Monthly Archives: November 2021

Incivility gets a footnote!

In a Family Court custody case in Maine centered around one parties refusal to follow the science and vaccinate the children, a footnote appeared that is worth reading.

We feel obligated to address the unprofessional nature of the brief filed by Michelle’s attorney. Besides engaging in selective editing of the guardian ad litem’s report, the brief does not reflect the standards of civility that we expect because it is filled with intemperate language and unsupported allegations. For example, Michelle’s brief refers to parts of Joshua’s brief as “arrogant[]” and “egocentric, self-serving, and nonsensical”; calls Joshua’s argument about the best interests of the children “slanderous” and “false and defaming”; and makes an unsupported allegation that Joshua’s attorney became “incensed” when the trial court did not take judicial notice of the CDC’s “proclamations.” This type of uncivil language is never acceptable, see Key Equip. Fin., Inc. v. Hawkins, 2009 ME 117, ¶¶ 22-23, 985 A.2d 1139, but is particularly harmful here because the parties already have a long history of strife. Attorneys should seek to reduce heated rhetoric between parties in litigation, not fan the flames of conflict.

The full case can be found at: https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/sjc/lawcourt/2021/21me060.pdf

BREAKING NEWS

The Friday Blitz is back!!! and in person!  Join today and be partnered with a local lawyer to help draft and respond to questions posted online by the public. Some questions are serious and some are just plain nuts! Always entertaining and always something to learn

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0445a8a82ea1fc1-friday

The big news is that we welcome 1L’s, you have survived exams and know enough to be quite valuable as a member of a team.  

TAKE NOTE: WE START AT 11 ( LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED) AND WILL END WHEN WE REACH ZERO QUESTIONS REMAINING OR 5:00, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST!

 

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Death and taxes!

Both are inevitable. We can work on avoiding death and staying well but taxes….  The first step is to better understand the tax system!  and the best way to understand the system is to help others navigate the process.

1.And you know you want to do pro bono work!

2.You also want to hone your interviewing skills. The solution to address 1. &2. is VITA

Yes, being a part of the VITA team could mean that you never deal with a tax return but you are a vital link to gathering the information and explaining things to clients.

Learn more about the many levels for volunteers with VITA by joining us on Nov. 16th

Soup Update

The aroma therapy from 16 different soups was enticing on Nov. 3rd. And many of you were enticed and donated over $850 to Harvest Hope Food Bank.

We are still accepting donations! Drop by cash or checks ( made out to Harvest Hope Food Bank)

Trophies awarded                                                                                                                              Children’s Choice– Kid tested and parent approved-Haley Kiser, Cheeseburger Soup                Dare to Be Different- Novel use of ingredient- Prof. Dan Brachmann- Creamy Watercress Soup                                                                                                                                                                                              Dec. 10th-Greatest potential to bring comfort- Professor Jaclyn Cherry- Blackbean- potato

People’s Choice– The soup most loved across all categories- Riley Lerner, for her Farmer’s Soup

Enjoy the photos.