Lawyerup09

KARMA KORN

KARMA CORN- Books I recommend

Karma Corn: I just love that name/title

I stumbled upon this really cool app (for lack of a better word) on Face book & I am having the best time. It is sort of like an interactive random acts of kindness group. I am a very new member so admittedly not an authority on the blog, the group or exactly how it works, but here is my attempt to explain it. Better yet, I will copy a blurb straight from the Karma corn curator


Karma Korn is a virtual currency for social change. People use Karma Korn "kernels" instead of money to trade "actions" to help make the world a better place. http://KarmaKorn.com






Karma Korn ... grow good!'s profile
 

Karma corn on face book is about everyone doing one small act that helps another in our combined effort to change the world. You will find many actions to choose from and they vary in how how much action is required on your part.
 
I really don't think that many of us realize just how easy & simple it is to help others. It can be as simple as smiling at a stranger or as generous as paying for the car behind you at McDonald's or at the toll booth.
 
You don't need to know your intended recipient of your kind act, but I find that it is actually fun & more rewarding to offer a kind or helping hand to a complete stranger,
 
Whoever said that one person cannot change the world may be right, but one person helping five who in turn helps five and so on and so on....we may not change the world completely...but I'm sure setting my goal to try. And try I will. I may not change the world, but I hope to make at lest a few people smile or laugh each day.
 
What I really love about this challenge is that my kids are having so much fun watching me that they have now joined me in our  Pay it forward Lifestyle
 

MY FIRST OFFICIAL KARMA CORN ACTION:
  
I started small so I would be sure to complete my task and then move on to bigger & more rewarding actions. My first action selected from the Karma Corn site was:
 
RECOMMEND A BOOK
The details I am assuming have been left up to me {with the exception of filling out a form indicating that I have completed my action & then collecting my karma corn}
  
This is an easy one for me in fact I will have to narrow my recommended book list down to just a few or I could be here all day & I would rather be out doing more random acts of kindness & earning more Karma. Sure Karma corn is fun (not as tasty as candy corn but I had enough of that for Halloween), but the real reward is the feeling you get when you help someone or see a stranger smile.
  
I am recommending five really awesome books:
  
MY 5 BOOKS
 
1.  God Wears Lipstick- Kabbalah for Women. The title of this book both intrigued and baffled me. It is authored by the talented Kabbalahist Karen Berg. The first thing I need to say is that you absolutely do not need to be Jewish to enjoy the wisdom this book & practice offers.
 
Karen Berg introduces the power of kabbalah from a woman's point of view. This book reveals the divine spiritual principles and time tested tools that have helped millions of women transform their lives. I have always been interested in studying the Kabbalah, but was afraid to try. My stepson and many others have told me that people actually go crazy/insane in their study of the Kabbalah. Now if that doesn't scare potential students away, I don't know what will.
 
What you will learn from Berg's boo is that this study is indeed a collection of knowledge that for centuries was accessible only to scholarly Jewish men over the age of forty and had been forbidden to all others including women
 
Berg writes, " In fact, it was thought that the study of kabbalah would drive one to madness..."
 
"This tradition of secrecy passed through generation after generation of male kabbalahist until 1968..." This is around the time that Berg and her husband "The Rav Berg" opened the first Kabbalah center in the United States and offered this spiritual wisdom to all who were interested.
 
The purpose of the study of the Kabbalah is to show you that ALL OF YOUR POTENTIAL can be realized.
 
In a nutshell, the study of the kabbalah is akin to mastering the zen of the popular bestselling theories detailed in "The Secret", but Berg has such a natural storytelling voice that she makes even the most difficult to comprehend principles, simple to learn
 
2. STEPWIVES: by Lynne Oxhorn-Rongwood and Louise Oxhorn
This is by far the very best book about blended families, step families, ex spouses, & step parenting that I have EVER read & believe me I have read almost all of them. I am both an ex wife of a remarried man (we have children together) & the wife of a divorced man with children (hence a step mom). This book is a must read for all women who need to learn to co-parent children with ex's and spouses of ex's
 
Never before has a boo been able to make me step into the shoes of my "stepwife" and see things more clearly. I cannot give these two women and this book enough praise. They even have an interactive website to help you with issues that may develop. www.comamas.com
 
If you are a step mom or if tour children have a step mom, do the kids a great service READ THIS BOOK & PRACTICE WHAT IT TEACHES YOU. YOUR CHILDREN WILL THANK YOU
 
3.  A RELIABLE WIFE: by Robert Goolrick. This is thrilling, intoxicating, page turner. If you are a fan of fiction, a fan of suspense...this book is for you
 
4. INNOCENT: The long awaited sequel to PRESUMED INNOCENT. You do remember the first book right? If not surely you saw the blockbuster hit starring Harrison Ford. If you loved Presumed Innocent, you will not be disappointed with it's sequel. And as a bonus, if you somehow missed Presumed Innocent, don't despair. You can pick this gripping, plot and character driven novel up and become engulfed without having read the prequel.
 
5. THE CONFESSION: by John Grisham  Not that this author needs any promoting, I still want to highly recommend this page turner. I loved  A TIME TO KILL and THE FIRM, and a few others, but somewhere in the Grisham Dynasty I became less of a fan. This book kept my attention much lie the first two. I read this book in one sitting. Yep, could not put it down and stayed up all night long.
 

I hope you enjoy one or more of my boo recommendations. I hope even more that you will check out this website
 
http://blog.karmakorn.

Random Chapter from JUSTICE FOR SALE

 

SCENE:MANCINI TELLS LACEY ABOUT THE ADOPTION

(775)

 

 

Victor's swollen fingers grabbed his glock. He charged toward Lacy, clutching the disc in one palm while grabbing the back of her lose pony tail with the other. Catching up to her just before she wedged her body between the cars, shoving her with the full force of his weight and speed; Lacy fell face first onto the scorching black top road.

 

The pain from her scraped knees, gaping open wound somewhere on her face and twisted knee god, don't let the cartilage be torn were all that kept her from bolting up and trying to outrun him again. Before she could get to her feet, Victor yanked her up by the collar of her bloody and sweat soaked shirt with his free hand, dragging her to the white van waiting with its side door open.

 

She didn't recognize the driver, but her heart began vibrating when she made out Lee Benoit in the back seat, I always knew he was the Anti-Christ, she hoped they couldn't see the tremble in her jaw when she finally spoke.

 

"I'm not a threat to you." Her teeth chattering.

 

" I like to eliminate nuisances." Mancini said.

 

"I really...just let me go...you know I can't hurt you."

 

"Probably not, still the same, you robbed me of the pleasure of hurting you," clasping his hands together , first as if praying then flipping his hands over exposing his palms and extending his elbows to a locked position he cracked his knuckles. Lacy had seen this before , fear took over. She wondered were he put the gun.

 

" May not get my pleasure , my way-still, gotta have some insurance, babe."

 

"Like what?" her mind thinking concentrating on staying alive long enough to get to uncle Tony.

 

" Your kid."

 

" My children. No fucking way you god damned freak of nature."

 

"Too late, toots."

 

" Bull shit, you know if you hurt my kids, Tony will stick a garden hose up your prick and use it as as a catheter."

 

" Not kids, plural, just the little boy."

 

" Don't you fucking dare hurt my son, I'll--"

 

“ Do nothing" he mocked " Ain't gonna hurt that precious toe headed boy, but he's not your son. Not no more not until?

 

"Until what? What have you done, Vic?"

 

“ Not me, the Judge. As of um” looking at his watch , enjoying his delayed infliction of terror , "As of noon today he ain't' your kid."

 

Shifting to get lose from Benoit who had her hands pinned behind her back, she realized it was futile. She was no match for his strength, certainly not with her head throbbing from the fall . Licking her lips she tasted the metallic stench of blood, but didn't know exactly where it was coming from or how severely she was hurt.

 

"What the hell have you done?" No longer able to fight back the tears, they coiled down resting on her upper lip. The salty mixture of blood and her own perspiration were burning the open wounds on her face.

 

“Calm down, wouldn't want you to have one of those attacks, what you call them, anxiety? Cuz I don't have,” his eyes veering toward Benoit, "yo, you didn't happen to get the ladies anti panic meds or that inhaler she needs to breathe did ya? " Not waiting for a response, He cooed.

 

" Aw, what a shame, well can't think of everything. Not when the bitch runs with that disc."

 

"Victor, where is my little boy?" she pleaded.

 

" The Judge took him away."

 

" Who? What Judge? Why? Fuck, I know what Judge, you dirty bastard, but why?"

 

"All perfectly legal, Ms. Law-n-Order. See , I did a little investigating, cuz, well that's my job, right? Turns out the adoption is invalid and well seeing as how its so important to you that we not do favors for friends and all; I did what I did. I know how you appreciate me not cutting corners. That is how you put it right?"

 

" Bull Fucking Shit. My Husband and Pernici handled that adoption and they don't make mistakes."

 

" Oh, no I'm sure they don't. Two of the best lawyers in town. Wasn't their fuck up, was hers."

 

"Who's her?”

 

"Seems the birth mother falsified the name of the baby daddy," he continued mocking her "yep, she listed a phoney dad's name. So now we start all over at ground zero-- that is—unless."

 

"If what and who's we?"

 

"If you cooperate and then there's the matter of notifying the real birth father."

 

*************************************************************************

RANDOM CHAPTER FROM -My Novel in Progress

 

 

 

 

 

 
CHAPTER: I'm Being Charged with Murder

This is the rough-rough, first draft of one of the chapters in my book. I will post chapters from time to time, in no apprarent order. All Random, but I welcome, I want your comments, suggestions and advice, Please, and be honest. If you are less than honest; I cannot grow as a writer. Thank you. 

 

Lacy didn't remember driving to Danny' house any more than she remembered slamming her car into a stop sign, but there she was standing at the front door of his South Highland's home pounding with the brass knocker while simultaneously ringing the bell like an impatient child.

She must have awakened him. It wasn't quite five am. And suddenly she thought of his nosy neighbors who would see her car parked out front when they got up for the dog walks and paper fetching. Danny had to live on the busiest street in the snob filled neighborhood; just her luck. It didn't help that the majority of the homes in the historical area didn't even have garages.

Danny answered the door without asking who it was; her screaming undoubtedly alerted him long before he reached

“Shh, calm down baby.” He was stroking Lacy's hair, her head buried deep in his chest. She finally exhausted herself into silence. “ C'mon, slow down, breath. You're okay. I've got you and I would never let anything happen to you.” Danny Managed to calm her and she lit a cigarette while he poured her a drink.

“Little early to get me drunk, don't you think?” He didn't answer, but the comment showed a little of the Lacy spark that he relished. Taking the bloody Mary in one hand she tried again to answer his questions. Danny wanted to know why she thought the police would ever think she was involved in a homicide.

Dollar, one of the state's best criminal defense attorney's was notorious for keeping a straight face regardless of what bullshit his clients fed him. His facial expression clearly showed he was not expecting the answer he got from lacy.

Lacy was much more calm. After three bloody Mary's her words were slurred but undeniably sharp at the same time. She could hear Danny shuffling back from the kitchen on the parquet floors. Releaved that she couldn't see his face, nonetheless he wondered if she could see his heart beating like a Clydesdale trotting across his bare chest.

He knew that he had not mistaken what she said. As much as he had grown to love this woman, he could only think of himself as he replayed her words over and over again in his heard. It was like a tape recorder overpowered his brain, back up, rewind, play it again, “The dead girl is my daughter's birth mom.”

 

When Lacy conked out from exhaustion and a little help from her three bloody Mary morning cocktails, Danny ventured out onto the veranda. With coffee and cigarettes in each hand he took a seat on his chaise, where he normally relaxed before tackling his grueling day. Thoughts racing he lit another cigarette, the one before still smoldering in the ashtray stacked high like a wedding cake with cigarette butts smoked down to the filter. It wasn't the wind crippling his effort to light another, but his trembling hands. Just as his lit another the scorching coffee torched his arm and chest. It must have been the jolt from the seer that brought him back to reality.

Danny knew that Lacy wasn't capable of killing anyone, but what did that mean for him? Was life as he knew it about to end? Okay this is not as bad as it sounds. Absolutely no one could connect him to the dead girl. Could they? She had been a client, nothing more. Nothing earth shattering. What was it? He racked his brain, rubbing his free hand through the top of his hair. It had to be a minor charge, criminal mischief, theft, something unremarkable, he couldn't even remember what charge he represented her on. It was miniscule and he resolved it with a fine and community service without even having to make a court appearance; that much he could remember.

Relaxing a little, Danny popped open the prescription bottle and

tossed two tablets into his mouth, swallowing without anything to drink, his mind returned to the dead girl and her case. And of course there would be no reason for anyone to ever check his office files. Confident that there was absolutely no trail linking Tammy to him or his office he strolled inside and ran the water for his shower.

Looking at his face in the bathroom mirror, Danny quietly admired the way he had not aged. Women of all ages still found him irresistible. Ironic he thought, just when the desire for chasing women subsided and he finally thought he met the only one capable of taming his wild ways, this shit from his past could bite him on his ass and ruin everything. Lacy would never forgive him.

How did Lacy figure the dead girl for Tea's birth-mom? He needed to ask her; he had to be sure. Patting her gently on her back until her eyes opened and met his, he forced the unthinkable out of his mind. She smiled and he wasn't sure if it was acid reflux or if this was the early sign of a heart attack. A panic attack, he decided, self diagnosed, having never had one.

She was beautiful, so perfect even with two raccoon eyes, a puffy runny nose and black streaks resembling a member of KISS. Her smile and the way her eyes seductively yet innocently pulled him towards her lips aroused him unexpectedly. He kissed her gently and to his surprise she returned his kiss with a forceful hunger.

Lacy pulled back, “just hold me please,” and flopped her head into his lap weeping softly. “Danny, I haven't told anyone this, but I have to tell you cause I'm really scared. I've driven by the birth mother's house” her voice shaky, “a lot” she added after a lengthy pause.

 

“Why?”

“Curiosity, I guess.” Then her whimper turned into a loud sob.

“ Don't say anything else, baby. Let me think about how we need to play this just in case you are a suspect.”

“I am” letting out a heavy sigh. “I know her from somewhere. I can't place it but its playing in my head like a movie or a dream I can't remember, you know like when you wake up from a dream and its' all fuzzy?”

Startled he asked, “what do you mean?”

“I mean, Danny, I've met her before or I know her from somewhere, I mean from before the adoption, but I just cant get my finger on it. I know it will come to me eventually. M mm that feels good, keep doing that” she said pulling his hand from his mouth back down to her back.

His hand instinctively rubbed her lower back. His eyes looking straight ahead. There was nothing more to say now, just wait and see he thought. It's all going to come crashing down. It's just a matter of time, like she said.

Danny tried to swallow, but the lump in his throat wouldn't let him.

THE BOOKSHELF MUSE - ANGELA ACKERMAN

The Bookshelf Muse THIS ONE IS BRILLIANT. ACKERMAN DOES JUSTICE FOR THE COURTROOM

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Courtroom  

Posted by Angela Ackerman

July 03,
2010

Sight

Gleaming polished wood (paneled walls, the bench, witness stand, chairs, tables, doors, lectern), small desk for the court reporter next to the Judge's bench (enclosed) & Court clerk, the bar (wooden railing or barrier separating the proceedings from the gallery (benches or theatre seats for the public), jury box off to the side, jury members headed by the foreperson, black-robed judge, bailiff standing at attention at one wall or near front to keep order, microphones, reporters, camera crews (in high profile cases unless closed proceedings), gavel, some courtrooms have bulletproof glass protecting the gallery or encasing the witness box, federal and state flags, clock, tagged bags of evidence, posters/slide shows/reenactments, crime scene photos, closed circuit television, desks for the plaintiff & Defendant, handcuffs, door leading to judge's chamber, wide central corridor in the gallery seating area for the witnesses to be brought down, windows are highly secure or there are no windows, files, paperwork, computers, monitors/projector/screen/ELMO/easel for presenting evidence, remotes, audio equipment, lawyers, witnesses for the defense or prosecution, family, friends, and the public seated in the gallery (wringing hands, clutching hands tight in front of themselves, holding tight to purses like a shield, taking notes, wiping at tears, covering mouth, nervously fingering jewelry at wrist and neck, arms crossed, stoic & tense postures, listening intently)

Sounds

Fans, whooshing air conditioning, gurgling pipes in the walls, traffic outside, sirens outside, shifting in seats, wooden chairs creaking, the rustle of papers, testimony being given, footsteps across the polished floor as the prosecutor/defence attorney addresses the court or questions the witness, throat clearing, coughing, sniffing, quiet sobbing, the clink of chains if the defendant is secured by handcuffs or ankle cuffs, feedback from the microphones, a creaky gate in the bar, the rustle of fabric, audio evidence (taped phone calls, sound for a security video, etc), whispering, the Judge's pounding gavel, lawyers speaking to the court, gentle tapping from the court reporter's box, reactive gasps at evidence or testimony, doors opening and closing

Smells

Light scent of treated wood (lacquer, polishes, varnish, etc), pine or lemon cleaner, air conditioned air, sweat, perfume, hair products & cologne all mingling in the air, stale or coffee breath from the people you sit near, paper, warm electronics (acrid plastic, metallic tang from projectors, etc)

Tastes

Water, tears, gum/mints/cough drops, dry mouth

Touch

Hard wooden seat, arms brushing against spectators next to you, gripping onto a crumpled Kleenex in one tight fist, fiddling with a key fob, zipper tab, watch, piece of jewelry, hands clenched tight, fingernails biting into pads of palms, rubbing at face, pinching the bridge of the nose, wiping at tears and nose, biting down on a lip, shaking hands, tense, rigid posture causing tight muscles and neck, walking down the aisle toward the witness stand, heat prickling against skin at feeling all eyes upon you, raising right hand to swear in, sorting through papers, files, etc. the cool touch of a plastic evidence bag, standing up and sitting down, clicking a remote to change an evidence slide or start a video feed, rolling a pen with fingers, jotting down a quick note on a legal pad, passing a note to a client or coworker, leaning over to whisper in another's ear, reaching out to cover the microphone to prevent being overheard, cold glass against palm as you take a sip of water, sweat dripping down back and sides in a stifling hot, airless courtroom, crossing/uncrossing legs, shifting in seat, crossing feet, putting hands in pocket to hold a cherished item to draw strength from, squeezing a loved one's hands as the verdict is read, head hanging in defeat, heaviness in shoulders for the convicted, a lightness in chest, breath and shoulders if exonerated.

Helpful hints:


--The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1:

The court clerk called my name and I stood, swaying a little as the humid air caused a moment oflightheadednesss. One deep breath and I steadied enough to head to the witness stand, my heels making loud tocks against the gleaming floor. Lord above, why hadn't I chosen more sensible shoes? Were the jurors wincing as I was, praying I'd hurry up and cross this ocean of  tile? Poor Tom must be cursing the moment he asked me to come in and testify as his character witness.

Example 2:

The prisoner sauntered in, his orange jumper and the chains at his ankles doing nothing to dampen the bright smile on his face. The room froze and every eye was upon him: this monster, this horror of a man. In the gallery, women covered their lips with their hands and the men shook their heads. You could practically see the same thought run through each person's mind: how could he, or anyone, poison the drinking supply of a school?


--Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile)

After three witnesses in a row were found in contempt of court, Judge Gilmore pounded his gavel against the sound block as erratically as a contestant on Canada's Worst Handyman.

Example 2: (Metaphor)

Damning evidence aside, the accused's shoulders bowed under an anvil of guilt, and he refused to make eye contact with anyone. The jury had probably already convicted him on his body language alone.

JUSTICE FOR SALE - My Novel in Progress

PROLOGUE

ROUGHT DRAFT OF PROLOGUE

“I thank he’s like thirty something, maybe even forty.” the pale- skinned blonde snorted and giggled to the person on the receiving end of her cell phone. She was wearing a tight yellow tank top cut off above the hem showing her midriff, emphasizing multiple belly rings. Twirling her fingers through her over processed curls that looked to have been dyed a variety of shades before settling on blonde. Blonde appeared to be her natural color that had darkened with age-all fourteen years. She looked to be fourteen maybe fifteen, Kris thought as she walked past her boss’s quasi open door for the countless time. Peering in this time , files in hand she lingered as the girl answered another call on her cell slapping her hands to her knees before repeating what Kris had already heard.

     Kris fumbled though her stack of files, occasionally looking up and glancing inside the door. The girl could not stand still , but her latest stroll took her behind the boss’s desk. Kris looked up and down the hall; sure that no one was looking,  she continued watching the girl. Gritting her teeth she saw the young girl pick up and put down photos then papers from her boss’s desk. Her high voice squealing into the cell, but Kris couldn’t make out the words she kept staring.

 The clumsy girl crashed into the desk, the chair, the wall but she didn’t seem to care. She traipsed over to the boss’s computer leaning over and without hesitation began hitting keys. Her voice jolted Kris to an upright stance.

       “What the hell, pronounced Hail, is taking him so long? I swear I’m 'bout ta go out there and drag his cute ass in here.” She chortled into the phone. Kris bent over again leaning closer to the door trying to make out the one sided conversation. She could only make out a few words in between the girl's chuckles and the occasional belly laugh followed by a series of silly faces, and a wide eyed stare at the photos on the desk that dissolved into more laughter. The girl finally collapsed into the chair, not one reserved for clients,  the chair behind the oak desk giving Kris a better look at the girl’s face. She had a permanent wide grin and when she spoke, Kris watched her squinted eyes light up with a twinkle of mischief. . A closer look revealed a face hardened far beyond her years.

 

      “I can’t tell you his name. Uh huh, no way, I mean this dude is powerful.” Trying to sound serious, her voice kept reverting back to childish laughter.

 She must have heard something. Quickly placing her peace sign covered I-phone  into the back pocket of her  jeans that were grafted to her skin, she looed up. She almost seemed relieved to find it was Kris, the boss’s secretary entering the office through the conference room door.

      “Where did you come from?” a little rattled she asked Kris.

      “Can I help you?” clearly irritated to find the young tartlet in her boss’s office. Kris, in her mid twenties and quite a looker was never surprised by her boss’s indiscretions as she was normally the one picking up the pieces, talking the parents out of lawsuits and playing guard when his wife made her unannounced visits with an undetered determination to confirm her own suspicions.  She accepted early on that some of her job requirements were not set forth in the employee handbook. She actually liked her boss-not the way this jezebel seemed to but she had a silent admiration for his spunk. This however went beyond the invisible line-even for such a womanizer as her boss. This, she thought, bordered on insanity or maybe even criminal given the kid's age which was harder to gauge the closer she looked. She had the body of a child and the worn face of woman who made it on her own, the hard way.

      “Mam, I mean Miss “ Kris cleared her throat, “is there something I can help you with?”

      “You, no you cannot help me with anything. I’m just waiting for a friend.” She turned to dismiss Kris, then bouncing on her toes she spun back around. “On second thought I’ll take a Tab.” She said, cupping her cheeks with her hands shaking from laughter.

      “I’m sorry. "A what?”

      “Tab, Fresca, Diet coke, anything diet.”

      “I’m afraid we don’t have any refreshments; they are reserved for the company’s clients. Now could I escort you to the reception area? Closing her eyes and sighing, Kris just wanted this chick out of her boss’s office.

      “No. I’m allowed to be here. My mama and my big brother is both clients. Big time clients. And uh, well me and the boss are real good friends. Like this," shaking her crossed fingers in Kris's face. Her bemused smile broke into another laughing spurt. Throwing her head back with an exaggerated hand wave, she added,

  “And that will be all. You can close the door on your way out and when he arrives I expect we won’t want to be disturbed.” Kris could see her biting down hard on her lip. She slammed the door louder than she intended. Looking up she saw several of the other partners rushing to their own doors to check out the commotion. Kris rolled her eyes and walked away stopping to shut the door to the reception area no need to put on a show for all the clients. Kris knew that the firm did not need the embarrassment of what was about to occur. Taking a deep breath, puffing up her rosy cheeks she let the air out a small amount at a time, she was busy repeating the events in her head and didn’t see her approaching boss.

      “Why the long face?” she recognized his soothing voice. He was hot she thought, shaking her head as if to erase her thought. She examined her boss with an inscrutable stare. She took him in. a clean cut polished man who was quite flirtatious, but never crossed the line with her.Oh he played and teased, but it was all innocent. He was personable and charming with her, that's all. So why the hell did he always get caught with his pants down with trashy young girls. His wife was petty enough not gorgeous but certainly easier on the eye than the tramps he and his partner took their downtown rented apartment. They claimed it was a business expense, rented for out of town guests and VIP clients but Kris knew who they took to the downtown loft. The untied jeweler building an old worn down department store recently renovated and made into plush trendy lofts. Kris doubted he would take the chick in his office there. Even he had better sense than to be seen with such a  sleazy girl. They would certainly catch the eye of every onlooker. The dashing aristocratic older man with silky brown curls in his custom made suit and his graceful gait that carried his athletic body and a baby prostitute taken right out of the Brook Shield's film PRETTY BABY. That was a sight this town was not ready for. Kris though more about his looks. His good bone structure may have been genetic, but the seven days a week of golf, tennis or racquetball is what made kept his muscles like that of a twenty year old.

      “Kris. Did you hear me? Why the face?” The quickness in his voice brought her back to reality. His usually husky voice was rushed nervous almost.

      “Oh nothing, boss man. You should tend to your um client I think she said she was a client. No, take that back your real good friend.”

     “Come again? I am not expecting any appointments this morning”

     “Well ya better step into your office then and take care of that chick that seems to be popping in, pausing for affect pinching the bridge of her nose she cocked her head then added “like almost every day”

      “Shit” he said before he even realized that he vocalized his thought. He knew exactly who was waiting, that Kris was certain of.

 

*******************************************************************************************************************

 

 

       He knew who was waiting and it was becoming increasingly more difficult to get rid of her. God damn, I am a man. What normal hot blooded man could turn away a sexy girl one this pushy and so goddamn persuasive. He made up his mind that he was just going to have to disengage on her brother and mothers cases. She was becoming too much of a liability and he did not need any trouble with his wife; fuck his wife he didn’t need any trouble with the law either. She knew he didn’t buy it when she claimed to be eighteen.

 He walked into his office shutting the door behind him.

       “You can’t just come in here like” but before he could get the words out she pushed him backwards and he landed a top his office chair and almost simultaneously she was straddling him. Nothing modest about her; she went straight for his dick; cupping it in the palm of her hand on the outside of his suit pants he could hear her, a barely audible purr. His erection grew to attention before she even began stroking.  With the first nibble of his ear he bolted out of the chair knocking her to the floor. Shit he thought people can hear this.

       She was relentless, back to massaging his fully erect cock and blowing into his ear she whispered with her wet lips

       “I’m not leaving until you make good on your promise.”

 Too afraid of getting caught he had no choice but to pacify her and get the hell out of the office. Pretending not to notice the glares from his coworkers as he and the blonde abruptly left the office without a word to anyone; he pulled her by the arm to his car. The apartment is out of the question. As if she could read his mind

      “So are you taking me to your house or you too afraid of wifey?”

 That was enough he made the first turn into the seediest motel he saw. He began to justify his action, if I don’t take her somewhere and fuck her she is just going to keep coming back to the office. She didn’t seem to mind the roach motel it was a low class motel, the kind that the truckers rented by the hour. He left her in the Late model Lexus and paid cash for two hours. Once inside, his pulse hammering, legs trembling he fell onto the sunken mattress pulling her on top of him.

    He lay still as if not participating somehow mitigated the act. Shaking his head in denial he yanked her long hair edging her closer then he extended his hands to the top of his head and didn’t move or say a word. He knew she would take over and satisfy his uncontrollable needs. Tilting his head to the ceiling he let out a heavy sigh.

 “What?” she asked.

 “Shh, no, don’t talk.” Before she could respond he grabbed her by the back of her shirt, pushing her face into his groin. He was rock hard, his errection pulsating with such intensity it actually hurt. Hurry the fuck up-god damn it.

 As soon as her tongue circled the rim of his dick he relaxed. He could feel his body involuntarily rising up to meet her mouth. She tried to speak again but he silenced her with a hard thrust deep into her throat. He heard his shallow breaths and light whimpering but blocked it out.  It took him two minutes to explode.

    Inching closer to him, he felt her tongue darting around his mouth then as she gently begin tracing his lips he shuddered, pushing her off. His skin felt like it was trying to slide to the back of his body. Then she wanted to cuddle and his stomach began to twitch. His entire body flinching, his sudden urge to flee was made impossible by the paralyzed feeling in his weakened knees. His stomach dropping as he made the necessary excuses. The urine stained room mixed with the overbearing musky scent of her cheap perfume joining the distinct  smell of his own pleasure brought rough bile to the edge of his throat. Fighting to keep the vomit from formulating; he held his breath.

 His insatiable need to be out of the room; to breath fresh air gave him the momentum to dress and helped her dress so that they were out of the hotel in another five minutes. She actually commented on the softness of the velvet patchwork bedspread further making his stomach churn like he drank a chug of spoiled milk.

 

They looked out of place driving down the streets of downtown Shreveport. She was sexy, but so trashy and now after letting her blow him he noticed the huge gap in between her crooked gray teeth.  He noticed the repugnant filmy slime that covered her teeth and wrenched and immediately an unnatural quiet fell over him. He knew the girl could not help it that she lived in a mobile home with her mom and her mom's 5^th or 6^th husband and 8 other kids.

 She was satisfied. It showed.  She got herself off by rubbing against his knee caps while blowing him.

 She was rubbing herself now through her white jeans and looking to him for something. She wanted him to say something he knew it but he just couldn’t; he couldn’t stomach even looking at her. He caught himself darting glances her way. Her top and jeans screamed trailer trash and her mannerisms seductively whispered “fuck me” He did not know why she turned him on so much. She turned him on in a way he had not been aroused in years, but the arousal was competing with the disgust and he did not know which was ahead.

 “Here don’t forget your purse” he said dryly. When she didn’t reach for it he placed her purse and backpack between the two of them on his front seat.

 He dropped her at the corner bus stop and did not feel a tinge of guilt.

     Until.

     Until he looked over and saw- saw her, the women he had been pursuing for years scratching her cheek, rubbing her chin gazing at him with her head tilted to the side. He thought he saw her shaking her head. Her eyes trying to narrow on him.

     Maybe he was seeing things. Shit goddamn she did not just see him let a whore out of his car?

 He raced home and flew into a scalding shower. He did not emerge for at least 45 minutes, until the water turned tepid then so cold it sent feverish chills throughout his body. He scrubbed and spit but he could not wash the young girl off of him. He wondered if he would feel this dirty if he had not seen the most beautiful woman the woman of his dreams watching him put what must have looked like a goddamn hooker out of his car. Motherfucker, I blew it now; I blew it for sure. Reaching inside his medicine cabinet he removed the prescription pill bottle and uncapped it with his teeth. Putting another coat of toothpaste on his brush with one hand he popped four tablets in his mouth and secured the cap  with the other hand. Damn the tension in his back, neck and now even his shoulders was unbearable

      I blew it for sure. He made a mental note to change his cell phone number and to tell Kris to refuse to ever let the girl in the office again.

LOUISIANA: CAN WE CHANGE HOW THE WORLD VIEWS US?

A Troubling Bayou Tradition

Louisiana's history of corruption bodes ill for the relief money headed its way

By Bret Schulte

Posted 10/2/05

Retired Congressman Billy Tauzin once issued this description of his home state: "Half of Louisiana is under water and the other half is under indictment." He was kidding, but right now no one is laughing. Louisiana's swollen waters are delivering fresh worries about the state's famously colorful political system.

PART 11: DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN ATTORNEY TO WRITE A KICK-ASS LEGAL THRILLER? A review of Howdunit Forensics A Guide for Writers by D.P.Lyles, M.D.

Yes! I ordered the right book. FORENSICS: HOWDUNIT? A guide for writers, by D.P. Lyle, MD

Call me a geek (which I am so not-I actually hate the science boring part of the law…) but I jumped right into the book and read from cover to cover beginning at Chapter 1, not skipping around, and I am loving this book.

O.K., now I need to go back to the main point of part 1 of DO I NEED TO BE A LAWYER TO WRITE A KICKASS LEGAL/THRILLER? No, but you have to do your homework, prepare, and become far more than just familiar with the Judicial system and how the court and District Attorneys offices operate.

Here is my Basic list of requirements for a non lawyer to write a believable legal/thriller

1. You have to gain a full understanding of the law , in the state and in the area of the place where you book, or your crimes and criminal procedure occur
2. This means learning more than just the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor.
3. Recognize that the state law are different in every state and Federal law is much different than state law
4. Know the penalties for the crimes that your write about in your book
5. This is important & sometimes difficult to accept: You have to have a working and understanding knowledge of the "hot spot" or touchy issues in your book's town, city, and state. What the current trend is for treating someone accused of this crime-it does vary from place to place and time to time

   

For example, I live in Louisiana, and to other people we are often considered "another breed"

. Our teens are permitted, encouraged to share wine at the dinner table with us. We would never admit condoning drinking for under aged persons, but we know our kids will get blasted at Mardi Gras

; they will go into bars while underage, on Bourbon Street. We did and generations to come will as well. In S. Louisiana, drinking is not typically treated with the same penalty (even DUI) as you will find in most normal areas of the country. L.S.U fans are given great latitude on game night and they can be horrible. In La. It is pretty much a free for all right now. Pigs have flown, hell is frozen, DA saints won dat Bowl and we have drive through Daiquiri liquor stores. We either have a bookie to place our college and pro ball wagers with, or have friends who do, or we are lying.

1. SO what I am stressing is that you know your public policy, not just the letter of the law in your novel's city. Is it Sin city? Is it Vegas? If it is Vegas and you have your protagonist get arrested at his bachelor party because prostitutes are in attendance…ain't gonna be believable.
2. On the flip side, go to any mid western Farm community and forget to throw the maximum penalty at a drunk driver; you would have MADD all over you Sad butt.
3. Remember to treat college towns different; students are usually given more latitude. But know the difference in how a policeman on the Ole Miss Campus will react as opposed to a police man on campus of Texas Christian University
4. Even harder to swallow: Each D.A. can and does chose which charges to bring, how to proceed and the penalty if convicted and this is a choice made by the DA at the sole discretion of the DA. It is a completely subjective decision and varies vastly, not just form one DA's office to another, but even from one assistant D.A. in the same office to another.
5. We all have our subjective pet peeves. Mine was child abuse or domestic violence. Hit a woman, and buddy your butt's going to jail. My junior assistant DA, in the very same courtroom , is a male and he thinks that unless the woman is black and blue and requires hospitalization, the situation should be resolved as a family issue and outside of the courtroom
6. My husband did a stint as a head prosecutor and being the former hippie ( I refuse to elaborate) that he is~he would NEVER convict a young college kid of possession of marijuana even if caught red handed, if

• The kid is a student- he just will not ruin a kids education for a mistake
• In the military

  If he gives you a second chance which he believes in because if not given one himself we would not be a lawyer, and you make a fool out of him; he is going to come down extra hard if he ever sees you in his courtroom again

I can't possibly go over every crime: just know how subjective it is and how vastly different it is from one state to another. Is this fair? Not for me to say, but if your book is to be believable it has to be accurate

YOUR LEGAL/THRILLER CHEAT SHEET

1. Take the time to schedule appointment(s) plural with the following agencies and let them explain their policies and procedures to you

• The local District Attorney
• Local Judges
• Coroners/Forensic Pathologist
• Crime Lab experts
• Private investigators
• A handful of PRIVATE defense attorneys
• The Local Public Defenders Office
• Sheriff's office
• City Police
• State Police
• Narcotics Agencies
• K9 agencies
• Tax Accessor
• Clerk of Court
• Court Reporters
• Funeral homes
• Ambulance companies
• Independent companies that transport dead bodies to the morgue
• DNA experts
• Serologist
• Questioned Documents experts
• Hand writing exemplars
• Finger print experts those who take prints & those who actually analyze them
• Other municipality, County or Parish government agencies
• Ballistics experts
• Crime Scene techs
• Chain of custody experts
• Toxicologist
• Bac Breath and or Blood alcohol intoxylizer 5000 administrators
• Dental experts
• Cause of death experts
• Fire arms experts
• Gun Powder residue experts
• Trauma nurses and doctors
• Life care helicopter medical personnel
• Blood spatter experts
• Crime scene reconstructionist
• Latent prints
• Expert in AFIC system or NCIC, criminal background checks
• Impression experts, tire prints, shoe prints etc. with DNA, its not just blood, speak to the experts who analyze hair, fiber, semen, saliva, and all other bodily fluids

ADDITIONALY, MAKE TIME TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS TO DO THE FOLLOWING, UNLESS AN APPOINTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED, THEN MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR OWN AND TAKE CAREFUL NOTES AND BE A GOOD OBSERVER

1. Go to the State court houses and Federal Courthouses and sit though a minimum of a few Jury Trials from beginning to end- from jury selection to rendering of verdict
2. Talk to jurors who have served
3. Observe many bench (judge) trials
4. Observe each & every different type of a docketed criminal proceeding (at least once)if you expect to understand the lingo and process enough to write about it.

• Arraignment
• Pre-trial conference
• Motions and hearings day
• VOPS- Violation of Probations trials
• Preliminary examination
• Sentencing
• Remanding a defendant into the custody of the department of corrections
• Listen to a judge hand down a sentence in a capital murder trial for death by lethal injection. I promise you, it is an event that will stay with you forever in a hauntingly way
• Visit jails
• Minimum, medium and maximum security prisons
• Talk to inmates
• Visit your state Penitentiary, Angola in La. Talk to lifers
• These list and suggestions are just the beginning of what you will want to do so you can comprehend the process

Now, I have to return to my book that arrived. If you read my earlier blogs then you know that I stumbled upon a web site recently that I cannot stop raving about.

http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/

So picture me ripping though my brand new box of books and reading my new favorite forensic writer's helper book. I was so engrossed and captivated that I did not notice until over half way through, that the brilliant writing was by none other than Dr. Lyle, the one and the same author of the greatest blog for writers I have found to date.

If I were qualified to give a book review this would receive the best and shoot straight to the new York times best reviews and best seller list where it will remain forever.

I can't begin to cover all of what this writer has done for writers of legal fiction. This would turn in to a 20 part series... I can tell you that all the list I have supplied to you are important, but if you have even a general idea of how the system operates, this one book can all but replace the list. You simply have to read HOWDUNIT? FORESNICS FOR WRITERS

Like most prosecutors I always hated having to present the boring science stuff to a jury. Post O.J. Simpson juries and the juries of CSI watching America dig the boring. Science stuff and they want it. So that means we have to be able to present it to them in a manner they can comprehend and still entertain them. how? With this book

Dr. Lyle's book and blog serve three major purposes for me

1. His is now my one and only go to source for forensics. I no longer need the other ten books, each one explaining something different like DNA or Fingerprints; he wraps it all up in one book and gives real life cases and keeps you entertained. It is Forensic Magic
2. Howdunit? Is my go to reference, not just for my crime writing, but as a trial lawyer it is my first and I am sure only source needed to prepare my criminal cases for trial
3. If you are ever in need of a cool and accurate medial/legal thriller plot or subplot, look no further. He even supplies story ideas for you

www.dplyemd.com

www.writersforensicblog.blospot.com

http://www.hodrw.com/cop1.htm

www.writersdigest.com

Please, check back this weekend. I invite you to read part three in this series of forensic evidence , and to answer the question: Do you have to be a lawyer to write a Kick-Ass Legal Thriller?"

Saturday, 2/13/2010- please read our full review of Dr. Lyles Forensic Hot Book "HowDunnit" where his has mastered the art of explaining how it is dun, ~~crime that is. Lyles book is an enjoyable and comprehendible read that also entertains. A scientific book that entertains??? Here in Louisiana we call that voodoo or Magic.

In other words…..Howdunit Forensics guide for writers, written by D.P.Lyle, M.D. a writers Digest book is evidence of just how brilliant and talented this writer is.

HowDunit, by D.P. Lyles- read it. It will become your little black book that you must have in your briefcase prior to beginning another criminal trial. The last & only Forensic reference book a trial lawyer will use~~~~~~~~~~Daryl Gold, Criminal Defense; Capital Assistance Project of Louisiana, Trial Lawyer- 35 years

"Howdunit"- A Guide For Writers FORENSICS Authored by D.P. Lyles, M.D. ***Soon to be on every one of my prosecutors desk~~Richard Andringa, State Attorney

EMPLOYEES: BEWARE OF THE GOOGLING GUMSHOE

JOB HUNTING? BEWARE: POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS DO GOOGLE YOU & THAT’S NOT ALL

There will always be two sides to every story. There will always be the squeaky clean (or pretend-a squeak) & there will always be the rebel co-ed or co-worker. The Squeaky clean or those who want to appear to future , current or potential employers, squeaky clean are falling in the line of 100’s of people who are cleaning up their act, or cleaning up their MySpace of FaceBook act.  I recently posted a story about how the IRS will use any crook and nook to find delinquent taxpayers-guess where they are looking? You got it, social networking pages. A few months back I posted a story based on a conversation I had with one of the local police officers I work with in my law practice.

My favorite police officer informed me people using FaceBook & MySpace are really making the law enforcement officers jobs easy. The hours & days & countless resources they formerly used to locate suspects and to learn more about people suspected of criminal activity has been made so easy; all they need now is a laptop and www.facebook.com. As my Friend put it; “Criminals are stupid and the ones advertising their whereabouts and activities on FaceBook are no exception.”

Now it appears you have someone else checking out your profile, party pics and message wall, and it ain’t cuz they want to be your friend. Employers who are in the hiring process readily admit checking out the social web sites of their potential candidates.  What does this mean to you, if anything? Are you among the 75% of job seekers who are cleaning up your act- that is cleaning up your MySpace page? Are you hurrying to remove those late night party pix, photos of you and your guy mugging; photos of you and your girlfriends showing your ass-literally ~ at you best pals bachelorette party? What about the all nighters, photos of your buds and you doing jello shots in the Quarter of the Big Easy?

Or are you among the other 25% who say “To hell with them!” As one polled employee stated “I’m not removing anything from my page. Why should I? Why should I pretend to be one person for eight hours a day and another for the rest of my hours?” Well, the operative word from that person, is EMPLOYEE, as in, already employed, not currently seeking employment in this topsy turvy economy.

I can see both sides? Can’t you? I mean, why should we have to remove all of our cherished and fun memories from Our Personal Page? One easy example: Once you put it out there, it is for the world to see. You lose any and all reasonable expectation of privacy.

BUT… Do you really want to work for a company that invades your personal space, your MySpace? Of course the flip side to that argument is that when you enter the grown up world and you are asking a reputable company to hire you; your reputation is a part of you.

I don’t think I need to state the obvious here, but I will. If by chance your personal page shows photos of you doing something illegal, “Pass the bong man.” Then for God’s sake have enough sense and self worth to get rid of it. Likewise, if you have provocative or nude photos or heaven forbid sexually explicit photos; GET THEM OFF THE WEB. If not for the chance of scoring a lucrative career; do it for your own self respect. Think about the college co-eds who pose nude for playboy. It might be fun at the time when you are say 18 or 19, but jump ahead ten years. Do you really want the man you marry to see your T&A all over a porn mag? What about your future children? In-laws? Probably not. Well the same goes for what you post on MySpace & Facebook etal:

The question then becomes: Where do we draw the line? When do fun party pix cross the line into just damn raunchy photos?

Check out this recent article posted by Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert & While you are at it read some more helpful info on “Keeping Your E-Image Clean” by other top writers like Michael Fertick, CEO of Reputation Defender, Michael Kelemen {who has a different opinion}, he does not waste time googling or stalking you on MySpace, he goes the traditional route and checks your references. Kelemen is a recruiter who runs the ‘Animal Recruiter Blog’. And be sure to check out; yourHRguy, any anonymous Blogger.

Job Applicant, Beware: You’re Being Googled

by Allan Hoffman
Monster Tech Jobs Expert

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It’s not just what you say that can be held against you when you’re looking for a job. It’s also what you post on MySpace, write in your blog and broadcast on YouTube.

That’s because if a potential employer uncovers salacious or otherwise unflattering material about you online, that job offer you were expecting could vaporize. With 77 percent of employers Googling and otherwise researching applicants, you never know what your future bosses may think about those times you ranted about your coworkers or got sloshed at a party. They may simply decide to avoid your questionable past and move on to the next candidate.

“Who wants to be the person in HR who brings in the kid who has bong hits all over his page?” says Michael Fertik, the CEO of ReputationDefender, a services company that helps job seekers clean up their online reputations.

A 2006 survey of 100 executive recruiters by job search and recruiting network ExecuNet found that 77 percent use search engines to learn about candidates. Of those researching candidates online, 35 percent eliminated a candidate from consideration based on information they uncovered online -- up from 26 percent in 2005. ExecuNet predicts that the number of job seekers prejudged or eliminated due to this “digital dirt” will climb.

Is Ignorance Bliss?

Others say the trend may not be as widespread or as likely to accelerate. “I never run them through Google,” says recruiter Michael Kelemen of his candidates. “I call their references for background.”

“I think a lot of the stuff we read about recruiters doing background checks on their candidates online is more rumor than anything else,” adds Kelemen, who runs the Recruiting Animal blog.

Recruiters use Internet searches “to avoid major red flags, but it is just another assessment of a person,” says the anonymous blogger known as Your HR Guy. He adds, “My general view on Internet searches is that, for most positions, ignorance is bliss. Most of what is online for a majority of workers is personal, and most workers’ personal stuff [doesn’t play a role at work].”

But If Everyone Has an Online Past...

Others say the pervasiveness of social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, and the way young people virtually live online mean employers won’t be able to judge candidates based on their digital dirt. If they do, the thinking goes, they will miss out on top-notch employees, given that just about everyone will have some incriminating information online.

In a posting at the Brazen Careerist Web site, Jason Warner, Google’s head of staffing for online sales and operations, contends that this trend “will become a non-issue as this phase of the Internet Age plays itself out.” He suggests five reasons employers won’t spend time worrying about “unfortunate online photos” and “other embarrassing antics”:

• College students have always behaved in this manner.
• More details about everyone will be online.
• Searching for photos won’t be worth recruiters’ time.
• The information is irrelevant.
• It’s a slippery slope, especially if employers start to research existing employees’ outside behaviors.

Warner acknowledged the risks of having “those photos” online, and in a subsequent online discussion about his views at Brazen Careerist, others noted how interviewers and hiring managers may find it impossible to disregard what they learn online about candidates, even if the material falls into the category of forgivable indiscretions.

Clean Up Your Act or Stay True?

Certainly the possibility that a prospective employer can uncover things about your past can create anxiety about whether you should clean up your online image by revising Facebook pages, requesting that videos and blog posts about you be removed, or by hiring ReputationDefender or a similar service.

In a Brazen Careerist article titled “Twentysomething: Raunchy Old Photos Will Be Part of the Revolution,” Ryan Healy, cofounder of Employee Evolution, a Web site for Millennials entering the workforce, said he knows people who have removed materials “to save some face in the real world,” but has never considered doing so himself. “Why should I pretend to be one person for eight hours a day and someone else entirely the rest?” he writes.

And consider this: The generation moving into the workforce may not want to work for an employer that wouldn’t hire a talented 20-something for having a drunken photo on Facebook, suggests Scott Allen, coauthor of The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online. “The standards are going to radically change,” he says.

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http://www.reputationdefender.com/

http://www.recruitinganimal.com./

http://www.yourhrguy.com/

http://www.employeeevolution.com/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0814472869/monstercom

 

 

 

SOLO PARACTICE UNIVERSITY- LAW PRACTICE FOR PRACTICING LAWYERS

..........A NEW SCHOOL FOR PRACTICING ATTORNEYS -SOLO PRACTICE UNIVERSITY

........law practice for practicing lawyers

....... A unique new place for lawyers, built by lawyers

While I am sure many of you are saying to yourselves right about now, " What? More School? Is this Lady Crazy? Who wants more school? Not a lawyer, right. Certainly not a recent law school grad who has just endured the grueling , & physical & emotional draining of the Bar Examination"

Think about it, think back to Law School. Unless it has changed considerably since I was in school, Law school teaches old case law, logic,& how to one day hopefully solve legal problems. In a nut Shell Law School is designed to reprogram you. Reprogram how we think & how we write.

 How many of you had a professor in law school who said this: "I want you to  forget everything you have learned up till now about  how you learn and I want you to completely forget how you were taught to write?"

 You know the Prof., the one who said that , did so just after he said " LOOK TO YOUR LEFT, NOW LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT. GOOD, GET A GOOD LOOK, BECAUSE CHANCES ARE YOU WILL NEVER SEE THESE PEOPLE AGAIN, NOT AFTER THE FIRST SEMESTER, BECAUSE TWO OF YOU WILL NOT BE HERE." And we all knew what he meant. Two out of every three were expected to flunk out, not make the cut. I am sure this was designed to scare the hell out of us. Me, I was already scared to death.

 I was the very first Sacrifice in Prof. Rooney's Property class, meaning that on the very first day of class, I was the lucky chic called upon by the Prof. Those of you who attended a law school that used the Socratic method of teaching can surely understand the humility I was put through for over 25 minutes as I stood in the class and answered questions about some Year 1800 case; the facts, the issue, the courts holding. Did I agree with it? If I did then you could bet the teacher did not and vice verse. No canned briefs of caw notes allowed in this class. 

 Professor Rooney was very bright. He never missed a chance to remind us the he graduated number 2 from his Harvard Law School class; Ralph Nader was number one.

Here I am some 25 years later. I can still spit off the definition of the "Rule against perpetuates" I still cannot tell you what that definition means. I can however tell you this:

There was not one single class in law school that taught us how to actually be a lawyer, certainly not a trial lawyer; not how to go out and get clients or how to keep them happy. In a nut shell again, Law School does not teach us how to be a good lawyer. Our skills and technique are unique to each of us and they are developed over years of practice, yes that is right, PRACTICE. PRACTICING LAW.

You cannot learn it from a lecture. You have to learn it from hands on experience. It is trial and error and the more you do something, anything, the better you get at it.

The one thing I did not have when I first started practicing law, but that we all have the opportunity to take advantage of now is the benefit and wisdom of some of the very best, the elite , the creme de la creme, the instructors at the newly launched Solo Practice University. SPU does not just benefit new law school graduates; it offers a wealth of experience and knowledge to those of us who have left the comfort of the corporate world, of the mega Law Firms, of the Government guaranteed pay Check, to do what many of us have only dreamed of- to open our own firm, to hang our shingle, to work for ourselves, to  FLY SOLO.

A NEW SCHOOL FOR PRACTICING ATTORNEYS

SOLO PRACTICE UNIVERSITY  OR JUST PLAIN SPU. YEP, I GO TO SPU AND I LOVE IT.

     I have been following Consultant, Susan Cartier Liebel on line for as long as I have been following Blogs.. Admittedly I am a late bloomer when it comes to Legal Blogging or "Blawging", but once I started, it did not take long for me to catch the BIOG FEVER. I owe this to Susan. Her excellent Blog "BUlLD A SOLO PRACTICE was (is) my inspiration. It was (is) also the very first place on the Internet that I turn to for help, advice, information, ideas, suggestions, and links to other great Blogs now that I have my own wings; now that I left my cushy paycheck job to Hang my Shingle and Fly Solo.

 Thanks to Susan and now to SPU I am soaring my wings and enjoying my flight~~~~which is after all, what it is all about.

My all time favorite legal blog and probably what keeps me tap tap tapping away on the computer board and chip, chip, chipping away at my private practice belongs to Susan Liebel Cartier, She kept me inspired as I learned (still learning) to blog and as I quenched my endless thirst for knowledge.

I am pleased to announce that my long (but well worth it) wait for Susan Cartier's launching of the web based educational community and networking community forum for lawyers and law students is well under way and it is a big hit.

Susan Cartier Liebel founder of Solo Practice University has launched us into the future of legal practice. SPU is the new highway for the practice of law for solo practitioners. So if life is a highway and SPU is the new highway: Get your motor running, get out on the highway....

I have enrolled as a student and I could not be more pleased or impressed with the on line program, the faculty, the available courses and the community groups.

Susan and co-founder Dave Carson said it best " This is a unique community for lawyers built by lawyers, because well, we kinda 'get' solo lawyers"

To read more about Susan or to get hooked on her informative and interesting blog, please visit her @ http://www.buildasolopractice.soloparacticeuniversity.com

There are far too many excellent and reputable staff members for me to name them all in this post. I do however, feel compelled to mention a couple of the elite. I am sure I will have more to add and comment on once I get busy with my courses and get to know my instructors.

Another author of one of my favorite blogs, Arnie Hertz, author of "Legal Sanity" has joined SPU faculty and is teaching a course called "Legal Sanity Career Strategies: Work Smart Live Free"

To read more about Arnie Hertz or to just join is the heated debate on whether a solo should find a niche and stick to or spread their wings thin and practice the kitchen sink approach to law, you will find his blog interesting and a pleasure to read. Please visit http://www.legalsanity.com

And another notable author, Jay Foonberg, author of the Best Seller, " How to Start and build a Law Practice" THE BOOK as many of us solos refer to it, and often referred to as the 'Bible for new solos" has joined the SPU faculty. He is teaching more than one course so I will just comment on the course I am currently enrolled in. Let me just add that I live by this mans books. I am never without my torn, worn, written it, highlighted book "how to start and build a law practice. If you do not already own this book and you want to succeed in your own law practice, go to www.foonberglaw.comor you can make your puchase from the American Bar Association, where members get quite a big discount at www.abanet.orgwherever you go, just go and buy a new copy of this book. It is worth the extra few bucks to purchase it new. You will want to earmark your own spots and you will need all the white space to take your own notes, It is well worth the cost and it is a resourse book that you will actually use and use ona regular if not daily basis.

Foonberg is teaching as his first course "Client Relations 101: teaching lawyers how to improve client relations" This course is based on his "Nine Steps to a Successful Law Practice" Now, who among us cannot use a course or a refresher course in client relations? Think about it? first of all what is the number one reason clients make complaints about theirr attorneys the the disciplinary committee? Yes, You guessed it. Lawyers not having enough contact with theirr clients or the contact not providing the clients with sufficient information about the status of ther case. Of course none of us want t be reported to the bar, but that is putting the cart before the horse. Before we can have a client Rupert us, we have to know how to go out there and get clients. Without clients, we do not have a law practice. This Course will not only help layers learn how to get clients, but how to make them happy, keep them coming back and better yet, get our clients to refer us more clients. Of course while learning how to keep our clients happy we will simultaneously be covering our behinds and avoiding those dreaded bar complaints.

For more information about Jay Foonberg or to order one of his many best selling books, or to order the books he has available at the American Bars association, please visit Jay's website.

www.foonberglaw.com

Find out for yourself what SPU is all about, what all the hoop-lah is. Read what students have to say: Like, Glenn a current student writes

"You have injected new enthusiasm into my veins" I love that one. Glenn would do well writing novels, he certainly has a way with words that grab us and hook us from the start.

"...SPU is like a Giant Candy Store..." ~~Karen Holmes

I could go on & on, but this is one place you have to visit  and witness for yourself; to appreciate all that it has to offer.

The originality alone is remarkable and there is nothing else like this.

LAW PRACTICE FOR PRACTICING LAWYERS...WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT

THE JURY IS BACK, THE VERDICT IS IN, IT I UNANIMOUS: SOLO PRACTICE UNIVERSITY IS A HIT AND WITH THE TOPNOTCH FACULTY AND THE COMMUNITY GROUPS, I BELIEVE IT IS THE REAL DEAL AND THIS LAW SCHOOL IS HERE TO STAY.

SUSAN CARTIER LIEBEL & DAVE CARSON HAVE PROVEN BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT LAWYERS ARE NOT ALL SHARKS AND A GREAT NUMBER OF US WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HELPING CLIENTS AND DOING IT WELL AND A GREAT NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED AND SEASONED LAWYERS HAVE VOLUNTEERED A VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO SOLO PRACTICE SMOOTH FOR THE LAWYERS AND BENEFICIAL FOR THE CLIENTS.

I do believe SPU, just may be the answer to save us from the tiresome, overused and worn out lawyer jokes. So those of you who just have to poke fun at professionals, it is time to start refreshing your memory with your used car salesmen jokes. Our profession, our noble profession just moved up several notches. We are a people serving group, a problem solving group. And as you can see we have pulled together for the greater good of the the lawyers and the public.

I am delighted to be on my own in private practice. I began my solo practice just two years ago. I can only imagine the heights to which i will fly with he help of SPU. If only they had been around when i first hung my shingle, i would probably be soaring so high I would be with the eagles, or as my darling paralegal loves to refer to herself and our law firm, the legal beagleand the paralegal-eagles.

I am flying solo and i could not be more content. I am now in the unique position of offering my clients all of the outside and above the call of duty help and counseling that they want, need and deserve. Something I was always prevented from doing when I worked for big conglomerates. the big guys never had time for the people. When we as lawyers, get too big for our britches that we cannot spare extra time and go that one step further for a client, well, then, we kinda don 'get' what the practice of law is all about.

My new creed: Let me never forget that I took an oath to work in profession designed to serve the people and their needs. If I ever forget that and begin to act like a fat-cat big-shot attorney, someone e-mail me this post and knock my ass down a notch or two or more....

I do believe, however that as long as I stay connected to SPU, the values, moral, and ethics of the greatest lawyers around will forever remain with me and as a part of my soul.

Thank you Susan for the opportunity to fly solo and......to soar...... fly high.....

For more information on Solo Practice University, the faculty, the available courses, the mission, the purpose, the tuition, enrollment policy, take  minute now, do not put it off until tomorrow and look into this true wave of our future,

Check out "LAW PRACTICE FOR PRACTICING LAWYERS'

go to www.solopracticeuniversity.comyou will not be disappointed, there truly is something available and helpful to all attorneys and staff.

 

OVERZEALOUS SCHOOL OFFICIALS TAKE STRIP SEARCH TOO FAR

Dear ACLU Supporter,

When Savana Redding was just 13 years old, she was strip-searched by school officials for allegedly possessing prescription-strength ibuprofen. This traumatizing search was based solely on the false and uncorroborated accusation of a classmate who was caught with similar pills.
 
Overzealous school officials violated Savana's rights and called into question basic constitutional protections for all students in schools across America.
 
This morning, the Supreme Court heard arguments from ACLU attorney Adam Wolf in this powerful case.

Savana and her mother, April, recorded a short video with Graham Boyd, an attorney here at the ACLU who is working with them. I think you’ll find it moving to meet a real hero who’s taken her case to the Supreme Court.

Please watch this powerful video, and send a message of support to Savana and her mother.

Watch the video to learn more about this incredibly powerful story. Then, please take a moment to send Savana a note of encouragement.

It offends both common sense and the Constitution to undertake such an excessive, humiliating search based on nothing more than an uncorroborated accusation.

We hope the Supreme Court will recognize that such violations have no place in America’s schools and will act to protect the privacy of all children.

Savana Redding and her mother have endured a lot in the past six years to bring their case this far -- they deserve our respect and our thanks. Please take a minute to write a message of support. It will be included with messages from ACLU supporters all across the country and presented to Savana and her mother in the weeks ahead.

Without people like Savana and April willing to walk into court to defend their rights, much of the ACLU's work would not be possible. We owe them more than our admiration. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

I hope you'll listen to their story and share your message today.

Thank you for supporting this fight. 
 
Sincerely,



Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director
ACLU

Local Attorney Vindicated

I cannot say I am not biased, here.  Yes I have been an avid supporter of Daryl Gold ever since his nutty ex wife made the false allegatons in an effort hurt him.  But.. I knew he would be vindicated and he was.  He was polite enough not to make a media circuis of his "No True Bill" Why? Because the man has class and he loves his daughter and knew that gloating or boasting would only drag out media questions, request for interviews, etc.  He wanted to limit the exposure of his win, so his daughter did not have to re-live the nightmare over and over again.  That's a damn good dad in my book.

Mrs. Deborah Gold, however did not give the same consideration to her 12 year old daughter.  She managed to spew more hateful and spiteful comments about her ex to the inquisitor.  Just more evidence that she is nothing more than a scorned bitter hurtful ex wife.  A word to  the general public.  Learn waht you can about a disease called Borderline personality disorder.  This woman clearly suffers from it & it destroys families.  Women with this disease refuse to let go, cannot stand being rejected by a man and spend their lives inventing things that never occured.  They will do anything to continue having contact with the ex, even if it is negative conatact.  The literature warns us how dangerous (literally) these women are. 

Thank you all for you continued supprt of Daryl, as he had to undergo the procedures of these fasle allegations.  I think he was surprised at the number of true friends he has.  So many of you came forward, offered legal help and other assistance.  Those of you that just let your friendship be known to Daryl, I want you to know he was most gratefulDownload TheInquisitor_com.mht Download grand_jury_refuses_to_indict_local_attorney_shreveporttimes_the_times.mht Download grand_jury_clears_attorney_daryl_gold.mht

THE SCARY MACHINE- A PAY PHONE

o.K THIS MOMMY-LAWYER, admits that modern day technology is something I try to stay in tune with, in fact my ten year old daughter is showing me how to "POST". Well, I learned a few days ago that I still have some things about techno gadgets I can actually teach my kids.  It happened one night as I loade up the mamma mini van- not my car of choice, but after chrystler's three hour commercial advertising (shoving down a poor mom's throat_ all the really super cool kid features) It become apparent I was out-numbered. With tears in my eyes I caled and cancelled my pre-ordered 2008 Yukon Denali.  We ordered this to replace our recently stolen Suburban.  Well not for me, I was moving on up...to the top, finally got a piece of the pie.  I will now bedriving a mama bear mini van.  I am oficially no longer cool and with the 17 cup holders, my car is always messy, more so than ever before.  But hey, can't complain, I mean I do get to listen to the kids watch Hanah Montana for hours on end.

So I loaded 6 kids all under the age of ten (your, mine, ours & the neighbors) MAde it to walmart-not that it ever closed, but I do try to get teh kids home on a school night somewhere in the vicintity of bedtime and time to wake for school LOL.  The first thing I realized was that once again I left my cell pohne at home.  My brand new I-phone, which is more like having an actual computer @all times-as soon as my ten year old shows me how to operate it.  No Phone.  What do we od.  We really needed to make a phone call. I am not kidding, we had to place this call.

As luck would have it I spotted a pay phone; I did not even know they still exsisted.  So with 6 whining kids in tow we headed to the first set of doors at Walmart, you know the area where they have the video games.  Before heading to the phone I searched my purse for coins. If my memory served me I was quite certain that it no longer cost a nickle; better grab a dime I thought.  Come to  think of it, I distinctly remember a time in college when I used the pay phone and it now cost a full quarter.  I grabbed two just in case

Six kids looked at me like I was nuts as I headed to the archaic looking time machine hanging from the wall.  I deposited the coins and dialed my home telephone number.  Snickers, smiles, whispers, giggles and strange looks came from my kids. In each others ear they whispered and amazingly enough  could hear aprts of what they were saying, over the laughter erupting form all