Alan L. Sklover - Sklover Working Wisdom

“There is no one luckier than he who thinks himself so.”

– German Proverb

This is a pure and penetrating insight into the power of perspective. We can pity ourselves, we can enjoy ourselves, or we can empower ourselves, simply by how we choose to see ourselves. Have running water in your home? A clean bed to sleep in? Enough food? Perhaps even family and friends? Your health ok? Well, if you can get even close to completing that checklist, you are far, far ahead of most of humanity. And, too, probably far, far luckier than your grandparents were. So very much depends just on how you choose to see yourself.

This quote was submitted to us by Norma B., of Findlay, Ohio, who adds, with such sweetness, “Alan, I am lucky to have found you and your site.” Norma, I am lucky to have you part of this Blog Family, too.

If you would like to contribute a saying, proverb or quote, we’d love to receive it and share it with our Blog Family. To do so, just send it to “The Boss,” Vanessa@ExecutiveLaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

SkloverWorkingWisdom.com – Your Path to Dignity at Work™

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me.”

– Jim Valvano

All dads know the truth: being a father is all about giving. This is the day you hope to hear, just this once, “Thanks.” Hold on to that thought; it may be a year before you hear it again. Like my son, Sam, once told me, “Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only I don’t have to buy a present.” Oh, well…being a father is still my favorite hobby. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover All Rights Reserved. Commercial Use Prohibited.

“How do kids spell ‘love’? T. I. M. E.”

– Unknown

In this hectic, demanding, time-squeezed life we live, it is increasingly the case that we give to those at work, and shortchange those in our personal lives, especially the little ones, who need our time and attention. It’s tough to choose, but it’s also important to pause and think about how we can accomplish both. Are there not times that could be given more to children and less to work? Come to think of it, let’s add seniors, infants and everyone in between who are in our lives; they all spell ‘love’ T.I.M.E. When I see a family of four sitting in a restaurant . . . all texting or otherwise relating to their cell phones, I cringe. Want to live a good life? Just do what is good. Give those who you care about more time. And, I assure you . . . it is a gift to yourself, as well.

This quote was submitted to us by Sheryl K. of Port St. Joe, Florida, who found our site just a few short weeks ago. Welcome to you, Sheryl.

If you would like to contribute a saying, proverb or quote, we’d love to receive it and share it with our Blog Family. To do so, just send it to “The Boss,” Vanessa@ExecutiveLaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

SkloverWorkingWisdom.com – Your Path to Dignity at Work™

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.

 
“Be careful who you trust – The devil was once an angel”

– Unknown

ACTUAL CASE HISTORIES: Wendy hired an attorney to represent her in a lawsuit against a former employer. Her agreement with the attorney said that attorney would represent her on a “contingency” basis, meaning that the attorney would be paid only if the lawsuit was successful, and then he would be entitled to 1/3 of the proceeds.

The lawsuit was settled for $90,000, and so Wendy expected that she would receive $60,000 (that is, 2/3 of $90,000), and the attorney would get $30,000 (that is, 1/3 of $90,000). It turned out that the lawyer got his $30,000, but Wendy only received $40,000. How come? The other $20,000 went to pay the expenses of litigation.

Les also hired a lawyer to represent him in a lawsuit against his former employer. He also agreed to a 2/3 split for Les and 1/3 split for the lawyer. The case was, unfortunately, dismissed in favor of the employer. So, the lawyer got nothing, and Les got nothing . . . but Les did receive something a few weeks later: a bill for $25,000 for the expenses of the lawsuit. How come? That is what the attorney’s retainer provided for, unbeknownst to Les. Les even lost money on his “contingency fee” case.

In both cases, each of the lawyers’ retainer agreements provided that the client was responsible for the expenses of the lawsuit, whatever that came to. Sad, because it might have said something different if Wendy and Les had noticed it, and asked to change it.

“Clients beware.”

LESSONS TO LEARN: In any relation involving money, it is important to the success of the relation to enter into a clearly written and fully understandable agreement on all of the terms and conditions of the relation. Nowhere is that more important than in the attorney-client relation.

A lawyer’s retainer agreement is a contract, and should be no less clear and no less understandable than any other contract; maybe more so, especially if they anticipate lawsuits, which can be heavily burdened by costs and expenses.

“Contingency Fee” means “A fee comprised of a percentage of payments received, if any.” While you might think that it suggests “payments received after expenses are taken off the top,” it does not say that. It says nothing at all about costs and expenses.

Costs and expenses of a lawsuit commonly include: (a) Court filing fees; (b) process server fees; (c) expert witness fees; (d) Court reporter costs; (e) photocopying costs; (f) messenger and postage costs; (g) costs related to obtaining medical, government and school records; (h) transcript costs; and lots, lots others. In some cases, they end up being in the many tens of thousands of dollars. And, as noted above, if you lose your lawsuit, you just might also have to pay your employer’s legal costs. BIG OUCH!!

The need to raise – and clarify – this issue early on is important. So many clients get mentally and emotionally distracted in the process of hiring legal counsel; others get intimidated. This particular point often gets lost in the process, but is an important one to focus on before the onset of the attorney-client relation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: When hiring an attorney, make sure you understand the attorney’s retention agreement. Especially if you are considering hiring an attorney on a “contingency” basis, make sure you understand who “swallows” the expenses. Don’t just focus on the possible amount of money to come your way; focus, too, on the amount of money that may leave your wallet, related to expenses.
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“When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for people telling you that you are nuts.”

– Larry Ellison, Founder of Oracle Corporation

Whether you “see things others don’t,” “dance to the beat of a different drummer,” are “ahead of your time,” or have a rather odd “vision” of how things work, or should work, you are almost by definition a “nut.” That’s what they told Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Steve Jobs of Apple, Albert Einstein and each and every other “nutty” innovator, creator and ground breaker. Don’t fear it, but rather, embrace it. Lots of lawyers tell me I am “nuts” for maintaining this website, but they just don’t see what I do, and what the many people each day who send me wonderful notes do, too. Nuts . . . unite!

This quote was submitted to us by Helaine B. of Long Beach, California, who reports that she recently learned of this website, and wishes she did so years ago. Helaine, welcome and thank you . . . better late than never.

If you would like to contribute a saying, proverb or quote, we’d love to receive it and share it with our Blog Family. To do so, just send it to “The Boss,” Vanessa@ExecutiveLaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

SkloverWorkingWisdom.com – Your Path to Dignity at Work™

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.