The Strong Arm Gets Muscled- January 31, 2006 The Colorado Supreme Court has rules that the Colorado Consumer Protection Act applies to lawyers and held that a law firm client who believes he was strong-armed into a low-ball settlement can sue under the law and seek triple damages from his lawyer. According to an AP article, the lawyer believes the suit is frivolous. States have come down on different sides of the fence on the applicability of consumer protection acts against lawyers. Some courts conclude that if the law does not...http://www.willhornsby.com/archives/news-the-strong-arm-gets-muscled.html Marketing is always ahead of regulation - Always- January 31, 2006 According to an article in the Guardian, a UK group called Nationwide Accident Services, which specializes in personal injury actions, has developed a word-search puzzle for children. The game involves circling words in a box of jumbled letters. The puzzles have been placed in hospitals and doctors' offices so that kids have something to do while waiting for their appointments. Here's the good part - The words include phrases such as "claim today," "compensation" and "no win, no fee." What's...http://www.willhornsby.com/archives/news-marketing-is-always-ahead-of-regulation-always.ht... MADD is Mad at DUI Defense Advertising- January 31, 2006 According to the CBC, a Canadian chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers is disturbed by the advertising of the Impaired Driving Office on behalf of criminal defense lawyers interested in impaired-driving cases. The ads appear on city buses in various Canadian provinces, but have been taken off of the buses in at least one city as a result of the complaints lead by MADD. The issue represents competing policies. Does the advertising give a green light to those who might drink and drive, or does.http://www.willhornsby.com/archives/news-madd-is-mad-at-dui-defense-advertising.html Branding or Name Blame- January 29, 2006 Can a firm brand itself by using one name, when that name is shared with another firm That's the issue reported in American Lawyer, as Foley & Lardner seeks to be known simply as "Foley" over the objection of Foley Hoag. The conflict began when Foley & Lardner sought to register a logo with the PTO. Foley Hoag claims the prominent use of Foley will create confusion. Meanwhile Foley & Lardner has the domain name www.foley.com., but www.foley.net looks like it's up for grabs. As this moves to...http://www.willhornsby.com/archives/news-branding-or-name-blame.html A Lawyer's Good Name -- Take it or leave it- January 29, 2006 The Connecticut Law Tribune reports on a lawyer suing his former firm because the firm didn't remove his bio from the firm's web site. Robert P. Murphy filed against Del Sole and Del Sole after opening a new practice and registering with various search engines. He learned that he was "widely listed as still being associated with the firm" and claims the firm misrepresented his status by not promptly removing his name. Murphy claims his information was not removed form the firm's site for more...http://www.willhornsby.com/archives/news-a-lawyers-good-name-take-it-or-leave-it.html |