupervisealitgrillandneverleaveitunattended;Makesurefamily,friends,andpetsstayatasafedistancefromahotgrill;andUselong-handledutensilsthatarespecificallydesignedtowithstandtheintenseheatofagrill.

**TheinformationinthisarticlewascollectedfromtheAmericanRedCrosswebsite.http://www.redcross.org

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