Client’s Bill of Rights Issue 2 • Volume II April 2009 Brown Billy Knight Bonnie and Gary Miller...
Transcript of Client’s Bill of Rights Issue 2 • Volume II April 2009 Brown Billy Knight Bonnie and Gary Miller...
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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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answers from an attorney with no obligation.
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
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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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