*Fort Bend Bar Association - CLE Presentation (1HR Ethics)-
Location: Pecan Grove Country Club - Ft. Bend – Richmond When: Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:00 – 1:00pm
If a non-member would like to attend:
- RSVP by sending an e-mail to Melinda Knight, Executive Director, at fortbendbar@comcast.net or by calling (281) 565-3634. The deadline is two days before the luncheon
- Cost is $25.00 cash or check - no credit cards
______________ *How to Start and Manage a Successful Consumer Law Practice - May 1, 2009 http://www.peopleslawyer.net/cle/
The Center for Consumer Law, in cooperation with the Houston Bar Association Consumer & Commercial Law Section and the National Association of Consumer Advocates, is proud to announce a free Friday afternoon CLE seminar to assist attorneys who desire to begin or improve a consumer law practice. The Seminar includes local, state, and national consumer law and marketing experts to help your consumer law practice succeed. Extensive materials will supplement the short program, providing even more information about how to: go out on your own, find clients, market your practice, and avoid malpractice traps. "How to Start and Manage a Successful Consumer Law Practice" will arm you with useful tools to both help you make money, while helping consumers. Best of all, this conference is FREE! However, you must pre-register to attend.
The conference will take place at the University of Houston Law Center on Friday, May 1, 2009 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Here is the tentative schedule:
Conference will be moderated by Jim McMillen.
12:30PM to 1:00PM
Beverages and snacks
1:00PM to 1:05PM
Welcome Richard Alderman
1:05PM to 1:45PM
Setting Up a Practice - Initial Thoughts Speakers: Rich Tomlinson, Mark Kincaid, Bob Gilbert
1:45PM to 2:20PM
Developing Client Relationships (Marketing) Speaker: Chris Kirby
2:20PM to 2:50PM
Finding and Using Mentors Speaker: Ira Rheingold
2:50PM to 3:00PM
Break
3:00PM to 3:30PM
How to Get Paid Speaker: Butch Cersonsky
3:30PM to 4:00PM
Legal Technology Speaker: Al Harrison
4:00PM to 4:05PM
Short Break
4:05PM to 4:35PM
Specialization and Partnering Speakers: Chris Leavitt, Dana Karni
4:35PM to 5:05PM
Doing it Ethically - Avoiding Malpractice Speaker: Bob Bennett
5:05PM to 5:15PM
Final Thoughts
_______________
Friday, March 13, 2009, Harris County Municipal Justice Bar Association, Robert Bennett and Lillian Hardwich are the presenters for this event and will be speaking on the matter of marketing and law firms. This presnetation is for CLE credit. If you wish to attend please contact our office at (713) 225-6000.
Because of Hurricane Ike, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog's
Annual Intercultural Dialog and Friendship Dinner has been moved to
November 25, 2008. Please RSVP at www.interfaithdialog.org/rsvp
Gulen Institute Luncheon Forum on October 7, 2008
The Changing Face of Houston: Tracking the Economic and Demographic Transformations Through 27 Years of Houston Surveys.
The Houston region recovered from the collapse of the oil-boom in the 1980s to find itself in the midst of a restructured economy and a demographic revolution. We review the findings from 27 years of the Houston Area Survey" (19822008) to measure these remarkable transformations and to consider their implications for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
IKE RECOVERY INFORMATION
Insurance
Information
Did Ike damage
your property? Here are some things to keep in mind when filing your
insurance claim:
Report your claim immediately.
Take pictures or video of all damage.
Make minor repairs to prevent further damage,
but save the major stuff for after an adjuster has a chance to check
it out.
Save all your receipts.
If you had flooding, disconnect electronics
and electrical appliances and move them to a dry place. Move damaged
household items to a dry area.
If you evacuated, call your agent and provide
a number where you can be reached.
If damage is extensive, be certain your
property is identified with your address. Put a plywood sign with your
address and the name of your insurance company in front of the
property. If you can't stay, leave a number where you can be reached.
Ask for references and verify those references
before picking a contractor.
Don't throw damaged property away until an
adjuster has looked at it. If you have to move it outside, go ahead.
If you have to dispose of items, keep a swatch or other sample.
Don't go home if authorities say it's not
safe.
Don't turn on the power right away if the area
or your home is flooded. Have an electrician inspect your home first.
You also should have your gas lines inspected (avoid open flames or
candles until you do) and have the plumbing checked.
Don't start a car that's been flooded. Hidden
water could make this a dangerous move and further damage the vehicle.
Dry out your car and other water-damaged items
to prevent mold. Some insurers don't cover mold.
Log conversations with your insurance company,
adjuster and agent.
If you hire a public insurance adjuster, make
sure the adjuster is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance.
Don't accept or sign for a final settlement if
you think you may be entitled to more.
If you think the damage to your home was
caused by the wind, rather than flooding, don't sign anything
describing the damage as flood damage.
If you experienced actual flooding and have
flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, file a
claim through the agent who sold you the policy.
If needed, complain to state regulators at
1-800-252-3439.
Companies have 15 days to start investigating
a claim after receiving notice, said Jerry Hagins, a spokesman for the
Texas Department of Insurance.
But the company may ask for more information
and has another 15 business days to accept or reject the claim once it
receives the information, though there are some exceptions.
Claims Numbers
Allstate
1-800-54-Storm (1-800-547-8676)
AAA
Texas
1-800-672-5246
Nationwide
1-800-421-3535
Farmers
1-800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764)
Farmers
Spanish-speaking customers can call 1-877-RECLAMO (1-877-732-5266)
Foremost Insurance
1- 800-527-3907.
Bristol West
Insurance 1- 800-274-7865.
Mercury Insurance
1-800-503-3724
State Farm 1-800
SF CLAIM (1-800-732-5246)
Travelers
Insurance 1-800-238-6225
USAA:1-800-531-8722
Texas Windstorm
Insurance Association 1-800-788-8247
Texas Fair Access
to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan 1-800-788-8247
•
Texas
Watch: 1-888-738-4226 (Staffed M-F, 9 am to 5 pm CST)
•
Texas
Attorney General: 1-800-252-8011
Updated list of distribution centers
The following
locations are Points of Distribution (PODs) supplying ice, water and meals
(MREs) for residents.
The POD sites will
be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
PLEASE NOTE THAT
THE POD SITE FORMERLY LOCATED AT BAKER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, 9700 SPENCER
HWY, LA PORTE IS NOW LOCATED AT SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY CENTER. HIGHLIGHTED
BELOW.
Old Kroger Location, FM 2920@HWY 249, Tomball
Greenspoint
Harvest
Time
Baptist
Church
, 17770
Imperial Valley
Community of Faith, 1023 Pinemont
Fountain of Praise, 13950 Hillcroft
Texas
Southern University, 3600 Rosewood at Scott
Ripley House, 4410 Navigation
Zion
Lutheran, 3606 Beauchamp
Jim Fonteno Courthouse Annex 14350 Wallisville,
Channelview
PAL Gym, 2910 E. Southmore,
Pasadena
New
Life
Fellowship
Church
, 2104 Underwood,
La Porte
San Jacinto
Community Center
, 604 Highland Woods,
Highlands
West Town Mall, 4100 Decker,
Baytown
Baytown
Courthouse Annex, 701 West Baker,
Baytown
Windsor
Village,
6000 Heatherbrook
Greater
Jerusalem
, 8901 Jensen
Raul C. Martinez Annex, 1001 S. Sgt. Macario
Garcia
Football Stadium, Center@San Augustine,
Deer Park
Second Baptist, 6400 Woodway
Bay
Area
Community Center,
5002 NASA Road One, Seabrook
Grace
Community
Church,
14505 Gulf Freeway
St.
Agnes Church,
3730 South Avenue
Pasadena
Memorial Stadium, 2906 Danbey & Burke
Metro Information
METRO has returned
to normal local bus service. Regular schedules will be followed on all
local routes and fares will be charged. Because many traffic signals are
down around the city, METRO asks that customers remain patient if their
bus arrives late.
METRO is now
running Park & Ride service on its normal schedule. However, due to
continuing electrical outages on the region's HOV-lane system, buses will
continue to operate on the main lanes.
Full power has
been restored to the METRORail line. However, five intersections along the
rail line are still without electrical power. Consequently, the traffic
signals at those intersections are not working. Train service will not be
restored until it is safe to do so.
METROLift resumes
normal operations Thursday with 1,650 trips already scheduled.
In the TMC, the
White and Blue shuttles began service Tuesday. The TMC Red Shuttle started
Monday.
The Changing Face of
Houston
: Tracking the Economic and Demographic Transformations Through 27 Years
of
Houston
Surveys.
The
Houston
region recovered from the collapse of the oil-boom in the 1980s to find
itself in the midst of a restructured economy and a demographic
revolution. We review the findings from 27 years of the Houston Area
Survey" (19822008) to measure these remarkable transformations and to
consider their implications for the challenges and opportunities that lie
ahead.
NEW!
Ashcroft Video entitled "GONZALES: Pressured Hospitalized
Ashcroft to OK Spying
"
NEW!
Support your local charities and see a great play all at the
same time! The Houston Bar Association is at it again with a brand new
Night Court production. This year's theme is pirates and the show will
be entitled"
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 11:30 a.m., Bob Bennett will be speaking
to the Katy Bar Association on "The New Grievance Procedures and
How They Will Affect Your Law Practice". If you wish further
information please contact our office at (713) 225-6000.
New Site! Come join Bob Bennett and other lawyers at www.lawlink.com! This website gives the opportunity for lawyers to communicate ideas with each other through forums and other services. Come join the ever growing community!
Thursday, October 25, 2007, Bob Bennett will be speaking to The Woodlands Bar Association on "The New Grievance Procedures and How They Will Affect Your Law Practice".
The PowerPoint that will be used for this presentation can be found here.
If you wish further information please contact our office at (713) 225-6000.
LinkOn Friday, October 19, 2007, Bob Bennett will be speaking at the Corporate Counsel Seminar in Dallas, Texas that is held at
Cityplace. He will be speaking on Ethical Issues and Malpractice Prevention. For further information please contact the office at (713) 225-6000.
The written material that was accompanied with this presentation can be
found here.
To view the PowerPoint of this presentation please click
here.
Link On Friday, October 12, 2007, Bob Bennett will speak at the Corporate Counsel Seminar in Houston, Texas that is held at the
Houston Club downtown. He will be speaking on Ethical Issues and Malpractice Prevention. For further information please contact the office at (713) 225-6000.
The written material that was accompanied with this presentation can be
found here.
To view the PowerPoint of this presentation please click
here.
HELP! I can't do it without YOU!
This year, I have the honor and plesure of participating in MDA's 2007 Downtown TELU to help "Jerry's Kids". To reach my goal I need your help!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 from 10:00am - 2:00pm at Morton's Steak House Bob Bennett will be taken away to jail for crimes of being too nice! I sincerely hope that you'll take the opportunity to support
MDA. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me.
Participant Page URL: Click here
On Monday, July 9, 2007, Bob spoke at the Houston Mexican Bar Association at Doneraki's Restaurant at the Gulfgate Center. He greatly enjoyed
to the opportunity. For more information on Mr. Bennett's grievance presentations, please contact us at 713.225.6000.
On Friday, July 6, 2007, Bob Bennett gave a grievance presentation at the Denton County Bar Association in
Cornith, TX just north of Dallas.
Over 70 lawyers were in attendance. For more information, please contact The Bennett Law Firm directly at 713.225.6000.
Drawculaw cast member Patricia Lin recently made her photos available on the web. They are from the Thursday night show. Click
here to view the pictures. Thanks to all who attended the shows over the weekend!
Fox 26 News recently promoted Night Court's "Draculaw" as part of their 8 am broadcast on Thursday, June 14! To view the segment, please click
here. Be sure to catch the show this weekend!
Lillian B. Hardwick, prominent ethics consultant and frequent expert witness for the Bennett Law Firm, was recently featured in the Houston
Chronicle for her work as an expert in the John O’Quinn case. O’Quinn was accused of improperly deducting $18.9 million in expenses from the
settlements he won for breast implant clients. To read the article, click here
.
On June 13-16, 2007 at the Hobby Center in downtown Houston, the Houston Bar Association staged its annual all-lawyer musical comedy known as
Night Court. This year's production was entitled "Draculaw." The Bennett Law Firm proudly worked backstage as part of
Night Court's stage crew this year! As usual, all proceeds from this event benefited the Houston Bar Association, Harris County STAR Family
Intervention Court Program, Harris County Criminal District Court's STAR Drug Program and Texas Children's Hospital's Pedriatric Heart Center.
For more information regarding the show, please read this article
from the HBA website.
On Tuesday, May 22, 2007, Dateline NBC ran a feature entitled "The Accused" which explored a murder case that
resulted in the wrongful conviction of two men in Ada, Oklahoma in 1982. NBC reporter Hoda Kotb interviewed author John Grisham, whose non-fiction work
based on the trial, The Innocent Man, has generated controversy in law enforcement circles. While Grisham accuses Pontotac D.A. William Peterson of
mishandling the case, Peterson defends his actions on his own website
. Look for more coverage of this news story
to be posted on our Bad Prosecutors blog.
Skip Cornelius, Of Counsel with The Bennett Law Firm, was recently featured in a Houston Chronicle article covering the trial of
Raymond Lee Shaw, a man accused of shooting an 11 year-old boy to death last week in Houston.
Sherri Katz and Bob Bennett recently composed an article to be published in Doctalk magazine,
a Texas physician advocacy publication. To read the article, click here. A copy can also be found on the publications page.
On Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Bob Bennett gave a presentation to Judge Leta Park's Family Law Class at South Texas School of Law.
He spoke on the grievance system as it relates to the practice of family law. For more information regarding this
speaking engagement, please contact Judge Parks directly at 713.755.5531 or The Bennett Law Firm at 713.225.6000.
Our latest blog, 'Bad Prosecutors' has just been
launched. Please bookmark and feel free to leave comments on the issues
discussed -
click
here to go to our BLOG
On Wednesday, March 21, 2007, Bob Bennett
gave a grievance presentation at the Beaumont Bar Association
in Beaumont, TX. Over 60 lawyers were in attendance, including two attorneys currently running for president of the State Bar of Texas. For more information,
please contact Mr. Wyatt D. Snider at 409.924.9595 or The Bennett Law Firm
at 713.225.6000.
Re-scheduled
On Thursday, March 15, 2007, Bob Bennett
will be a guest again on Dr. Rahn Bailey's program, "Good Psychiatry is Good Medicine," part of the
Voice America Health radio network.
The discussion is titled "Who Will Prosecute the Prosecutors? - What Happens When the Justice System
Runs Amuck?" with topics to include the Duke Lacrosse Scandal, Department of Justice U.S. Attorney
Scandals and more. Please join us for this engaging and informative broadcast. For further information,
please contact The Bennett Law Firm directly at 713.225.6000.
Clerk Jose Guerrero researched and wrote an article concerning physicians rights, liabilities, and recommended courses of action in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. To read the article, click
here. The article was published in the March issue of
Texas Family Physician magazine.
Renee Moeller and Bob Bennett composed an article pertaining to ethics charges incurred by former North Carolina
District Attorney Michael B. Nifong during the prosecution of the Duke sexual assault case. To read the article, click
here. A copy can also be found on the Firm Publications page.
Look for this article to be published in Texas Lawyer magazine in the near future.
On February 13, 2007, Bob Bennett
gave a grievance presentation at the Hays County Bar Association
in San Marcus, TX. For more information, please contact The Bennett Law Firm
directly at 713.225.6000.
On January 31, 2007, Bob Bennett
gave a presentation at the Matagorda County Bar Association's
monthly meeting at the Bay City Country Club. He spoke on
the grievance process and how to avoid it. For more information about
Bob Bennett's speaking engagements, please contact The Bennett Law Firm
directly at 713.225.6000.
Our new blog, 'Defend the Doc' has just been
launched. Please bookmark and feel free to leave comments on the issues
discussed -
click
here to go to our BLOG
On Wednesday,
January 10, 2006, Bob Bennett spoke to the Black Lawyers Association at
the George Carver Museum in Austin, TX. His
presentation focused on
the grievance process in relation to legal ethics."
October 31, 2006 - Mr. Bennett spoke at the Bates College of Law
at University of Houston Law Center on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 from 1:00
– 2:30 pm. Topic included grievance ethics, specifically in regard
to changes in the grievance process. For more information please
contact The Bennett Law Firm at 713-225-6000 or the University of
Houston Law Center at 713-743-2100.
September, 2006 - Bob Bennett
and Lillian Hardwick co-wrote an article for the San Antonio Bar
Association magazine, San Antonio Lawyer. Entitled "Risk
Avoidance and the Disciplinary Rules," the article explains what a
law firm compliance program is and why it is advisable. If a law firm
does not have such a program, it may have a heightened risk for
complaints with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the State
Bar of Texas, along with legal malpractice suits. The authors review
the applicability of the ABA Model Rules, Federal Sentencing Guidelines,
and potential changes to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional
Conduct to a law firm compliance program. Implementing such a program
may deter the filing of a grievance or expedite a favorable decision if
a filing does occur.
The Bennett Law Firm is a proud sponsor of the Doctors Orchestra of Houston, the newest community
orchestra in the United States having its origin in the health professions.
http://www.doctorsorchestrahouston.org/
August 17, 2005 - Ethics Seminar Present to Caddell & Chapman,
Houston, Texas. "How to Prevent Grievances and Legal Malpractice and
Still Make a Living," and "Anatomy of a Recusal," by Bob Bennett, The
Bennett Law Firm. June 29, 2005 - Porter and Hedges Ethics Presentation “How to Prevent Grievance & Legal Malpractice
& Still Make A Living” Presented by Robert S. "Bob" Bennett, The Bennett
Law Firm, P.C., Houston and Lillian B. Hardwick, Compliance and Ethics
Program for Law Firms, Attorney at Law. April 22, 2005 - “How to Prevent Grievance & Legal Malpractice
& Still Make A Living” Presented at South Texas College of Law’s Take A
Killer Expert Deposition Seminar at 1303 San Jacinto, Houston, Texas,
12:45-1:45 pm.
April 21, 2005 - “The New Grievance Process and How to
Avoid It” Presented to Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P. at 600 Travis, Suite
1600, Houston, Texas 77002, 12:00-1:00 pm.
April 20, 2005 - “The New Grievance Process and How to
Avoid It” Presented to Porter & Hedges, L.L.P. at 700 Louisiana, 35th Floor,
Houston, Texas 77002, 12:00-1:00 pm. April 12, 2005 - “Patient Privacy and Public Information -
Media Accessibility to Healthcare Facilities” Presented to: First
Annual Healthcare - Media Luncheon McAllen Country Club, McAllen, Texas.
March 30, 2005 - Phillips and Akers Ethics Presentation “How
to Prevent Grievance & Legal Malpractice & Still Make A Living”.
Presented by Robert S. "Bob" Bennett, The Bennett Law Firm, P.C., Houston
and Lillian B. Hardwick, Compliance and Ethics Program for Law Firms,
Attorney at Law.
March 23, 2005 - Adams and Reese Ethics Presentation. “How to
Prevent Grievance & Legal Malpractice & Still Make A Living” Presented by
Robert S. "Bob" Bennett, The Bennett Law Firm, P.C., Houston and Lillian B.
Hardwick, Compliance and Ethics Program for Law Firms, Attorney at Law.
March 4, 2005 - South Texas College of Law Personal Injury Law
Conference. “How to Prevent Grievance & Legal Malpractice & Still Make A
Living” Presented by Robert S. "Bob" Bennett, The Bennett Law Firm, P.C.,
Houston.
March 3, 2005 - “How to Prevent Grievance & Legal
Malpractice & Still Make A Living" Presented at South Texas College Law’s
Automobile Injury Conference at 1303 San Jacinto, Houston, Texas, 12:00-1:00
pm.
Feb 18, 2005 - “What Every Lawyer Should Know About the New
Grievance Procedures” Presented to Houston Bar Association Members at Harris
County Jury Assembly Bldg., 1019 Congress, Houston, Texas, 1:00-2:30 pm.
September 25, 2002 -
Taking and Defending
Effective Depositions - A one day seminar for attorneys
interested in maximizing their skills in taking and defending deposition -
September 25, 2002 - Houston, TX.
