Legal Lessons

References WEBSITES American Bar Association – www.abanet.org Choose the “General Public Resources” tab. American Association for Justice (AAJ), formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) https://www.justice.org/ Choose the “Advocacy” tab. State Bar Associations – Use your preferred search engine and search using the format “South Carolina (or appropriate other state) Bar Association” The…

SOURCES OF LEGAL INFORMATION SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina Bar 950 Taylor St. Columbia, SC 29202 Tel: (803) 799-6653 Fax: (803) 799-4118 www.scbar.org South Carolina Centers for Equal Justice P.O. Box 10706 FS Greenville, SC 29603 www.scceJ.org NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina Bar Association 8000 Weston Parkway Cary, NC 27513 Tel: (919) 677-0561 Fax: (919) 677-0761 North…

Many people realize that certain words used in a legal context may mean something different than they would in everyday usage. However, few realize how important it is to understand legal terms when they are used in a contract or other documents that affect their rights, duties, and legal interests. I strongly suggest that everyone…

This is the Introduction to my book, Never Lose Again, to be published soon. Please contact me or go to www.joelyles.com for more information on ordering your own copy of this valuable resource. Blessed are the peacemakers…Matthew 5:9 Everybody loves a winner. At least that is what popular culture would have us believe. Tiger Woods…Michael…

If you file a lawsuit, then you have the burden of proof. That means you must present enough testimony in court to convince the jury or judge that you should win. Exactly what you have to prove varies with the type of case. In a negligence case you must prove three points to win your…

There are three basic types of attorneys’ fees that typically are charged for professional legal services: Hourly fees Set fees Contingency fees An hourly fee is just what it sounds like, a fee charged for services performed, measured at an hourly rate. Hourly rates vary by type of legal services provided, skill and reputation of…

The best lawyer I ever knew, Ernest J. Howard, said, “Don’t buy your legal services the same way you buy your toilet paper.” What he was referring to were lawyers who advertise on television. While lawyer advertising may seem distasteful to some people, it is here to stay. However, do not simply pick the lawyer…

From the Business of Business section of How You Can Avoid Legal Land Mines by Joseph S. Lyles (2003). Samuel owned a small trucking company and was persuaded by a salesman to sign up for uniform rental services. These services included a regular pick-up of his employees’ dirty uniforms and a drop-off of laundered uniforms.…

From the Business of Business section of How You Can Avoid Legal Land Mines by Joseph S. Lyles (2003). A pair of businessmen retained my services to prepare a standard commercial lease. They were friends. Bill owned land and was paying to construct a metal building that Fred, his friend, was going to lease to…

From the Business of Business section of How You Can Avoid Legal Land Mines by Joseph S. Lyles (2003). Dave, who was an immigrant with limited formal education, bought a taco stand from a woman who made oral representations that the business was very profitable. She used an attorney to draw up a purchase contract…