A Client Profile:  Richard Lederer . . . Author, Speaker, Columnist, Teacher

Part of the fun of practicing law is getting to know so many unique people. JG&W is fortunate to represent not only major corporations, but some of the area’s most interesting individuals.  With the “express permission” of our client, we thought you might like to know what one of them does.

Richard Lederer is New Hampshire's English language ambassador to the world.  Richard taught at St. Paul's School for 27 years and got his first break with the 1987 publication of “Anguished English,” the biggest selling book on English humor in history.

After the publication of “Anguished” Rich confided to friends: “I don’t have another book in me,” but somehow he has managed to pen twelve (12) more books.

As enjoyable as his books are, he has become one of the foremost speakers in the country.  He makes approximately 150 appearances each year for fund raisers, corporations, academic groups, and library associations.  Recent appearances have included Bristol Myers-Squibb, Lexmark, American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, the International Reading Association, National Council of Teachers of English, and various state bar, library, reading, writing, and journalism associations.

His talks and workshops about language and writing have been called “as much a performance as a presentation,” “a dazzling combination of information and entertainment,” and “learning dressed up to have fun.”

Lederer was elected 1989 International Punster of the Year by the International Save the Pun Foundation.  If you have never heard Rich speak, you should make it a New Year's Resolution to do so.  However, you will have to act fast since, sadly, Rich and his lovely wife, Simone van Egeren, are moving to San Diego.  As lawyers, fellow tennis players and avid readers, we’ll miss Rich.  You can stay in touch with Rich at his Web site: www.pobox.com/~verbivore.



We’ve Hit The Big Time!
Legal Ease was recently cited in Elaine Floyd’s Marketing With Newsletters, as an example of great newsletter names.  Ms. Floyd, a St. Louis-based author, newsletter expert and consultant has written numerous books on newsletters and public relations.  Marketing With Newsletters, a 300-page resource guide, is in its second edition, having sold over 20,000 first edition copies.

JG&W is proud to say we’re in good company.  Other newsletters cited belong to Citibank, UPS, Cellular One, The Franklin Group of Funds, and Ernst & Associates.

We hope you continue to enjoy our look on the law.



Don’t Let a Car Accident Ruin the New Year:

10 things to do if you have a car accident:

1. Stop! It’s a crime to leave.
   
2. See if anyone is hurt and call an ambulance.
   
3. Call the police.
   
4. Exchange information with the other driver—name, address, phone number, license number, insurance carrier, policy number and agent.
   
5. Get the same information as above from any passengers.
   
6. Get information on the driver’s car, make, model, year, license plate number, and expiration date on plate.
   
7. Obtain the names and addresses of any witnesses and a statement of what they saw.
   
8. Diagram the area and indicate the posted speed limit and any unusual physical features.
   
9. Do not admit fault to anyone.
   
10. Notify your insurance company and call Jordan, Gfroerer & Weddleton.
    

This New Year, Leave Your Family Over a Million Dollars Tax Free!
Obviously, you need a million first, but you’d be surprised how fast your net worth can add up when you consider your home, retirement benefits and life insurance.

If a surviving spouse leaves a taxable estate valued at $1,200,000, Uncle Sam may levy a tax of $235,000.  With a little New Year planning, we can save your estate up to $235,000 in unnecessary taxes.  For details call Attorney David Jordan at (603) 228-1151 or e-mail him at jordan@granitelaw.com.



Not Without Consent!
Have you ever been tempted to secretly tape-record someone’s conversation, even as a joke?  News correspondent John Stossel and four (4) other ABC employees were criminally charged with illegally tape-recording a person for their program.

New Hampshire is one of twelve (12) states that bar tape-recording a conversation without permission.  It is a Class-B Felony with a maximum prison term of seven (7) years.



10 Legal Resolutions for 1997

1. Get a Will or update an old one.
   
2. Appoint a designated driver when socializing.
   
3. At least once a month, do something nice for your spouse.
   
4. Check insurance coverages to make sure you are adequately covered.
   
5. Consult an attorney when your insurance company says you are not covered.
   
6. Don’t put McDonald’s hot coffee between your legs.
   
7. Refuse to watch any more O.J. coverage.
   
8. Attend a session at Concord District Court.
   
9. Welcome the opportunity to serve on a jury.
   
10. Submit at least one lawyer joke (in good taste) to JG&W.
    

I Rest My Case
Some cases are just stinkers!  The Iowa Supreme Court decided that a worker who strained his back going to the bathroom could not collect workers' compensation benefits because going to the bathroom was not a hazard associated with the workplace.

Workers who are hurt must do more than show the injury happened at work—they must show a casual connection between the job and the injury.



Lawyer Joke of the Month
What happened to the banker who went to law school?  She became a loan shark.



More Self-Serving News . . .
Roy Weddleton recently assisted in the sale of the NH Centennial Home to Someplace(s) Different, a unique development company that only focuses on historically or architecturally significant properties.  By early June, the Home will become the “Centennial Inn,” with a fine dining restaurant and unique two and three-bedroom suites.  The high quality of this project represents a win-win for Concord, the Centennial Trustees and the neighbors.