Latest & Greatest - Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control

By Kerry Peck and Rick L. Law

Published by American Bar Association. Senior Lawyers Division.

KF 3803 .D46 P43 2018

Photo Credit: Helen Hartman

Alzheimer’s disease is downright terrifying. Sadly, millions (yes, millions) of people are dealing with the physical and mental consequences of this disease every day. Because much of the focus surrounding this illness is on the physical symptoms that ravage its victims, there is a tendency to overlook the legal consequences that are all too real. To assist with an understanding of some of the legal issues faced by those suffering from dementia, attorneys Kerry Peck and Rick L. Law have written Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control, a guide to help one understand the issues associated with the diagnosis and find some answers and the right legal advice. 

The preliminary chapters describe briefly some of the issues to consider when someone receives a diagnosis of dementia. There is a general discussion of Alzheimer’s disease and its course and progression and a discussion of how to find an attorney who understands the specific issues of dementia. The succeeding chapters focus on some of those specific issues, such as advance directives, Medicare and nursing home Medicaid, nursing home contracts, guardianship, and at-home caregiving. The authors have also included a chapter addressing financial exploitation from scammers and family members. The to-do checklists in the chapters are especially useful. 

Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control is a great resource for those seeking assistance and guidance with taking care of the legal issues for those suffering from dementia.

Latest & Greatest – Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys

By Faith Pincus

Published by American Bar Association

KF 300 .P56 2018

Photo Credit: Helen Hartman

Does the idea of speaking in front of a group of people turn your knees to jelly and cause you to sweat like a cold beer sitting out in the Houston sun? If so, take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. However, public speaking, like legal research or writing, is a key competency for attorneys because there is a good chance that, at some point in your career, you will have to speak in public, whether it be to a group of colleagues at a CLE session or to a trial judge. So, take a deep breath, relax, and read Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys by Faith Pincus.  

Advocating her AMI™ method of public speaking, Ms. Pincus, an experienced public speaker, trainer, and attorney, launches into a discussion of how to improve presentation skills by keeping the three key principles of audience, message, and image/delivery at the forefront. She explains why the audience matters and describes how to create a memorable message for that audience. She also talks about the importance of the image you are projecting and the style of your delivery. 

While the first part of the book is applicable to anyone looking to improve her presentation skills, the second part of the book addresses attorney-related speaking situations, such as oral arguments, opening statements, and closing arguments. There is even a chapter on media relations. 

Still nervous and anxious? Have a look at chapter eight where the author discusses overcoming your fear. (Hint: it involves more than simply picturing your audience in their undergarments). There, Ms. Pincus provides some practical ways to manage and face your fear. 

If you are looking to improve your presentation skills, be sure to have a look at Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys.

Latest & Greatest – The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law Firms, and Business Professionals

Edited by Jill D. Rhodes and Robert S. Litt

Published by American Bar Association. Cybersecurity Legal Task Force.

KF 318 .A7518 2017

Photo Credit: Helen Hartman

The Law Library’s newest addition to its Legal Tech Collection is The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook. Sponsored by the ABA’s Cybersecurity Legal Task Force, The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook strives to provide attorneys and business professionals with an overview of the many aspects of cybersecurity and some practical considerations in the event of a cyber breach. 

The book begins with some background for aid in understanding a cybersecurity threat and its attendant risks. The writers provide examples of the most common threats and how law firms can address them. There is also an explanation of the cyber network, its organization, and potential threats, and how defensive systems work and respond to perceived threats. There is a discussion of the lawyer’s obligation to provide data security under the ethics rules and ABA formal opinion 477R and some advice as to when the lawyer should discuss the issue of cybersecurity with her client. The book concludes with some best practices for becoming prepared through international business community management system series of standards and the international information security management system series of standards. The authors also address the cyber-related challenges faced by large law firms, solo practitioners and small firms, in-house counsel, government lawyers, and public interest attorneys. 

No one is immune from the increasing number of cyber threats and breaches and the confidential data that can be targeted in these attacks. The cost of being prepared is minimal compare to the cost of corrupted data and loss of trust. The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook can help you become better prepared.

Other titles on this topic include: Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers, Locked Down: Practical Information Security for Lawyers, and Technology Tips for Lawyers and Other Business Professionals.