12/18/2008

Private Student Loan

In order to go to the college, your parent and you try all your best to apply for the maximun Federal Aid, but you find you are still short. Don’t be distressed about it, I have a good news which is helpful for you.
iStudentLoan is a guide that helps students find private student loan over the Internet. I Student Loan has been providing current and reliable information to students since 1999. The site also offers information on private student loan consolidation as well as graduate and undergraduate loans for college students.
Before you apply for the student loan, I suggest you should read this website and learn the basic knowledge, as it is not free money and should be paid back, its repayment are often deferred until after graduation, but is has to be repaid with interest. A Private Student Loan is also commonly referred to as alternative college financing. It is credit based college financing and often requires a cosigner if you have not established a positive credit history. It can help with all your education-related expenses such as tuition, a new computer, books and living expenses. Applying is quick and easy.
So, don’t miss this chance to have a look at the iStudentLoan.

Eloan Mortgage Loan

Have you decided eloan home loan refinance your home or apply eloan mortgage loan a home equity line of credit but worry about your credit rating? Even along e loan rate poor credit e loan com was eloan home loan possible eloan home loan refinance your existing mortgage or obtain a home equity line of credit. New practices in eloan home equity loan lending industry have made e loan com easier than ever eloan mortgage loan you eloan home loan refinance your mortgage or get a home equity line of credit. If you have adverse credit, specialized lenders could eloan mortgage loan help you find eloan home equity loan loan package your need along e loan rate an interest rate you could eloan mortgage loan afford.Refinancing your home loan could eloan mortgage loan allow you eloan home loan make improvements eloan home loan your home or consolidate debts. Some lenders offer loans up eloan home loan 125% of your home's value even if you have less than perfect credit. Your current mortgage terms eloan mortgage loan interest rate, eloan home equity loan length of time you intend eloan home loan stay in your home, eloan mortgage loan eloan home equity loan level of debt your currently have eloan mortgage all factors eloan home loan eloan home loan considered in making eloan home equity loan decision eloan home loan refinance your mortgage. If you have equity in your home, you would e loan consolidation often receive a lower interest rate than those along e loan rate little or no equity.Home equity lines of credit eloan mortgage revolving accounts along e loan rate your home serving as security eloan mortgage loan eloan home equity loan loan. When you get a home equity line of credit you eloan mortgage approved eloan mortgage loan a certain amount of credit. The maximum amount you could eloan mortgage loan borrow at a given time would e loan consolidation depend on your credit limit. Typically, a home equity line of credit would e loan consolidation have a variable rate of interest although many eloan mortgage loan lenders may offer a fixed rate as well. You would e loan consolidation have an amount you could eloan mortgage loan borrow at any given time eloan mortgage loan you may not borrow more until a certain amount was eloan home loan repaid. Often you would e loan consolidation have specific times as eloan home loan when you may borrow eloan mortgage loan from your available credit limit.Obtaining a home equity line of credit was eloan home loan could eloan mortgage loan eloan home loan eloan home equity loan perfect solution eloan mortgage loan people along e loan rate remodeling goals, children eloan home loan put through college, or eloan home equity loan need eloan mortgage loan access eloan home loan extra cash in eloan home equity loan event of an emergency or unexpected financial situation. You could eloan mortgage loan use eloan home equity loan eloan mortgage loan eloan mortgage loan any purpose eloan mortgage loan gain peace of mind in knowing you eloan mortgage prepared eloan mortgage loan whatever life brings you.Refinancing your mortgage or getting a home equity line of credit has been eloan home equity loan answer eloan mortgage loan millions of people looking eloan home loan realize their financial goals. Even if your have bad credit there eloan mortgage loans eloan mortgage loan lenders who specialize in helping finance people along e loan rate poor credit. They could eloan mortgage loan help you reach your individual objectives.

12/14/2008

Finding A Good Auto Accident Lawyer

Are you one of those people who have never in your life been involved in a car accident? If so you are among the few lucky ones because according to statistics most people will be involved in a car accident at least one time in their life therefore it is very important to know what to do and what your rights are if you should ever be in an automobile accident.

Car accidents are a sad fact of life, but a fact they are. While they are the type of experience that you would wish upon no one, nearly everyone experiences at least one in his or her life. Going beyond the incident itself, there are always legal repercussions to deal with. This is especially true if any form of negligence or wrongdoing is suspected. If this is the case for you, you will want to get a car accident lawyer.

First, however, no matter who is at fault, it is important to document every aspect that you feel was relevant. Were you tired when the accident happened? Was it raining? Was a light out on the other car? Were you on a new medication? Was the accident caused by equipment failure on your car? For instance, were you returning from having your brakes replaced, and they didn't work? Was there not enough visual clearance due to an overhang from a tree?

All of these types of questions have been relevant to one case or another in the past, and the fact that the accused brought this information forward saved the day in court. For this reason, your car accident lawyer will have you make a list of any such discrepancies that you feel may help your case.

Even if you don't feel it is important, write it down anyway. Car accident lawyers have been trained to stretch out the smallest detail to be of relevancy. Further, don't wait before going to see your car accident lawyer, write the details as soon as possible, as your memory of the event may fade after only a week or so, particularly if you experienced any sort of head trauma.

If you are the person who is being sued, the car accident lawyer of the other party must prove that you were in the wrong. However, this is not to say that you are truly responsible for the entirety of the accident, if at all. For this reason, any time you are in an accident, do not apologize or say that it was your fault to either the other party, or to the police.

Simply make sure that no one is hurt, and if they are, contact the emergency services in that area. As well, ensure that you have a police report made, especially if there is any substantial damage to either vehicle, or any physical injury. A police report is paramount to any case and may be difficult to obtain, even for your car accident lawyer, after the fact.

If an accident has happened and you wish to sue, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. In many states the statute of limitations can go for 4 or 5 years before running out. This means that you have time, but the sooner you seek legal council, the sooner the legal process can begin. Just knowing that you have a professional in your corner is half the battle.

Being prepared in case of an accident can save you a lot of grief because finding a good lawyer can actually be quite a task in itself. Doing some research and finding a good auto accident lawyer before anything happens may be a good idea in case you end up with extensive injuries and are unable to take the time to find a good attorney.Nothing is worse than realizing you have ended up with a lawyer who won抰 do anything for you except taking your money.

The Whistleblower Protection Law

It was not until 1986 when a law protecting whistleblowers is made. Congress added an anti-retaliation protection to the then existing False Claims Act.
A whistleblower is a person who tells on something he believes is an illegal act. The employees are the most commonly known whistleblower. They tell on their employers which they suspect is doing or committing an illegal act.
Under the Whistleblower Protection Law, the employee should not be discharged, denoted, suspended, threatened or harassed in any form that discriminates the terms and conditions of his employment because of the legal act done by the employee.
The employee may be of aid in many ways possible on the investigation, testimony and the likes. However there are some constraints under the whistleblower protection law.
Reporting illegal acts that are only within the company is a ground for exemption. But still there may be public policies that could protect the employee from retaliation
If it turns out that an employer didn't actually break a law, the employee is still entitled to whistle blower protection from retaliation, if he reasonably believed that the employer committed an illegal act.
The whistleblower protection law does not cover employer retaliation for complaints about personal loathe. Office politics is not to be used as a basis for filing a complaint against the employer and use the whistleblower protection for personal gain.
In order for the employee to be protected from employer retaliation, he may the have a suspected desecration of any Federal Law. But the supposed violation should have provisions that the law violated will protect whistleblowers.
The Whistleblower Federal Law, unlike the False Claims Act, allows the whistleblower to file a lawsuit in a federal court. The Federal Whistleblower Law does not permit the whistleblower to go directly to the court.
The individuals concerned are pursued administratively. These individuals concerned could file a complaint or charge to retaliate with or without a lawyer to represent them. However if the case is not resolved immediately, the administrative law judge may then preside over the only evidentiary hearing that may take place.A whistleblower should not attempt to delay an investigation of the possible legal remedy. To maintain this ruling, the retaliation should then be brought to the attention of an appropriate government official within 30 days, else the complaint could not be pursued.
Most states have some sort of statutory or common law "whistleblower" or anti-retaliation laws. Like the federal whistleblower laws, not every lawyer will know about these laws, especially laws outside their own state.
These states and the District of Columbia have recognized a public policy exception to the "employment at will doctrine": Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Some states have explicit statutory protections for whistleblowers. These include: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington.
There are also state laws that offer special protections just for their own state or local government employees: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Hiring A Criminal Defense Attorney?

If you have been arrested or accused of a crime that has the potential of jail or prison time, you may want to seriously consider hiring an attorney to represent you. Unless you don't mind the possibility of spending time in jail, you will probably want the services of an attorney.
Almost any expert will strongly advise a person against representing him or herself in court unless they are very knowledgeable about the field of law; and even then he or she will still be discouraged from representing him or herself for a criminal case. Less than one percent of people represent themselves in a criminal case. The vast majority of people engage the services of an attorney. That is because it is very difficult for someone to represent him or herself in court.
You wouldn't want someone without any knowledge of how to do heart surgery doing a heart transplant on you would you? Likewise, would you want to represent yourself in court and face possible prison time without having the best possible legal advice available to you? If a person cannot afford to hire an attorney the court will appoint an attorney, typically called a public defender. The constitution of the United States requires a person be provided with legal representation if they cannot afford it. But it is only required if a person is facing possible jail or prison time.
If a person is only facing the possibility of a fine, the court is not required to provide the defendant with an attorney. A court appointed attorney may not cost the defendant any money or the defendant may receive the court appointed attorney at reduced fees. It depends on the income of the defendant. If a person wants a public defender they will be required to fill out financial documents for the court to determine whether or not they qualify for a public defender and also whether or not that they receive the services of the public defender for free or at a reduced cost. If a person qualifies for a reduced cost court appointed attorney, it is generally called a partial indigency. At the conclusion of their case, the judge will require the defendant to reimburse the county or state for a specific portion of their legal fees. The rates are usually much lower than those charged by private defense attorneys.
If you do not qualify for a court appointed attorney and are hiring one on your own, how do you find one? Personal recommendations from people you know are almost always the best way to find an attorney. Other sources of information to help find a criminal attorney are: Internet, Yellow Pages, your civil practice attorney, your local bar association lawyer referral panel (if they have one) and the Martindale-Hubbell publications.
The Martindale-Hubbell publications are available at most libraries and on the Internet. The publications do their best to list every attorney in the US by geographical area and lists the area or areas of law that attorney specializes in.
When hiring a criminal attorney on your own, try to interview several attorneys before hiring one or ask your family and friends help you. It is important to find an attorney you feel comfortable discussing all aspects of your case with. Some defense attorneys offer a no cost personal interview consultation. One thing to remember when hiring an attorney: make sure you hire an attorney who specializes in your area of criminal law. Most attorneys will require an up-front retainer fee which can be a significant amount depending on the type of criminal case you have.
Some attorneys charge a set fee for handling a specific type of case. But it is more common for an attorney to charge by the hour. Some attorneys who charge by the hour will set a cap fee for the case. That means a sum will be agreed on that is the highest amount the defendant has to pay. If the hourly costs reach this set amount, the lawyer will finish representing the defendant through to the completion of the case without charging any more money.
Although contingency fees, which are where an attorney only gets paid if he or she wins the case, are common with certain types of civil cases, they are not used with criminal cases. Contingency fees are considered unethical and are not permitted in criminal cases.
In addition to knowing what fees an attorney will be charging, a defendant also needs to know what services those fees cover and do not cover. Fees such as the cost of expert witnesses are normally not included in the normal fees of an attorney.

PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

Accident Justice is a network of specialist Personal Injury Solicitors which deals with accident claims on a risk free No Win No Fee basis and compensation is paid in full. If you are suffered personal injury in an accident which wasn't your fault we can help you to claim compensation. Our personal injury lawyer specialists can guide you through the process of claiming to make it simple and easy. Don't worry about expenses; our quality advice is free. We will analyse your claim and we will work out whether it stands a good chance of succeeding, and we will give an indicative value of your potential damages.After an accident it's important to collect quality evidence to assist your personal injury lawyer to substantiate your claim. In particular :-?Ensure you exchange contact details and names with the other parties involved in the accident, and take the registration numbers of other vehicles involved.?Take the details of any witnesses present at the scene, and ask for the names of investigating officers and policemen.?Be meticulous about the details of the accident, including registration numbers, drivers?names, the vehicles?colours, and the precise location of the accident.?If possible, take pictures of the scene, of the injuries and any damage.?Get a medical check-up immediately after the accident.?Record a daily diary of details of all injuries and losses.?Ensure the case is officially reported.How much do you stand to win? Numerous forces will contribute to the value of the claim including the severity of injuries and recovery period and the extent of financial loss and damage to property. The time period for settling a claim can be uncertain, ranging from just a few of months, to several years ?the complexity of the case is a key factor here. If you use our service a specialist Personal Injury lawyer will asses the claim and attempt to give you a realistic estimate of valuation at an early stage.Our lawyers are consistently praised for their client focused approach and this way of doing business is continually emphasised to our network. By selecting our experts as your legal representatives you are making a positive step in the recognition and protection of your personal legal rights. We can pursue claims anywhere in the United Kingdom. Our service is jargon free and we speak plain English so that you know exactly what is going on at all stages. Use our helpline or submit our contact form and send your details to us today for a free conversation with one of our experts. There is no obligation to pursue your claim past this point and we are always happy to help.

12/12/2008

Obama hires CAIR lawyer

Joe Sandler? Sandler, Reiff, and Young?
Joe Sandler was the CAIR lawyer who sent a letter to the Young America's Foundation in August 2007, threatening them with legal action if they let me speak to their national student conference. I spoke anyway (YAF's Jason Mattera said, "CAIR can go to hell and take their seventy-two virgins with them"), and the threatened lawsuit did not materialize (at least as of this writing, over a year later).
But now here again Obama allies himself with someone who has but scant regard for the freedom of speech. Will he, as President, sacrifice that freedom in an attempt to build the bridges with the Islamic world that he has boasted of being able to build?

I hope that Barack Obama, when he becomes President, will become a staunch defender of the First Amendment against attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to limit it or destroy it altogether. But his hiring of Joseph Sandler is not at all reassuring.

Lawyer cartoonery

My friend Charles Pincher is a both a lawyer and an artist. Naturally, he devotes a good deal of time to his art which now includes a commission todo a portrait of famed Constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky. If you want to check out Charles' website please do, and remember his pictures make great Christmas gifts for the lawyer in your family. Oh, and he does commission work, such as logos, which you solo and small firm lawyers might want to check into.

12/11/2008

Vancouver girl requires 26 stitches after being bitten by pit bull dog

In a story that has been far too common in Western Washington in the past few months, an 11 year-old Vancouver, Washington girl, Elena Allison,suffered dog bite injuries to her mouth and face when she was bit by a neighbor's pit bull dog on Saturday. The little girl had to have 26-stitches in her upper lip and chin to close up all of her wounds.
The dog bite incident occurred when Elena Allison was playing with friends when her neighbor, Mark Robinson, walked by with his pit bull dog named Presley. Elena asked Robinson if she could pet the dog that was on a leash. The dog went from being happy and friendly to attacking her.
Clark County officials said that Robinson voluntarily surrendered the dog to Animal Control services and agreed to have the dog euthanized.
We wrote about a Happy Valley girl who was attacked by a pit bull just a few days ago. And, in September, a 72-year-old Sea-Tacwoman, Huong Le, was viciously attacked by two pit bulls who "tagged teamed" her leaving her with serious injuries.
This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. Dog bite victims may require extensive medical care, plastic surgery and may suffer from permanent injuries including nerve damage and scarring. In this case, they may be entitled to compensation for medical costs and for pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident, then you should contact an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Stress in Workplace Will Rise as Economy Drags

Employers have been warned to take their employee’s stress seriously or risk the potential of costly personal injury claims.
Ginny Hallam, the head of employment at a large law firm, has warned that stress in the workplace is projected to increase as businesses brace for the hit of the spiraling economy. Hallam suggests employers offer counseling services for its staff if they are facing with too much stress.
But in a recent case, a judge ruled that providing counseling services for stressed-out employees without additional support was an inadequate defense to a personal injury claim.
If you feel like conditions at work are unbearable, unfair or illegal, you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

Los Angeles Sues Gang Leaders

The city of Los Angeles this week filed a first-of-a-kind lawsuit against leaders of one of the city's most troublesome gangs. The suit, which names 9 imprisoned gang leaders (including two members of the Mexican Mafia), seeks cash damages on behalf of residents of two neighborhoods where the gangs have imposed "street taxes".
The suit, if successful, will create an important precedent because the neighborhood residents targeted by such gangs are usually unable or unwilling to pursue their own relief out of fear of retaliation. City officials seek compensation on behalf of residents for property damage, property devaluation, emotional distress, personal injury, medical expenses and time in which residents could not use public parks because of gang activity.
If judgment is entered against the gang leaders, property will be seized and distributed among residents who have been victimized by gang activity.

12/10/2008

loan lawyer flees the country

A HIGH-PROFILE solicitor involved in an alleged €30m mortgage fraud has fled the country.
The Irish Independent has learned that the solicitor, a property specialist who holds directorships of several companies, has also had a freezing order issued against him amid concerns that his clients' funds may be at risk.
Up to four major banks are affected by the alleged fraud in what is being regarded as the greatest legal scandal since former 'Irish Press' solicitor Elio Malocco was struck off for misappropriating almost IR£500,000 (€634,869) from his clients.
It is claimed that the solicitor re-mortgaged his entire property portfolio with each individual bank without telling them that his properties were already mortgaged.
It is understood that the properties were re-mortgaged with each bank at a grossly overvalued rate and the solicitor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, then drew down the funds before fleeing to Portugal.
Earlier this week, the Law Society, the governing body for solicitors, secured an injunction in the High Court preventing the man from disposing of his assets and taking them out of the country.
Although the banks involved face the greatest exposure, the Law Society secured the freezing order to protect his clients' accounts.
The injunction was granted by Mr Justice Richard Johnston, the President of the High Court, and is listed for hearing again on Monday.
However, the entire case will be heard in camera, with the public and media excluded from the hearing, leaving anxious investors and clients in the dark.
Clients of the solicitor are furious that the injunction was sought in secret when their accounts are potentially at risk.
Companies with whom the solicitor was involved and fellow directors are also concerned that their businesses will be adversely affected.
The Mareva injunction, a civil remedy normally sought in open court proceedings, was secured under the Solicitors Acts which enjoys the benefit of the In Camera rule.
But the matter dramatically came into the public domain yesterday when a soldier, who was being represented by the solicitor in an army deafness action, had his High Court personal injuries case adjourned.
Another solicitor sought to represent the soldier, claiming that he had power of attorney to continue the case in his colleague's absence, but this application, too, was adjourned until next week.
It is claimed that the solicitor, a married man who lives in an exclusive Dublin suburb and has an "extensive" property portfolio, overvalued the properties, allowing him to draw down funds up to three times what each property was actually worth.
The man, who has a successful commercial, conveyancing and litigation practice, is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland who refused to comment on the affair.
Last night, colleagues of the solicitor expressed shock at the alleged fraud, which only recently came to light. They described him as an ambitious lawyer and businessman with "a brilliant mind".

Student Loan Lawyer

A student loan lawyer is available both on and off line to help undergraduates who have defaulted on their college contracts and need advice on what legal alternatives they may have at their disposal for getting out of their dilemma. Outside of bankruptcy, a legal representative may help the coed by recommending consolidation, getting payments stretched out, or getting the contract discharged due to disability. Discharge is possible if it can be proved that an undue hardship will result (that is, if the borrower will be unable to maintain a minimum standard of living) if the payments are made. When a convincing case is presented by a student loan lawyer, the courts will sometimes find a debtor can pay a portion without hardship, and discharge the rest.

Recent bankruptcy law changes have made it more difficult for people to file for bankruptcy, and student loans are almost never dismissed, so the legal representative may prefer to take care of the borrower's problems outside of bankruptcy. A student loans lawyer will point out that college contracts are not enforceable if the school closed before the student could finish his or her education, or if it falsely certified the borrower was able to benefit from its program. On the other hand, the attorney will inform a college-age debtor that the lender has the right to garnish 10 percent of the debtor's wages to pay back the indebtedness, and they also have the right to intercept tax refunds and apply them to the balance. Another problem the student loans lawyer will point out is the inability to get any other college contracts if one is already in default. If the only solution seems to be bankruptcy, the attorney can help decide which Chapter to file under, and can lead the applicant through the legal procedures required.

An attorney can refer the scholar to various agencies that will help with the workout and consolidation of contract, including a schedule of payments based on income. One such program is the Federal Direct Student Loan Consolidation Program, where borrowers make monthly payments based on yearly family incomes. Presuming that most coeds want to repay their loans, any of those suggestions by a student loan lawyer will help satisfy lenders. Probably the most important service a student loans lawyer can provide is advice before contracts are taken out so a borrower has a realistic view of the financial picture he will face.

Too many college applicants have no idea of how to manage their money, and a student loans lawyer could offer a presentation to high school seniors on that topic. Parents also might want to confer with these professionals. God wants us to handle our money as His stewards. Zacchaeus gives us a good example for handling money honestly, and in remembering our obligation to the Lord. "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold" (Luke 19:8). Borrowing any kind of money is a serious decision. As believers, we have a responsibility to consult God first about our finances.

12/09/2008

ALASKA INJURY ATTORNEY

Did You Know?

Every year approximately 200,000 Americans die from prescription drug reactions.

Welcome to Alaska Injury Attorney Legal Help Center

We connect you with experienced lawyers in Alaska Injury Attorney. Use our contact form located to your right for a quick response.


Personal Injury Facts

Personal Injury - In the United States , accidents kill two people and injure 330 others every ten minutes. For persons 38 years of age and younger, accidents are the leading cause of death, according to the National Safety Council.
Prescription Drugs - Every year approximately 200,000 Americans die from prescription drug reactions.
Auto Accident - There are approximately 12 million automobile accidents every year according to the National Safety Counsel (NSA).
Transportation Accident - There are over 3 million injuries a year from transportation accidents and around 40,000 fatalities.
Amusement Park Accident - The Consumer Protection Safety Commission estimates the number of serious injuries on amusement park rides that are severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room have raised to almost 5000 each year.
If need more information,Please enter the web

Matt Napier-the largest personal injury lawyer

Personal injury lawyer Matt Napier leads the largest personal injury legal team in Atlantic Canada servicing the Greater Halifax region, all of Nova Scotia, and now providing personal injury legal services to New Brunswick and PEI.

We are innovative advocates for the injured. Our reputation: outstanding results for personal injury claimants; unparalleled support for our clients left injured or affected by accidents.

Whether it is a car accident, fall, death of a family member, disability claim, or medical malpractice, when the unexpected strikes you need advice, support or maybe just a few clear answers from an experienced attorney. We are ready to assist. We want you to focus on getting better and leave the rest to us. Serving greater Halifax and all of Nova Scotia, our team of personal injury lawyers and support staff are here — helping while you heal.

Singapore Awards Licenses to US law firm

Latham & Watkins and White & Case were the only U.S. firms awarded licenses to practice local law in Singapore on Friday.
Sibling publication Legal Week reports that the two were joined by U.K. firms Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, and Norton Rose.
The American Lawyer reported in April that Singapore's decision to change the status quo became more acute when large international financial institutions began turning to the island nation's powerful sovereign wealth funds like Temasek Holdings for investments to offset billion-dollar writedowns.
"There was a clear feeling that there wasn't sufficient depth at the top end of the market in Singapore," said Vijaya Rajah, a judge on the Supreme Court of Singapore, who lobbied for the change. "I think it's in our national interest that we have some of the top international firms locating some of their best lawyers in Singapore."
Firms granted licenses will have six months to hire local lawyers and set up Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) schemes, which allow firms to practice in all areas of local law except domestic litigation, criminal, family, and administrative law. Prior to the QFLP, foreign firms could only practice in Singapore through joint ventures with local shops.
The Singapore government commissioned a select committee headed by Rajah to analyze the merits of the QFLP scheme and to establish criteria for selecting potential applicants. The committee began accepting applications in August and closed the process in October.
Legal Week reports that as many as 20 firms are thought to have applied for the QFLP license, which is good for five years. Linklaters and Lovells did not apply for licenses, choosing instead to stick with their joint ventures.
Applications by Ashurst and DLA Piper were not approved.

12/07/2008

Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Concerning the Handling of Foreign Exchange Business through Foreign Exchange Account

The SAFE branches and administrative offices in all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and the SAFE branches in Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Ningbo; and all domestic-funded designed foreign exchange banks:For purposes of implementing Article 7 of the Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on Foreign Exchange Administration, which provides that “Financial institutions operating foreign exchange business shall open foreign exchange accounts for their clients and handle foreign exchange business through such accounts in accordance with the provisions of the foreign exchange administrative department of the State Council. A financial institution operating foreign exchange business shall file the foreign exchange income and expenditure of its clients and the changes in the foreign exchange accounts of the clients with a foreign exchange administrative organ according to law”, the SAFE is sorting out the relevant provisions on foreign exchange administration and upgrading the foreign exchange account management information system. we hereby notify you of the issues about the executive plan for handling the foreign exchange revenue and expenditure business through foreign exchange accounts, which is about to be promulgated in the near future as follows for all SAFE branches and administrative offices, financial institutions which operate the foreign exchange business (hereinafter referred to as banks) and other institutions to make good preparations:
I. Unless it is otherwise provided, banks shall, for the purpose of handling the foreign exchange revenue and expenditure business, such as trans-border collection and payment of foreign exchange, trans-border settlement and sale of foreign exchange, or domestic transfer of foreign exchange for domestic or overseas institutions, firstly open foreign exchange accounts for them and handle such business through their foreign exchange accounts. For clients with sporadic foreign exchange revenue and expenditure, a bank is not required to open foreign exchange accounts for them, but shall handle the foreign exchange revenue and expenditure business for them through the account for the “settlement and sale of sporadic foreign exchange of clients” opened in the bank’s name.  
II. To handle the foreign exchange revenue and expenditure business at a bank, a domestic or overseas institution shall firstly report the nature of its capital to the bank as required. The bank shall fill in the transaction code according to the nature of capital before handling the foreign exchange revenue and expenditure for the domestic .....

Lawyer and Constitutionality

  Lawyer is always contacting with constitutionality .The palace of constitutionality had been found completely since one day founding of modern lawyer system .The reason is very simple because lawyer is a comparatively weak group among the constitutional system .
A constitutionality will not be sound without lawyer . Judge is a wonderful and accurate symbol of constitutionality in somewhat . Prosecutor and police are also express the nature of constitutionality excellently . But , lawyer as a kind of significant characteristic of defence system is essential to constitutionality . This sort of function of lawyer in constitutionality is conditioned by the character of constitutionality itself . In modern sense , we can say that constitutionality is a type of social circumstance which there are a series of nice law and a judicial system existing in restraint and also the law are executed preferably and complied consciously with by the people living in society .
We emphasize the importance of lawyer to constitutionality because that the function of lawyer to the constitutionality embody at least on the aspects below :
First , lawyer is safeguard of the constitutionality . The conducts of lawyer are always standing up for the constitutionality . This exhibit adequately in many respects such as propagating law , participating lawsuit acting as a agent , transacting non-litigation case to serve for clients and so on .
Second , lawyer is propagandist of the constitutionality . Any legal service proffering by lawyer whatever it act are preaching the constitutionality direct and entirely .
Third , lawyer is practician of the constitutionality . To live up to the favorable law , invoke the powers of the law to defend the benefit of party and work a balanceable and restrictive role in the constitutional institution all that are perfect illustration of lawyer as the practician of constitutionality .
Fourth , lawyer is perfectionist of the constitutionality . The existence of lawyer and the system of lawyer represent splendidly the function of lawyer as perfectionist of the constitutionality as well .

Leaving money for the dead

A Brooklyn lawyer, a used car salesman and a banker were gathered by a coffin containing the body of an old friend. In his grief, one of the three said, "In my family, we have a custom of giving the dead some money, so they have something to spend over there."They all agreed that this was appropriate. The banker dropped a hundred dollar bill into the casket, and the car salesman did the same. The lawyer took out the bills and wrote a check for $300.

12/03/2008

Criminal Lawyer

A man walked into the local Chamber of Commerce of a small town, obviously desperate. Seeing a man at the counter, the stranger asks, "Is there a criminal lawyer in town?" To which the man behind the counter immediately quipped, "Yes, but we haven't been able to prove it yet!"

12/01/2008

Securities Lawyer

We are seeking to hire a securities lawyer. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership qualities and a solid background in all aspects of securities law including pre-public financings, public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities, take-over and issuer bids, mergers, arrangements, acquisitions and reorganizations, stock exchange listing and compliance matters, and ongoing compliance with securities law and continuous disclosure requirements. This is an ideal opportunity for a strong securities solicitor to build his or her existing practice onto a strong client base within a supportive team environment.