GetLegal

THEATTORNEYSTORE.COM RECEIVES “OFFICIAL HONOREE” DISTINCTION FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS

2008-04-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Legal Resource Website Recognized by “Oscars of the Internet”

Dallas (April 9, 2008) – The Webby Awards, the leading international honor for the
Web, yesterday recognized TheAttorneyStore.com as an Official Honoree, a distinction that recognizes work exhibiting remarkable achievement.

Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Websites. The awards are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization that includes David Bowie, Harvey Weinstein, Arianna Huffington, Matt Groening, Jamie Oliver, Internet inventor Vinton Cerf, and RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser.

"The Webby Awards honors the outstanding work that is setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "TheAttorneyStore.com’s Official Honoree selection is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

“We are delighted to be recognized by the Webby Awards for the advances our site made in 2007,” said CEO Phillip Galyen of TheAttorneyStore.com. “We look forward to demonstrating all of our new, innovative concepts throughout 2008. We trust users will continue to come back and see the new features we add during the year.”

The 12th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from more than 60 countries and all 50 states. Fewer than 15% of that 10,000 received this honor and were deemed Official Honorees.

About TheAttorneyStore.com:
TheAttorneyStore.com is a Dallas-area-based web services firm that provides online interactive resources for the public and the legal community. The company helps the public find attorneys and learn more about the law, especially through its sight, sound and motion component, GetLegalTV. TheAttorneyStore.com offers lawyers web services, including website development and search engine optimization, as well as legal video services and an online store providing one-stop shopping for the legal community. TheAttorneyStore.com will soon be evolving even further by launching GetLegal.com.

About The Webby Awards:
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Websites. Established in 1996, the 12th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Adobe; The Creative Group; Verizon; AOL Video; dotMobi; Level3; Adweek; Fortune; Reuters; Variety; Wired; IDG: Brightcove; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image.

About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS):
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Internet and interactive media. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 500 members consisting of leading experts in a diverse range of fields, such as musician David Bowie, Internet inventor Vinton Cerf, Naked Chef Jamie Oliver, fashion designer Max Azria, “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening and Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser. The Webby Awards and The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are registered trademarks of International Data Group. For more information, visit www.iadas.net.

FDA Bureaucratic Activism Protects Big Pharmaceutical CompaniesBy Robert Schwartz

2008-02-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

On January 16, 2008, the FDA issued a proposed rule which directly contradicts Congress’ expressed intent when it passed the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA).

Unlike the FDA’s proposed rule, Congress’ intended duty to warn consumers of a drug’s hazards rests with the drug company, who is in the best position to warn about problems associated with the drug. However, under the FDA rule, drug companies will enjoy more relaxed labeling requirements and will use the rule to claim immunity for failing to warn patients of potential drug hazards.

The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act, passed just four months ago, requires a drug company to update its label to include drug hazard warnings as soon as there is reasonable evidence of that risk. This law allows consumers to be aware of a drug’s potential risks at the earliest possible moment and prevents injuries and deaths such as those associated with Avandia and Vioxx.

However, under the new FDA rule, drug companies will only have to revise their warning label where they establish ''sufficient evidence of a causal association,'' which could take years. This is a significantly higher standard that drug companies would have to meet before informing consumers of a potential hazard.

Congress must hold oversight hearings to curb this agency’s abuse of power for the following reasons:

1. The FDA has ignored expressed congressional intent. Although Congress clearly intended NOT to loosen the requirements on drug companies to inform consumers of potential drug hazards, the new FDA rule will give drug companies broad discretion to determine whether to warn consumers.
2. The proposed rule is a step backwards from making drugs safer. The new FDA rule will take power away from the FDA to require drug companies to warn consumers of potential problems with prescription drugs at the earliest possible time. It will give drug companies the ability to choose not to inform consumers even if there is new evidence of a potential hazard.
3. The proposed rule will make it more difficult for consumers injured by prescription drugs to hold negligent drug companies accountable. Under the FDA’s new rule, the manufacturer will be immunized from accountability by claiming that it did not have sufficient evidence to require it to update its label. Without the ability to hold the manufacturer accountable under the FDAAA for failure to warn, the consumer loses this recourse for its injuries and could become a burden to taxpayers.
4. The FDA is contributing to a pattern of Bush Administration agencies ignoring clear congressional intent. For example, after Congress passed Public Law 110-53, which preserved railroad derailment victims’ rights, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a proposed rule which sought to provide immunity to negligent railroad companies in the event of a commuter train derailment.

Congress must act to investigate the FDA’s attempt to usurp the authority of Congress to protect the health and safety of their constituents.

By using their oversight authority, Congress must ensure that unelected bureaucrats are not ignoring explicit Congressional intent. We must end this Bureaucratic Activism.

Legal Question - DUI Traffic Stops

2008-02-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Legal Question - What Are Sobriety Tests?

2008-02-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

Legal Tip - Search and Siezure

2008-02-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Legal Tip - Property Exemptions

2008-02-01T12:32:00.001-08:00

Legal Tip concerning grandparents' role during divorce proceedings.

2008-02-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Protect Their Own, Penalize The RestBy Robert Schwartz

2008-02-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

It is painfully clear that in our political system, cash is king. Political contributions get elected officials’ attention, and the largest political contributors are their best friends. Their cash gets them an open door, and an audience with those who can do for them what they want, and their ''special interests'' are given top priority or issues for the common good. Unfortunately, more often than not their special interests are about protecting and shielding them from everything from taxes to lawsuits. Those few with the cash to influence legislation regarding their special interests twist the laws to favor them.

Read Full Article At The Attorney Store

Legal Tip | Traffic Stops

2008-01-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

Criminal Defense attorney David Sloane explains some procedural aspects of traffic stops.

Tax Tips for 2007-2008

2008-01-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some helpful tax tips for 2007-2008 to get a good jump on filing your taxes long before the April deadline is here.

1.Get started now. Use last year’s tax return as a starting point.

2.Earlier is better when it comes to working on your taxes. Taxpayers are encouraged to get a head start on tax preparation, especially since early filers avoid the last minute rush and get their refunds sooner. If you owe money go ahead and wait – there are no discounts for early pay.

3.Get your records together and make sure you have all the records that you need including W-2s and 1099s. Don’t forget to save a copy for your files.

4.Get the right forms. They’re available around the clock on the IRS Web site and at The Attorney Store.

5.Take your time and avoid mistakes. Most mistakes include skipping lines, adding/subtracting and failure to sign a form. Always double check your social security number.

6.E-filing is easy. E-filing catches math errors and provides confirmation that your return has been received and provides a faster refund.

7.Don’t panic. If you have a problem or a question, try the IRS customer service number at 800-829-1040.

Read the Full Article At TheAttorneyStore.com

Video Short - Alimony and Child Support Obligations

2007-12-31T10:13:00.000-08:00

Law Related Video Content

2007-12-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

TheAttorneyStore.com has begun providing legal related video content through GetLegalTV and through YouTube. Users can watch short videos concerning entertaining crazy laws and legal tips and questions covering a wide range of legal topics.

Read more about The Attorney Store's legal video marketing at Local MN.

Do not lose your house!

2007-12-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

By James K. Ince, Attorney at Law, Contributing Columnist

I was recently handed an article about the new bankruptcy laws and how they likely succeeded in ways that the creditors never anticipated. Obviously, the creditors did not read the legislation nor did they ask their own attorneys what it meant! It seems that they are shocked to find out that while people are making payments on their credit cards they fail to pay mortgages. Of course, this affects the bottom line of lenders far more than the insignificant write-off they had to make with the credit card debts.

I find this whole scenario very sad. When mortgage companies talk about foreclosures, they discuss the impact on their balance sheets and the ''problem'' with disposing of the glut of houses now in their portfolio. What is never discussed in these corporate board rooms is the tremendous loss to a family when they lose their homes. First, there is the emotional impact that hits prior to the loss of the home. Very often individuals feel that they are somehow failing when events beyond their control impact finances. I know because it has happened to me. In less than seven years I have adopted a child, had a major house fire, a tornado, hail storm, major medical catastrophe and the ever increasing cost of life itself. That adds a huge stress without even having to consider losing my house. Luckily for me, I have been able to ride those catastrophes somewhat intact. Many, many are not so lucky.

The major difference between corporations and individuals is that individuals tend to react emotionally. Therefore, when the credit card company begins to call four and five times a day because the individual is behind on the credit card, the individual just wants it to stop. Often, they are lied to. The biggest lie now is that they are told they just need to pay it because bankruptcy does not exist any more and they have no choice. While this is completely false, many people believe it to be true. So, they write the check. After all, they have not heard from the car or house creditor so it must be safe not to make those payments. This is how it happens. Very often the first communication from the creditor of a house or car loan is very serious. With a car, it may be waking up one morning and finding out the car was towed in the middle of the night. I get calls all the time from individuals who mistakenly believe the law requires that they be notified prior to the repossession of the vehicle. There is no such law. While mortgage companies are more regulated, often the first communication is an acceleration letter. Basically, it makes the entire loan due immediately. Either of these scenarios usually results in a bankruptcy.

The best advice I can give is that an individual should NEVER, NEVER NEVER NEVER (did I mention Never?) pay a credit card instead of a car payment or house payment. It is foolish to take a chance on losing your house or car because of stress created by collectors. If you do find yourself in this situation, then the very first thing you should do is get the payments caught up immediately. If you cannot, please call a bankruptcy attorney BEFORE you lose the property. There is so much that can be done. All too often I get to visit with people who thought there was nothing that could be done and we are simply mopping up the mess after they lose the property. Please know that despite the lies you have been told, bankruptcy is alive and is helping thousands of people a year get back on their feet without losing the property they have fought so hard to protect.