As we know, January 1, 2010, brought the beginning of a temporary period without a current federal estate tax.  However, it also brought a year of tremendous uncertainty. Even a year ago, most people thought allowing the estate tax to be repealed – even for a year – unthinkable. Now, there is uncertainty even as […]

I received the following transcript of the sentencing remarks by the Federal District Judge in the Richard Reid case. Every now and then as lawyers, we get to see our system of justice explained in plain, powerful and eloquent language. Here in a real case we come to grips with what it means to be […]

Operating SystemsDifferent doctrines foment fanaticism, and since the dawn of modern computing there has always been a heated debate between Windows users and the misguided. There will be no siding with either faction, Apple or the more sensible alternative, but we’ll only explore Microsoft’s brainchild in this context. The operating system can be said to […]

Estate planning attorneys routinely look for ways to help their clients with little risk. There is a strategy which can be used to pass significant value to the next generation without the use of any lifetime applicable exclusion. The strategy is the Grantor Retained Annuity Trust or “GRAT.” With a GRAT, the grantor retains the […]

Sunday is a short day at our Summits and we ended at noon in Boston. See what we covered and let us know what you think of our Summit experience! Sunday Member Sessions: Sunday finished with a session on the Client Information Form (CIF) for CounselPro™ 6.0. Steve Hartnett finished with a well received session on […]

Saturday at an Academy event- not your typical Saturday of taking it easy! Saturday Member Sessions:  CounselPro™ 6.0:  Robert Armstrong presented a big picture look at the development and structural changes to the proprietary Academy software available to Members. This software operates as both the database for mail merges, client notes and reports as well […]

ACADEMY SPRING SUMMIT 2010 RECAP, PART 2At every Academy Summit we begin at 1PM on Thursday with our Member meeting and a keynote address, here is the recap for Thursday and Friday: MAIN SUMMIT SESSIONS  Thursday Member Session:  Our keynote speaker, Jaynie Smith, author of the phenomenal book, Creating Competitive Advantage, was outstanding. Her message and her […]

Here is the first installment of four blogs that highlight some of the most exciting parts of our recent Summit in Boston! This was no BOSTON Tea Party! In fact, this was not any type of Tea Party… no politics, no revolution, no nonsense!! Once again, thanks to all Members, staff and guests who attended and provided […]

Attorneys are always asking about the one thing they must do in their law firm to make it successful. The answer to that question is not necessarily easy but I think I have come up with one thing. Now understand, doing this one thing alone will not make you a success but I do think […]

It is a common misconception that computers are evolving and getting increasingly faster. In reality, modern systems are akin to a Ferrari with an RV trailer stuck to the rear fender. And bicycle tires. And the engineering equivalent of Alzheimer. While from a merely mechanical point of view incredible progress is indeed constantly being made, […]