TechnoLawyer: Member News

TechnoLawyer member Diana Brodman Summers was earning a good living as a database administrator, but yearned for a career change so she used her retirement savings to invest in herself and pursue a law degree at night. A few days before the bar exam, her employer downsized her out of her job.

Fortunately, Diana still managed to pass the bar exam despite this bad news. Unfortunately, she could not find a job as a lawyer. "Out of 685 resumes I got three interviews, two of whom told me to my face I was too old [at 40] to be an associate."

Instead, she started contracting herself out to law firms on a per case or per month basis. Eventually, she earned enough money and developed enough of a reputation to open her own solo practice in Lisle, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Diana primarily represents employees in employment discrimination matters, and also serves as an arbitrator for Cook County and DuPage County's Mandatory Arbitration Program.

Diana is also a best-selling author. Her current book How to Buy Your First Home has become the top-seller in its category. She recently spoke about the book on her local ABC TV station. Her other books include Illinois Landlord's Legal Guide, How to Write an Illinois Will, and How to File for Divorce in Illinois. Her next book, How to Start a Home Based Business will hit bookshelves in a few months.

As for her favorite technology tools, Diana lists Word and WordPerfect, Adobe Acrobat, Netscape, and especially Stamps.com. "It enables me to print postage whenever I want, and it keeps a records of when I printed the postage and a file of names and addresses."

You can contact Diana at (630) 955-3735.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now, and then contact our newsdesk.

In July 2005, TechnoLawyer member Michael Bates joined the growing ranks of legal bloggers with Fair Trading Act Counsel, a blog "devoted to issues businesses face when they are being investigated and charged with offenses under Alberta's Fair Trading Act (FTA)."

Although Michael posts about the latest news and cases related to the FTA, he also encourages questions and comments from readers to forge a continual dialogue about the FTA, which he feels "is becoming increasingly used by Alberta Justice for its broad investigative powers and criminal-type prosecutions."

For a taste of Michael's blog, check out his recent post on how the Alberta government has interpreted the FTA to increase its investigative range.

Michael, founding partner of Rutten Bates and an advocate for the use of technology in the courtroom, primarily practices criminal defense and appellate law, but has recently worked on several cases involving businesses impacted by the FTA.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

If you plan to fly American Airlines this month, or United Airlines in November or December, check out Sky Radio's series "Special Tribute to America's Best Lawyers." One of these programs features an interview with TechnoLawyer member and intellectual property lawyer Jeff Sheldon about the current state of the US patent system.

"During the interview I discuss what is wrong with our current patent system", said Jeff. "I opine that Congress should stop diverting user fees from the Patent Office so that the Patent Office can hire better and more examiners. I also spoke in favor of changing the current standard relating to the amount of evidence needed to invalidate a patent."

If you aren't lucky enough to catch this broadcast in-flight, you can listen to the interview online.

Jeff is founding partner of Sheldon & Mak, an IP law firm located in Pasadena, California. Aside from practicing all aspects of IP law, he authored the book How to Write a Patent Application, and writes a frequent e-mail newsletter called Tips from Jeff Sheldon, in which he discusses recent IP news.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

Patent attorney and TechnoLawyer member Harold L. Burstyn has recently been named Of Counsel at Milde & Hoffberg LLP, an intellectual property boutique in White Plains, NY.

At Milde & Hoffberg, Harold will represent clients in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition matters, especially if they're computer-related.

Harold works from home offices in Syracuse, NY and Woods Hole, MA, and also serves as an adjunct professor at the Syracuse University's L.C. Smith College of Engineering & Computer Science.

Harold, who admits that he remains "too suspicious of the confidentiality of wireless to have given up a wired connection for either telephone or computer," uses a desktop computer, laser printer, and scanner in his home offices, and a lightweight laptop on the go. He may make the leap to wireless soon with a new laptop, but only with encryption!

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

Last week, CNET News.com published an article by TechnoLawyer member Joe Fantuzzi entitled "Document Security? Tell Me Another Joke."

In the article, Joe frankly addresses the electronic document file format myth (that some formats are more secure than others), and explains what needs to happen to stop security leaks.

According to Joe, "the only way to stop the document security leaks is to protect documents independent of file format."  He emphasizes the importance of ensuring security from the inside, by using new technology and educating users about the various risks involved in electronically transmitting sensitive documents.

Joe warns, "business leaders must realize that while they won't necessarily make the headlines each time a document leaks sensitive data, they could lose a key partner, customer, or lawsuit — or worse, their public image."

Joe is currently CEO of Workshare, which provides document integrity software, and has more than 20 years of managerial experience in the technology market.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

This Spring, attorney Tom Lamb introduced his new legal blog Drug-Injury.com. 

Here, both consumers and attorneys will find up-to-date news and information about prescription drug side effects.

Drawing upon his experience working with patients and their families in lawsuits that involve an injury or death from serious side effects of prescription drugs, Tom provides personal insight and expert commentary on recent news regarding the FDA, current drug safety issues, and high-profile lawsuits.

Check out some of Tom's recent posts on the impending Zyprexa lawsuit settlements and a court ruling that forces Florida pharmacists to warn patients about certain drug risks. 

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

Inspired by her work as an elder and disabilities lawyer in Kansas, Ina Kay Zimmerman founded Daughters & Company, a service corporation to handle the supplemental needs of the elderly and disabled.

Daughters & Company provides a Staff Daughter who, "in situations where family members are unable to do so, offer personal services that support and enhance the daily life and maintain the lifestyle of a loved one."

As Ina Kay puts it, "It's really care management, but there is a different "flavor" to it when you think of it as having someone to bond with and who has eyes only for you."

Ina Kay has been in private practice in Kansas since 1983, working with a broad range of legal tools and techniques to meet the special needs and goals of her clients and their families.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

Family Law News, the official publication of the State Bar of California Family Law Section has published family law specialist and TechnoLawyer member John Harding's article entitled The Next Generation in Family Law Practice. 

The article, which appears in Volume 27, Issue 1, Fall 2005, deals with the implementation and use of practice management software systems in family law practice.

John is a certified family law specialist who has maintained a successful family law practice, Harding & Associates, in Northern California since 1989.

According to John, his firm "pioneered the use of legal software and other technology in family law." John and his staff "use cutting edge computer technology to manage cases, conduct legal research, and demonstrate facts and present evidence in court."

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

Last month, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling ending state bans on direct shipping of wine. (Read the 5-4 opinion.)

What most people don't know that it all began in South Bend, Indiana. In 1998, a group of Indiana wine collectors filed suit against the state of Indiana and its direct shipping prohibition. Anderson, Agostino & Keller, P.C. attorney and TechnoLawyer member William (Bill) L. Wilson served as one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs.

This suit spurred other similar suits in states across the country. Eventually the Supreme Court stepped in to resolve conflicting court rulings.

"We always knew that our case was merely the first step in a long journey, and it's great to have been a part of this cause at the very beginning," Bill said. "Ultimately we wanted the Supreme Court to rule on the question so we had to start the ball rolling. We are very pleased with the Supreme Court's decision."

Bill practices in the areas of civil litigation, family law, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, constitutional rights litigation, and copyright and intellectual property law (not including patent law). He serves on the Board of Directors member for the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, and is also an adjunct assistant professor and family law mediator. Be sure to check out Bill's new blog, Indiana Family Law Blog.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .

Photoshop guru and TechnoLawyer member Jan Kabili, Esq. has published her seventh book through Peachpit Press, How to Wow: Photoshop for the Web. You can obtain an audio version of Jan's new book from Software Cinema.

A graduate of Stanford Law School, Jan practiced law for 15 years. Her legal background includes stints practicing at the Federal Trade Commission and Elscint, Inc. in Israel; she also worked on Superfund litigation for a law firm in Denver. She is a member of the California bar, Colorado bar, and Israel bar ("I passed the bar in Hebrew!").

Notwithstanding these accomplishments, practicing law eventually took the backseat to Jan's interest in graphic design. As a result, she returned to school to obtain a Master of Fine Arts degree in Electronic Media. In addition to her seven books, Jan keeps herself busy teaching Photoshop at conferences and universities, and beta testing software for Adobe. Also, she recently completed a series of online movies about Photoshop Elements available at Lynda.com.

About Member News
TechnoLawyer members are among the most gifted and prominent in the legal profession. In the Member News section of TechnoLawyer Blog, we report on their latest accomplishments and success stories — everything from court victories to articles and books to new partner announcements — and much more. If you're a newsmaker, but not yet a member, join TechnoLawyer now. .