Lawyer thread

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. Gallant Knight

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    seems about right. their paralegals do all the discovery and the adjusters are the ones negotiating all the cases.

    in-house car insurance defense lawyers probably have to worry/work about 25% as hard on their files as plaintiff attorneys do on the same file.
     
  2. buy_dont_lease

    buy_dont_lease Ha ha ha. What a story, Mark.
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    There are three firms that handle Allstate work in the relatively small metro area in which I live. One of the lawyers who handles their work used to be a partner at my firm before going off on his own. At the time (3-4 years ago) all of their cases were flat fee, phase billed. I assume that’s still the case. I could never understand the desire to do work for them because of the volume necessary to make that practice worth it.
     
  3. Gallant Knight

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    there is a 10 lawyer firm in houston that handles a lot of allstate work. generally when there is a conflict. some of the cases we had with allstate got sent there after an in-houston allstate lawyer left.

    i assume they're all flat-fee based, but at the same time they're all easy cases. send out discovery, take the plaintiff's depo, and half the time file some controverting affidavits. a lot of these volume car accident lawyers just take the terrible offers and pay their client like $500 and the medical providers 5 cents on the dollar.

    i was at a minor settlement hearing this AM, and a few cases before mine they settled a 2013 case with a broken leg for $7,500
     
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  4. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    what does phase billed mean? Here all state as handled by a few firms. I am hearing more and more about flat fees for insurance defense auto collision work. Yah all state is one of the shiestiest insurance companies to deal with here as well. Colossus shoots a number out at them and they go with it. Basically a few grand over meds most of the time.
     
  5. buy_dont_lease

    buy_dont_lease Ha ha ha. What a story, Mark.
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    Phase billed means the defense firm receives disbursements at triggering events, I.e. a check upon assignment, another check sometime during discovery/mediation, and a final check sometime relative to trial. In my experience, these are all done in a flat fee format, so the amounts paid at these phase events is predetermined.
     
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  6. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    how much would you estimate all state pays for a case that goes through trial? I would think state farm in my area pays a lawyer at least $10k to go through a MVA trial. Maybe closer to $15
     
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  7. buy_dont_lease

    buy_dont_lease Ha ha ha. What a story, Mark.
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    I’m not speaking from experience because I was a pretty young associate when that partner left the firm and I wasn’t privy to that information at that time, but I’d say $10-15k is a good guess.

    We do commercial lines work for a high volume insurer you’ve heard of, and while this is not their arrangement with us, I hear that they are known to enter into agreement where they pay and upfront flat fee of ~$15k. You make money on matters that resolve quickly, take a bath on most that go to trial, and the rest comes out in the wash. Again, volume and staffing is key. Solo guys would have a hard time with this. I’m also told those firms get a few “free passes” annually to transfer out cases that might otherwise make that arrangement financially untenable. I do believe that is the direction the industry is moving.
     
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  8. Gallant Knight

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    Wow Allstate pre lit offers in Houston are 25-40% of billed meds. I have never received an offer for over medical bills

    My client broke a hip and they didn’t want to pay their $30k limit
     
  9. Sammy Meatballs

    Sammy Meatballs DeBoer on the Floor
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    i retired from being a lawyer last thursday ama
     
  10. buy_dont_lease

    buy_dont_lease Ha ha ha. What a story, Mark.
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    pls explain
     
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  11. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    i'm so confused. why would you retire
     
  12. Gallant Knight

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    Hopefully because you hit a big lick

    Guessing because you’re moving into supervisory role
     
  13. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
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    Poor showing on this AMA
     
  14. Sammy Meatballs

    Sammy Meatballs DeBoer on the Floor
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    I’m retired. Don’t rush me.
     
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  15. Sammy Meatballs

    Sammy Meatballs DeBoer on the Floor
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    I didn't love the job anymore. I despised management and even when I went to try cases, I didn't love that part of the job the way I used to either.

    Being a trial lawyer is a hard job when you're passionate about it and love getting up every morning to go do it. It's an impossible job when you don't.

    I don't have any kids, I'm not married yet and I have other opportunities outside of law fortunately, so this was the perfect time to make the move.
     
  16. bertwing

    bertwing check out the nametag grandma
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    Happy for you bro. You were a great lawyer, but you'll be successful in whatever you do.
     
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  17. Nug

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    Congrats dude. Jealous AF.

    Uno dia...
     
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  18. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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    Is this the legal advice thread? I got a car repair shop that’s trying to screw me...

    Basically starts with me taking my undrivable car into them and seeing how much it would be to fix. Quotes me more than my liking ($2500) and the car is a 2013 Kia with over 100,000, so I told him I needed a bit to decide. Meanwhile I get a new car because it would’ve been half the value of my car to fix

    I come back to tow my car off their lot and he tried to offer me a deal. He emails me with a proposal to fix my car and sell it together for a 60-30 split profit (not sure about that math) I said I’ll think about it. He told me I could leave my car there in the meantime, no rush at all. I even followed up with him a couple of weeks ago to make sure it was still ok to leave it there.

    So the car sits on their property for about a month and a half total (way too long, I know) and I get an email yesterday saying he has fixed the car for $2900. I tell him I never authorized him to fix the car. I never signed anything and never gave him verbal or written authorization to work on my car. Do I have any leverage here? I assume this will be a matter for small claims court (kbb value of the car is about $5000), but didn’t know if any of you smart gentlemen might have an idea of exactly how much leverage I have here...
     
  19. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    What are these other opportunities?
     
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  20. Gallant Knight

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    well, just found out the client who threatened to shoot me is in jail for....shooting someone.
     
  21. Bo Pelinis

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    [​IMG]
     
  22. Gallant Knight

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    two previous felony convictions and admitted to police that he shot dealer with sawed off shotgun.

    think that probably isn't going to go well for him.

    maybe 941Gator can get him off.
     
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  23. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    dealer also has a history of violence and was actually the aggressor, fwiw.
     
  24. Gallant Knight

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    Defendant admitted he was going to purchase a pound of marijuana from complainants, but decided to rob them of the drugs and cash. Defendant said he pulled the sawed-off shotgun out on the complainants. Defendant said during the physical assault he fired the shotgun at complainant striking him on the side of his body"
     
  25. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    time to start snitching.
     
  26. Gallant Knight

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    i want to know how he was only charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and how his bail is only 125k
     
  27. Craig Pettis

    Craig Pettis Que será será motherfucker
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    He got charged w/agg robbery bc he committed an agg robbery. I'm guessing the dealer 1) didn't die and 2) either has a terrible criminal record, making him a terrible victim/witness, so they couldn't charge more than what they absolutely have in the bag OR he specifically stated he didn't want to push for CA: Murder or manslaughter, etc.



    EDIT: Also I don't know what the jurisdiction is but here (TN) Agg Robery is a B Felony (8-30 years) w/mandatory 85% sentencing range , cannot be diverted, it's a pretty serious charge.
     
    #6527 Craig Pettis, Nov 13, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2018
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  28. Gallant Knight

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    I don’t know dick about criminal law
     
  29. Gallant Knight

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    andddd client just called my office from jail while i was in a meeting.

    awesome.
     
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  30. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    I don't recall giving you permission to speak with my client (and softball teammate) user Gallant. If you need to file a Notice of Co-counsel feel free. He is a lot to handle, I'd appreciate the help.
     
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  31. Gallant Knight

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    what is he looking at for 3rd felony with what i described happened.
     
  32. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    typically 10 years for pulling a gun, 20 for firing, and life for killing. With Ag Robbery with a Firearm and also Ag Battery with Firearm for hitting the guy......maybe an offer of 30 and plead down to 15-20. If he has a record, he may be really screwed. If recently released ("re-offender") then he could be up for Life actually.

    Sentencing is really nuts. I could write pages and pages about the bullshit (some for better, some for worse) sentences I see or hear about.
     
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  33. Gallant Knight

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    he has another aggravated assault with a deadly weapon where it looks like he did ten years. i think he got out like 2 years ago on that.
     
  34. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Then he is really screwed. So many fucking idiots out there, unbelievable.
     
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  35. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    this came across my desk today. no thanks.

    Edit: police report involving child sex abuse as seen in G. Knights reply/quote below.
     
    #6535 941Gator, Nov 14, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2018
  36. Gallant Knight

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    holy fuck.
     
  37. buy_dont_lease

    buy_dont_lease Ha ha ha. What a story, Mark.
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  38. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    God damn what the fuck
     
  39. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    Came in here to brag about getting a case dismissed against an attorney I loathe but now I need to go chug bourbon and try to forget what I just read
     
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  40. SmoochieWallace

    SmoochieWallace Ipse dixit
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  41. bertwing

    bertwing check out the nametag grandma
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    Man keep that shit to yourself 941Gator
     
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  42. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Yeah, that is too much. Sorry, fellas.

    Although I will post his mugshot upon request.
     
  43. BIGASSTITTIES

    BIGASSTITTIES Fan of: BIGASSTITTIES
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    Looking for some legal advice and some tax advice too...

    Mrs titties and I are purchasing a second home. Family has outgrown current crib. Our current home has doubled in value and appears to only continue to appreciate given its premium location and area market. Rental comps have it being a good $1k above the mortgage payment. That being said... we have opted to keep 1st home as rental and move to newer bigger home in the burbs.

    Question is this: what legal hurdles might I be concerned about doing this? Specifically to taxes.

    Also, any assistance with tax considerations would be appreciated. I understand earned income is taxable but there are also a fuck ton of tax write offs associated with a rental. What are some things I should look out for here or plan for?
     
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  44. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    You’re asking a fairly broad question that calls for relatively complicated tax advice, so I would recommend you speak with your CPA. In my opinion, Issues such as the passive activity rules are largely beyond the scope of this thread, as they are some of the most complicated provisions in the tax code.

    If you want to narrow the scope of your question, I’ll take a stab at it and identify some issues you can bring up with your CPA.
     
    #6544 Oranjello, Nov 24, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
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  45. soulfly

    soulfly Well-Known Member
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    This is all strictly taxes
     
  46. gocams

    gocams Well-Known Member
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    Welcome to the addictive drug we call passive income. Your situation is quite common and theres a goldmine of info for you at www.biggerpockets.com

    Assuming this is a traditional rental (no airbnb) then your income will flow through on your schedule E and not be subject to self employment taxes. You may get hit with a few other things like a 3% Obamacare surcharge. You get to deduct nearly all of your expenses associated with property (similar to a business) and start taking depreciation on your house.

    I'd strongly suggest you keep a separate bank account for the property and run absolutely every expense and your related income through the bank account. Then you can easily do a profit and loss at the end of the year which makes your tax return easy. Make sure you set up the account in the right name...

    Incorporate and form a single asset, single member LLC that is called a disregarded entity for tax purposes. Keeps tax return simple. However the incorporation can provide significant legal shielding (depending on state) for risk management purposes. Contract with PMs, tenants, banks, everyone in that LLC name. As an individual you dont exist.

    The active versus passive debate plays in if you are a high earner. Passive losses cannot offset income (like w2) above a certain threshold. Active it can. Typical rule of thumb is if you use a property management company and it's a side hustle...you are passive.

    If you are earning 1,000 bucks/mo over your PITI you are going to show income. Active versus passive is less critical in this scenario.

    Final thought. If you sell your primary residence within 3 years after living there, you can get the proceeds tax free. Hard to beat that return in any long term hold scenario if you have significant gains. Can even hold true with strong market appreciation.

    I'm not a cpa or lawyer but that should help get you pointed in the right direction.
     
  47. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    What does everyone do for their admins for Christmas?
     
  48. Gallant Knight

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    I’m going to pay an extra month of salary
     
  49. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    I don’t know if you’re underpaying your staff or my firm is overpaying.
     
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  50. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    I’m gonna give them some extra money. I’m thinking more along the lines of something materialistic. Amazon gift card? Bottle of wine? Omaha steaks? New deck of cards?