Chicago Law Blogger

In the Year 2000: Fixed Fee Legal Services?

In the year 2000 (excuse the cheap Conan O’Brien reference) I’m supposed to have a flying car and a machine that dresses me in the morning. Unfortunately, I have neither. In fact, I would venture to guess that the way in which I get myself ready in the morning for work is not that different [...]

Lawyer Money Stuff: Retainer Fees and Fee Agreements

Money. It’s the reason a lot of lawyers become lawyers in the first place (because they want a lot of it). We all grew up watching Perry Mason, Matlock or LA Law and thought…those guys make good money, I should do that! But how is it that lawyers get paid? And why does paying their [...]

New Post on the Nanny Tax at Grown in My Heart

Just posted here at Grown in My Heart on the so-called “Nanny Tax” talking about the tax aspects of hiring nannies or other household workers.

Hell hath no fury like an employee scorned…

I’ve been meaning to put up a post for a while now about how badly an ex-employee can sting your business…even if you have all the standard non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions with the employee in his or her employment contract. Prime example: Nelson Piquet, Jr., a former Formula 1 race driver. As can be seen [...]

Asset Protection if you hit your head…like Conan O’Brien

Conan O’Brien made news last week when he cracked his melon against the Tonight Show floor. Luckily, he was fine with just a minor concussion. Obviously, Conan didn’t set out to slip and fall on his head…but he did. Life happens, including undesirable events. This is why people buy insurance, and why most everyone can [...]

Prince Harry and Estate Planning for your Kids

So here’s some recent news that, but for the legal angle I’ll describe in this post, I wouldn’t have given a second thought: Prince Harry turned 25. This is news here, here and here not only because it’s Prince Harry, but also because of (as you can read) the dough to which he now has [...]

Think like a lawyer…but not for too long or your brain might hurt

Two axioms I hear all the time about the law and lawyers: 1. Law school doesn’t teach the law, it teaches you how to think like a lawyer. 2. Lawyers are [insert deragatory term here]. I find truth in both of these statements but for different reasons. Law school really does teach a person to [...]

Adoption Expense Tax Credit: Part II

Here is Part Deux to a four-part series on the Adoption Expense Tax Credit…a nice benefit for adoptive parents. This installment: Adopting Special Needs Children. http://www.growninmyheart.com/special-needs-adoption-tax-credit

Top Chef: Business Law and Ceviche

Ever watch Top Chef and wonder how on earth any of the contestants, no matter how talented, become

Babysitters Club: Tax and Business Law Aspects

The Babysitters Club was a fictional group of young girls who, in a series of books and movies, babysat for extra money and entertained pre-teen girls all around America. Although the Babysitters Club books were geared toward exploring the angst of adolescence, a very important lesson can be learned about business. Don