Consumers File Class Action Lawsuit Against Used-Car Dealer

 

Los Angeles Consumers File Class Action Lawsuit Against Used-Car Dealer Drive Time For Allegedly Leaking Their Private Financial Information to Unauthorized Third Parties

Several Los Angeles-area consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against used-car dealer Drive Time, formerly known as Ugly Ducking, for allegedly leaking their credit applications, which included their social security numbers and other private information, to unauthorized outside parties. Cheryl Long, an Individual, on behalf of herself and all others similarly aggrieved by defendants’ conduct as alleged herein v. Drive Time, a California Business Entity; Ugly Ducking, a California Business Entity, et al., Case. No. BC 352 692.

La Crescenta, Ca. (PRWEB) May 31, 2006 -- Many Los Angeles-area consumers shopping at Drive Time (formerly known as Ugly Ducking) for used cars usually have filled out credit applications containing all of their confidential financial information, including name, social security number, employment information and home address. These consumers assumed that Drive Time would keep these credit applications under lock and key and not leak them to anyone outside of Drive Time.

In connection with an investigation of a different case involving alleged misconduct by auto insurance brokers, the La Crescenta, California firm of Brennan, Wiener & Associates (“BWA”) alleges that Drive Time had, for some years, leaked these confidential credit applications in large numbers to insurance brokers for the purpose of placing auto insurance. The affected consumers had no idea that this was happening.

“My clients are understandably outraged,” commented Robert F. Brennan, lead counsel for the plaintiff class. So far, Brennan has collected several files from the insurance brokers with Drive Time credit applications in them. “With the Choicepoint scandal and so many other related instances, businesses which get a consumer’s social security number must learn to keep it safe and secure, under lock and key and accessible only to authorized personnel. They can’t be spreading around this information, even if it does make money for them directly or indirectly. The opportunity for identity theft and for other misuses of a consumer’s personal information is just too great in this day and age.”

The class members have filed a class action in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Cheryl Long, an Individual, on behalf of herself and all others similarly aggrieved by defendants’ conduct as alleged herein v. Drive Time, a California Business Entity; Ugly Ducking, a California Business Entity, et al., Case. No. BC 352 692.

Brennan offers some tips on making sure that your private financial information does not get spread about by corporations or stores to which you provide it. “First, there’s nothing wrong with asking exactly how the information will be protected before you provide them with the information. At a minimum, such information should be kept under lock and key and should be accessible only to key personnel and not to any low-wage temporary worker who happens to be passing through. Consumers are entitled to have corporations or retail companies agree in writing to keep confidential information private and secure.

“Since this situation usually comes up in connection with loan applications, I frequently advise my clients to simply go to their own banks and get pre-approved loans before shopping for major items. That way, there’s no reason to even worry about the whole dealership financing shell game. There are so many hidden charges and fees in many dealer financing deals that it’s almost always best just to go through your own bank. Then there’s also the greater chance that your information will be kept safe and secure.”

Brennan also points out that any consumer’s personal data is still subject to theft, even from otherwise secure locations. “There’s simply no foolproof way to entirely protect your personal information. 21st-century consumers must learn about handling consumer credit disputes as part of their basic financial information. It’s no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

Brennan’s website, www.socalcreditdamage.com, gives consumers the tools for handing identity theft and false credit reporting situations.

About Robert F. Brennan: Robert F. Brennan, Esq. and his firm, Brennan, Wiener & Associates, 3150 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta, Ca., handle identity theft and wrongful credit report damage cases for residents of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and Ventura Counties. Brennan, Wiener & Associates have a track record of successfully cleaning up credit reports and also of obtaining compensation for their clients. Mr. Brennan is well known for taking this fairly technical area of the law and breaking it down into its simplicity so that anyone can themselves, without the assistance of an attorney, clean up derogatory marks on their credit reports which do not belong there. When consumers find themselves unable to clean up their credit reports on their own, that’s where Brennan, Wiener & Associates steps in, to ensure that the wrongful derogatory marks get cleaned up and to ensure that the consumers so affected receive adequate compensation.

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Press Contact: Robert Brennan
Company Name: BRENNAN, WIENER & ASSOC.
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 818-249-5291
Website: www.brennanlaw.com

Free Early Case Assessment of Electronic Information

 

MetaLINCS Offers Corporate Legal Teams and Law Firms Free Early Case Assessment of Electronic Information

Early Knowledge from E-Discovery Analysis Software Drives Early Action and More Favorable Case Outcomes

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) May 29, 2006 -- MetaLINCS™, a leading provider of E-Discovery software, today announced the availability of a trial offer that provides corporate legal teams, law firms and government agencies a free early assessment analysis of their electronic data pertaining to any legal matter. Qualified organizations can submit up to 10GB of electronic data for automated review and receive a customized Early Case Assessment Report of key results within 5 days. A sample report based on analysis of the Enron email database can be found at www.metalincs.com/promos/freeAssessment.html.

The free service specifically targets attorneys, investigators and litigation support professionals who desire a way to find key evidence in electronic information that is dramatically more reliable, timely and cost-effective than the current approaches to E-Discovery, which are almost entirely manual. Today's predominant best-practice methods for E-Discovery are dominated by service providers that employ a small army of people to collect, process and comb through electronic information. Not merely expensive, the service provider approach to E-Discovery is error-prone, time-consuming, and provides very limited visibility into the significance of the information discovered.

"The E-Discovery component of most legal matters and investigations come with short deadlines, which puts companies and law firms under tremendous pressure to produce information that can help them quickly assess their exposure and begin to build a case strategy," said Ramon Nunez, CEO of MetaLINCS. "Today's manual E-Discovery processes are too slow and tedious to allow for a fast, comprehensive understanding of the information at hand. Early case assessment enables legal teams to find and drill down on the most relevant case material during the earliest stages of a case and demonstrates the power of early knowledge."

E-Discovery is now the most costly component of the legal and investigatory process, and as it grows in complexity, the associated costs and risks continue to soar. The ability to assess cases at their earliest stages can reduce overall e-discovery costs by as much as 75%. Early assessment can also lead counsel to conclude that 80% of the data they processed is irrelevant, not requiring further examination. Such early insight can inform initial strategic decision-making and drive more favorable case outcomes.

Organizations that take advantage of the MetaLINCS' offer will receive a customized Early Case Assessment Report, featuring in-depth analysis results in the following areas:

Related Concepts – MetaLINCS provides a related concept analysis based on the keyword list you provide. This helps identify additional words and phrases that are relevant to the case.
Thread Analysis – For each of your keywords you can also see a list of the top email conversations involving that keyword. This analysis can help create a context for understanding each keyword and the people involved.

Social Network Analysis – Social Network Analysis shows the communication patterns of key individuals during critical time periods. These analyses reveal individuals you may not have known about or initially considered important to the case.
More information about this MetaLINCS free offer can be found at www.metalincs.com. Users can also register for the free Early Case Assessment by calling 1-800-221-6382.

About MetaLINCS eDiscovery Application
The MetaLINCS E-Discovery application offers corporate attorneys, investigators and litigators the most comprehensive E-Discovery review and analysis software available. The platform combines a patent-pending guided discovery process with a unique visual representation of the relationships between people, events, time, documents and communication patterns. This approach allows users to quickly gain an understanding of electronic information in context, which leads to more successful investigations, mitigates compliance risks, and reduces discovery and litigation costs.

About MetaLINCS
MetaLINCS is a leading provider of Electronic Discovery software. The company's flagship product, the MetaLINCS E-Discovery application, drives early and accurate case assessments by guiding users through the discovery process and suggesting new areas for analysis. Corporate attorneys, investigators and litigators are able to make better decisions earlier, boost discovery productivity, and ensure discovery consistency across cases. The MetaLINCS eDiscovery application is the first commercial software to visualize relationships between people, events, time, documents and communication patterns. Founded in 2003, MetaLINCS is a privately held company located in Mountain View, California and has received venture financing from ArrowPath Venture Capital, Newbury Ventures and Rembrandt Venture Partners. For more information about the company, visit www.metalincs.com.

MetaLINCS is a registered trademark of MetaLINCS. Any other marks used in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of the manufacturers or marketers of the products with which the marks are associated.

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Press Contact: Holly Berkley
Company Name: BERKLEY WEB STRATEGIES, LLC
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 800 921 0687
Website: http://www.metalincs.com

XML Content and Final Package Labeling For The Pharmaceutical Industry

 

ThinSpring Presented “SPL Downstream – XML Content and Final Package Labeling” To The Pharmaceutical Packaging And Labeling Committee (PP&LC)

ThinSpring, a leading provider of XML-based solutions such as SPL Server™ and the FDA’s Electronic Labeling Information Processing System (ELIPS), has presented “SPL Downstream – XML Content and Final Package Labeling” to the Pharmaceutical Packaging And Labeling Committee (PP&LC). The presentation was given by Ron Celeste, CEO of ThinSpring, on May 8, 2006, in Forth Worth, Texas.

Forth Worth, Texas (PRWEB) May 26, 2006 –- ThinSpring, a leading provider of XML-based solutions such as SPL Server™ and the FDA’s Electronic Labeling Information Processing System (ELIPS), has presented “SPL Downstream – XML Content and Final Package Labeling” to the Pharmaceutical Packaging And Labeling Committee (PP&LC). The presentation was given by Ron Celeste, CEO of ThinSpring, on May 8, 2006, in Forth Worth, Texas.

Structure Product Labeling (SPL) and Product Information Management (PIM) deal specifically with the submission of labeling content to the regulatory authorities for approval. Once that content has been approved, the PP&LC members need it to produce the physical labeling that goes on the drug product containers, inner cartons, outer cartons, and shipping containers. XML data file formats are new to this community, and there is a need to focus on style and presentation. Packaging engineers have to consider challenges such as an aging population and a novel design for single dose packaging. They are used to working with binary file formats such as Quark, Illustrator, PDF, and encapsulated post script. The presentation addressed the concept of using one XML-based content repository to serve multiple purposes including regulatory submission and finished package labeling. This transition requires an initial focus on education, training and process redesign.

The United Stated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently uses ELIPS as a part of the process to internally validate SPL submissions from pharmaceutical manufacturers. The FDA made SPL mandatory as of November 3, 2005. Shortly after that in December of 2005, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) saw the first use of its PIM system.

For more information, go to the ThinSpring website or contact Ron Celeste at (908) 595-2145. For access to the presentation, go to the ThinSpring website and click on “Request Access to PP&LC Presentation.”

About ThinSpring:
ThinSpring, founded by former pharmaceutical and medical device professionals, specializes in XML-based Web service solutions, integration and data conversion. ThinSpring has used its industry expertise to develop a dynamic XML engine, MatriXML™. This patented XML technology is the basis for SPL Server™. ThinSpring’s solutions have gained acceptance as an essential, collaborative application-development platform for FDA regulated companies. ThinSpring’s core team manages technology and regulatory consulting divisions that support its clients’ operations throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. ThinSpring headquarters is in Bridgewater, New Jersey, with offices in California and North Carolina. More information about ThinSpring and ThinSpring SPL Server™, can be found on their website at: http://www.ThinSpring.com.

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Press Contact: Ron Celeste
Company Name: ThinSpring
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 908-595-2145
Website: http://www.thinspring.com

Canadian Privacy Training Programs

 

PrivaTech Launches Customized Canadian Privacy Training Programs

PrivaTech Consulting has designed Canadian privacy training programs that build privacy awareness. These customized privacy training sessions can be directed to senior executives and privacy officers, or employees of an organization, and focus on privacy law developments in Canada and avoiding corporate privacy breaches.

(PRWEB) May 25, 2006 -- PrivaTech Consulting is making privacy training a top priority. PrivaTech’s clients are quickly realizing that privacy training is a sound business investment.

PrivaTech has designed a privacy training program for privacy officers and senior executives to assist them in:
•    understanding the implications of recent privacy commissioner decisions;
•    overseeing an effective privacy impact assessment based on generally accepted privacy principles; and
•    developing privacy risk management plans.

PrivaTech has also redesigned its employee privacy training programs to build privacy awareness. Most privacy breaches involving the loss, misuse, unauthorized access or unauthorized disclosure of personal information are due to employee mistakes. Employee mistakes can be costly…but they are avoidable. PrivaTech’s privacy workshops and seminars give employees a clear understanding of their responsibilities through department specific training, practical tips and case studies that employees can relate to.

“PrivaTech took the time to truly understand our business before launching a multi-level privacy training program within our company, involving senior executives, department managers and front line staff. The results were spectacular – employees are empowered with the ability to make informed decisions that better protect the sensitive personal information we hold”, says Louise Turgeon, Privacy Officer and CFO of ESI Canada Inc. “After the first round of training, privacy issues were being identified and brought to the forefront before they resulted in bigger problems, reducing our cost of doing business.”

“Every organization is at a different stage with respect to their privacy compliance initiatives. Our goal is to develop a culture of privacy within the organization so risks can be quickly identified and managed”, says Fazila Nurani, founder of PrivaTech Consulting.

For more information on PrivaTech’s privacy training visit http://www.privatech.ca/privacy-solutions/workshops-seminars/index.cfm?WT.mc_id=pr0506

PrivaTech Consulting, based in Toronto, Ontario, specializes in advising private and public sector organizations on compliance with Canadian privacy laws. PrivaTech’s consultants and lawyers also write articles for PrivaTalk, a leading monthly privacy newsletter published by PrivaTech.

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Press Contact: Fazila Nurani
Company Name: PrivaTech Consulting
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 905-886-0751
Website: http://www.privatech.ca/index.cfm?WT.mc_id=pr0506

Estate Planning For The Intangibles

 

Modern Day Estate Planning For The Intangibles

Ronald E. Hudkins, U.S.Army, SFC, Military Police Corps. (Retired) and President of American Industry Maintenance (AIM), LLC at AssetProtectNow.com address the importance of intangible digital assets in ones modern day estate planning considerations.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) May 25, 2006 - Every state has statutes and mechanisms in place that deal with disposal of tangible assets whether the deceased had a will or not. According to Ronald Hudkins, a leading expert in the field, families might fight over who gets the house, the cars, the stocks and the cash, but there is generally no question about where such property is located. Ronald Hudkins of AssetProtectNow.com offers advice on the subject.

“On the other hand, Hudkins said, many of the questions surrounding intangible digital assets are just beginning to be asked, much less answered. Estate planning in the information age raises a whole new set of issues that just didn’t exist even as few as ten years ago.”

“When a person dies, for example, who inherits the computer files, the web pages, blogs and emails? More complicated yet, how are online bank accounts, stock holdings that exist entirely in digital media, or the rights to an exclusively online business to be handled? The proliferation of online businesses and the world’s propensity for doing paperless business means that digital holdings very often have considerable monetary value. What if nobody knows your passwords or your various usernames? Do your digital assets just disappear into the ether? Can your online business be seized and sold to pay your creditors? These are important matters to consider in our modern times,” Hudkins said.

Hudkins further stated, “The dynamic nature of Internet transactions makes their inclusion in a will eminently impractical. User names and passwords change, new businesses are created, new stocks are e-traded, and new email accounts come into being. Changing a will, or adding a codicil, every time your online dealings change is not at all feasible.”

He likewise advised, “Even though the law governing digital assets is unclear, largely because it hasn’t yet been written, there are ways to protect those assets and make sure your heirs are able to locate and use them.”

“First, keep a master list of all your online dealings, complete with urls, user names and passwords,” Hudkins said. “The list should include items like domain names, where they are registered, and when they need to be renewed to keep the business name and Internet location. Put this particular information on paper, update it every time something new is added or something old deleted, and keep it in a safe place with your other important business papers, preferably in a safety container.”

Hudkins also advised, “Make sure your attorney or your estate executor is aware of the list, even if you don’t want it opened until after your death. Instruct your executor or attorney as to when the list is to become available to your heirs – for example in the case of serious illness in the event that someone needs to take care of online business transactions in your stead. Such instructions may or may not be legally binding, but chances are your instructions will be followed, as a matter of moral obligation.”

“If you have a prosperous online business, online bank accounts, e-trade accounts, or other valuable digital assets, those need to be figured into your estate planning,” Hudkins said. “Otherwise, your heirs may be stuck with a messy situation and many unexpected expenses, or even legal challenges to deal with – problems that your estate planning was initially designed to protect against.”

About Ronald E. Hudkins;
Ronald Hudkins is a retired U.S. Army Military Police member that was assigned as a staff researcher.     He has coordinated with military and criminal investigators, set on court marshals and worked closely with the Staff Judge Advocate Generals Office (JAG). He has a keen sense of legal matters - their interpretation, initiatives and guidelines.     For imperative financial planning needs he suggests his book “Asset Protection and Estate Planning for All Ages.” He offers a Free Newsletter at his web site: http://www.AssetProtectNow.com. The site includes an article directory for edification and has recently established a new Forum for consumer discussions, debates and concerns.

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Press Contact: Ronald Hudkins
Company Name: AMERICAN INDUSTRY MAINTENANCE
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 720-274-2464
Website: http://www.assetprotectnow.com

Free Directory of all Attorneys in the US

 

LegalDirectoryServices.com Launches a Free Directory of all Attorneys in the United States

www.LegalDirectoryServices.com launches a free directory of all Attorneys in the United States. This easy to navigate breakdown of over 925,000 listings is probably the fastest way to find an appropriate attorney in any of all 50 states.

Westbank, BC (PRWEB) May 23, 2006 -- www.LegalDirectoryServices.com launches a free directory of all Attorneys in the United States. As a starting point we have entered the name and firm's contact information for all the legal Attorneys we could find.

The listings are categorized by Area of Law and then by State and then by City.

This easy to navigate breakdown of over 925,000 listings is probably the fastest way to find an appropriate attorney in any of all 50 states. We hope we have everyone in our directory - if not then an attorney may add their free listing to our directory at www.LegalDirectoryServices.com by joining our site at no cost and publishing their listing.

We have included as much information as we could to make the listings useful to potential clients and other attorneys who may need to refer a client based on their listed Area of Law and location. We believe that this valuable venue will enhance the business prospects of all attorneys as it provides even more exposure to potential clients than any local advertising could ever do for them.

If an attorney feels that they would like an enhanced listing that would move their listing to the top of our alphabetical list of lawyers in their city then there is a very low fee of $50.00 per year to have a "Featured Listing" at the city level in your area of law. This fee is used to support the costs of operating and promoting this free directory.

We feel strongly that our directory will be an instant hit with clients and attorneys as it provides a level and affordable field of both free listings and reasonably priced enhanced listings that each attorney can add and edit at will. We have provided security measures that ensure that only the attorney who owns a listing can edit their own listings.

Please visit our legal services directory at www.LegalDirectoryServices.com and see how easy it is to find an appropriate lawyer in your city. If you are an attorney then take a look to see if your listings are already in our directory. If they are and we have your email listed in the directory then we will be emailing you your login details in the next few days. If your email address is missing, you can register with us and claim your listings so that you can have control over them in our directory.

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Press Contact: Gerry Bakker
Company Name: LegalDirectoryServices.com
Phone: 250-768-2677
Website: http://LegalDirectoryServices.com

Self-Scheduling Appointment Website

 

New Website Fills Business Appointment Books 24/7

NextAvailable.Com is the first appointment self-scheduling site that uses a search engine to promote service providers. Consumers are drawn to the site looking for the next available appointment for a wide variety of businesses in any U.S. city. By allowing clients to self-schedule and confirm instantly, businesses attract new clients, keep existing clients happy and cut both admin time and expense.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.(PRWEB) May 24, 2006 -– A new web site, NextAvailable.Com, which debuted in February of this year is a sign of the times for business owners. The site allows busy consumers in every U.S. city to search for and self-schedule the “next available” appointment for businesses of all types. The Next Available® search engine connects consumers and businesses by appointment, and services the growing community of online consumers who either cannot or will not plan ahead.

Developed as a result of continuing consumer trends, the site provides an innovative online forum for businesses and consumers to meet – “in the now.” Customers with urgent service needs are an important source of revenue and goodwill to business owners, and a potential loss to businesses that appear to be unavailable. The site also addresses an often-overlooked source of revenue for businesses: travelers and temporary residents.

“As consumers we expect to book our appointments the same way we book flights and hotels,” said Bonnie Garvey, President of NextAvailable, LLC. “NextAvailable.Com provides the low-cost essential toolkit for businesses to meet consumers’ online scheduling and time management demands.”

How It Works
The service works like this: Using a simple web interface, businesses post appointment availability online, along with a detailed business profile to attract newcomers. Consumers use the search feature on the site’s home page to find appointment openings by date and time. Consumers can search for both the Next Available® appointment starting in the next 15 minutes, or up to 30 days in advance. The search engine returns a list of all businesses with appointment openings that meet the consumer’s criteria. After browsing the profiles of available businesses, consumers self-schedule appointments on the spot. Established clientele can also bypass the search engine to do business directly with their preferred providers.

According to Nielsen’s NetRatings, as of February 2006, 74% of Americans use the Internet, and those users average 30.5 hours online per month. According to a March 2006 special issue of Time, over 95% of affluent Americans made a purchase online in 2005. And the trend is growing. The next generation of consumers promises to be even more tech reliant.

NextAvailable.Com promises businesses an increase in new customer activity, improved goodwill among current customers, and a decrease in administrative time and costs. According to site subscriber Christine Trice, owner of Brown Bag Botanicals pre-natal massage, “I no longer have to worry about lost business due to a missed phone call. My admin time has dropped while bookings have increased.”

Pricing and Availability
At a base price of $20 monthly, businesses can get online and appear in availability searches quickly. Pricing includes a one-page unique website with free video upload and placement in the Next Available® search engine. Retail and non-service based businesses can also use the site to meet internal time management needs. Businesses can sign up online from the site’s home page.

NextAvailable.Com, owned by NextAvailable, LLC, also provides a free survey feature where consumers and businesses can sound off about the site. The company hopes that open communication with the public will help to maintain its pulse on current trends.

For more information, visit the web site at http://NextAvailable.Com.    

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Press Contact: Bonnie Garvey
Company Name: NextAvailable, LLC
Phone: 916.419.4178
Website: http://nextavailable.com  
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Halliburton Fears Lawyer

 

Truth in Corporation Justice LLC Attorney Denied Access to Annual Halliburton Meeting

Meeting held in rural town, Duncan, Oklahoma under heavy security.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2006 -- Special Counsel to the Lead Plaintiff in the Halliburton Company Securities Litigation, Neil Rothstein of Truth in Corporate Justice LLC (worldwidetree @ gmail.com), who attended the annual Halliburton shareholders meeting on May 17, 2006 in Oklahoma, was not permitted to enter the Simmons Center in Duncan where there were supposedly two hundred people gathered inside. The Lead Plaintiff, of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Supporting Fund, Inc. (“AMS Fund”) is a current shareholder. The AMS Fund requested its attorney in writing to attend the meeting. The document, signed by an official at the AMS Fund, Vice President Paula N. John, authorized Mr. Rothstein to attend this meeting on its behalf and thereafter, to observe and report back to the AMS Fund, Inc. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Supporting Fund, Inc. (“AMS Fund”) recently requested that Neil Rothstein be appointed Special Counsel to the Lead Plaintiff in the Halliburton Securities Fraud Class Action Litigation case (www.halliburtonsecuritieslitigation.com).

Mr. Rothstein is the Founder and Chief Managing Officer (“CMO”) of the Worldwide Tree™ Group. The group consists of Truth in Corporate Justice LLC (“TCJ”), and its subsidiaries, the Global Governance Center LLC, and Class in Action LLC. Additionally, the Group contains Worldwide Tree Multimedia LLC. Contact Truth in Corporate Justice LLC at 310/459-2560 or 800/610-4998 or Neil Rothstein directly at 619/251-0887. TCJ is a limited liability company that will scrutinize, support and endorse those law firms that adhere to TCJ’s ethical and competency standards in order to maintain the integrity of the legal system in the United States. TCJ seeks to empower anyone facing legal problems with education, access, guidance, networking and more. It avails its resources, access and knowledge to both plaintiffs and defendants and uses its power to empower those who have been injured by corporate greed or by corporations and their directors and officers who might be falsely accused of wrongdoing.

The following is an account of the events that occurred on May 17, according to attorney Neil Rothstein:

On Wednesday May 17, 2006 Halliburton held its annual meeting in Duncan Oklahoma, a rural town approximately two hours outside of Oklahoma City. The closest town that Rothstein could reserve a hotel room was in the town of Lawton, approximately thirty-five minutes from Duncan (which Rothstein was told had only about 90 motel rooms; Halliburton has well over 500,000 shareholders). Upon arriving at the Simmons Center, which according to its website can seat almost one thousand people, Rothstein presented the letter of representation that he had been given by his client. AMS had requested his attendance so as to uphold its fiduciary duty required by law in the ongoing securities litigation and because it was entitled to attend. He was permitted to park in the attendees’ parking lot after being stopped and having the document read by two law enforcement officers.

Approximately fifty feet from the entrance an officer dressed in plain clothes walked in front of him and asked him what he was doing there. Rothstein explained that he represented a shareholder and handed him the signed authorization letter. Without looking at the letter, or knowing who he was, he told Rothstein that he could not enter the building. Rothstein requested that the officer read the letter and the officer glanced quickly at the document, proceeded to fold it over and stated “This ain’t Milwaukee”. He then directed Rothstein to stand in the protestors’ area. Rothstein informed the officer that he was not a protestor and that he was there on behalf of his shareholder client. Before Rothstein could respond, the officer requested “backup”. Rothstein was never asked for identification, he was not able to speak to any Halliburton representative and the officer disallowed his entrance without consulting anyone from the Company.
Rothstein moved beyond the roped area as instructed.

Thereafter Rothstein heard helicopters flying overhead, looked up only to realize that S.W.A.T. forces were on the roof of the building. Rothstein then closely surveyed with detail: the countless number of armed law enforcement officials, a group of about sixty protestors and even a few masked demonstrators. Rothstein requested an Oklahoma City attorney to find a person who would get his authorization to David Lesar, the CEO of Halliburton. A little while later he was given back the document and was told that it was believed that three Halliburton representatives had reviewed the document and would not permit his entrance. (Rothstein cannot verify that any representative of Halliburton reviewed the document).

Rothstein took one more look around and decided to leave. Thereafter, he drove two hours from the remote location and left Oklahoma. Rothstein reported to his client that he was denied access to the meeting and that he later learned the meeting had less than two hundred attendees.

The Litigation: Recently, Halliburton and certain individual defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss in the securities litigation, a major part of which was denied by the Court. This is a noted case, as the AMS Fund objected and blocked a previously announced $6 million settlement and had the other lead attorneys and plaintiffs removed from their leadership positions (some withdrew voluntarily prior to their potential dismissal). Pursuant to the Court order, an updated complaint has been filed. Information regarding this litigation case can be found at the Halliburton litigation website indicated above as sponsored by Truth in Corporate Justice LLC. Click the tab of interest (Archdiocese of Milwaukee Supporting Fund Inc., et. al. v Halliburton Company, et. al., United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, C to maintain the integrity of the legal system in the United States. iv. Action No. 3:01-cv-1152-M)

This Halliburton Securities Class Action website is maintained solely by Truth In Corporate Justice LLC. It is not connected to the Court (Northern District of Texas), any law firm or any other party in this litigation. Truth in Corporate Justice LLC and its subsidiaries, Class in Action LLC, and The Global Governance Center LLC were formed to maintain the integrity of our nation’s legal system. “Justice can only be served when learned judges are efficient, coupled with zealous and ethical attorneys advocating for all parties, allow their clients – both plaintiffs and defendants -- to control and direct their litigation and show up in court for all proceedings. TCJ seeks to use its power to empower anyone to get the education and knowledge to obtain the very best legal representation and resources available,” said Neil Rothstein. TCJ contributes not less than ten percent of any profits to the Worldwide Tree ™ Group, which is dedicated to foundations, endowments and scholarships. TCJ believes that no voice should go unheard. No organization that advocates the use of violence or terrorism may receive the assistance of any company under the umbrella of the World Wide Tree Group.

Truth In Corporate Justice LLC attended this meeting at the written request of its client-- a shareholder who is lead plaintiff in the Halliburton case--so that it could be fully informed and therefore carry out its fiduciary duty as required by law to the absent class members in the purported class action. In light of ongoing news of impending indictments of certain class action attorneys and their law firms (the law firm of Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman--formerly Milberg, Weiss, Bershad, Hynes & Lerach--and two attorneys from that firm were indicted Friday), the foundation desired to continue to carry out its duties to its fullest extent. TCJ believes that Halliburton should reimburse any costs incurred to any person or entity that had a right to attend this meeting and was denied the ability to enter the building. Further, the proper federal agency should inquire as to why any shareholder or its representative was denied access to attend. TCJ is of the belief that the class action lawsuit is the optimal legal proceeding for cases where the number of people affected are too numerous. “When a learned judge is appointed to the bench and selects attorneys on both sides who are zealous advocates with high ethical standards, then, coupled with lead plaintiffs and defendants who attend court hearings and direct and control their litigation by active participation, justice more often will be served,” said Rothstein.

Contact:
Neil Rothstein
Truth in Corporate Justice LLC
800-610-4998
worldwidetree @ gmail.com
www.halliburtonsecuritieslitigation.com

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Press Contact: Neil Rothstein
Company Name: Truth in Corporate Justice LLC
Phone: 800-610-4998
Website: www.halliburtonsecuritieslitigation.com

Judge Immigrates To New York Law Firm

 

Immigration Judge Joins New York Law Firm

Hon. William Strasser, (Ret.)one of the most revered federal immigration judges joins Strasser, Asatrian, Asatrian & Syme LLP.

Newark, NJ (PRWEB) May 22, 2006 -- Strasser, Asatrian, Asatrian & Syme LLP, a bi-coastal law firm is proud to announce that Hon. William Strasser, (Ret.), has joined the firm as a named Senior Partner in the firm’s rapidly-expanding Immigration and Nationality Law Practice Group. He will be based in the firm’s New York City offices.

Prior to his affiliation with the firm Judge Strasser served 38 years with the United States Department of Justice. For a period of 27 years, he served as an Immigration Judge which is presently under the office of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in Newark, New Jersey. Before his appointment to Immigration Judge he held numerous positions within the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) including Immigration Inspector, Deportation Officer, General Attorney and Trial Attorney. Judge Strasser is regarded as one of the most knowledgeable, experienced, and well-respected individuals in the field of Immigration Law.

According to Harry Asatrian, the firm’s managing partner and resident in Strasser, Asatrian, Asatrian & Syme LLP’s Newark office, Judge Strasser’s range of experience will be a strategic complement to the firm’s growing Immigration and Nationality Law Practice Group, which has continued to grow, most recently with the addition of Kortan Toygar, Esq., as Associate Attorney.

"Judge Strasser’s experience working in diverse sectors on a range of important immigration and nationality matters makes him an excellent addition to our practice," said Mr. Asatrian.

Mr. Asatrian further commented, “the depth and breadth of the experience which the Judge brings to the firm is not quantifiable in terms of regulatory analysis and application of the law. No attorney we bring on board can offer even comparable experience to our clientele. This addition puts our firm in a position where we will be much better suited to assist clients with complex immigration matters including, but not limited to, removal proceedings, asylum hearings and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals.”

The attorneys in the firm’s Newark office advise employers and individuals in all areas of immigration law and represent them in state and federal court and before administrative and quasi-judicial agencies. The attorneys also provide a wide range of client counseling and training in this crucial area, giving hands-on assistance and guidance to their corporate clients in the event of government audits.

The clients represented by attorneys at Strasser, Asatrian, Asatrian & Syme LLP’s Newark office span a broad range of industries including finance, publishing, transportation, retail, entertainment and manufacturing. In addition, the firm's Immigration Law Practice Group serves the firm's entire nationwide clientele in visa, work permits, cross-border travel and citizenship matters.

About Strasser, Asatrian, Asatrian & Syme LLP

Founded in 2005, Strasser, Asatrian, Asatrian & Syme LLP provides a wide variety of legal services to clients throughout the United States and around the world with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Newark and Clifton, New Jersey. The firm can be found online at http://www.asatrianlaw.com.

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Press Contact: Harry Asatrian
Company Name: STRASSER, ASATRIAN, ASATRIAN & SYME LLP
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 973-735-2716
Website: www.saaslaw.com

Lawyers to get $30M From Advertiser's Google Settlement

I got about five copies of this SPAM in today:

-----Original Message-----
From: Clicksettlement [mailto:clicksettlement@xmr3.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 5:42 PM
To: christian@nielsentech.com
Subject: Important Legal Notice Regarding Your Google AdWords Account

This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully. If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a class-action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court's certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. Please read the attached notice. 

You can get more information at: www.clicksettlement.com.

Please do not reply to this message

Esta notificação de ordem judicial pode afetar seus direitos legais. Por favor, leia com atenção. Se tiver adquirido anúncios on-line da Google entre 1 de janeiro de 2002 e a data de hoje, você faz parte de uma ação judicial coletiva na Comarca de Miller County, Arkansas. Esta notificação tem como objetivo informá-lo sobre o recurso judicial da ação coletiva; a natureza do processo judicial; o seu direito de participar ou não; a ação coletiva, o acordo proposto, e como solicitar indenização em créditos para anúncio através de um acordo. Para solicitar uma cópia da notificação em anexo em português, favor enviar um email para:  clicksettlementpo@enotice.info

Toto soudem narízené oznámení muze ovlivnit vase zákonná práva. Prosím prectete si je pozorne. Pokud jste zakoupili reklamu on-line od Google mezi 1. lednem 2002 a soucasností, jste clenem skupiny ve skupinovém soudním sporu u obvodového soudu okresu Miller County ve státe Arkansas. Toto oznámení vás informuje o soudním potvrzení skupiny; o charakteru údajných skod; o vasem právu se zúcastnit nebo se vyloucit ze skupiny; o navrhovaném vyporádání; a jak muzete vznést nárok na odmenu ve forme dobropisu na reklamu v rámci vyporádání. Pro vyzádání kopie prilozeného oznámení v cestine zaslete prosím e-mail na adresu: clicksettlementcz@enotice.info.

Deze van gerechtswege verstrekte bekendmaking kan implicaties hebben voor uw wettelijke rechten.  Verzoeke hem aandachtig te lezen.  Als u in de periode van 1 januari 2002 tot op heden online-advertenties van Google hebt gekocht, bent u 'class member' in een 'class action' geding dat in het Circuit Court van Miller County, Arkansas (VS) aanhangig is gemaakt.  Deze bekendmaking dient om u op de hoogte te stellen van de certificatie van een 'class'; van de aard van de aantijgingen; van uw recht tot deelname aan, of uitsluiting van, de 'class'; van een voorgestelde schikking alsmede van de wijze waarop u aanspraak kunt maken op vergoeding van advertentiekosten binnen het kader van de schikking.  Stuur voor een Nederlandstalig exemplaar van de geappendeerde bekendmaking een E-mail aan het volgende adres:  clicksettlementdu@enotice.info.

Tällä tuomioistuimen määräämällä ilmoituksella on mahdollisesti vaikutusta laillisiin oikeuksiinne. Lukekaa se huolellisesti. Mikäli olette ostanut Googlelta Internet-mainoksia alkaen tammikuun 1 päivästä 2002 nykyhetkeen saakka, olette ryhmän jäsen ryhmäkanteessa, joka on jätetty Miller Countyn piirituomioistuimelle Arkansasissa. Tämän ilmoituksen tarkoituksena on tiedottaa teille, että tuomioistuin on vahvistanut ryhmän olemassaolon, väitettyjen vaateiden luonteen, teidän oikeutenne osallistua ryhmään tai olla osallistumatta siihen, ehdotetun sovintosopimuksen sekä menettelyn, jonka avulla voitte vaatia mainoshyvitysten myöntämistä sopimuksen nojalla. Saadaksenne kopion oheisesta ilmoituksesta suomen kielellä, olkaa hyvä ja lähettäkää sähköpostiviesti osoitteella  clicksettlementfi@enotice.info.

La présente notification mandatée par les tribunaux peut affecter vos droits en vertu de la loi. Veuillez la lire attentivement. Si vous avez payé pour faire de la publicité en ligne en utilisant Google entre le 1er janvier 2002 et la date d'aujourd'hui, vous êtes automatiquement membre d'un groupe faisant un recours collectif en justice au tribunal d'instance du comté de Miller, en Arkansas. La présente notification a pour objet de vous informer de la reconnaissance par le tribunal de l'action en justice susmentionnée comme recours collectif ; de la nature des plaintes alléguées ; de votre droit de participer ou de refuser de participer au recours collectif ; d'une offre de règlement à l'amiable ; et de la façon dont vous pouvez revendiquer des crédits à valoir sur de la publicité en application dudit règlement. Pour demander à recevoir un exemplaire de la notification jointe en langue française, veuillez envoyer un courriel à cette adresse :   clicksettlementfr@enotice.info.

Diese gerichtlich angeordnete Mitteilung kann Ihre Rechte als Käufer berühren. Bitte sorgfältig durchlesen. Wenn Sie in der Zeit vom 1. Januar 2002 bis heute Online-Werbung von Google gekauft haben, sind Sie Partei einer beim Circuit Court of Miller County (US-Gericht), im US-Bundesstaat Arkansas anhängig gemachten Sammelklage. Mit dieser Mitteilung werden Sie von der Entscheidung des Gerichts bezüglich der Annahme einer Klägergruppe im Sinne einer Sammelklage, über die Art der geltend gemachten Ansprüche, über Ihr Recht, der Sammelklage als Partei beizutreten bzw. auf einen  Beitritt zu verzichten, über Vergleichsangebote zur Beilegung des Rechtsstreits und über die Art und Weise, wie Sie auf Grund eines Vergleichs gerichtlich zuerkannte Werbegutschriften beanspruchen können. Ein Exemplar der deutschen Version der beigefügten Mitteilung können Sie per Email unter folgender Adresse anfordern: clicksettlementge@enotice.info.

????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???????? ????????. ?? ????? ???? ??????. ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? Google ???? 1 ?????? 2002 ??? ?????? ??????, ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? Miller ?????? ??????. ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ?????; ?? ???? ?? ??????? ???????; ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????; ?? ???? ????? ?????; ????? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????. ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??????, ?? ????? ???"? ?? ??????: clicksettlementhe@enotice.info.

A bírósági végzés alapján kiadott jelen közlemény érintheti a törvényes jogaikat, ezért olvassák el gondosan. Amennyiben 2002. január 1-tol kezdve mostanáig bármikor online hirdetést vásároltak a Google cégtol, akkor részesei az Arkansas állambeli Miller County bíróságán benyújtott csoportos keresetnek. A közlemény a következokrol ad tájékoztatást: a bíróság tanúsítja a csoport meglétét; ismerteti a kárigényt; a csoporthoz való tartozás és az abból való kimaradás jogát; a javasolt rendezést; valamint azt, hogy annak alapján hogyan lehet hirdetési keretigényt benyújtani. A csatolt közlemény magyar nyelvu változatát a clicksettlementhu@enotice.info címre írt elektronikus levélben lehet igényelni.

Questa notifica ordinata dal tribunale può influire sui suoi diritti legali. È pregato di leggerla attentamente. Se lei ha acquistato pubblicità in linea da Google nel perioda dal primo gennaio 2002 ad oggi, lei può far parte di una azione legale collettiva intentata presso la corte di circuito della contea di Miller, Arkansas. Con questa notifica lei viene informato della certificazione legale di azione collettiva; della natura delle rivendicazioni asserite; del suo diritto di parteciparvi o di esservi escluso; della composizione proposta e del modo in cui può rivendicare un risarcimento per crediti pubblicitari ai sensi della composizione stessa. Per richiedere una copia della notifica allegata in italiano, è pregato di inviare una e-mail a questo indirizzo: clicksettlementit@enotice.info.

??????????????????????????????????????????????2002?1?1??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

????????????????????????????????????????clicksettlementja@enotice.info

? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ? ????. ? ??? ??? ???? ????. 2002? 1? 1??? ?? ??? Google??? ??? ??? ???? ??, ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???. ? ???, ??? ?? ??, ?? ???? ??, ??? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??, ?? ???, ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????. ?? ???? ??? ?? ????, ?? ??? ???? ?????:  clicksettlementko@enotice.info.

Denne rettslige kunngjøringen er utferdiget i henhold til domsbeslutning og kan påvirke dine juridiske rettigheter. Les nøye gjennom den. Hvis du har kjøpt nettannonse eller -reklame fra Google mellom 1. januar 2002 og dagens dato, inngår du som medlem av et gruppesøksmål i Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas (USA). Denne kunngjøringen informerer deg om rettens sertifisering av en gruppe, de påståtte kravenes natur, retten din til å være med i eller stå utenfor gruppen, et forliksforslag samt hvordan du kan melde deg for å få annonseringskredit i henhold til forliket. Hvis du ønsker et eksemplar av vedlagte kunngjøring på norsk, skal du sende en e-post til følgende adresse: clicksettlementno@enotice.info.

Niniejsze, wydane nakazem sadowym zawiadomienie moze miec wplyw na przyslugujace Ci prawa. Przeczytaj je uwaznie. Jezeli w okresie od 1 stycznia 2002 do chwili  obecnej zakupiles od firmy Google reklame internetowa, kwalifikujesz sie jako uczestnik grupy, w imieniu której wytaczany jest tej firmie pozew grupowy przed Sadem Obwodowym Powiatu Miller w stanie Arkansas. Celem tego zawiadomienia jest poinformowanie Ciebie o zatwierdzeniu przez Sad grupy pozywajacej, o charakterze roszczen, o Twoim prawie do uczestniczenia w grupie lub wykluczenia sie z niej, o proponowanym porozumieniu polubownym oraz o tym, jak nalezy zglaszac sie o przyznanie kredytów reklamowych przewidzianych w porozumieniu. Po egzemplarz zawiadomienia w jezyku polskim nalezy zwrócic sie poczta elektroniczna na adres: clicksettlementpl@enotice.info


????????? ??????????? ?? ????????????? ???? ????? ????? ????????? ? ????? ???????? ??????, ??????? ?????? ??????????? ????????? ???. ???? ?? ??????????? ??????? ? ?????? ?????? ? ???????? Google ? ?????? ? 1 ?????? 2002 ???? ?? ????????? ?????, ?? ????????? ???????? ? ?????? ?????????? ????, ????????????? ? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????? (???? ????????). ????????? ?? ????????? ? ??????????? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ?????; ? ????????? ??????????? ??????????; ? ????? ????? ??????? ? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ????????; ? ???????????? ??????????????, ? ????? ? ??????? ????????????? ?????????? ?? ??????????? ???????????? ????????? ????? ? ?????? ??????????????. ???????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ??????????? ????? ?? ??????:  clicksettlementru@enotice.info.

???????????????????????????????2002?1?1?????Google??????,??????????(Miller County)??????????????????????????????????;???????;???,????????????;????;??????????????????????????????,????????clicksettlementch@enotice.info?

Este aviso ordenado por el tribunal puede afectar sus derechos legales. Sírvase leerlo detenidamente. Si usted compró publicidad en línea a Google entre el 1º de enero de 2002 y el presente, usted es miembro de una clase en una demanda judicial de acción colectiva interpuesta en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia del Condado Miller, Arkansas. Este aviso es para informarle sobre la certificación de la clase que efectuó el Tribunal; la naturaleza de las demandas argumentadas; su derecho a participar o no participar en la clase; un acuerdo extra-judicial propuesto; y cómo usted puede reclamar se le adjudiquen créditos para publicidad en virtud del acuerdo extra-judicial. Para solicitar una copia del aviso adjunto en español, envíe un correo electrónico a esta dirección: clicksettlementsp@enotice.info.

Detta rättsliga meddelande är utfärdat enligt domstolsbeslut och kan påverka dina juridiska rättigheter. Meddelandet ska läsas noggrant. Om du köpte online-annons av Google mellan 1 januari 2002 och dagens datum innebär det att du är medlem i en grupptalan vars stämningsansökning har inlämnats i Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas (USA). Meddelandet är avsett att underrätta dig om domstolens certifiering av grupp, anspråkens beskaffenhet, din rättighet att gå med i eller gå ur gruppen, förlikningsförslag, samt hur man anmäler sig för att få annonseringskredit enligt förlikningen. För att erhålla ett exemplar av det bifogade rättsliga meddelandet på svenska, var god skicka ett e-postmeddelande till följande adress:  clicksettlementsw@enotice.info.

???????????????????????????????2002?1?1?????Google??????,??????????(Miller County)??????????????????????????????????;???????;???,????????????;????;??????????????????????????????,????????clicksettlementct@enotice.info?

Mahkeme tarafindan çikarilan bu bildirim yasal haklarinizi etkileyebilir. Lütfen dikkatle okuyun. 1 Ocak 2002 tarihinden bugüne kadar geçen süre içinde Google'den online reklam satin aldiysaniz ABD'nin Arkansas Eyaleti'nin Miller Ilçesi Bölge Mahkemesi'nde açilan bir toplu davaya davaci olarak katilmaktasiniz. Bu bildirim size Mahkeme'nin bu dava grubunu kabulü, dava dilekçesinin içerigi, sizin bu davaya katilma veya bu davanin disinda kalma hakkiniz, dava grubu, teklif edilen anlasma ve yapilan anlasma sonucu alacaginiz reklam kredilerini nasil alacaginiz konusunda bilgiler sunulmaktadir. Ekteki bildirimin Türkçe bir nüshasini istiyorsaniz lütfen clicksettlementtu@enotice.info adresine e-posta gönderin.

This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully. If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a class-action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court's certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. To request a copy of the attached notice in English, please send an email to this address: clicksettlementuk@enotice.info.

Denne retskendelse påvirker muligvis dine juridiske rettigheder. Læs den grundigt igennem. Hvis du købte online-reklamer fra Google mellem d. 1. januar 2002 og i dag, er du medlem af et kollektivt søgsmål ved distriktsdomstolen i Miller County, Arkansas i USA. Denne meddelelse har til formål at informere dig om rettens certificering af en klasse; arten af de påstande der gøres gældende; din ret til deltagelse i eller udelukkelse fra klassen; en foreslået retsforlig; og hvorledes du ifølge retsforliget kan gøre krav på erstatning i form af reklametilgodehavender. Få en dansk version af den vedhæftede kendelse tilsendt ved at e-maile denne adresse: clicksettlementda@enotice.info.

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The following was in an attached PDF file:

Notice of Pendency and Settlement of Class Action, Settlement Hearing and Claims Procedure This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully.

If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a classaction lawsuit, Lane’s Gifts and Collectibles et al. v. Google, Inc. et al., Case No. CV-2005-52-1, in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court’s certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. If you purchased online advertising from Google on behalf of another party, please forward this notice to the advertiser.

• The settlement will provide advertising credits to class members who certify that they were the victims of “click fraud” or other invalid or improper clicks on online advertisements purchased from Google on or after January 1, 2002.

• The settlement will resolve claims that Google breached its contracts with advertisers and violated other laws by failing to adequately detect and stop “click fraud” or other invalid or improper clicks on online advertisements.

• If you are a member of the class, your legal rights are affected by whether you act or do not act.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS

Do Nothing
You will automatically be eligible to submit a claim form for Google advertising credits and will give up your ability to sue Google over the subject matter of this case.

Exclude Yourself
You will not be able to submit a claim form for Google advertising credits. This is the only option that allows you to bring or participate in another lawsuit against Google about the subject matter of this case.

Object
Write to the Court and parties about why you don’t like the settlement.

• These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in this notice.

• The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the settlement. Awards of advertising credits will be made only if the Court approves the settlement. If someone appeals from the Court’s approval of the settlement, awards of credits will not occur until the appeal is resolved.

WHAT IS THIS CASE ABOUT?
Plaintiffs Lane’s Gifts and Collectibles and Max Caulfield d/b/a Caulfield Investigations allege that Google breached its contracts with class members, unjustly enriched itself, and engaged in a civil conspiracy by failing to adequately detect and stop “click fraud” or other invalid or improper clicks on online advertisements. Google denies plaintiffs’ allegations and contends that all payments that it has received from class members for online advertising were legally and properly charged, and that it has neither breached its contracts with class members nor violated any other law through the actions alleged in the case. The Court has not made a determination whether plaintiffs’ or Google’s contentions are correct.

WHY IS THERE A SETTLEMENT?
The Court did not decide in favor of plaintiffs or Google. Instead, both sides agreed to a settlement. That way, both sides avoid the cost and uncertainty of further litigation.

AM I AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT?
If you fit within the definition of the class that the Court has certified, then you are a member of the class and you will be affected by the settlement. The class that the court has certified is defined as:
All persons or entities, together with any officer, employee or agent of the same, that purchased advertising on the Internet from Google on or after January 1, 2002, regardless where the ad was displayed.

WHAT WILL I GET FROM THE SETTLEMENT?
Under the settlement, Google will establish a $90 million settlement fund, of which a portion will be used to pay class counsel’s fees and costs, and the remainder will be available to class members in the form of advertising credits that may be applied to up to 50% of the cost of future online advertising purchased from Google. To receive credits, you must submit a valid and timely claim form. Credits will be awarded on a pro rata basis, taking into account the amount that you paid to Google for the ads and the total amount of credits available. For example, if the amounts that you paid to Google for the affected ads were 1% of Google’s revenues from online advertising since January 1, 2002, you would be eligible to receive 1% of the total available credits. You must certify in your claim form the percentage of your ads you believe were affected by “click fraud”.

HOW DO I SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM?
To receive a claim form, visit the following website between June 19, 2006 and August 4, 2006 and enter the requested information.
www.clicksettlement.com
If you do not submit your Claim Form by August 4, 2006, your claim will be deemed late and will be rejected.

2
WHAT ARE THE ATTORNEYS GOING TO BE PAID?
The Court will decide the amount of fees to be paid to class counsel and the extent to which the expenses that they incurred in working on the case should be reimbursed. Class counsel intend to seek a maximum of 33 ⅓ percent of the settlement fund, or $30 million, in attorneys’ fees and expenses in this case. Under the settlement, Google has agreed that it will not oppose an award of up to $30 million to class counsel.

WHEN WILL THE COURT DECIDE WHETHER TO APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT?
The Court has scheduled a hearing on July 24 and 25 beginning at 9:00 a.m. to consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate and to determine the amount of the fees and expenses to be awarded to class counsel. The hearing will be held in the Juvenile Courtroom at 305 E 5th Street, Texarkana, Arkansas 71854. It is possible that the hearing may be postponed.

HOW DO I REMAIN A CLASS MEMBER?
You do not need to do anything to remain a class member. You will be bound by all orders and judgments of the Court, whether favorable or not. You will be represented by class counsel. You do not have to pay class counsel. If you remain in the class, you will be eligible to submit a claim form for Google advertising credits online between June 19, 2006 and August 4, 2006. In return you will be giving up any claim for damages against Google relating to the subject matter of this case.

WHAT AM I GIVING UP TO RECEIVE ADVERTISING CREDITS OR STAY IN THE CLASS?
Unless you exclude yourself (opt out), you are staying in the class, and that means you can’t sue, continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Google relating to the subject matter of this case. It also means that all of the Court’s orders will apply to you and legally bind you. The legal issues in this case involve allegations that Google breached its contracts with advertisers and violated other laws by failing to adequately detect and stop “click fraud” or other invalid or improper clicks on online advertisements.

Any member of the class who does not opt out fully and finally releases and waives all claims, demands, rights, liabilities, and causes of action of any nature that were asserted or might have been asserted, under any law whatsoever, that arise out of, relate to, or are in connection with the legal claims against Google in this case, or any facts, transactions, events, policies, occurrences, acts, disclosures, statements, omissions or failures to act, which are or could be the basis of claims that the monies Google received for online advertising on or after January 1, 2002 should not have been charged, received or held by Google. Class members who do not opt out also fully and finally release all of those same matters against all of Google’s partners who published online ads provided by Google.

HOW DO I EXCLUDE MYSELF (OPT OUT) FROM THE CLASS?
You may exclude yourself (opt out) from the class if you mail a signed letter asking to be excluded from the Class to the following address:

Google Settlement Opt Out
c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC
P.O. Box 808070
Petaluma, CA 94975-8070

The letter asking to be excluded must be postmarked no later than thirty (30) days after the date this Notice was sent. If you are excluding yourself, the letter must contain your name and address and say that you want to be excluded from the settlement. If you are excluding your company, your letter must contain your company’s name and address, your position in the company, and a statement that you are authorized to act on behalf of the company. If you exclude yourself (opt out), you will not participate in the settlement or receive any of the benefits of the settlement. If you wish to remain a class member,
DO NOT send a letter asking to be excluded.

HOW DO I OBJECT TO THE SETTLEMENT OR THE ATTORNEYS’ FEES?
If you don’t like the settlement and wish to object, you must say so in writing. Mail a letter saying what you do not like about the settlement to all of these addresses:

Clerk of the Miller County Circuit Court
400 Laurel
Texarkana, AR 71854

George L. McWilliams
Patton, Roberts, McWilliams & Capshaw, LLP
2900 St. Michael Drive, Fourth Floor
Texarkana, TX 75503

Daralyn J. Durie
Keker & Van Nest, LLP
710 Sansome St.
San Francisco, CA 94111

The deadline for objection is thirty (30) days after the date this Notice was sent. If you want to object, you must mail your letter early enough so that it is received by the deadline.

If you make an objection by the deadline, and you also want to speak at the hearing, you must ask the Court for permission to do so. You may choose to be represented by counsel, but you will have to pay that counsel.

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I refer to this as SPAM, because the lawyers are behind this and not Google. Personally, I would rather not get ANYTHING BACK, than have the lawyers get what should be OUR MONEY from Google.
I'll have to figure out what I will do...

Law Firm Files Suit Against Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Over Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch

Parker & Waichman, LLP Files Suit Against Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. on Behalf of 33 Year Old Woman Diagnosed with Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism and DVT

 

Parker & Waichman, LLP Files Suit Against Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. on Behalf of 33 Year Old Woman Diagnosed with Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Venous Thrombosis after using Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch for Two Months.

 

New York, NY, May 20, 2006 --(PR.COM)-- Parker & Waichman, LLP (http://www.yourlawyer.com) announced that it has filed suit against Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc., a division of Johnson and Johnson Inc. on behalf of a 33-year-old woman and her husband. The woman suffered a bilateral pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) which are believed to be associated with the use of Ortho Evra for two months. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey. For more information on Ortho Evra please visit http://www.orthopatchlawsuit.com or
http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Ortho_Evra_Patch.

 

In May 2005, the injured party was taken to the emergency room of Hillside Hospital in Tennessee with shortness of breath, chest pains, tachycardia and hypoxemia. Diagnostic tests revealed a bilateral pulmonary embolism with a large embolus in the right main pulmonary artery and right upper and right lower lobe peripheral infiltrates suspected to be pulmonary infarctions. Additional tests revealed a deep venous thrombosis of the right popliteal vein extending to the right common femoral vein. The woman was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit where she received Coumadin and Lovenox treatment. She will likely undergo prolonged treatment with these medications, which may be necessary for the remainder of her life.

 

On November 10, 2005, Ortho McNeil, in conjunction with the FDA, issued a warning about the increased risks of blood clots associated with Ortho Evra. In the new warning, Ortho-McNeil admitted for the first time that women who use the patch will be exposed to up to 60% more estrogen than they would be exposed to if they were taking a birth control pill with 35 micrograms of estrogen. The patch is only intended to deliver 20 micrograms of estrogen. The FDA's November 2005 announcement this warning can be found at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/NEW01262.html. It is widely understood that increased exposure to estrogen greatly increases the risk of blood clots, which can cause serious injury or death.

 

Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually due to a blood clot that traveled to the lung from the leg but they can also form in the pelvic vein. Pulmonary thromboembolism can be fatal or may result in pulmonary arterial obstruction, pulmonary obstruction, pulmonary infarction, chronic pulmonary hypertension, dyspenea and tachypnea. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, anxiety, chest pain, fainting and convulsions. Treatment may include long term use of anticoagulant medications and/or surgery. Recent reports have indicated that the risk of developing blood clots, pulmonary thromboembolism, heart attack and stroke may be significantly higher with the Ortho Evra patch than with oral contraceptive use.

 

Deep venous thrombosis or DVT is a condition where a blood clot (Thrombus) forms within the deep vein system. The principal veins affected are those in the calf muscles, lower abdomen, groin and inner thigh. The thrombus can interfere with circulation and it may break off and travel through the blood stream, which can cause pulmonary embolism or stroke. Treatment may include long term use of anticoagulant medications and/or surgery. The new warnings from the FDA and Ortho-McNeil indicate that the risk of developing blood clots may be significantly higher with the Ortho Evra patch than with oral contraceptives.

 

It is alleged that Ortho-McNeil was aware of the increased medical risks associated with Ortho Evra birth control patch before the drug was approved and that, once approved, the company failed to adequately warn patients about these risks. It is believed that the  risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke associated with Ortho Evra is significantly higher than with oral contraceptive pills. The incidence of embolisms and thrombotic injuries in Phase III trials of Ortho Evra was reportedly six times greater than the incidence of such events in oral contraceptives using the hormone levonorgestral. The Associated Press reported last year that  the FDA has logged 9,116 reports of adverse reactions to the patch in a 17 month period, whereas Ortho Tri-Cyclen, a birth control pill, only generated 1,237 adverse reports in a six year period. This same report revealed that during a 12 month period, 44 serious injuries or deaths have been associated with Ortho Evra, whereas only 17 such reports were linked to the birth control pill during a similar time period.

 

Ortho Evra is an adhesive, transdermal birth control patch that is worn on the torso. The patch is intended to release 150 mcg of norelgestromin and 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol into the bloodstream per 24 hours. It is replaced once a week for three weeks, and no patch is worn during the fourth week during menstruation. The regimen is then repeated. Ortho Evra was approved by the FDA in November 2001. Ortho Evra continues to be marketed aggressively to both consumers and physicians.

 

About Parker & Waichman, LLP
Parker & Waichman, LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker & Waichman, LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective medications and medical devices. For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit: (http://www.yourlawyer.com) or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

 

CONTACT:  Parker & Waichman, LLP
Jason Mark, Esq.
Melanie H. Muhlstock, Esq.
1-800-LAW-INFO
1-800-529-4636, Toll-free
info@yourlawyer.com
http://www.yourlawyer.com

 

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Contact Information

 

Parker & Waichman, LLP
Jason Mark, ESQ.
516-466-6500
info@yourlawyer.com
www.yourlawyer.com

Klinedinst Office San Diego Gets New Law Firm Associate

 

Negin A. Demehry Joins the Klinedinst Office in San Diego

Negin A. Demehry, Esq. has joined the law offices of Klinedinst PC in San Diego. Ms. Demehry has background in a variety of civil litigation cases, including construction, employment, medical malpractice, personal injury and real estate. She is a graduate of George Mason University School of Law, and relocated from Virginia to work in Klinedinst's San Diego office.

San Diego, California (PRWEB) May 19, 2006 - KLINEDINST PC is pleased to announce that Negin A. Demehry has joined the law firm as an associate.

Prior to joining Klinedinst, Ms. Demehry worked for a law firm in Virginia, assisting in civil litigation cases including construction, employment, medical malpractice, personal injury and real estate.

Ms. Demehry received her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. While in law school, she interned with the U.S. Department of State. She also had an internship with the Asst. State Attorney's Office for the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, as well as the Trial Office of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG).

"Negin already has a tremendous legal background, which she received both during law school and in private practice," noted Arthur S. Moreau, Co-Chair of Klinedinst's Construction Law Practice Group. "Her legal background, along with her drive and determination, will be a welcome addition to our growing construction defense group."

Ms. Demehry is active in the local and legal community. While attending George Mason University School of Law, she served as an Advocate at the Mental Illness Legal Clinic and Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. She was also recognized for her work promoting legal ethics, and served as Vice President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

"Our firm is committed to giving back to the community in which we work and live," added John D. Klinedinst, CEO of the law firm. "Negin is the perfect example of how success befalls those who give to the community at large. We truly welcome her to the firm."

Klinedinst is pleased to welcome Negin A. Demehry to the San Diego team of lawyers. Learn more about her background at:

www.klinedinstlaw.com/profiles/attorney/negindemehry/

About Klinedinst

KLINEDINST PC has achieved the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell. We are a full service firm engaged in litigation and transactional law practice throughout the State of California, and serve our clients from offices in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. For more information about the firm, please visit our "About" section online at www.klinedinstlaw.com.

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Press Contact: Scott Carr
Company Name: JAVELIN WEB AND MEDIA
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 619-239-8131
Website:

Attorneys Get Help Covering Their Assets

 

Asset Protection Seminar - Free for Attorneys

The Asset Protection Institute is sponsoring two free, 3-hour CLE seminars on Asset Protection. June 14, 2006 in Beverly Hills and June 15, 2006 in San Francisco.

(PRWEB) May 19, 2006 -- The Asset Protection Institute, and conjunction with Rochdale Offshore, presents two, free, CLE programs on Asset Protection. Each program will qualify for 3 hours of CLE credits for attending attorneys.

The program will feature such renowned asset protection attorneys as Jacob Stein and Robert Klueger, two of the best known speakers on the subject of asset protection. The program will focus on protect assets from plaintiffs, lawsuits and creditors in an effecient and ethical manner.

The program will be held on June 14, 2006, at 5:30 pm at the Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills, and on June 15, 2006, at 5:30 pm at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco. Dinner will be served.

Attorneys and CPAs interested in attending should email

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Press Contact: Jacob Stein
Company Name: Asset Protection Institute
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 818-598-2252
Website: www.maximumassetprotection.com

Will Gunsmiths Join Lawyer Banker Relationships?

Lawyer Banker Relationship: A LawBiz Special Report 
 
Venice, CA  - May 15 2006  - Edward Poll, principal of LawBiz Management Co., announces the forthcoming publication of The Lawyer-Banker Relationship: A LawBiz Special Report. This second in a series of Special Reports on topics of practical and major importance to the effective and profitable management of The Business of Law®, will be released on or before July 1, 2006. Those who order the book before June 15, 2006 will receive a 20% discount from the purchase price of $29.00.

 

Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest Airlines and author of Winds of Turbulence, introduces the Special Report, by declaring: “Banks are looking for profitable new niches and law firms and banks are natural allies in this new competitive world. Ed Poll’s Special Report provides attorneys with straightforward information to understand the in’s and out’s of how to build a mutually beneficial relationship with one of the most important players in any business equation, Your Banker.”

 

The Lawyer-Banker Relationship offers guidelines on how lawyers with sole practices, small firms or mid-size firms can build mutually beneficial and effective banking relationships that are critical in helping any law firm become a more successful business. Topics covered include choosing a bank and banker, establishing creditworthiness, securing a loan, managing cash and trust accounts, and using merchant banking and other bank services efficiently.

 

“With our first Special Report on Business Competency for Lawyers, LawBiz began a new kind of book,” Poll states. “It’s intentionally condensed to 60 pages, an easy thirty-minute read for any busy lawyer on the go. The content is practical yet sophisticated, and provides basics for managing and running a successful law business without getting into too many nitty-gritty details, numbers, and long examples.”

 

Poll adds that future Special Reports will address other areas of practical and significant importance to the effective and profitable management of The Business of Law®, including work-life balance, disaster preparation and recovery, and setting legal fees.

 

Ed Poll is a leading authority in the field of law practice management and the Principal of LawBiz Management Co., a firm that consults with and coaches lawyers and law firms throughout the United States, Mexico, Australia and England. Poll is a Board Approved (SAC®) Coach to the Legal Profession. For more information, contact Ed Poll at edpoll@lawbiz.com or call (800) 837-5880; also, please see http://www.lawbiz.com and http://www.lawbizblog.com. He is the author of several best-selling books on the topics of law practice management, including his new book, Selling Your Law Practice, released in September 2005. (http://lawbiz.com).

 

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Ed Poll (EdPoll@LawBiz.com)
Principal
LawBiz Management Company
421 Howland Canal
Venice, CA   90291
Phone : 800-837-5880
Fax : 310-578-1769 

Fraudsters Target Home Buyers and Home Sellers

Home Buyers and Sellers Find Wolves at Their Doors 
 
Appleton, WI - May 15, 2006 - Beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing, promising to make home ownership dreams come true – especially if you’re strapped for cash or wishing to be charitable while also trimming your tax bill when selling a home. Mortgage fraud is on the rise, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with reported cases quadrupling from 4,225 reported cases in 2001 to over 17,000 last year.

 

There are several tactics used when perpetrating home buyer and seller fraud. Common scams involve such characteristics as:

 

• Creating an illusion that by using their services, you will receive a larger-than-average tax deduction.

 

• Over-inflating housing prices and then offering kick-backs of cash;

 

• Convincing you that you can afford a more expensive home than you really can, which increases property taxes, their commission, and the amount you need to borrow;

 

• Addition of extra charges, credit insurance, encouragement to borrow more money, offers to refinance, or an interest-only payment structure with an often shocking “balloon” payment at the end (where you need to pay the entire original cost of the home at once or lose your home);

 

• Presenting one loan structure when selling you the loan, but then substituting different, less than advantageous terms when signing;

 

• Asking you to prepare a tax return showing higher income or fewer deductions than you really have. Don’t do it!

 

According to Kevin C. Huston, enrolled agent with Blue Ridge Tax Advisors Inc. in Asheville, NC, "It is common for the ultimate mortgage-holder to request copies of the tax returns you filed with the IRS. If these numbers differ from the tax return you used when applying for a loan you could end up in jail for either mortgage fraud or for tax fraud. The mortgage-holder will have already been paid their commission, so don't expect them to defend you," added Huston.

 

Not only do these scams often put the buyers in over their head financially and cause many to later lose their homes, but one type of scam leads sellers to believe they will receive increased tax deductions because they worked through a “charitable” organization.

 

As an example, after selling her home, a Michigan woman, who intended to help a charity as well as her tax liability, was told by an organization claiming to be a tax-exempt charity that she would be delighted with the charitable tax deduction amount she would be able to claim when she filed her income tax return. The charitable-minded woman “gave” the buyer the down payment through the charity and planned to take a charitable deduction for the down payment amount. However, buried in her paperwork in fine print was a disclaimer saying the amount was not tax deductible but, rather, would only reduce the sales price.

 

While several charitable organizations are tax-exempt and legitimately help homebuyers through such helps as tax-excluded down-payment assistance, there are many fraudulent imitators that work to deceive by appearing as helpful, humble, and honest. “The IRS is increasingly concerned with organizations that are taking advantage of homebuyers who need assistance for a down payment to realize the American dream of homeownership,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “So-called charities that manipulate the system do more than mislead honest homebuyers and ultimately jack up the cost of the home. They also damage the image of honest, legitimate charities.”

 

If you are a prospective homebuyer considering using the services of a down-payment assistance program (where the down-payment amount is excluded from taxable income), or a home seller who would like to help the less-fortunate achieve the American dream of home ownership, check out the organization you’re considering working with on www.irs.gov (click on Charities & Nonprofits, then Search for Charities) before going any further. Other websites that offer guidelines in recognizing legitimate vs. illegitimate organizations include http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/eqtyalrt.htm (or call 877.FTC.HELP) and http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/buying/loanfraud.cfm (or call 800.569.4287). Your local tax professional is also an excellent source of information in determining which organizations are tax-exempt and legitimate. They understand the tax laws and share information within the profession.

 

Mortgage companies, refinancers, and home equity lenders, are among the guises used by fraud perpetrators. They often prey on the elderly, those with low-incomes, and good-hearted people who support charities. They promise to “help you realize your dream,” and say it may be your only chance of owning a home or gaining cash in a home equity situation (or helping others to do so). Instead of making dreams come true, they create nightmares. Don’t fall for their bait. Do your research, make calls, and proceed cautiously.

 

To find a professional tax preparer, look to NATP. NATP maintains a listing of professionals in your area at www.taxprofessionals.com. For a FREE brochure on how to find a tax professional, visit the NATP Press Room at www.natptax.com and download a copy of NATP’s “Finding the Right Tax Preparer” brochure.

 

Members of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) assist over seven million taxpayers with tax preparation and planning. NATP is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1979 and provides professional education, tax research, and products to its members. The national headquarters, located in Appleton, WI, employs 43 professionals and 25 instructors.

 

NATP exists to serve professionals who work in all areas of tax practice and has more than 17,500 members nationwide. Members include individual tax preparers, enrolled agents, certified public accountants, accountants, attorneys, and financial planners. The average NATP member has been in the tax business for over 20 years and holds a tax/financial designation or a college degree. Learn more at www.natptax.com. # # end # # 
 
Char De Coster (cdecoster@natptax.com)
Copywriter / Communications Editor
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
720 Association Drive, PO Box 8002
Appleton, WI   54912-8002
Phone : 800.558.3402 ext. 1172
Fax : 920.968.7472 
 
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) 

Dartboard Out, Writing Down Dreams New Financial Planning Tool

Ameriprise Financial Introduces The Dream Book(SM) - Where Life and Retirement Planning Intersect; Unique Financial Planning Guide Helps Turn Retirement Dreams into Retirement Goals
 
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2006--Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP) today announced the release of the Dream Book(SM), a new retirement planning tool unlike any other. It goes beyond the numbers by balancing the financial and emotional aspects of retirement planning. The Dream Book leads people through the process of writing down their goals and dreams so they can clearly envision plans for their future retirement.

 

Originally developed as a discussion tool for Ameriprise Financial advisors and their clients, the Dream Book has evolved into an essential part of the company's financial planning process. Using the Dream Book in one-on-one client meetings not only encourages rich discussions about retirement, it also helps clients determine their long-term financial planning objectives and identify a plan to achieve these goals.

 

"For too long, retirement planning has been solely about crunching the numbers - how much people need to save, and when and how these amounts should be distributed," says Craig Brimhall, vice president of Retirement Wealth Strategies for Ameriprise Financial. "That's still important, but it's not enough. The baby boom generation is looking beyond the money to what kind of life they want in retirement and they need help realizing that dream."

 

First introduced to Ameriprise Financial advisors in the fall of 2005, the Dream Book guide incorporates findings of the groundbreaking New Retirement Mindscape(SM), the first study to map the emotional journey leading up to and into retirement. Early research associated with the New Retirement Mindscape identified an unmet consumer need for a planning tool that could help people articulate their vision for an emotionally-fulfilling retirement.

 

"Ameriprise Financial is dedicated to a one-to-one approach for personal financial planning and the wisdom of that approach is being validated by the success and popularity of the Dream Book- both with advisors and clients," said Kim Sharan, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer of Ameriprise Financial. "The results are amazing. Every day we hear stories from advisors about how working through the Dream Book has helped clients identify specific goals that weren't formerly discussed, from helping to adopt grandchildren to realizing a post-retirement dream of working at a professional baseball stadium."

 

The following are examples of some of the questions posed in the Dream Book-

 

-- Do you have a passion in life? What is it?

 

-- If you could do anything you want, time and money aside, what would it be?

 

-- If you only had five years left to live, how would you spend those years?

 

-- Who do you want to spend more time with?

 

-- How do you want to make your lasting mark?

 

"Defining your dreams is the first step toward making them a reality," added Brimhall.

 

The Dream Book is available through the personal advisors of Ameriprise Financial or by request through the Ameriprise Financial web site. For a copy of the Dream Book or to find an Ameriprise Financial advisor in your area, visit ameriprise.com, or call 1-800-AMERIPRISE.

 

About the New Retirement Mindscape

 

Demonstrating leadership in understanding, planning and preparing for retirement, Ameriprise Financial recently conducted a groundbreaking study, the New Retirement Mindscape. The study is the first of its kind to assess and identify the attitudes, emotions, behaviors, concerns and aspirations of people leading up to and in retirement. The New Retirement Mindscape, which identified five distinct emotional stages of retirement, is an emotional roadmap that goes beyond the numbers to help people anticipate, manage and enhance their own retirement experience.

 

About Ameriprise Financial

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a leading financial planning and services company with more than 12,000 financial advisors and registered representatives that provides solutions for clients' asset accumulation, income management and insurance protection needs. The company's financial advisors deliver tailored solutions to clients through a comprehensive and personalized financial planning approach built on a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable advisor. The company specializes in meeting the retirement-related financial needs of the mass affluent. Financial advisory services and investments are available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member NASD and SIPC. For more information, visit ameriprise.com.

 

(C) 2006 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

Contacts
Ameriprise Financial, Inc., Minneapolis
Media Relations:
Ann Wasik, 612-678-1592
ann.m.wasik@ampf.com
or
Hill & Knowlton
Jessica Schweitzer, 212-885-0388
jessica.schweitzer@hillandknowlton.com

Uninformed DUI Defendants May Not Beat The Rap They Deserve

 

DUI Law Changes Create Risks for Uninformed Defendants

DUI law is constantly evolving and changing, and for those who have been charged with drunk driving, up to date information is critical. Already in 2006, several states have significantly altered their DUI statutes or processes, and DUI defendants need to know the risks associated with their charges. That’s why Total DUI at www.TotalDUI.com works to add updated information, articles, blog postings, and more to the website on a regular basis. Even so, there’s no substitute for the direct advice of an experienced local DUI lawyer, so Total DUI also helps arrange free consultations with DUI attorneys across the country.

(PRWEB) May 14, 2006 -- Changes in DUI law are continually in the works, and most of those developments are geared toward toughening up DUI laws and imposing harsher sanctions. That’s not surprising, since in 2004 39% of all traffic fatalities in the United States were alcohol related. DUI defendants need current information so that they understand the processes, costs, and possible penalties involved in facing a drunk driving charge, but it’s important that everyone is up to date on DUI issues. The Total DUI website at www.TotalDUI.com regularly provides fresh information about developments in drunk driving law and DUI enforcement.

When measures have already been enacted, like the 2006 Arizona statute that allows impoundment of a vehicle after breath test failure, it’s important that drivers are aware of those developments and how that knowledge should impact their actions and decisions.

Sometimes the developments that have the most impact aren’t even statutory. Recent challenges to the use of Intoxilyzer 5000 results in Florida courtrooms weakened or triggered the dismissal of hundreds of DUI cases in that state. Prosecutors across the state, even in the areas where the challenges weren’t pending, were well aware of those issues, but the only defendants who benefited were those who knew and understood the issues under consideration—or hired DUI lawyers who did.

It’s equally important, though, that all citizens are aware of proposed DUI legislation while it’s under consideration, so that they can weigh in on those issues before decisions are made “on their behalf” that may not reflect their wishes at all. Legislation triggered by the Intoxilyzer source code issue swept through the Florida legislature, and an additional provision that would have introduced a mandatory two-year jail term for some repeat offenders died in this legislative session, but promises to return when the legislature reconvenes.

Other states have enacted, or are considering, provisions to require special license plates for some drivers convicted of DUI, requiring road-side clean-up duty for orange-vested offenders, increasing required jail time for even first offenses, criminalizing breathalyzer refusal, and more.

In addition to core resources explaining the basics of DUI law, statutes for each of the 50 states, information about breathalyzer and blood alcohol testing and other such fundamentals, Total DUI also frequently posts articles about pending issues and recent developments in DUI law at www.TotalDUI.com/dui_articles.htm.


Press Contact: Tiffany Sanders
Company Name: TOTAL ATTORNEYS
Phone: 312-753-6921
Website: www.TotalDUI.com

Childhood Injuries Gets Lawyer Website

 

Florida Law Firm Launches Website Focused On Childhood Injuries

After practicing law for over 30 years W.M. Chanfrau felt there was a need to develop a website which deals exclusively with the complex nature of childhood injuries.

Daytona Beach, FL (PRWEB) May 13, 2006 -- The personal injury law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau recently announced the launch of a new website dedicated to child related injuries http://www.helpforinjuredchildren.com . After practicing law for over 30 years W.M. Chanfrau has seen first hand how children’s injuries differ from adults in the same or similar circumstances. He felt there was a strong need to develop a website which deals exclusively with the complex damages and fragile nature of childhood injuries. Children face special dangers in a number of key areas including daycare accidents, defective toys and products, automobile car seats and airbag injuries as well as medical misdiagnosis because of their limited communications skills.

In addition to specific information about children’s accidents and injuries the new website provides links to numerous health and safety websites as well as a growing section on helping families prevent childhood injuries.

Located in Daytona Beach Florida, the law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau has been helping injured victims and their families for over three decades. W.M. Chanfrau is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and William M. Chanfrau Jr. is a former Assistant State Attorney and Past President of the Volusia County Bar Association.

For more information visit http://www.helpforinjuredchildren.com or call (800) 969-7313.

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Press Contact: W. M. Chanfrau
Company Name:
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 386-258-7313
Website: www.helpforinjuredchildren.com

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Attorney Starts E-Commerce Legal Blog

 

Odin, Feldman & Pittleman Attorney Starts E-Commerce Legal Blog

Jonathan Frieden takes to the Web to reach clients and further the discussion about e-commerce through his E-Commerce Law blog.

FAIRFAX, VA (PRWEB) May 12, 2006 -- When Jonathan Frieden graduated from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 1997, ‘blogging’ wasn’t even a part of his vernacular. Now, nearly a decade later, Frieden has joined a growing number of professionals who are taking to the Internet to inform, educate and engage.

Frieden, now a partner at the Fairfax, Va. law firm of Odin, Feldman & Pittleman, started his E-Commerce Law blog at http://www.ecommercelaw.typepad.com in April. He discusses news, trends and legal issues affecting businesses that sell, purchase or transact business over the Internet.

“My clients expect me to be knowledgeable about e-commerce legal issues, and they also expect me to stay current on emerging business issues and technology news,” Frieden explains. “For an attorney who serves e-commerce businesses, blogging was a logical move.”

The site is seeing an increasing number of hits, and within six months Frieden hopes to have hooked a loyal readership interested in exchanging dialogue about the constantly changing world of e-commerce.

According to a 2005 survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, nearly one in four Americans are blog readers. Other statistics show that 75 percent of blog readers go to these sites for news that they can’t get anywhere else.

“Right now the discussion on e-commerce business and legal issues is fairly limited,” says Frieden. “There are not a lot of sources for people to go to that report on it in-depth with any sort of regularity. E-Commerce Law is an attempt to fill that gap.”

While statistics on how blogs are helping to engage clients are limited and primarily anecdotal, a growing number of companies are giving it a try.

“This year, 27 of the Fortune 500 companies have public bloggers,” says Frieden. “I expect that number to double or triple by the time the list comes out next year.”

In addition to e-commerce law, Odin, Feldman & Pittleman’s primary practice areas include technology and intellectual property; real estate & land us;, bankruptcy & creditors’ rights; corporate, securities, tax and finance; family law and domestic relations; labor and employment; litigation; trusts, estates and tax planning; arbitration and mediation; banking and finance; and construction law.

For more information contact Sarah Montezon at 703-218-2340 or visit our Web site at http://www.ofplaw.com.

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Press Contact: Sarah Montezon
Company Name: ODIN, FELDMAN & PITTLEMAN, PC
Phone: 703-218-2340
Website: http://www.ecommercelaw.typepad.com

Blog At Work And Still Keep Your Job

 

Corporate Blogging: Six Steps Help Ensure At-Work Blogs Are An Asset

If you are searching for effective ways to increase traffic to your company web site, encourage key employees to blog, but set a policy first to help ensure success. Search engines like Google elevate the rankings of web sites with continually changing content, and frequent postings to blogs are an ideal way to take advantage of that system. One important key to blogging success is to establish a well-defined policy before the practice is sanctioned at your work.

Portland, ME (PRWEB) May 10, 2006 -- If you are searching for effective ways to increase traffic to your company web site, you might want to encourage key employees to blog, but set a policy first to help ensure success.

Search engines like Google elevate the rankings of web sites with continually changing content, and frequent postings to blogs are an ideal way to take advantage of that system. And according to many communications experts, blogs also allow companies to personalize their organizations, products and services, making a human connection with customers that is often difficult in this high-tech age.

One important key to blogging success is to establish a well-defined policy before the practice is sanctioned at your work. Large and small companies alike use blogging, and yet only 15 percent of companies have policies in place to address workplace blogging, according to a recent survey by the Employment Law Alliance.     Without a clear policy, the anything-goes, free-for-all attitude that flourishes on the Internet could harm your company's reputation.

“Whether a blog becomes a useful tool for your company, or a source of irritation, is a choice you can influence with the policies you adopt today,” says labor and employment law attorney James Erwin from Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, Maine.

To begin, each workplace blogger needs specific permission and clear direction from management, making sure the employee understands that blogging is part of their job.     Agree in writing with the blogger as to the business purpose for the blog and then require the blogger to adhere to your blogging policy.

Attorney Erwin suggests a comprehensive policy that covers at least these six key areas:

1. Expressly include blogging within the same rules that govern acceptable use of email and Internet;

2. Prohibit employees from disclosing or discussing any confidential or proprietary information;

3. Remind employees that they are expected to be respectful of the company, its employees, its customers and its competitors; and are not to post material that contains harassing, discriminatory or threatening content, no matter when or where the blogging is conducted:

4. Require employees to use their real name, not an alias, and; employees must make it clear that the views they express online are their own and not those of the employer. This policy adds credibility to the blog, as it will be viewed by readers as an independent source of information.

5. Require that any reader responses to a blog be edited for profanity, harassing, discriminatory or threatening content directed toward the company, its employees, its customers, and its competitors.

6. Create an agreement with each blogger as to the purpose of the blog, the amount of company time you will allow the blogger to devote to the practice, and any necessary restrictions regarding overtime compensation for off-site blogging.

By adopting policies that expressly address blogging, Erwin says that an employer can educate employees on specific limits and expectations. If it becomes necessary to take action against an employee because of inappropriate blogging, the employer will have fairly warned of what is problematic and what the consequences may be. This simple step will mitigate the effect on employee morale. It will also enable the employer to point to an objective, policy-based rationale for its decision to discipline or terminate, buttressing its defenses against claims of discrimination or retaliation.

If your company does not have a blog, you are missing out on an important communications medium. Currently 10 million workplace bloggers are active. More join the ranks daily. The smart ones are guided by a blogging policy that encourages meaningful communications and discourages destructive discourse.

Pierce Atwood LLP is the largest law firm based in northern New England and has 120 attorneys who serve regional, national and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth and Concord, New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts. For more information about the firm, its attorneys and services, please visit www.pierceatwood.com.

Contact: Jennifer Whittier
Phone: 207-791-1244

Press Contact: Melissa Field
Company Name:
Phone: 207-229-7136
Website: pierceatwood.com

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Web Awards Reviewed: How Valuable Is One Person's Opinion...?

 

2006-07 Internet Marketing Attorney Rankings and Web Awards Released; Holland & Hart, Reed Smith Bolt to the Top Among Nation's Largest Firms

The biannual Internet Marketing Attorney (IMA) web site reviews and awards have been released, with comments on each of the 250 largest U.S. law firm web sites, and additional reviews in the small/midsize firm category, and the return of the infamous Micah's Nifty Fifty. The IMAs continue to be the world's most comprehensive review of law firm web sites, with no associated fees, sponsorship or advertising of any kind permitted.

Moorestown, NJ (PRWEB) May 9, 2006 -- Holland & Hart and Reed Smith took top honors in the 2006-2007 web site ratings and review of the 250 largest law firms in the United States. The independent survey was conducted by marketing attorney Micah Buchdahl of InternetMarketingAttorney.Com and based on five criteria: design, content, usability, interactivity and intangibles.

Sites were awarded up to 10 points for each measure, for a maximum total score of 50. The high score was 45. Thirty firms rated a 38 or better to receive platinum, gold or silver honors in the U.S. large firm category. For the third time, reviews and awards were expanded to include a small/mid-size law firm category. The international category reviews (for non-U.S. firms) will be released in June.

“This is the fourth time I’ve gone through the IMA process and law firm web sites continue to improve by leaps and bounds,” said Buchdahl. “It was my intention to discontinue the reviews and Nifty 50 revue after the 2004-2005 edition, but many colleagues asked that I continue. And there were many new sites to see.”

A complete scoring list as well as details on the review process is posted at InternetMarketingAttorney.com.

Mr. Buchdahl, a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney, has been involved in law firm Internet business development for the last ten years. The IMA site prohibits vendor sponsorship, advertising or affiliations of any kind. While offering marketing expertise through HTMLawyers, Inc. Mr. Buchdahl does not sell web sites or related products to any firm. There are no fees of any kind associated with the IMA reviews.

2006-2007 IMA WINNERS

U.S. 250 Largest Law Firms Category (Listed Alphabetically; See Scoring Online for Order)

PLATINUM
Bullivant Houser Bailey
Holland & Hart
Kilpatrick Stockton
Littler Mendelson
Morrison & Foerster
Nelson Mullins
Nexsen Pruet
Reed Smith
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi
Sonnenschein Nath

GOLD
Foley & Lardner
Hunton Williams
Jackson Lewis
Lane Powell Spears Lubersky
Leonard Street
Phillips Lytle
Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy
Saul Ewing
Smith Gambrell
Stoel Rives

SILVER
Arent Fox
Calfee Halter
Faegre & Benson
Fenwick & West
Hogan Hartson
Jones Day
Knobbe Martens
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw
McGuireWoods
Patterson Belknap

U.S. Small/Mid-Size Law Firm Category

PLATINUM
Beveridge & Diamond
Parker & Waichman
Pierce Atwood
Siskind Susser
Stark & Stark

GOLD
Ford & Harrison
Kluger Peretz
Milberg Weiss
Miller Nash
Morris Nichols

SILVER
David Swanner
Durrani Law Firm
Kimmel & Silverman
Rothman Gordon
The Erb Law Firm

Press Contact: Micah Buchdahl
Company Name: HTMLAWYERS, INC.
Phone: 856-234-4334
Website: www.InternetMarketingAttorney.com

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Sale Of Domain Names Produces Nearly $2.1 Million

 

Largest Live Domain Name Auction Produces Nearly $2.1 Million in Sales

The largest live Internet domain name auction ever held produced nearly $2.1 million in sales in just 3 hours Thursday, May 4, in the main event at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. WEST Conference at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Another piece of domain history was made during the auction when SEX.NET sold for $450,000 in the largest .net sale ever reported.

(PRWEB) May 9, 2006 -- The largest live Internet domain name auction ever held produced nearly $2.1 million in sales in just 3 hours Thursday, May 4 in the main event at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. WEST Conference at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Another piece of domain history was made during the auction when SEX.NET sold for $450,000 in the largest .net sale ever reported.

The gavel also dropped on two other blockbuster six-figure sales during the bidding in front of a standing room only crowd. A rare two-letter .com, CD.COM attracted $275,000 and a three-letter gem, POS.COM commanded $250,000. There were dozens of other sales in the five-figure range.

Veteran professional auctioneer John Berry was flown in from Florida to call the auction conducted by Monte Cahn, CEO of Moniker.com. The auction was the centerpiece of the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. WEST conference. The event attracted more than 500 Internet entrepreneurs for the largest gathering of domain investors held to date.

T.R.A.F.F.I.C. co-founders Rick Schwartz and Howard Neu introduced the event with an October, 2004, conference in Delray Beach, Florida, and over the past 18 months have added shows in Silicon Valley and Las Vegas that have attracted domain owners, venture capitalists and investment bankers from around the world. More information on past and future events can be viewed at http://www.TargetedTraffic.com. The next conference and domain name auction is scheduled for October, 2006.

Rick Schwartz 561-997-6286

Howard Neu 954-662-1816

Press Contact: Rick Schwartz
Company Name: WORLD ASSOCIATION OF DOMAIN NAME DEVELOPERS
Phone: 561-997-6286
Website: http://www.targetedtraffic.com

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Limitations Affect Drug Manufacturers Pursuing Excellence

 

Drug Manufacturers Pursuing Operational Excellence But Still Lagging Behind Other Industries, Surveys Say

A new survey conducted by Pharmaceutical Manufacturing magazine, sponsored by Invistics Corp., reveals that pharmaceutical manufacturers are making great strides in the pursuit of operational excellence, but that some issues -- such as a disconnect between top management and the plant floor -- may be inhibiting further improvements.

Itasca, IL (PRWEB) May 9, 2006 -- The pharmaceutical industry has begun to embrace the principles of the Toyota Management System, the Japanese reinterpretation of concepts first advanced by Deming, Ford and Shewhart. More and more drug companies are taking a systematic approach to improving the way that they develop, manufacture and distribute drugs.

To track these trends, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing magazine recently surveyed more than 100 top manufacturing professionals from within the industry. The survey, detailed in May’s issue of the magazine and sponsored by Invistics Corporation, suggests that drug manufacturers have achieved significant improvements in the area of operational excellence, though most such programs are in their early stages, and some may have sizable challenges yet to overcome. These findings were confirmed by a related survey conducted by Invistics in March.

Among the encouraging trends in the magazine’s survey:

• Most respondents describe their facilities’ operational excellence programs as closely aligned with their companies’ corporate missions and overall business goals
• For the most part, respondents say, they are getting clear key performance indicators (KPIs) from management
• Manufacturing teams are viewed by most respondents as being critical to improving efficiency and performance.
• More companies appear to view plant and equipment maintenance “strategically”
• Companies are working continuously to reduce set-up times and have already achieved positive results

Other findings in the survey, however, suggest potential trouble spots:
• While 56% of respondents, overall, believe that top management views their facilities as profit centers, 44% think that management sees them as cost centers.
• Customer input may not be as integral a part of the overall improvement process at drug manufacturing facilities as it is in other industries
• Nearly half of the respondents note a need to motivate continuous improvement from the plant floor-level up.
• Most respondents say that their facilities and organizations aren’t tying manufacturing employee compensation to plant efficiency and product quality improvements that they make on the job.
• Cross-functional training and product development appear to be issues for some companies; several respondents note a lack of communication between R&D and manufacturing
• Respondents cite “process innovation” and “reducing product prices” as low in their company’s priority lists.

Invistics’ survey of more than 100 pharmaceutical manufacturers confirmed some of the same findings while pointing to the need to boost results from performance improvement initiatives and technologies already in use. Less than half of the respondents in the March survey reported satisfactory results from initiatives like Lean and Six Sigma or technologies including ERP and inventory optimization.

Performance improvement, they say, is hampered by limited skills and training, lack of visibility into plant floor performance, a lack of metrics to motivate change and a lack of tools to manage variability. Manufacturers blamed excessive variability in products, processes and customer demand for creating customer service issues and difficulties in scheduling. Almost 90% said variability negatively impacts performance, often leaving them expediting orders, running out of products that they need or having more inventory than they want.

Both surveys delved into many other critical issues that drug manufacturers must address if they are to bring their facilities up to par with the operating standards already achieved in other industries:
• What strategies are being used to reduce manufacturing costs and assess customer needs
• Whether or not manufacturers are meeting specific quality and service improvement goals such as using statistical process control (SPC) to reduce process variance, improving the quality of raw materials, or reducing scrap and lead times
• How well organizations are managing workforce integration, cross-functional product development and preventive maintenance

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing's survey is the first installment of a work in progress that will be updated and improved regularly. Results of the survey, and interpretation of what it all means for pharmaceutical professionals, can be found in the magazine's May issue, or on www.PharmaManufacturing.com. For information on the Invistics survey, visit www.invistics.com.

About Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and PharmaManufacturing.com
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, published 10 times annually, is the only publication dedicated to meeting the needs of pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals and executives to improve product quality, boost efficiency and productivity, speed time to market, and stay up to date on industry best practices. PharmaManufacturing.com, the magazine’s online resource, features news, analysis, white papers, expert advice and other timeless resources for the pharmaceutical manufacturing community.

About Invistics
Invistics helps manufacturers in highly variable, asset-intensive industries such as pharmaceuticals achieve operational excellence in an often overlooked, yet core, element of their supply chain—production operations. Built on Lean and Six Sigma principles, its manufacturing performance optimization solution, Invistics MachSix™, is specifically designed to redefine complex plant-level tradeoffs between inventory costs, customer service, production throughput, and cycle times. Companies can use the MachSix methodology and software to identify and manage sources of variability while breaking down organizational silos. Invistics customers have achieved dramatic, sustained results including over 99% on-time deliveries, an average reduction of 50% in inventory and reduction in cycle times by more than half. MachSix integrates with, and enhances ERP, Supply Chain and manufacturing execution applications by providing more accurate data while accounting for variability and improving visibility into plant floor operations. To learn more about Invistics, visit www.invistics.com or call 800-601-3456.


Press Contact: Agnes Shanley
Company Name: PUTMAN MEDIA
Phone: 630-467-1301 410
Website: www.PharmaManufacturing.com

Madison Avenue Law Firm Gets New Law Firm Web Site

 

Weiss & Hiller Launches New Law Firm Web Site

Weiss & Hiller, PC, a prestigious Madison Avenue law firm, announced the launch of its new website, www.weisshiller.com. The new site highlights some of Weiss & Hiller’s recent achievements.

(PRWEB) May 8, 2006 -- Weiss & Hiller, PC, a prestigious Madison Avenue law firm, announced the launch of its new website, http://www.weisshiller.com. The new site highlights some of Weiss & Hiller’s recent achievements, including:

•    its landmark victory in an action against a UnumProvident affiliate, establishing broad new rights for abused policyholders, including the right to future benefits and attorneys’ fees for bad faith repudiation of a disability policy;

Wurm v. First Unum Life Ins. Co., (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co.) (602270/96)

•    its highly publicized suit against HBO and “Sex in the City,” which, in just 24 hours, compelled changes to an episode that would have disparaged its clients;

MNM Properties v. HBO, Sex and the City, et al.

•    its recent success before the New York State Supreme Court in Weisel v. UnumProvident, establishing for the first time in New York, entitlement to recover punitive and treble damages against insurance companies under the RICO statute for bad faith termination of disability benefits; and

Weisel v. UnumProvident Corp., Index No.: 600759/05 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co. 2006)

•    its victory before the Court of Appeals in Red Hook/Gowanus Chamber of Commerce v. Bd. of Standards and Apps., establishing new protections for community groups challenging variances, zoning, and other land-use decisions.

Red Hook/Gowanus Chamber of Commerce v. New York City Bd. of Standards and Appeals, 5 N.Y.3d 452, 805 N.Y.S.2d 525, 839 N.E.2d 878 (2005) (Court of Appeals decision establishing new rights for business and community groups suing developers)

Red Hook/Gowanus Chamber of Commerce v. New York City Bd. of Standards & Apps., 11 Misc. 3d 1081(A), Slip Copy, 2006 WL 1023901 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co. 2006) (on remand from Court of Appeals)

•    its securing of a $100+ million settlement against a publicly-held pharmaceutical company in an action for breach of a license agreement;

The new website provides an in-depth view of the firm, including: detailed descriptions of each practice area in which the firm specializes; a collection of its “success stories” in various of its practice areas including insurance law, commercial litigation and land-use proceedings; biographies of each of its attorneys; published articles written by members of the firm; news about the firm and about the areas of law in which it practices; and its current newsletter.

Managing Partner, Michael Hiller, attributed Weiss & Hiller’s cutting edge successes to its demonstrated ability to move immediately in emergency situations: “When necessary, we’ll turn on a dime and work through the night to obtain immediate results for our clients.” Arnold Weiss, the firm’s other Managing Partner, added: “We frequently serve as a law firm of last resort for clients whose cases have been mishandled by prior attorneys. As a sophisticated boutique law firm, we are frequently chosen to challenge mega-sized firms. Our record in these cases is excellent.”

Weiss & Hiller predominantly handles complex legal matters, business and commercial litigation, insurance law (representing policyholders only) and land use and environmental proceedings. The firm’s clients include individuals, community groups, business associations, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and sole proprietorships in a wide range of civil matters in the New York metropolitan area. The firm represents policyholders in insurance cases nationwide.

Contact Arnold Weiss or Michael Hiller at (212) 319-4000.

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Press Contact: Michael S. Hiller
Company Name: Weiss & Hiller, PC
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 212-319-4000
Website: www.weisshiller.com

Merck Finds "Happy Place"

Merck Well-Positioned to Regain Industry-Leadership Position

4/25/2006  - Whitehouse Station, NJ - Merck & Co., Inc. can again be the company that patients and physicians look to first for unmatched excellence, that the medical and scientific communities look to first for inspiration and achievement, and that investors look to first for growth among pharmaceutical companies, said Richard T. Clark, Chief Executive Officer and President, at Merck's Annual Meeting of Stockholders recently. "We understand the environment in which we are working and the challenges that the environment poses. But we also see the enormous opportunities the environment offers - and we are fully prepared to take advantage of those opportunities. Merck's strategic plan, our 'Plan to Win,' which we announced in December, will enable Merck to regain the leadership position it long enjoyed, if we can execute it flawlessly, every step of the way. Fortunately, the people of Merck have the talent, the will, and the commitment to do exactly that," Mr. Clark told approximately 600 stockholders at the Company's annual meeting at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch, N.J. Mr. Clark reviewed for stockholders the Company's current performance and promising drug candidates, and outlined key elements of the Plan to Win. As Merck strives to reclaim its leadership position, Mr. Clark noted that the Company has a solid financial platform on which to build. Earnings Affirm Financial Strength On April 20, Merck announced strong financial results for the first quarter of 2006 and raised full-year 2006 guidance. First-quarter earnings per share (EPS) were $0.78, excluding restructuring charges, and reported EPS for the first quarter were $0.69. Merck anticipates full-year 2006 EPS range of $2.32 to $2.40, excluding the restructuring charges related to site closures and position eliminations, and reported full-year 2006 EPS range of $2.02 to $2.16. The first-quarter results were driven by the performance of ZOCOR and SINGULAIR in the United States and Merck's vaccines, plus the strong performance of the Company's partnerships and alliances. "These results demonstrate our solid momentum as we move forward in 2006. They also clearly indicate that we are making progress against the goals we outlined in December to return Merck to an industry-leading position," Mr. Clark said. Mr. Clark told shareholders that Merck remains confident that it can generate compound annualized adjusted revenue growth of between 4 to 6 percent over the next five years, including the Company's share of sales through its joint ventures and partnerships, and that Merck can deliver double-digit compound earnings growth over the next three to five years, excluding restructuring charges and one-time items. Merck expects to return to bottom-line earnings per share growth, on the same basis, next year. Changing Every Aspect of Merck's Business Merck's Plan to Win is fundamentally changing every aspect of the business with one exception: Merck's commitment to put patients first, which means always acting in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and values, and never forgetting George W. Merck's vision that medicine is for the people, Mr. Clark told stockholders. "We are already implementing the five strategic actions that make up the plan: focusing on nine priority disease areas, redefining our drug discovery and development model, working to achieve leadership in emerging pharmaceutical markets, building a new commercial model and creating a lean and flexible cost structure. I am confident in our ability to make this plan a reality," Mr. Clark said. Mr. Clark highlighted each of the five strategic actions during the meeting. The first strategic action is the decision to concentrate research and development efforts in nine therapeutic areas: Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, novel vaccines, obesity, cancer, pain, and sleep disorders. These areas were selected because of the opportunity Merck believes they provide, both due to the enormous unmet need that exists, and because of the likelihood that the Company can make a real difference in discovering and developing effective, safe and highly desired treatments. Next, Merck is redefining its discovery and development process to yield new, high-value products more efficiently. Merck needs to be able to move faster and smarter than ever before in keys areas, including responding to the needs of the marketplace, partnering with scientific leadership and key opinion leaders, increasing external sourcing capability, and differentiating medicines in the marketplace. The third action is creating a new commercial model - a model based on getting patients, physicians, and payers the right information, at the right time, in the right way. The Company is working to increase the productivity of the marketing and sales efforts to promote Merck's products while at the same time fully investing in new product launches. The Company must also continue to demonstrate the unique benefits of Merck's products - benefits that may not be able to be duplicated by competing products. The fourth component is building a long-term leadership position in emerging pharmaceutical markets around the world. Merck already has a presence in such key markets as China, India, and in parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. The Company is working to expand its presence in these and other key markets that hold the potential for real growth. The fifth component of the strategy is to create a lean and flexible cost structure. Last November, Merck announced some significant steps to reduce its cost base. This includes selling or closing five manufacturing facilities, two preclinical sites, and a basic research center over the next several years. Merck's total workforce will be reduced by 7,000 positions. To date, approximately 2,900 of those positions have already been eliminated. "We believe we have the plan needed to give our employees the direction and the ability to make Merck, once again, the most respected and most valued company in the industry. We look forward to the day when we can say - and you will agree - that Merck is back," Mr. Clark said. Growth and Progress in Merck's Pipeline During the meeting, Peter S. Kim, Ph.D., president of Merck Research Laboratories, provided an update on the progress of Merck's pipeline and highlighted recent accomplishments. "Merck's pipeline is the strongest it's been in years. And because of changes we began making last year to our research and development model, we are well-positioned to continue to meet our mission of discovering and developing novel medicines that meet unaddressed medical needs," said Dr. Kim. According to Dr. Kim, it was an outstanding year for research and development at Merck. During the past year: Merck received FDA approval for two new products: FOSAMAX Plus D and PROQUAD; while new indications were approved for EMEND and SINGULAIR. Merck filed applications with the FDA for three new vaccines: GARDASIL, the Company's investigational vaccine against cervical cancer; ROTATEQ, its vaccine for infant gastroenteritis (which has already been approved and is launching in the U.S.); and ZOSTAVAX, its investigational vaccine against shingles in older adults. Even as the Company was filing three potentially new products with the FDA last year, new programs were advancing into Phase III of development. Merck currently has six products in late-stage development; in fact, the pipeline continues to grow as every phase of development. In addition, Merck also either has filed or expects to file applications for three new products this year. Merck recently announced that its filing had been accepted by the FDA for JANUVIA, a novel investigational treatment for type 2 diabetes, which represents a new way of reducing blood sugar levels to normal levels. In clinical trials, the incidence of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, was similar to placebo. Later this year, the Company plans to file an application for vorinostat, an investigational compound often referred to in the past as SAHA. Vorinostat, which is a result of Merck's acquisition of Aton Pharmaceuticals, has shown great promise in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a cancer which affects the skin. The product is currently in Phase II. The third application Merck expects to file in 2006 will be for MK-0517, which is an investigational intravenous medicine related to EMEND, Merck's medicine for the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. MK-0517 is expected to provide a more convenient way to deliver this drug to patients undergoing chemotherapy. "Therapies in our pipeline have the potential to literally change the course of medical history. That opportunity is the reason the people of Merck take great pride in what we do. It's why we have great confidence in what we can accomplish in the future. And it's what has been driving our effort to redefine our product discovery and development process over the past several years," said Dr. Kim. In 2005, Merck took critical steps to strengthen its ability to discover and develop new medicines and vaccines-the decision to concentrate its research and development efforts in nine priority disease areas-while also redefining its discovery and development process. Dr. Kim reviewed in some detail the rationale behind the selection of the nine priority disease areas in which Merck will concentrate its research and resources. Over the past several years, external alliances, partnerships, and acquisitions have played an important role in increasing the strength of Merck's pipeline. Last year, Merck concluded 44 transactions across a broad range of therapeutic categories. "By concentrating our efforts, increasing our productivity, increasing our probability of success, increasing our collaborative efforts with the external world, and decreasing the time it takes to discover and develop new drugs, we have every confidence that Merck will regain its leadership position in the industry and in the world of medicine," Dr. Kim concluded. SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc.

Asbestos Cancer Concerns Continue for Mechanics

 

New Reports Show a Return of Asbestos Concerns for Mechanics

More than a decade after most U.S. automakers stopped installing brakes containing asbestos, rising concerns have resurfaced in regards to brakes that are imported to the U.S. from countries where using asbestos in auto parts is still the norm.

(PRWEB) May 4, 2006 -- According to recent reports and a Baltimore Sun Newspaper Article, during the last 10 years, there’s been an 83% increase in the use of imported brakes in car repairs throughout the country, yet OSHA and other safety organizations have not seen fit to issue precautions throughout the industry, a fact that has angered many mechanics and auto shop workers who were unaware of the hazards they were facing on an almost daily basis.

Problems, say health officials, are compounded by the fact that many mechanics believe asbestos was banned in the United States more than 3 decades ago. That’s simply not the case. While warnings were issued in the 1970s and automakers stopped using the material about a dozen years ago, asbestos is still a legal product. As a matter of fact, the U.S. is one of the few industrialized countries that hasn’t banned the importation or use of asbestos which, when inhaled, can cause mesothelioma or other asbestos-related lung diseases.

A pamphlet touting the concerns of asbestos exposure in the auto industry was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency more than 20 years ago, but no warnings have been published in written form since that time. New mechanics, of course, are among those that are the least aware of the dangers of inhaling the material, which was used in brakes and other mechanical parts for several decades prior to their employment.

Occupational health specialists note that older mechanics were exposed to huge amounts of the material as brakes were once made of 50% asbestos. Thousands of workers in the industry are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-caused diseases annually.

Even more aggravating to advocates in the auto repair field is the fact that OSHA completed a pamphlet about the hazards of asbestos in their field nearly two years ago but chose not to publish or distribute it.

Most critics believe that the government's refusal to publish the literature was due to pressure from the auto repair industry, which is already facing thousands of lawsuits over health-related claims resulting from the use of asbestos in brakes.

More information on these reports and the diseases associated with asbestos can be found at http://www.mesothelioma.com and the article that broke this report can be found on the Baltimore Sun web site.


Press Contact: Steve Rinaldi
Company Name: IIMSNET.COM
Phone: 203-777-7799
Website: http://www.mesothelioma.com  

 

Law Firm Files Class Action Suit against St. Jude Medical

Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP Files Class Action Suit against St. Jude Medical, Inc.

 

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2006--Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP ("Lerach Coughlin") (http://www.lerachlaw.com/cases/stjude/) today announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on behalf of purchasers of St. Jude Medical, Inc. ("St. Jude") (NYSE:STJ) common stock during the period between January 25, 2006 and April 4, 2006 (the "Class Period").

 

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from April 10, 2006. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, William Lerach or Darren Robbins of Lerach Coughlin at 800/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at wsl@lerachlaw.com. If you are a member of this class, you can view a copy of the complaint as filed or join this class action online at http://www.lerachlaw.com/cases/stjude/. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.

 

The complaint charges St. Jude and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. St. Jude, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture and distribution of cardiovascular medical devices for the global cardiac rhythm management, cardiac surgery, cardiology and atrial fibrillation therapy areas and implantable neuromodulation devices.

 

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's prospects for growth in market share for its core product, implantable cardioverter defibrillators ("ICDs"). St. Jude temporarily gained market share due to a disruption in its rival Guidant's business. Thereafter, defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's ability to maintain its temporary gain in market share and even increase it going forward. As a result of defendants' false statements, St. Jude's stock traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period, allowing its top officers to reap $14.5 million in insider trading proceeds and to receive substantial bonuses.

 

On April 4, 2006, after the market closed, the Company announced preliminary results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006, stating that first quarter results were impacted by lower than expected revenues from ICDs, which were expected to be below the Company's guidance.

 

On this news, the Company's stock fell $5.05 per share to close at $36.25 per share on April 5, 2006, a drop of 12%, the largest stock decline suffered by St. Jude in more than 6 years.

 

According to the complaint, the true facts, which were known by the defendants but concealed from the investing public during the Class Period, were as follows: (a) while St. Jude had gained market share due to problems experienced by ICD market leader Guidant, this growth was not sustainable; (b) given the increased volatility in the ICD market, the Company had no reasonable basis to make projections about its share in the ICD market; and (c) the Company was not gaining market share from Guidant and in fact would not be able to maintain the share it temporarily gained from Guidant due to the disruption in Guidant's business.

 

Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of St. Jude common stock during the Class Period (the "Class"). The plaintiff is represented by Lerach Coughlin, which has expertise in prosecuting investor class actions and extensive experience in actions involving financial fraud.

 

Lerach Coughlin, a 180-lawyer firm with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Boca Raton, Washington, D.C., Houston, Philadelphia and Seattle, is active in major litigations pending in federal and state courts throughout the United States and has taken a leading role in many important actions on behalf of defrauded investors, consumers, and companies, as well as victims of human rights violations. Lerach Coughlin lawyers have been responsible for more than $20 billion in aggregate recoveries. The Lerach Coughlin Web site (http://www.lerachlaw.com) has more information about the firm.

 

Contacts
Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP
William Lerach, 800-449-4900
wsl@lerachlaw.com

Bankruptcy Bust Bounces Back

 

Bankruptcy Filings Rising Across the Country

As the impact of last year’s rush to file before the bankruptcy reforms took effect and the consumer confusion over the new law fades, bankruptcy filings have begun a slow but steady climb. As consumers in difficult circumstances once again turn to bankruptcy protection, the Total Bankruptcy website at www.TotalBankruptcy.com provides extensive resources to help consumers sort out the process, determine whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is appropriate, and even schedule a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney.

(PRWEB) May 2, 2006 -- Immediately after the new bankruptcy law took effect in October of 2005, bankruptcy filings dropped dramatically, but that trend is rapidly reversing itself. The abrupt drop-off in bankruptcy filings might have many causes, but two of the most significant are surely the rush to file that took place immediately before the law change and the misinformation that created the impression among consumers that it would be far more difficult to file for bankruptcy protection after October 17, 2005.

Nearly half a million people filed for bankruptcy in the weeks leading up to the law change. Since that number represented about a third of the average annual filings, that rush surely cut down the number of potential filers in the upcoming months. More importantly, though, many consumers were misled into believing that they were no longer eligible to file.

That’s why Total Bankruptcy’s website at Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, articles about trends in filing, information about what the changes really mean to consumers, and a detailed explanation of the “means test” that is largely responsible for the misconception that many people are now disqualified from filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7.

Total Bankruptcy also maintains a bankruptcy blog with current posts about bankruptcy developments, cases in the news, and credit issues of interest to people considering or recovering from bankruptcy.

Once a consumer has looked at the statutes, the options, recent decisions in bankruptcy courts, and other relevant information, he can fill out a brief form or make a toll-free phone call to schedule a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney in his area. During this no-obligation consultation, the bankruptcy attorney will answer questions to help the consumer make good decisions about which type of bankruptcy—if any—he should pursue.

As the impact of the huge number of filings in the fall of 2005 dissipates and the public becomes aware that only a tiny fraction of intended bankruptcy petitioners are actually affected by the credit counseling and means testing requirements, the number of petitions filed is growing each month, with many states reporting three times as many filings—or more—in March as they saw in January. If this trend continues, the new statutes may turn out to have had little effect beyond making the process more complicated for consumers and their attorneys.

Press Contact: Tiffany Sanders
Company Name: TOTAL ATTORNEYS
Phone: 312-753-6921
Website: www.TotalBankruptcy.com

Experts In Impaired Driving Team With "The DWI Dude"

 

The Law Offices of Jamie Balagia, aka "The DWI Dude," Has Entered into an Exclusive Agreement with Walden, Platt & Associates of Bryan, TX

America’s premier experts in impaired driving evaluations relating both to standardization and human performance issues, Troy Walden and Lance Platt have teamed up with Jamie Balagia, aka "The DWI Dude". This exclusive agreement binds the technical expertise, reliable evaluations and expert witness testimony of Walden & Platt and Associates to the Law Offices of Jamie Balagia. This partnership will assist the firm in analyzing the facts surrounding client's cases whom have been arrested for the suspicion of DWI in Central Texas.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) May 1, 2006 -- The Law Offices of Jamie Balagia aka "The DWI Dude" has entered into an exclusive agreement with Walden, Platt & Associates. Troy D. Walden, Ph.D. & Lance A. Platt, Ph.D. have trained thousands of Texas Peace Officers in the administration of “Standardized Field Sobriety Tests” and have earned the state’s and nation’s top awards, licenses, and certifications in legal professional training and law enforcement. Jamie Balagia is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the San Antonio Bar Association. Mr. Balagia has testified as an expert witness in two cases, has been hired on four more; two currently and two where discussions with the prosecutor got the client a reduced plea. The Law Offices of Jamie Balagia defends citizens accused of DWI in the following Central Texas Counties: Bexar, Comal, Hays, Williamson, Travis, Bell, Caldwell, Lee and Bastrop.


Press Contact: Shelby Schreiber
Company Name: LAW OFFICES OF JAMIE BALAGIA
Phone: 512 278-0935
Website: www.dwidude.com

Law Firm Gets New Website and Business Expert Attorney

 

Musick & Musick, LLP, Launches New Website and Hires Business Expert Attorney to Aid Those Who Need Legal Assistance

Houston law firm Musick & Musick, LLP’s, new website offers expert advice on legal processes. Musiclawoffice.com also keeps current and potential clients abreast of important firm information such as attorney biographies and areas of expertise. For example, Musick & Musick, LLP, historically focuses on defending clients in criminal, juvenile, and family matters, yet it is now announcing its expansion into business law with new hire, attorney Charles Vance.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) May 1, 2006 -- The law firm of Musick & Musick, LLP, has launched musicklawoffice.com to make their legal services accessible to Web users and potential clients looking for legal help in criminal and family matters. The new website features information on the criminal, juvenile, and family law processes, as well as frequently asked questions for each area and general information about how to prepare for court. Musicklawoffice.com also makes each attorney’s professional biography available online, including that of their newest hire, Charles Vance.

A recent graduate from South Texas College of Law, Charles Vance came to the Musick law office in February with extensive business experience and assists the firm in matters of white collar crime and general business law.

Vance complements Musick & Musick, LLP’s, traditional specializations in criminal, juvenile, and family law. JoAnne Musick has been practicing law for eight years and is board certified in juvenile law. Her father, Earl Musick, is a former Houston police officer and criminal law specialist. Together they work with attorneys Amy Harris and Charles Vance to assist clients entwined in criminal and family matters.

Matters that range from DWIs to divorce are met with thorough initial consultations so that the attorneys can get a head start on the situations each of their clients may face. “We spend a lot of time investigating before going to court,” says JoAnne Musick, “it often helps us gain dismissals and strike better deals for our clients.”

With the successful launch of its new website, musicklawoffice.com, and its exciting expansion into business law with the hiring of attorney Charles Vance, Musick & Musick, LLP, has more resources than ever to defend its clients. For more information on criminal, juvenile, and family law, visit www.musicklawoffice.com or call 281-443-7747.


Press Contact: JoAnne Musick
Company Name: Musick & Musick, LLP
Phone: 281-443-7747
Website: http://www.musicklawoffice.com/