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The major Arizona law firm of Jennings Strouss & Salmon was placed into a receivership on August 22 and announced that its (few remaining) doors will close Thursday, August 31.

Judge Christopher Coury signed the receivership order August 22, after it was agreed to by the firm, PNC Bank and the landlord (Red Cityscape). The receiver will be Jeremiah Foster at Resolute Commercial Services.

In this sort of situation (where the company is closing its doors), a receivership is much like a bankruptcy with a trustee in place. The Receiver will be responsible for collecting the monies owed by JSS’s…
Continue Reading Major Arizona law firm placed into receivership, closing doors

erika-fletcher-9vyP8yTtVs8-unsplash youth swingset carnival ride Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash
Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash

“Today is the youngest you’ll ever be, so live like it” encapsulates a powerful reminder to embrace the present moment and make the most of your life. In a world that often encourages you to plan for the future or dwell on the past, this statement encourages a shift in perspective towards living in the now. Each passing day brings you closer to the future, and as time moves forward, your opportunities and experiences continue to evolve. This notion urges you to seize the day, take chances, and cultivate a mindset of enthusiasm and vigor.

Living in the present doesn’t…
Continue Reading Today is the youngest you’ll ever be – live like it

phillip-glickman-2umO15jsZKM-unsplash bot robot AI Photo by Phillip Glickman on Unsplash
Photo by Phillip Glickman on Unsplash

I bet you didn’t know that you need to train your mediator bot.

This didn’t occur to me until I read this Washington Post article about biases in artificial intelligence (AI) apps.

The article includes eight (!) references to bot training.

In my post, Avatar Mediation, I speculated about a future market for mediation bots.  Mediation is supposed to be unbiased.  So we need to train our bots well.

The first part of this post discusses the nature and causes of bot biases.

The second part analyzes the significance of the editor’s framing of the story in its headline,…
Continue Reading Training your mediator bot

ed-hardie-1C5F88Af9ZU-unsplash malware Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash
Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash

Links serve an important purpose in connecting online content to other relevant sources and information. They are also an important element in search engine optimization (SEO). The quality of links to and from your law firm website can boost your online presence and search rankings or damage your website’s credibility and SEO. Unfortunately, law firm website link schemes could be in place—creating affiliations between your website and others—without your law firm or website manager’s knowledge.

This blog is the second in a two-part series that explains what link schemes are, the risks of link schemes for lawyers, how…
Continue Reading Law firm website link schemes: IDing and handling harmful links

scott-graham-OQMZwNd3ThU-unsplash will estate planning Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

There is a common misconception that estate planning is only necessary for people who are married or have children. However, if you have any assets and pass away without a Last Will and Testament or a trust, your possessions, including your hard-earned savings, will be distributed according to the State of Arizona’s intestacy laws. That is why, even if you are single without any children, you may want to consider discussing your situation with an experienced estate planning lawyer at Harrison Law, PLLC, by calling (480) 320-2310. Our knowledgeable legal professionals can provide guidance on the basics of estate…
Continue Reading Estate planning for a single person

d-jonez-jj4x2mlEYQ0-unsplash happiness Photo by D Jonez on Unsplash
Photo by D Jonez on Unsplash

Happiness is a deeply fulfilling and enriching emotion that can be attained through various means, but one of the most profound sources of happiness is found in giving of yourself. When you extend your kindness, generosity, and support to others, you experience a sense of purpose, connection, and joy that is unparalleled.

Giving of yourself fosters meaningful connections and builds stronger relationships. When you selflessly give your time, attention, and resources to others, you establish bonds based on trust, empathy, and mutual support. These connections bring a sense of belonging and fulfillment, as you witness the positive impact you can…
Continue Reading Happiness comes from giving of yourself

aaron-burden-y02jEX_B0O0-unsplash pen writing Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Justice Kagan’s opinions are such target–rich environments for good techniques that I keep coming back. A few more I noticed in the past couple of weeks:

18. Change the grammatical structure mid-stream.

Rhetoriticians call this technique “anacolouthon” (from the Greek meaning “it does not follow”), in which the author/speaker interrupts herself and changes the grammatical structure of a sentence part way through. It is useful to emphasize something through an aside or exclamation:

“And if all that leaves the tiniest doubt—well, still we are not done.” Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. v. Hewitt, 598 U.S. 39, 55 n.
Continue Reading Writing like Justice Kagan, Part IV

kim-gorga-2Zl80uqruUU-unsplash expungement eraser Photo by Kim Gorga on Unsplash
Photo by Kim Gorga on Unsplash

Historically, Arizona has been unique in that it did not allow people who were convicted of crimes to expunge their criminal records; instead, they could only ask to have them set aside. The setting aside of a record does not erase it or seal it from public view, but it can still have many benefits. Under a new law, however, expungements are available for qualifying individuals as of January 2023.
What Does it Mean to Set a Criminal Record Aside?
Having a criminal record set aside means that a note will be added to the record stating that the individual…
Continue Reading Arizona’s set aside law and criminal expungement

nelly-antoniadou-9X1P46Y2KJo-unsplash telework work from home Photo by Nelly Antoniadou on Unsplash
Photo by Nelly Antoniadou on Unsplash

In-person work has several benefits for both employees and employers, but hybrid work – a mix of in-person and remote work – also has its advantages. One of the primary benefits of in-person work is the opportunity for face-to-face collaboration and communication, which can lead to increased creativity, problem-solving, and productivity. Being able to meet in person can also help build stronger relationships among team members, leading to a more cohesive and effective team overall.

In-person work also allows for better mentorship and training opportunities, as employees can learn directly from their colleagues and superiors. This can be especially valuable…
Continue Reading In-person vs. hybrid work – no right answer

joakim-honkasalo-GZa4QFmv0Zg-unsplash Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on Unsplash
Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on Unsplash

Curiosity is an essential human trait that drives us to learn new things, explore the world around us, and seek out new experiences. Being curious and having a desire to learn makes life more interesting and can help you to go far in life. Curiosity drives us to ask questions and seek out new information, which can lead to new insights and understanding. It can also help you to stay engaged and motivated, and can lead to new opportunities and experiences. Encouraging a sense of curiosity in yourself and others can be a great way to foster a love of…
Continue Reading Endless curiosity will take you far

Old Library at Trinity College
Old Library at Trinity College

Have you seen a picture of this library?  It is one of the most iconic historically preserved libraries in the world.  The Old Library at Trinity College was one of many pictures that I’d downloaded as part of a “Library Wallpapers” image bundle for my computer’s desktop when I started this job years ago.  When I am not working in a library, I dream of visiting famous libraries all around the world (which is how you know I’m made for this job). My wife and I had the opportunity to visit Dublin, Ireland last year, so I’m going to share…
Continue Reading The Old Library at Trinity College

amy-hirschi-uwpo02K55zw-unsplash Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash
contract agreement Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

As businesses grow, the number of contracts they need to create tends to increase — as does the potential for legal errors and other risks. A useful way to manage risk is to use a variety of contractual tools that specifically address the issues of a particular business.

Types of Contract Risks
Before considering the various options for tools, it is important to consider the types of contract risks businesses typically face.
Lack of Consistency
Consistency achieves much more than cohesion among contracts. When contracts are inconsistent, there is a greater likelihood they will fail to be compliant with local, …
Continue Reading Contractual tools to manage risk

glenn-carstens-peters-npxXWgQ33ZQ-unsplash typing Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Pending before the Arizona Supreme Court is a petition to change court rules and dispense with the table of citations in state briefs. According to the full petition,

The Table of Citations is no longer needed to help a reader navigate to a particular cited source because most briefs are filed in electronic format with searchable text. Cumulatively, appellate litigants spend an unjustifiable amount of time and resources creating Tables of Citations.

The authors claim that readers now use “searchable text and hyperlinks to navigate the brief and locate cited authorities,” rather than the table. The tables, are incredibly…
Continue Reading Should courts dispense with the Table of Authorities?

jackie-boylhart-x4Ln13R0c4c-unsplash Supreme Court SCOTUS Photo by Jackie Boylhart on Unsplash
Photo by Jackie Boylhart on Unsplash

In the novel Guy Mannering, Sir Walter Scott wrote that a “lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect.” As lawyers and especially as appellate advocates, we aspire to creating an edifice where the rule of law governs and not simply the politics of the day. We seek to design the law to withstand political winds while capable of change though remaining true to rules and standards that sensibly apply regardless of the ascendant ideologies.

It is not an easy task,…
Continue Reading A call for law over politics

morgan-housel-PcDGGex9-jA-unsplash wealth Photo by Morgan Housel on Unsplash
Photo by Morgan Housel on Unsplash

When accumulating a valuable portfolio of assets, investments, and money, it is essential to ensure the wealth passes to future generations. An estate plan protects your legacy by leaving that intergenerational wealth to your loved ones. With these plans, children and grandchildren will not have to worry about housing, medical care, or educational needs. Many individuals have carefully invested and saved their money throughout their lives. Now is the time to think about intergenerational wealth and your estate plan. Contact Harrison Law, PLLC to learn more about planning options by calling (480) 320-2310.
Estate Plans Can Benefit All Families
According…
Continue Reading Intergenerational wealth and your estate plan

chris-liverani-dBI_My696Rk-unsplash medical chart Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash
Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash

Beginning in 2014, many of you probably read my blog regarding having a checkup for you and, if you have one, your business. This does not involve the doctor, but it does involve all the other professionals in your personal and business life. Based on the positive feedback, I have made this an annual tradition.

Some of you said “What a great idea. I am definitely going to do that.” Others said “Sounds like a good idea, maybe I will look into that.” Another response was “I wish I had thought about this before the end of the year or…
Continue Reading Annual checkup time for you, your company