ERISA; it's more places than you thought it could be; the federal law that most people know by its acronym does more than protect retirement incomes. It touches virtually every lifestyle matter a lawyer could handle for a client

Article Abstract:

ERISA's main function is the protection of employee benefits and health insurance but it also provides for extensions of the latter for former employees or beneficiaries and often, qualification as an ERISA benefit determines the application of another law. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 will extend health benefits which qualify as ERISA benefits. The law can also determine application of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1992. ERISA also preempts many state common law claims, statutes and regulations.

Laws, regulations and rules, Health insurance, Retirement income, Retirement benefits, Exclusive and concurrent legislative powers, Preemption (Legislative power)

---

'My lawyer sent me flowers:' personal touches, extra efforts and thoughtfulness can be unexpected roads to client satisfaction and loyalty

Article Abstract:

Attorneys may be able to use personal extras as one way of retaining clients. These might include doing work according to the client's schedule; dealing with clients in a human way; delivering large bills personally; giving personalized gifts; helping clients do nonlegal work and participating in a client's industry; corresponding with a client even without an immediate reason and interpersonal skills such as phoning the client without the client phoning first and making the law firm environment comfortable for clients.

---

Clients are consumers, too; competent, efficient lawyering makes for good business practice

Article Abstract:

A Feb 1996 Consumer Reports survey of 30,000 individuals who had used legal services could give the profession ideas about how to improve what they do. Complaints had to do mainly with not being kept adequately informed. There was also some dissatisfaction with high legal fees. Lawyers should be guided by the same business principles they expect of others.

Attorneys, Lawyers, Public opinion

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Two circuits reject mass tort classes; opinions by the 5th and 7th circuits and proposals to revise Rule 23 may signal an industry-protective stance by the courts
• Abstracts: Budget limitations spur privatizations; continued federal belt-tightening will lead to the refinement of existing outsourcing techniques and new forms of privatization
• Abstracts: The comptroller of the currency has been taking measures that will offer some latitude to national banks that want to offer insurance

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.