Origin of The Black’s Law Dictionary
The origins of Black’s in its earliest incarnation began with an edition that first hit the market in 1891. This facsimile of that first edition is reproduced and included with modern volumes. The first official edition, however, would be in 1897 when West Publishing and the founder of the concept to publish a legal dictionary, Henry Campbell Black, entered into an agreement to continue to work on the definition resource in a multi-volume set with the editor credited as Black. This collaboration would lead to the transition of the first edition into what we know today as the first unofficial edition. It is still known as the first but the labeling of the first unofficial edition wouldn’t be used until later in the books’ history.
In 1904 , Black’s in its current form was born. This was the year of its first unofficial edition. In it, Black’s employed more than 250 contributors to continue its expansion. The first official edition would be published in 1928. By that point, Black’s had been acquired by West Publishing. That and more contributors allowed for the continuation of the resource for the foreseeable future.
The fifth edition of Black’s law dictionary was released in 1979 and it came with the original owner’s passage at the time of its publication, the 72-year-old Black at the time of his passing, stating that he believed that it was his most comprehensive editing to date.
Understanding Termination Rights And Clauses
Early termination clauses are all too common in rental agreements and they can also refer to more than just the right of a landlord to break a lease. Depending upon the jurisdiction, such clauses can also provide tenants with the same rights. In the most basic of senses, early termination clauses set the amount of notice that a party (which could be either the landlord or the tenant) must give the other to terminate the agreement early without any penalty.
The early termination clause is there for a reason, it protects both the landlord and the tenant . It does this by ensuring that the rights and responsibilities of both parties are clearly defined, setting a standard for how those mutual obligations will be conducted. It is for this reason that both parties should always review and sign the relevant agreements prior to entering into a tenancy arrangement at the property in question. This is true even when both parties know each other well, as their rights are still protected when the tenancy agreement is in writing.
West Virginia Hunting Laws
Hunting is a popular sport in West Virginia, and as such, each year hunters gear up for the season. As with other states, West Virginia has specific law that must be adhered to while hunting. Violating these laws can lead to serious criminal charges. With regard to deer hunting, enforcement actions for unlawful activity can lead to a misdemeanor criminal charge (when violations are Class A infractions).
The laws regarding deer hunting in West Virginia have been established and are available to the public on the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) website, and in the free publication titled "West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2015-2016." The following restrictions must be followed by all deer hunters, and they are listed in the order of their penalty designation (ranging from least serious to most serious):
These laws regarding deer hunting extend to the use of firearms and ammunition, including legal calibers. In West Virginia, legal grades of calibers should be used, and they must be either straight-wall cartridges or handgun cartridges . Straight wall cartridges include .357 caliber magnum, .44 caliber magnum, .45 caliber magnum, .475 caliber, .480 caliber, and 20 gauge and larger shotgun slugs; however, only one shot may be taken at a time. Handgun cartridges that are legal include .357 caliber magnum, .44 caliber magnum, .45 caliber, .410 and larger shotgun slugs, pistols containing revolver barrels not exceeding 16 inches in length, or pistols containing revolver barrels not exceeding 12 inches in length and a shoulder stock.
West Virginia also has specific rules and regulations with respect to deer hunting equipment. For instance, persons may not hunt deer:
Except as provided herein, no person may hunt game mammals using any caliber, grade or type of ammunition with a bullet less than which shall produce a muzzle energy of 540 foot pounds with a sixteen inch barrel or a bore less than twenty (.690) gauge. Any legal cartridge or shotgun shell, as defined herein, may be used when hunting deer with a muzzle loader.
An Overview of Sope Lawson’s Legal Expertise
The Law Office of Sope Lawson is a private law firm established in 2012, currently located in the state of Connecticut. The firm operates to meet both local and national needs of its clients. Sope Lawson, the Managing Partner of the Law Office of Sope Lawson, has over 15 years of legal experience. Mr. Sope Lawson has an undergraduate degree in Management from the reputed University of Phoenix, where he graduated in 2000. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in Maryland, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 2003. At this time, Mr. Lawson came to public notice after being featured by the Baltimore Sun for winning a criminal defense trial within the long-standing tradition of excellence at university . While serving as a law clerk at the office of law in Morristown, New Jersey he showcased his skills, effectively handling attorney-client matters. His early experiences include employment with the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware sections of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, in addition to local courts, and multiple municipalities around Connecticut and New York. He spent considerable time working for state and local governmental offices providing counsel during significant high profile criminal cases. The Law Office of Sope Lawson specializes in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Employment Discrimination. Criminal & Civil Defense, and Family & Divorce Matters.
An Overview of 32BJ Union in New York City
The 32BJ union, headquartered in New York City, represents building services workers in the City, including janitors, doormen, porters and superintendents. It is the local chapter of the larger Service Employees International Union ("SEIU"), which has both a national and international membership. The SEIU was founded in 1921, and its local chapters encompass hundreds of thousands of workers in the healthcare, public service, and building services sectors.
Today, the 32BJ represents approximately 70,000 workers in the New York City metro area. Its contract with the Realty Advisory Board, which is a collective bargaining representative for over 1,800 property owners and managers in the City, and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, the umbrella organization for five building trade unions, governs the terms and conditions of employment for approximately 23,000 of the City’s doormen, concierges and porters . Among these 23,000 workers are the 196 members at 100 East 53rd Street.
As local 32bj’s IBT Local #32 is the largest privately sponsored union health fund in the country, the 32bj’s health fund has become an important negotiation goal for developers. The health plan covers health care benefits for more than 82,000 employees and their families. The health fund is known for its high premiums and benefits. The fund is self-insured and generates revenue through its agreements with local hospitals, which charge the fund for medical services rendered to its members. 32BJ members also belong to a pension fund, a non-contributory, defined benefit pension.
Room Rental Agreement: What Is It?
A room rental agreement establishes the rules and responsibilities between the property owner (the landlord) and the person agreeing to reside in the property (tenant). Under Florida statute, a rental agreement must include the rental terms, the amount of duty, the timing and amount of rent, initial and security deposits, fees related to the apartment’s/room’s acceptance, termination, rent increases, and any limitations on use or occupancy.
Notably, room rental agreements are different from standard leases in their intent and purpose. Most standard leases are 12 months and used in the renting of an entire rental unit or house. However, a room rental agreement is entered into for a shorter, defined period and is only for the room itself. Certain laws governing residential tenancies do not apply to rentals covered by a room rental agreement. For instance , a room rental agreement may exclude non-residents who occupy housing operated by tax-exempt organizations or those who live in a single family home where the owner also lives.
While room rental agreements are similar to leasing a hotel/motel room, there are differences. For example, tenants who lease a room typically have access to and share a common area with other tenants. Room rental agreements are also not subject to hotel/motel regulations found in Chapter 509 of the Florida Statutes and may not be considered a hotel.
Whether it is a year-long commercial rental agreement or a hotel rental agreement, it is important to have a written agreement. Eviction will often be quicker and easier if the rental agreement is in writing. Florida law states that a tenancy can be created by contract, covenant, or conduct.
What is Elder Financial Abuse?
Elder financial abuse arises when a senior citizen suffers financial exploitation, the retention of funds against the will of the victim, or the wrongful appropriation of an elderly person’s funds, while in a position of trust with such person. Financial abuse of the elderly occurs more often than one might think. Approximately 90% of elder financial exploitation is committed by family members, caregivers, friends, acquaintances and/ or confidence persons.
The prevalence of elder abuse may be higher than many would like to believe. Conflicting estimates put the occurrence of elder financial abuse at anywhere between 1% to 10% (and some estimates are even higher). A study conducted in 2009 by MetLife found losses due to elder financial abuse to exceed $2.6 billion dollars. The current global economic downturn has caused a serious rise in elder financial abuse cases.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , "The elderly are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse and exploitation due to diminished physical or cognitive capacity that limits the ability to manage financial affairs, or to protect oneself from fraud. In some cases, older adult victims are disengaged from their finances, put their trust in others, or are reluctant to report abuse due to shame, fear of losing financial resources or elderly-only housing, or fear of losing one’s independence." Elder financial abuse can be particularly complicated and disturbing because, it often involves family members or other loved ones as the perpetrator.
Having a Baton Under Nevada Laws
The possession and carry of batons such as those outlined in the Introduction above are regulated by NRS Chapter 202.025(1) to (3), which state:
(1)(a) For the purposes of this section, "baton" means:
(i) A straight stick or rod that is at least 6 inches long and less than 24 inches long; or
(ii) A straight stick or rod that is at least 24 inches long in a lengthwise folded bundle with a tape or cord tightly wound around the folds.
(b) "Baton" does not mean a cubicle stick or night stick.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection or NRS 202.350, a person shall not possess or carry a baton:
(a) On his or her person in a public place; or
(b) While attending a motor vehicle or while traveling as a passenger in a motor vehicle on a road, street or highway in the State of Nevada .
(3) The provisions of subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to:
(a) Peace officers or a person who has been summoned by a peace officer;
(b) A person whose employment, occupation or calling involves the handling of devices defined as batons in this section if the batter is necessary as a part of the necessary activities of that employment, occupation or calling; or
(c) A person who is registered as an employee of a licensed Nevada security guard service or as an employee of the private security company as defined in NRS 648.015 hired by a facility for the protection of persons and property.
What Are Legal Malpractice Interrogatories?
Legal Malpractice Interrogatories are what they sound like, questions designed to elicit information about an attorney’s alleged negligence. They can cover a wide range of topics, from the facts of the case to be prosecuted by the attorney allegedly negligent, the interview of the potential client, to billing practices and activities in the negligence case. As a Motion for Summary Judgment is the most common way to resolve law suit complaints in Legal Malpractice cases, interrogatories are used to nail down answers to specific questions of ultimate fact, which come up again in the moving of the motion for summary judgment by disclosing the affirmative, negative or neutral answer as to specific information. For example, in the above mentioned hypothetical, the Complaint may allege that our attorney lost evidence of an accident. The Complaint may further allege that our attorney spoke to witnesses "X, Y and Z" on this issue . The Complaint may further allege that the defendant attorney was not able to produce witnesses "A, B and C" from the case. In responding to these allegations, there may be great ambivalence. The Motion for Summary Judgment is a good time to nail down who the clients are talking about. As soon as we know X, Y, and Z we can ask them. Did they see our client? Did he/she talk to you? Did they say anything to you? Were you interviewed for the case? These questions, and many more, can nail down the exact nature of the recollection. There is sometimes a yawning chasm of difference between what attorneys remember on the case and what clients have witnessed. These differences are resolved on depositions soon after the interrogatories are responded to. The earlier the better, in order to meet the deadlines imposed by the CPLR and also because the earlier the case is resolved, the lower cost it will entail for the litigants. That’s the goal.
Overview of Virginia Drunkenness Statutes
Virginia has specific laws regarding alcohol sales and consumption. Per Virginia state law, the minimum legal drinking age is 21. Anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited from purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol, which includes beer, wine and liquor. There are exceptions to this rule that allows for consumption in the home or within the home of a family member. Drivers under the age of 21 may not have a blood alcohol content that exceeds .02 percent, which is half of the general limit of .08 percent. It is also illegal to sell beer, wine and liquor to an intoxicated person.
Virginia state law prohibits the sale of alcohol by anyone who does not possess a license. Licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to qualified manufacturers, wholesalers, brokers and retailers who follow state law . Grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations can apply to sell beer and wine, while restaurants, bars and clubs require separate licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. Virginia does not currently permit grocery stores to sell liquor. Beer and wine must be in a retail establishment that has been approved by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
You can obtain a one-day license to serve alcohol on a temporary basis for a special event. Such events include charity events, wine tastings and food pairing events. A special event may last for up to five days. One-day licenses can only be obtained by organizations, groups, associations, clubs and societies. It is illegal to serve alcohol on school property, college property and other certain properties such as J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.