Confessions of a JD Neat Freak

I must confess to being a bit of a neat freak about my home and workspace. I believe the benefits of orderliness – knowing where things are, not wasting hours looking for what you need, having a comfortable landing pad after another hard day on planet earth – outweigh the modest cost in time and ef… Read More +

Military Divorce and Survivor Benefits

A recent Ohio case teaches two lessons for the former spouse in a military divorce case: a) do not ever rely on government life insurance in a settlement, and b) be sure you have made a timely election of the survivor annuity, in case your EX dies first.  Here the parties were divorced in 2005, and the decree required the ex-wife to be designated as beneficiary for the Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) of the husband, a military retiree.  Read More +

The Tortoise, the Hare and the Harried 1L

Funny how a children’s fairy tale can point the way to a vibrant and satisfying Law Life. Aesop’s classic The Tortoise and the Hare does just that. We all know the story – at least the Bugs Bunny version. And yet, in the whirl and blur of our modern world, it is easy to forget its valuable lessons. Pace yourself. Slow and steady wins the race. Snooze, you lose.   Read More +

Practice Points with Mark Scruggs

When it comes to Equitable Distribution, Complaint, Counterclaim, or Motion – It's Your Choice A few months ago, I received a call from an insured asking for help. She represented a party in a domestic case. She decided to file a motion in the cause for equitable distribution for several reasons instead … Read More +

New Year, New Rules

The new year dawned with the hope and promise of a new beginning, along with a resolution to exercise more.  If you are anything like me, your new year’s resolutions are already in danger of fading to a mere historical curiosity. One resolution you can make and check off the list this week is to rev… Read More +