Calls for State Insurance Threaten Property Transfers

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
By Adam Leitman Bailey and Dov Treiman

Adam Leitman Bailey, founding partner of Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C., and Dov Treiman, a partner at the firm, write:

Currently before the State Legislature are two bills that would inject the state in the business of title insurance, damaging New York’s standing as the capital of real estate transactions. One would broaden the power of the State Insurance Fund to provide a State alternative to the current private system of title insurance. The other would create a new state title authority for the same purpose. Many real estate attorneys see these bills as a threat, both to the heart of the safe transfer of real estate and to the capitalist system itself.

Read the full text of this article here.

Lawyers Helping Lawyers: In Good Times and Bad

Thursday, March 25, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (registration at 5:30 p.m.)

LaTourelle Resort and Spa
1150 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY

The program is FREE to all attorneys, but pre-registration is required. Dinner is included.

This program has been approved for 2.0 MCLE credits in Ethics for all attorneys, including both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

Co-sponsored by
The Tompkins County and Broome County Bar Associations; Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committees of Broome, Tompkins, Cortland, Chemung and Tioga Counties; and the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Assistance Program. This program is funded through a grant from the New York State Lawyer Assistance Trust.

Program Description
Presenters will share their perspectives on practicing law in a manner that enhances and integrates mental, emotional and spiritual health and development of community.

Agenda
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Registration
6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Introduction
Mariette Geldenhuys, Esq., Mariette Geldenhuys Attorney at Law
6:15 – 6:40 p.m. A Lawyer’s Family Story of Depression
Hon. Michael J. Miller (Ret.)
Hinda Miller
6:40 – 7:05 p.m. A Lawyer’s Story of Alcoholism
Lenore Le Fevre, Esq.
7:05 – 7:30 p.m. Lawyers Helping Lawyers (panel discussion)
Hon. John C. Rowley, Tompkins County Court Judge
Charles Oliver Wolff, Esq., Law Office of Charles Oliver Wolff
Richard M. Wallace, Esq., Guttman & Wallace
7:30 – 7:55 p.m.
Lawyers Assistance Program
Paul Curtin, Outreach Coordinator, 4th Department New York State Bar Association’s Lawyer Assistance Program

7:55 – 8:00 p.m. Questions and Answers
For registration or additional Information please contact Sindy Garey, Director of the Broome County Bar Association bcbaexdir@stny.rr.com.

*** The meeting location includes a Spa and is offering a 15% discount on Spa services for attendees and a special $99.00/night room rate as well. For information on Spa services and reservations, go to www.augustmoonspa.com.

Court Resources–New York

 

The New York State Parent Education and Awareness Program – Certified

providers statewide help separating or divorcing parents better

understand the effects of their breakup on their children. The program,

which in many cases is free, offers parents practical skills to help

their children adjust to their new family situation. The online link

would direct the public to the Program’s web page with a list of

providers and contact information, www.nycourts.gov/parented 

 

Court Interpreting Services – The online link would direct the public

to a web page including details about the role of court interpreters and

general requirements of the position. The online page would also provide

the public with information about obtaining interpreting services, at no

cost, in over 100 languages, www.nycourts.gov/courtinterpreter 

 

Official Court Forms Free – The online link would direct the public to

CourtHelp a web page where court users can download official court

forms, at no cost, for family law, divorce (uncontested) civil law and

other court matters, http://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/forms.html

Real Estate Space

The Commercial Real Estate Finance Law Blog, with notes on real estate law and the real estate business from a Massachusetts lawyer.

***

Sometimes its useful to view something like real estate law and finance from a broader perspective than your next New York closing.

Doug Cornelius presents an excellent example of an attorney with a large, old-line firm who enjoys keeping current on his field with a personal blog.

RSS feed and email updates are available. Cornelius shares publications and forms from his practice.

Well worth a look. Check out his use of embedded documents, some of which are hosted on a new site called Docstoc.

Legal Ease Blog: Do Something – Take Action on Interruptions

***On average, it takes approximately 10 minutes to get back on track after each interruption. The vast majority of interruptions (up to 80%) are typically of ‘little’ or ‘no’ value. If you’re interrupted 20 times a day (which isn’t tough if you’re constantly checking email), you lose over two productive hours a day.***

Allison C. Shields has some helpful hints on how to manage your interruptions.

Read her entire article.***

Allison’s LEGALease blog is available through RSS and email. Her law office management insights are especially helpful for the small firm and solo practitioner.

New Online Employer Identification Number Application

Taxpayers can now request an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online through IRS.gov and get it within minutes. The EIN is immediately recognized by IRS systems, so your clients can begin using it right away for most business purposes.

Find out more in news release IR-2007-161.