By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
New legislation has been introduced to Congress to equalize the sentencing for crack and cocaine drug offenses. Currently, there is a 100-1 sentencing disparitybetween convictions for offenses involing “crack” or “powder cocaine.” The legisitation, called the Fair Sentencing Act of 2009, would equalize the sentencing guidelines for these two drug offenses.
It started with [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Legal Trends'
The Fair Sentencing Act of 2009… Equalizing Punishment for Crack and Powder Cocaine Offenses
October 27th, 2009 · No Comments
Tags: Criminal Law · Drugs · Federal · General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
Medical Marijuana Update… Fewer Arrests in the Future
October 19th, 2009 · No Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
Is medical marijuana legal now? Well, not exactly. While the legality of marijuana use is still a bit tricky – illegal under federal law, but legal in certain states – the Obama administration has decided NOT to arrest people who use or supply medical marijuana in conformity with their state’s laws.
Remember the song… “I’m just [...]
Tags: Criminal Law · Drugs · Federal · General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
Nationwide Lawyers? A look at the Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
October 16th, 2009 · No Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
In these modern times, both individuals and businesses often need legal services in several states…. and many times clients want their same lawyer to handle all those matters. Makes sense to me! I’d certainly rather have my regular real estate lawyer handle all my purchases, sales, etc. of property in various states. [...]
Tags: General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
Denied a Loan Modification?
September 23rd, 2009 · 2 Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
Several million mortgages are currently in default or expected to become past due in the coming months. Some of those homeowners who are past due have lost everything in foreclosure, some are simply walking away before it gets to that point, and others are struggling to stay in their homes. For many [...]
Tags: Federal · General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
How To Make a Complaint Against Your Mortgage Lender or Mortgage Broker
August 6th, 2009 · 5 Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
Do you have a complaint about your mortgage lender or broker regarding your interest rate, prepayment penalties, fraud, deception, or other matter regarding your home? First, try to resolve the problem directly with your bank or broker. If you are unsuccessful, however, I highly recommend you contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. There [...]
Tags: Federal · General · How-To's · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends · Litigation
Did You Forego Vacation This Summer? Rules About Vacation Time and Pay
August 4th, 2009 · No Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
Wow.. I recently had the most amazing vacation! The first time in years I took a vacation without checking my work-related emails, or phone calls. No cell phone, no laptop. It did me such wonders, that I was able to be more present to my environment when I returned to working with [...]
Tags: Federal · General · Labor & Employment Law · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
Federal Minimum Wage Increase to $7.25/hour
July 24th, 2009 · No Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
On July 24, 3009, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour. This increase is the last of three provided by the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. Many states also have minimum wage laws, however where the employee is covered by both state and federal law, the employee is entitled [...]
Tags: Business Law · Federal · General · Labor & Employment Law · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
FTC’s “Operation Loan Lies” Cracks Down on Mortgage Fraud
July 16th, 2009 · 2 Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
By now, we’ve all become familiar with loan modification scams, deceptive mortgage rescue ads, and other foreclosure scams. State Attorney General offices have received numerous complaints from unwary consumers who have fallen victim to some of these companies after having forked out substantial money to them, with little or no resolution to [...]
Tags: Federal · General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends · Litigation
Moving for a New Job?… Beware of “Moving Company Fraud”
July 10th, 2009 · No Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
These days, when layoffs are large and new jobs are scarce, you might be considering even moving away in order to take a new job in a different location. So you search for movers on the internet, find the best deal out there (because a lot of new jobs these days aren’t [...]
Tags: Criminal Law · Federal · General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends
Michael Jackson’s Kids and the “Parent Child Relationship” – An Intro to Legal Issues with Surrogacy, Third Party Reproduction, and Adoption
July 1st, 2009 · 2 Comments
By: LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.
Media reports are swirling over the issue of who will get custody of Michael Jackson’s kids. It could be a bit of a battle depending on a variety of things including what Michael Jackson’s will provides regarding guardianship of the kids, whether Michael Jackson’s mother (temporary guardian at this point) petitions the [...]
Tags: Adoption · Family Law · Federal · General · Lead Counsel · Lead Counsel Corner · Lead Counsel News · Legal Trends · Litigation
Lindsey O'Neill is the Director of Legal Content and Strategic Development at LawInfo.com. Ms. O'Neill is a California licensed attorney based in La Jolla and experienced in a wide variety of legal and business matters.