Gallagher & Associates Law Firm 
Client Matters
 
January 2011
2011
2010 Year in Review 

The past year was rather eventful in both a global and national context.  Here are some of the top stories from 2010.

 

-BP Oil Spill

On April 20 the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that killed 11 began the flow of gushing crude oil.  It took 86 days to cap and Americans were able to watch the live feed from the ocean floor.  It was the worst spill in marine history and the damages are still being fully assessed.  

 

-Haiti Earthquakes

On January 12, Haiti was rocked with a catastrophic earthquake that measured 7.0.  By January 24 at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded.  An estimated three million people were affected by the quake. The Haitian government reported that an estimated 230,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured and 1,000,000 were homeless.  They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.  The word responded with a massive and historic relief effort.

 

-World Cup

 

The 2010 FIFA World Cup took place in South Africa over the summer, the first time an African nation hosted the World Cup. The matches were played in ten stadiums in nine host cities around the country, with the final played at the Soccer City stadium in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg.  In the final, Spain, defeated the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time, Host nation South Africa, 2006 world champions Italy and 2006 runners-up France were eliminated in the first round of the tournament.  The United States advanced to the second round, but lost ending its bid for the World Cup.

-Foreclosures & Economy

The economy and foreclosure crisis includes the widespread epidemic of improper foreclosures initiated by large banks and other lenders. The foreclosure crisis was extensively covered by news outlets beginning in October 2010, and several large banks, including Bank of America, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup have responded by temporarily halting their foreclosure proceedings in some or all states.   

 

-Arizona Immigration Law

The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act (introduced as Arizona Senate Bill 1070 and thus often referred to simply as Arizona SB 1070) is a legislative act in the Arizona that is the broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration and resulted in great controversy. Legal challenges over its constitutionality and compliance with civil rights law were filed, including one by the United States Department of Justice.

       

-Chilean Miner's Rescue

In August 2010, a cave-in occurred at the San Jos� copper-gold mine in Chile. The accident left 33 men trapped 2,300 feet below ground.  The miners survived underground for a record 69 days and all 33 were rescued and brought to the surface in a custom made pod.  The total cost of the rescue operation was estimated at $20 million.

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2011 Popular New Years Resolutions
By: Erika Mariz

 

As 2010 comes to an end, it's time to review the past year and reflect on how we can improve ourselves in the coming year. Upon scouring the Internet, I started to notice a pattern of common New Year's Resolutions. Some of the most popular New Year's resolutions I found were:

1.      Time with family & friends

2.      Start exercising

3.      Lose weight

4.      Quit smoking

5.      Quit drinking (or drink less)

6.      Get organized

7.      Manage debt and finances

8.      Save money

9.      Start a new job or business

10.   Continue your education

11.   Learn to manage stress

12.   Enjoy life more

13.   Sleep more

14.   Volunteer

15.   Travel 

With regard to the first resolution, an easy way to accomplish this task is to designate one night a family or friends' night. There are many activities that can be done together to accomplish this goal by making a game night, dinner night, movie night, crafts night, book club night, or even an exercise night! (Then you can knock out resolutions two and three from the list).

Dieting and exercise are popular resolutions that go hand in hand. Unfortunately, with the holiday season comes plenty of post-holiday guilt due to all those extra calories that were consumed (but they were worth it!). Thus, the New Year is the perfect time to start eating healthy and to start getting fit. Only 30 minutes a day a few times a week can lead to significant improvements to your health and waist line.

In these times of economic turmoil, some popular resolutions are to learn to manage your money, learn to manage stress, and enjoy life more. Start out the year by making a budget and by analyzing your debt. As for stress management, it might be a good idea to try yoga or otherwise learn how to meditate since these are effective ways to reduce your stress levels. Finally, consider keeping a positive attitude to learn how to enjoy life more. We're only here for a short amount of time, and you don't want to wait until it's too late to start enjoying the life you have.

Whatever resolutions you choose, good luck!

        ___________________________

It's Manatee Season
By: Gabriel Mariz  
Gabriel                                              

Would you like a place where you could visit with your family during winter? If so, come on down to the Manatee Viewing Center located at Tampa Electric's Big Power Bend on 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572.

 

If you go, you can observe the sea cows that we know and love as manatees in the waters of Tampa Electric's Big Power Bend. You can also visit the mangrove exhibit, butterfly gardens, an expanded gift shop, and Tampa Electric's largest installation of solar panels. Parking and admission is free, so if you like manatees, you better come before they leave in spring. Tampa Electric's Big Power Bend Manatee Viewing Center opened on November 1 and will be open 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. until April 15. The only day that it will close early is on Easter.

 

During winter, the Gulf of Mexico turns too cold for manatees to live in. The manatees are forced to find a new home for the winter. Luckily, they found the waters of Tampa Electric's Big Power Bend station where they can be observed by people and swim in the warm suitable waters. The manatees will go to the Manatee Viewing Center when Tampa Bay temperature falls below 68F. When winter ends, the manatees head back to the Gulf of Mexico where they live until next winter.

 

Cold stress is deadly among manatees as it affects an animal's immune system and leads to death.  Many manatees died because of cold stress in the beginning of 2010. Cold stress is hard on manatees because, surprisingly, they are not blubbery but very lean mammals.

 

Manatees are Florida's state marine mammal, which means many people like them, and they are special. If you like manatees, come to Tampa Electric's Big Power Bend where you can observe manatees and visit educational exhibits.

 

To learn more about the Manatee Viewing Center, go to www.tampaelectric.com/manatee. To contact the Manatee Viewing Center, call ( 813 ) 228-4289.

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Storm's Economic Impact on Airlines

Blizard

Nearly 7,000 flights have been canceled as a result of the post-Christmas blizzard that blanketed much of the East Coast in snow. 

 

Despite the re-opening of some airports additional flights are expected to be cancelled.  The number is expected to keep growing today. Airlines are still canceling flights today as they struggle to get their aircraft and crews back into position for normal operations.  Accuweather warned strong winds threaten to blow snow into drifts, possibly making it difficult for airports to keep runways clear.

 

The Wall Street Journal says "the storm showed how little margin for error exists in the U.S. air-transport system, with airlines trying to keep flights as full as possible. In many cases, carriers try to precancel flights before a storm so their customers don't come to the airport and end up camping there. Early cancellations also help preserve planes and crews that can be ready once the worst is over."

 

Dahlman Rose & Co. analyst Helane Becker estimates the storm-related disruptions will cost carriers a collective $100 million. However, she says she thinks many of the affected fliers will try to rebook. "(I)t's a holiday and people have to get home."

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Tech Corner
Kevin Baker, JDL Technology Services  

World Cup

   

I-Pad for Christmas?? Conect to Your Network
 

Accessing your law firm network remotely no longer requires you to use a home computer or portable laptop.  Thanks the LogMeIn's new IPad/IPhone App, LogMeIn Ignition�, the power of mobile remote access is now available on your IPad or IPhone or BOTH.  The best part about it is that there is no monthly contract or access fee.  LogMeIn access to one computer is FREE.
 
At JDL, we have recently deployed this simple remote access solution to several Tampa area attorneys and the response has been promising.  Instant access to your files, trial materials and email are only some of the advantages of LogMeIn Ignition�.  
  
For more information on how JDL can connect you to your office, please contact or email Kevin Baker or Jason Long:
 
 Direct:        727-564-2735
Toll Free:    866-374-5873
Web:          www.ineedanitguy.NET 
___________________________________

In This Issue
Year in Review
Top New Year's Resolutions
Manatee Season
Blizzard's Economic Impact
Tech Corner
G&A News & Notes
Back on the Road
G&A Holiday Party
Ski Lift Accident

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G&A News & Notes


*G&A client Ranae Dugan was profiled in a recent St. Petersburg Times article regarding foreclosure litigation.  Times Article.

*Charles Gallagher was a panelist in an American Bar Association Business Law Section podcast on holiday networking.  ABA Podcast

*Charles Gallagher will present a lecture on Florida Landlord Tenant Law at the SES Seminar on January 11, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.  Seminar Details
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Getting Back on the Road 
By: Ashley Elmore Drew  
 

I am a runner.  This is what I keep telling myself as I try to muster up the energy and motivation to get back out there for a daily run.  In 2009, I was running regularly, taking part in local races and events, loving every minute of the meditative bliss that comes with running.  I loved being one of "those people" out there at 5am on the road. 

 

 But toward the end of 2009 a bad case of pneumonia knocked me out of the game.  By then, I had developed quite a psychological barrier to getting back on the running track.  I was afraid I couldn't do it.  I would run a mile and then come up with an excuse to go home.  I convinced myself I couldn't possibly run without the best shoes, tech clothes, or the most well-balanced electrolyte supplement.  Come on, it was a few miles, it's not like I was doing an ultramarathon!  It wasn't until I forced myself to sign up for a half-marathon (a distance I have never covered) that my fear and general laziness was overcome by my desire not to waste money on the signup fee, and my fear of being shamed in front of everyone with whom I shared my goal. 

So I set out on that first real run...and it was exhilarating!  I forgot how good it felt!  I forgot how I lose myself in the beat of the footfalls!  High on this feeling of oneness with the universe I gleefully looked around only to realize I've really only gone 500 yards and wow, my side is really cramping.  So, I slowed down to a pace on par with a brisk walk and I steeled myself for the next 5 miles.  And I did it!  It was not fun.  And, in a stunning display of my catlike grace, I did actually fall down and skin my knee.  But I did it.  And I will do it again tomorrow.  Perhaps it was shame and frugality that brought me back to the pavement, but I'm here.  I know it will get easier and I will reclaim the joy of running.  Also, I will get a medal and some swag for my efforts at the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February. 

 

For those of you just beginning an exercise program for the New Year, or those of you who, like me, are searching for a bit of who you are by resuming a sport you love, here is some advice:

 

1)      Set a medium-term goal and tell everyone.  Nothing like fear of shame to motivate you.  But make it a verifiable goal.  Studies have shown that when we tell others about our new diet, or training regime, we receive the social rewards immediately by merely talking about it, thus lessening our drive to actually accomplish the goal.  So, make sure it is something hard to wiggle out of.

 

2)      Allow for moderate soreness.  Do not ignore injury, and do not get too ambitious as you reclaim your physical prowess.  But your muscles will ache as they adapt to doing more than office yoga and Wii golf.  Allow for warm baths and occasional ibuprofen.  Don't forget to warm up and stretch.

 

3)      Don't make every run/bike/walk session a test of speed.  If you go all out every single time you are setting yourself up for injury...and boredom.  Try intervals and hills to make things interesting.  Do a speed test once a week to see your improvement.

 

4)      Set your goals the night before.  This will help motivate you to get enough sleep when you are staying up too late writing that brief or pretending to while you catch up on your Jersey Shore.

 

5)      Make time not excuses.  This is the toughest one for me.  As a single mom, I can find a million reasons not to run.  So, I put my list of reasons to run on my night stand (the location at which most of my excuses are made).

           ____________________

G&A Holiday Party   

  Party 1
Thanks to our clients, colleagues and friends of the firm that attended our holiday party.  While it was a cold night, the company and fellowship was very warm.
Party 2
 ______________________ 
Ski Lift Accident
 

A 35-year-old chair lift that was due to be replaced failed Tuesday in high winds at a Maine resort, sending skiers - some of them children - plummeting into the ski slope below. 

 

High winds kept the failed lift out of operation at the start of the day but it was later deemed safe to use before the accident. The resort said a cable that supports the chairs jumped off track, though the exact cause of the failure is being investigated. Wind were gusting at 40 mph at the time.

 

The resort said the lift, which went into service in 1975 and recently passed an inspection, was due to be replaced, partly because of vulnerability to wind.

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G&A Email Directory

Charles R. Gallagher III [email protected]

Erika Mariz   

Joseph F. Milligan

Ashley Elmore Drew

Jason A. Cox

    Ginny Keeter-Bodkin [email protected]

   Christine Heise

 Mary Moser
 

About Our Firm 

 

Gallagher & Associates Law Firm, P.A. is a boutique consumer law firm in offering concierge legal services to individuals, consumers and small businesses where clients have 24/7 access to their attorney. 

 

Our practice areas include foreclosure defense, insurance litigation, real estate litigation and business law and consumer litigation.


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