Chuck Newton

Jiffy Lube Law Blog

I am trying out a new blog on Solo Practice University.  Some of the articles are re-purposed from the years of work and the, approaching 2,000 posts, on this blog.  However, the blog will be more tightly focused on highlighting the niche practice of law, and mainly to provide examples of niche practices as I find the.  It is called JIFFY LUBE LAW, as it reflects the basis of what is a profitable and desirable niche.  You can visit Jiffy Lube Law by CLICKING HERE.  I would encourage you to take a look and add it to your blog reader.

1,700 And Growing

This blog has surpassed 1,700 posts.  That is a lot of content.  It represents a good deal of time and a whole lot of thought.  But, I appreciate your readership.

As It Turns Out It Is Legal For A Lawyer To Blog And Make A Living In Texas

I have blogged about this before, but I thought you might like to know how it turned out.  A lawyer in one of my cases (whose name I will not mention because ultimately I do not want to embarrass the lawyer), filed an affirmative defense stating that I should not allow to recover attorneys' fees and costs in my case because I have a practice blog and URL of StayViolation.Com.  The lawyer followed this up with a motion to dismiss my lawsuit in which he repeated, as part of that motion, this defense.  I had to file a response to his motion to dismiss, but I got upset and filed a motion to require him to strike the scandalous matter for his pleading.  I tend to think it was a your's stinks and mine does not defense because this lawyer maintains his own practice are website, as do most attorneys appearing in federal court.  I also filed a motion to dismiss his counterclaim based on what is essentially Rule 11 of the Federal Rules.  We wasted hours in briefing and appearing in Court.  In accordance with my brief the Court agreed this is a free speech issue that does not have its place the the litigation.  The Court ordered that the scandalous issue be stricken and the pleading amended to remove it.  He also dismissed the attorneys' counterclaim, but denied opposing counsel's motion to dismiss my client's lawsuit.  Sadly, the relationship between counsel continues to be strained.  However, to those who were wondering, it is still legal to maintain a practice blog and still get paid, at least in the federal courts in Texas.

I Have Been Busy Collaborating

I have not blogged much in the last week (at least not here) because I have been attempting to think through a new practice area.  In doing so I discovered something new as to how I used blogs and email.

Is Blogging Sanctionable? You Have Got To Love Some Lawyers.

I am all for creative arguments and rational interpretation of the laws.  But, you have got to love some lawyers in how far they will go to discredit the other side.  I have calmed down much since my younger years about what I consider outrageous arguments in pleadings.  I try to take thinks as they happen, brief and argue accordingly for my position.  However, what some attorneys will plead still amazes me. 

I Needed A Little Change

I was getting a little tired of the old vs. new theme of my old banner, so I changed it a little.  Well, maybe a lot.  It is a matter of perspective, is it not?  Besides, what I and many other attorneys do every single day is ride the Third Wave.  Besides, I figure if Ernie The Attorney and Basquette Case can change their imagery on a whim, then I could as well.  Hope you like it.  If not, I hope you do not hate it too much.

Solo Lawyer: The New Blog On The Block

There is a new blog on the block advising solo attorneys and those who want to go solo.  Rick Georges, publisher of the ever popular Future Lawyer, has developed a companion specifically geared to us loners, Solo Lawyer.  I have been asked to, and I have, contributed to this site with a detailed post called, Going Solo:  Do You Have What "It" Takes?  My post, which includes my ugly old mug, tries to offer you much useful and practical advice in going out on your own, and especially in moving or starting your practice at home.  Please stop by and read my post and review Rick's new site.  There just cannot be enough resources for attorneys who wish to start or continue with solo practices.  Thank you Rick.

Visit My Political Page

You cannot much comment on the practice of law and the Third Wave without being at least someone attuned to the politics of the day.  Everything it does effects us in so many ways.  This is especially true of solo practitioners and Third Wave lawyers.  Health insurance issues, retirement, the issues concerning access to the Internet, telephony, are all subjects and debates raging right now that dramatically impact our practices.  It is difficult to discuss one without the other, for it does not matter what you want to do if there are politicians, parties and groups out there trying to deprive you of the tools necessary to practice as you wish.  You do not have to agree with me on political issues.  That is not the point.  It is the debate that is important, and I want at least something to do with that debate.  I want to put my two cents in from time to time.  That said, I have tried not to do so much on this blog because that is not the direct purpose.  Therefore, I have created My Political Page for this purpose.  I encourage you to visit it.

I Recieved An Honorable Mention By Peter Olson's Solo In Chicago

Spare Room Tycoon received an honorable mention in Peter Olson's Solo In Chicago blog.  Be sure to check it out along with Peter Olson's complete blog and posts.  I refer to his blog often.  Peter is a lawyer practicing in Chicago and he also has a practice blog, which I refer to sometimes as well, Closing Real Estate In Chicago.  Of Peter's most recent posts I have especially appreciated Total Customer Experience.

Remember, The General Election Is Around The Corner And You Need To Vote For Those Who Want To Democratize Technology

POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT

I try not to get too political on this blog site, but sometimes it is necessary.  No matter what you think of all of the social issues or the War in Iraq, in order for a Third Wave law firm to survive the democratizing of technologies needs to survive.  The lawyernistas, capitalist, and the second wavers (those with millions of dollars to burn on lobbying and large campaign contributions and attack ads) are fighting to take access away from us, or at least to severely limit it, or to make it cost prohibitive.  Most of those in Congress that are against net neutrality and are for the taxation of the Internet are Republicans.  Maybe this is just because they are the one's in power and receive the big checks, but the fact remains that in order to stop this movement for now these incumbents must be defeated.  Please do what you can.  You can visit my political site Liberal Sum' Bitch to follow these issues and other issues.