The Top 10 Reasons You Need a Will
August, 2014
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve been putting off having a Last Will & Testament prepared for too long. Most of us have strong feelings about who should inherit our money, real estate, personal possessions, and other assets—and who shouldn’t. But the sad truth is that we usually fail to put our wishes in writing. By preparing a Will, you can leave the people you care about with clear instructions as to your final wishes and save them time, money, and a lot of stress.
Estate Planning For An Owner Of A Special Pet
August, 2014
Anyone who has lost a pet knows a special sorrow. What happens, however, when it is the pet that loses its owner? That lingering question, and its potentially tragic ramifications, are leading more and more pet owners to plan for the care of their pets after their own death. A good first step is to…
To Try or Not to Try: Who Decides Is the Question
May, 2014
The “Right to Try” refers to the right of terminally or seriously ill patients to acquire investigational drugs without waiting for FDA approval. It grants these patients the right to access certain drugs, specifically those drugs that have completed only phase one of the FDA three-phase drug approval process. Advocates of the Right to Try contend that the decision to try an investigational drug should be between a patient and his or her physician and, thus, exclude the government, i.e., the FDA. Opponents support the FDA’s role in the drug approval and distribution process. The Right to Try debate boils down to one question: Who should decide whether a drug is too risky to try?
The Top Ten “Do’s” of a Law Firm Social Media Policy
April, 2014
Although social media can serve as a useful marketing tool and investigation-gathering source, it is not used exclusively for business endeavors. For these reasons, every law firm should attempt to provide reasonable guidelines for online behavior to employees who participate in online networks. By Marisa A. Trasatti and Jhanelle A. Graham This article was published in…
2014 Maryland Legislative Update
March, 2014
Maryland Defense Counsel’s (“MDC”) lobbyists have been busy monitoring the bills affecting its members during the 2014 General Assembly Session. John Stierhoff, Ileen Ticer, Gardner Duvall, Mike Dailey, Chris Boucher and Nikki Nesbitt are among those who have testified or are expected to testify and propose amendments to certain bills. Highlighted below are some of the bills on which MDC acted.
Litigation and Social Media: Using Social Media to Your Advantage at Every Step of the Trial
February, 2014
This brave new world of social media poses a host of challenges, both substantive and procedural, for judges, attorneys, and litigants. Though some have refused to recognize the reality of social media,6 most jurists and attorneys are now dealing head-on with issues raised by its use. By Marisa A. Trasatti and Anna C. Horevay. View…