The adage “It’s not what you say, but how you say it” is true. In interviews you need to effectively communicate your professionalism both verbally and nonverbally. Valerie Fontaine and Roberta Kass discuss the importance of body language — both yours and your interviewer’s.
Posts on ‘March 6th, 2010’
Already Facing Larceny Charge, Lawyer Is Now Accused of Attempted Bribery
A New York lawyer previously charged with stealing $700,000 from real estate investors is now facing an attempted bribery charge after allegedly trying to pay off a Nassau County clerk to expedite his request for information on a property he was trying to close on. According to prosecutors, Frederic Powell put a $100 bill on the clerk’s counter and asked “if the process could be sped up.” When he was told it could not, he put another $100 bill on the counter, which was again rejected.
Panel Revives Royalties Suit Over Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic
Forty-seven years since “My Boyfriend’s Back” hit No. 1 on the music charts, a New York appellate court last week restored two of six claims accusing F.G.G. Productions, which produced the song, of failing to honor its contract to pay royalties. The lawsuit was brought by Phyllis Sirico, one of two sisters who sang backup for the Angels, and Peggy Davison, the group’s lead singer on “My Boyfriend’s Back.”
HIV Misdiagnosis Spurs D.C. Court of Appeals to Reconsider Emotional Damages Rule
The D.C. Court of Appeals has granted an en banc hearing in the case of a man who is seeking the right to sue for emotional damages after he was misdiagnosed with HIV. The plaintiff, who spent five years believing he had HIV after he was falsely diagnosed, said he suffered severe depression. The case could give the court a chance to rethink a longstanding precedent in medical malpractice cases, which holds that courts can only grant damages for emotional distress if the plaintiff had been in a “zone of physical danger.”
Fla. Insurance Case Could Set Precedent for Hurricane Claims
The Florida Supreme Court was asked Thursday to decide issues that may dictate the handling of hurricane claims, insurance payouts and deductibles. The case in dispute involves an $8.1 million federal verdict won by a Florida condo association against Australia-based QBE Insurance over its handling of a claim after Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The main issues: Does Florida recognize a claim for breach of implied warranty of good faith and fair dealing? If so, must the claim be brought after the fact like a bad faith claim?
Mercedes-Benz Hit With Large ‘Lemon Law’ Judgment
A judge has ordered Mercedes-Benz USA to pay $482,000 in damages and legal fees to a Wisconsin customer who was sold a defective car and not given a refund on time. The customer’s lawyer said he believes the judgment is the largest involving a single car under a state “lemon law,” which protects consumers who are sold junk cars. A Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman said the company is strongly considering an appeal.
Houston Judge Declares Death Penalty Unconstitutional
Houston Judge Kevin Fine last week granted a motion filed by defense
attorneys in a capital murder case and declared the death penalty
unconstitutional. “What he’s saying, and what the motion is saying, is
that you can’t administer the … death penalty fairly in Texas,” says
John Keirnan, a lawyer for the defendant. “This is the beginning of the
end of the death penalty in Texas.” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
called Fine’s action an example of “unabashed judicial activism.”
Witness Interviews Aren’t Privileged Work Product, Says Calif. Court
Witness statements recorded or taken in writing by attorneys or their representatives aren’t privileged work product and, therefore, are open to discovery, a divided California appellate court ruled Thursday. Surprisingly, the justices, including the dissenter, took the opportunity to harshly criticize a 14-year-old appellate ruling out of Sacramento that held just the opposite. The majority called it “cursory” and the dissent said the 1996 holding went “too far.”
Shareholders Cry Conflict of Counsel in Class Action Over Merck Merger
Law firm Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello faces conflict allegations over its projected $3.5 million fee for representing shareholders who obtained no monetary or equitable relief in a class action settlement over the merger of drug giants Merck and Schering-Plough. The lawyer for the class member opposing the settlement argues that certifying the class serves no purpose except to make Carella Byrne eligible for attorney fees. He also seeks sanctions against the firm for allegedly botching the suit.
Cravath May Represent Air Products in Takeover Bid for Airgas, Delaware Judge Rules
Cravath can continue representing Air Products in the company’s bid to acquire competitor Airgas, despite Airgas’ claims of conflict, a Delaware judge ruled Friday. Cravath had represented both companies for years and Airgas alleged the firm had confidential information about Airgas that could be used in assisting Air Products in its $5.1 billion takeover bid. The ruling comes about two weeks after a Pennsylvania federal judge said he would revisit Airgas’ damages claims against the firm after the Delaware judge ruled.