Employee to Lawyer

Amit and Max cover end of year changes to state and federal laws with the coming administration. Also, some spicy sports lawsuit updates.

Barbara J. Bell, Attorney at Law, fills a valuable niche helping police officers, firefighters and municipal employees gain access to retirement pensions. Ms. Bell works with individuals as well as with labor unions. In addition, she provides professional estate planning services for individuals and assists family members through the probate process. Learn More: https://www.bjbelllaw.com/

Bryan has practiced employment law in Chicago his entire 20+ career, representing predominantly employees for over half that time. He has helped employees successfully transition jobs and recover for their losses without ever filing legal claims. He also has helped employees win multi-million dollar verdicts and awards after litigating vigorously as part of a team of attorneys. And he has helped companies comply with employment laws and defended wrongful termination actions. Bryan quit his first grocery store job after being refused a raise up to minimum wage and being told he was still expected to (illegally) operate the meat grinder (he was underage). He later drafted the employee handbook at his college grocery store job – working his way up from stocker to shift supervisor. He's always been passionate about ensuring equality and civil rights – studying those issues extensively in college. Learn More: https://www.jbryanwoodlaw.com/ Learn More: https://kaplanlawatx.com/

The managing partner of Dinolt Becnel & Wells Investigative Group LLC and the author of two investigative books, Philip Becnel has been a private detective for twenty-five years. His first book, Introduction to Conducting Private Investigations, is on its third edition and has sold over 10,000 copies. His second book, Principles of Investigative Documentation, came out in its second edition in January 2024. Philip's firm specializes in plaintiff-side employment litigation and qui tam investigations, but he investigates “anything worth investigating.” He has testified as an expert witness, including about the reasonable standards of documenting an internal investigation. He has a bachelor's degree in anthropology from George Mason University and a master's in criminal justice from Boston University. He is a licensed private investigator in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Links: Dinolt Becnel & Wells Investigative Group LLC: https://dinolt.com Principles of Investigative Documentation: Get the book

Naomi Frisch is a Chicago-based attorney, musician, and community leader. She is a labor and employment lawyer, working on worker and union side cases since 2018. Frisch holds a Juris Doctorate, Magna cum Laude, from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Legal Career: As a lawyer, Frisch focuses on labor and employment law, representing workers and unions in various cases. She has been working in this field since May 2018. Music Career: Frisch is also a talented musician, holding principal Oboe positions in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. She has a robust career as a freelance orchestral musician, soloist, and chamber music collaborator. Frisch also enjoys coaching woodwind chamber music for the award-winning Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Community Involvement: Frisch has served on the board of the Regional Orchestra Players' Association since 2012. She is also involved in various community activities, including working as a PILI intern at the Legal Assistance Foundation in Chicago.

When:Thursday, September 26, 2024, 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Where:The Chicago Bar Association The Chicago Bar Association 321 S. Plymouth Court Chicago, IL 60604 Register Now: https://nela-il.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=853437&item_id=2353547

Barbara J. Bell, Attorney at Law, fills a valuable niche helping police officers, firefighters and municipal employees gain access to retirement pensions. Ms. Bell works with individuals as well as with labor unions. In addition, she provides professional estate planning services for individuals and assists family members through the probate process. Learn More: https://www.bjbelllaw.com/

Bryan has practiced employment law in Chicago his entire 20+ career, representing predominantly employees for over half that time. He has helped employees successfully transition jobs and recover for their losses without ever filing legal claims. He also has helped employees win multi-million dollar verdicts and awards after litigating vigorously as part of a team of attorneys. And he has helped companies comply with employment laws and defended wrongful termination actions. Bryan quit his first grocery store job after being refused a raise up to minimum wage and being told he was still expected to (illegally) operate the meat grinder (he was underage). He later drafted the employee handbook at his college grocery store job – working his way up from stocker to shift supervisor. He's always been passionate about ensuring equality and civil rights – studying those issues extensively in college. Learn More: https://www.jbryanwoodlaw.com/ Learn More: https://kaplanlawatx.com/

Naomi Frisch is a Chicago-based attorney, musician, and community leader. She is a labor and employment lawyer, working on worker and union side cases since 2018. Frisch holds a Juris Doctorate, Magna cum Laude, from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Legal Career: As a lawyer, Frisch focuses on labor and employment law, representing workers and unions in various cases. She has been working in this field since May 2018. Music Career: Frisch is also a talented musician, holding principal Oboe positions in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. She has a robust career as a freelance orchestral musician, soloist, and chamber music collaborator. Frisch also enjoys coaching woodwind chamber music for the award-winning Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Community Involvement: Frisch has served on the board of the Regional Orchestra Players' Association since 2012. She is also involved in various community activities, including working as a PILI intern at the Legal Assistance Foundation in Chicago. Get tickets to her August Performance: AUGUST 15, 2024 SHIFTING WINDS Our IPO Woodwind Quintet, led by IPO principal oboist Naomi Bensdorf Frisch, closes out the 2024 IPO Summer @ Olympia Fields Country Club chamber series. https://ipomusic.org/ipo-summer-olympia-fields-2024/

Founding Partner Fish Potter Bolaños, P.C. Nieves represents workers in wage and hour, False Claims Act, and employment discrimination and retaliation litigation. She has significant litigation experience at the state and federal level, as well as with local administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board. Nieves' experience includes representation of single plaintiffs, class and collective actions at all stages of litigation, and she has litigating False Claims Act cases and large class action cases with exceptional results, including a $14 million settlement in a class action sexual harassment case in Brown, et al. v. Cook County, et al., No. 17-cv-8085 (N.D. Ill. 2020). Learn more: https://www.fishlawfirm.com/ For Nela Nationals Convention information: https://www.nela.org/programs-events/convention/

This week Amit and Max talk about some federal changes that you might want to know about. Check out Amit's Shout Out's: National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/ Chicago Debates https://www.chicagodebates.org/

The managing partner of Dinolt Becnel & Wells Investigative Group LLC and the author of two investigative books, Philip Becnel has been a private detective for twenty-five years. His first book, Introduction to Conducting Private Investigations, is on its third edition and has sold over 10,000 copies. His second book, Principles of Investigative Documentation, came out in its second edition in January 2024. Philip's firm specializes in plaintiff-side employment litigation and qui tam investigations, but he investigates “anything worth investigating.” He has testified as an expert witness, including about the reasonable standards of documenting an internal investigation. He has a bachelor's degree in anthropology from George Mason University and a master's in criminal justice from Boston University. He is a licensed private investigator in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

This week Max and Amit talk sports. Some interesting scandals are happening in the NBA. WNBA doesen't make as much as NBA....

This week Michael Reed & Jason Simotake join the show to talk about small business law from their perspective. To learn more: Michael Reed: https://chireedlegal.com Jason Shimotake: https://bankruptcychicagoland.com

Helen Bloch is the founder of the Law Offices of Helen Bloch, P.C., and it is a certified female owned business. She has over 20 years of legal experience. After graduating from law school, Helen worked as a prosecutor and defense attorney for the City of Chicago. She then worked as an Associate Attorney with Bellows and Bellows, P.C., before founding her firm. Helen works with a diverse range of clients, from fortune 500 executives to employees, and including large corporations to small family owned businesses. She has practiced in state and federal courts, and in arbitration forums, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. She often works with senior executives to negotiate their employment and severance agreements, and negotiating non competes and non solicits. Helen also has extensive worker's compensation practice. She routinely lectures on legal and business topics, including gender roles in the law. In addition to her legal work, Helen is heavily involved in her community. She is the past President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, which awarded her the Presidential Citation in 2015 and the Intra Society Award of Merit in 2001. And she is a member of several other associations. She is also a member of the Lawyers Division of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, a life member of Hadassah, and a member of AIPAC. Helen received her JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT, and received her BA from Yeshiva University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Learn More: https://www.blochpc.com

Hi! I'm Chiquita Hall-Jackson, licensed attorney, adjunct law professor, employment law expert and founder of Hall-Jackson and Associates, PLLC, and there's nothing I'm more relentless about than giving those who've been silenced in the backroom, the boardroom and everywhere in between a voice to be heard. Learn More: https://chiquitahall-jackson.com/ Follow: @blowthewhistlelaw on all social media platforms

Jim began fighting for the rights of injured while he was still in law school. Since that time, he has dedicated his entire legal career to justice for people who have had their lives changed by tragic injury. He focuses on developing the best strategy for each client's case, preparing the case for trial from the beginning–as that is the most-direct path to a successful outcome. Learn More: https://cgtrial.com Check out Jim's podcast on iTunes: Coogan Knows The Law

For more than twenty years, Heather Leonard has dedicated her practice exclusively to resolving the legal disputes that arise out of the employer/employee relationship. Heather practices out of Birmingham Alabama specializing in Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Wrongful Termination & FMLA/ADA cases. She has won multiple multi-million dollar settlements for her clients. For more information: https://www.employmentlawal.com/

Anita Mazumdar Chambers is a principal at The Employment Law Group® law firm, where she primarily focuses on matters of discrimination and retaliation. She has extensive experience in conducting corporate investigations to identify and resolve issues before needing to resort to legal action. Ms. Chambers also works in whistleblower protection, severance negotiations, and employee counseling. Learn More: https://www.employmentlawgroup.com/our-team/attorneys-staff/attorneys/anita-mazumdar-chambers/

This week Michael Reed & Jason Simotake join the show to talk about small business law from their perspective. To learn more: Michael Reed: chireedlegal.com Jason Shimotake: https://bankruptcychicagoland.com/

Jim began fighting for the rights of injured while he was still in law school. Since that time, he has dedicated his entire legal career to justice for people who have had their lives changed by tragic injury. He focuses on developing the best strategy for each client's case, preparing the case for trial from the beginning–as that is the most-direct path to a successful outcome. Learn More: https://cgtrial.com Check out Jim's podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coogan-knows-the-law/id1701005291

For more than twenty years, Heather Leonard has dedicated her practice exclusively to resolving the legal disputes that arise out of the employer/employee relationship. Heather practices out of Birmingham Alabama specializing in Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Wrongful Termination & FMLA/ADA cases. She has won multiple multi-million dollar settlements for her clients. For more information: https://www.employmentlawal.com/

This week Max and Amit break down some of the interesting lawsuits in professional sports.

Partner, Friedman & Houlding LLP. Joshua Friedman, a 1985 graduate of Columbia Law School, represents employees in racial harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits. Mr. Friedman's practice is focused exclusively on representing plaintiffs in employment and education harassment, discrimination and retaliation law suits, and class action law suits.

This week Max and Amit have some updates on BIPA the GVA, Non-Compete Laws & AI Cases

Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Illinois Human Rights Commission Hon. Brian Weinthal returns to talk about how he got to where he is today.

This week Max and Amit break down some changes to the Gender Violence Act in Illinois

Chief Administrative Law Judge Hon. Brian Weinthal joined the Illinois Human Rights Commission as the Chief Administrative Law Judge in February of 2022. Prior to serving as Chief Administrative Law Judge, Mr. Weinthal spent nearly twenty years in private practice, appearing as a litigator in both commercial and employment cases in courts around the country. Although he has extensive experience trying cases as a "first-chair" lawyer, Chief Judge Weinthal is also a trained advocate who previously represented clients at a broad range of alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") proceedings, including both mediations and arbitrations. He is a member of the bars of Illinois, California, and the District of Columbia (where he previously served as a mediator for the D.C. Superior Court). Before working in private practice, Judge Weinthal spent six years on active military duty with the United States Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). Eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Judge Weinthal defended clients at contested court-martials involving allegations of inchoate, pecuniary, and violent crimes. As his final duty with the U.S. Navy, Judge Weinthal served as prosecutor for the Office of Military Commissions—the litigating unit responsible for indicting suspected terrorists confined by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Chief Judge Weinthal received his law degree from Northwestern University, with a concentration in "Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution." He also holds an advanced law degree (an LL.M.) in "Litigation and Dispute Resolution" from the George Washington University School of Law. Judge Weinthal is admitted to the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and was previously awarded several high honors by the United States military, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Chief Judge Weinthal is a strong proponent of personal relationships and mentoring, and a staunch advocate of greater diversity and equality in all settings.

Emily Chase-Sosnoff focuses her legal practice on providing advice and representation to management clients in matters related to labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. Learn More: https://www.fordharrison.com/EmilyChase-Sosnoff

Emily Chase-Sosnoff focuses her legal practice on providing advice and representation to management clients in matters related to labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. Learn More: https://www.fordharrison.com/EmilyChase-Sosnoff

Founding Partner Fish Potter Bolaños, P.C. Nieves represents workers in wage and hour, False Claims Act, and employment discrimination and retaliation litigation. She has significant litigation experience at the state and federal level, as well as with local administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board. Nieves' experience includes representation of single plaintiffs, class and collective actions at all stages of litigation, and she has litigating False Claims Act cases and large class action cases with exceptional results, including a $14 million settlement in a class action sexual harassment case in Brown, et al. v. Cook County, et al., No. 17-cv-8085 (N.D. Ill. 2020). Learn more: https://www.fishlawfirm.com/ For Nela Nationals Convention information: https://www.nela.org/programs-events/convention/

Andrea returns to talk about her journey leading up to where she is today. Andrea Herran is the Founder and Principal of Focus HR Consulting. Andrea developed a passion for Human Resources and Leadership from the beginning of her career. One thing she noticed about working with people is you see the good, bad and the ugly from managers and employees. Overcoming the bad and ugly was a challenge she would take on and learning from the good and great made a lasting impression on Andrea. She bring those learning to her clients and team each day. Learn More: https://focushr.biz/about-us/

Richard Gordon returns to talk about how he got started in law and how he has grown his firm over the years. Richard has a record of success, earning his clients millions in settlements and being recognized as both a Super Lawyer and one of Chicago's Top Forty under 40 attorneys to watch. He represents individuals in complex personal injury lawsuits and professional workers' compensation claims. Learn More: https://gordonlawchicago.com/

Andrea Herran is the Founder and Principal of Focus HR Consulting. Andrea developed a passion for Human Resources and Leadership from the beginning of her career. One thing she noticed about working with people is you see the good, bad and the ugly from managers and employees. Overcoming the bad and ugly was a challenge she would take on and learning from the good and great made a lasting impression on Andrea. She bring those learning to her clients and team each day. Learn More: https://focushr.biz/about-us/

This week Max and Amit talk with Richard Gordon owner of Gordon Law Offices in Chicago. Richard has a record of success, earning his clients millions in settlements and being recognized as both a Super Lawyer and one of Chicago's Top Forty under 40 attorneys to watch. He represents individuals in complex personal injury lawsuits and professional workers' compensation claims. Learn More: https://gordonlawchicago.com/

This week Jim Zouras explains the recent BIPA law updates in Illinois.

This week Amit and Max break down the recent updates to the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

This week Amit and Max talk about some of the recent scandals, resolutions and events related to employment law in professional sports.

This week Amit and Max beak down some of the changes to non compete agreements federally and IL statewide.

This week Amit and Max break down some of the legal changes going into effect in 2023 related to employment law.

Charles R. Franklin is a Managing Partner at Franklin, Greenswag, Channon & Capilla, LLC. Since 1980, Charlie's law practice has focused on representing professionals in malpractice claims, lawsuits and disciplinary hearings. Charlie also counsels clients (both companies and policy-holders) in insurance coverage disputes, presentation of claims, and recovery. He has successfully argued before the Illinois Supreme Court. Charlie continues to serve as a “neutral” or independent arbitrator appointed by insureds and insurers. For several years he has been elected an Illinois “Super Lawyer” and peer reviewed rated “AV Preeminent” with Martindale-Hubbell. Charlie was a founder and original board member of the Claims Association of Greater Chicago. He attended the United States Air Force Academy, has an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and law degree from the University of Miami. Contact Charlie at: cfranklin@fgcclaw.com Phone: 847-701-2250 Learn More: https://fgcclaw.com Learn More about the Future Institute: https://futureinstitute.us.

Lorena Blonsky has successfully serviced over 250 clients by placing professionals in a variety of roles, from entry level to executive. She has conducted search assignments in a variety of industries and across many functional areas including technology, finance, sales and marketing, human resources, operations and general management. Prior to founding LMB Associates in 1989, Lorena was a Senior Associate at Korn/Ferry International. She earned an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago and a BA in Economics from Cornell University. Lorena is a Past President of the University of Chicago Women's Business Group and of Congregation B'nai Torah. Lorena currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers. In addition, she serves on the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network and is an active member of Trusted Advisors Council and leads the Northbrook chapter. Learn More: https://www.lmbassociates.com/

Charles R. Franklin is a Managing Partner at Franklin, Greenswag, Channon & Capilla, LLC. Since 1980, Charlie's law practice has focused on representing professionals in malpractice claims, lawsuits and disciplinary hearings. Charlie also counsels clients (both companies and policy-holders) in insurance coverage disputes, presentation of claims, and recovery. He has successfully argued before the Illinois Supreme Court. Charlie continues to serve as a “neutral” or independent arbitrator appointed by insureds and insurers. For several years he has been elected an Illinois “Super Lawyer” and peer reviewed rated “AV Preeminent” with Martindale-Hubbell. Charlie was a founder and original board member of the Claims Association of Greater Chicago. He attended the United States Air Force Academy, has an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and law degree from the University of Miami. Contact Charlie at: cfranklin@fgcclaw.com Phone: 847-701-2250 Learn More: https://fgcclaw.com Learn More about the Future Institute: https://futureinstitute.us

Lorena Blonsky has successfully serviced over 250 clients by placing professionals in a variety of roles, from entry level to executive. She has conducted search assignments in a variety of industries and across many functional areas including technology, finance, sales and marketing, human resources, operations and general management. Prior to founding LMB Associates in 1989, Lorena was a Senior Associate at Korn/Ferry International. She earned an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago and a BA in Economics from Cornell University. Lorena is a Past President of the University of Chicago Women's Business Group and of Congregation B'nai Torah. Lorena currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers. In addition, she serves on the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network and is an active member of Trusted Advisors Council and leads the Northbrook chapter. Learn More: https://www.lmbassociates.com/

Jim Klein, Founder and President, Acrobat Marketing, Inc. Before starting Acrobat, Klein began his career in account management with the multi-national Madison Avenue firm, Grey Advertising in New York, and later moved to the Lee King and Partners ad agency in Chicago. Attracted to opportunities in packaging and promotions, Klein joined The Packaging House, Chicago, and rose to become their national vice president of sales. An entrepreneurial instinct became irresistible in the booming 1990s, and Klein created his own business, a firm specializing in merchandising. This became quite successful, allowing Klein to acquire, then sell, three related firms during this period. Klein is a member of the Acquisition Committee and Advisory Board of the Mary and Leigh Block Museum at Northwestern University. He has also been active at the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, serving as President of two centers. Klein has a B.A. from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Advertising and Marketing from the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism. learn more: http://www.acrobatmarketing.com/bio.html

David defends employers in state and federal courts across the country in single-plaintiff and class and collective action litigation involving trade secrets, restrictive covenants, breach of contract, wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment and retaliation. He also represents employers before federal and state agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the Illinois Department of Labor. Learn More: https://btlaw.com/people/david-weldon

Before starting Acrobat, Klein began his career in account management with the multi-national Madison Avenue firm, Grey Advertising in New York, and later moved to the Lee King and Partners ad agency in Chicago. Attracted to opportunities in packaging and promotions, Klein joined The Packaging House, Chicago, and rose to become their national vice president of sales. An entrepreneurial instinct became irresistible in the booming 1990s, and Klein created his own business, a firm specializing in merchandising. This became quite successful, allowing Klein to acquire, then sell, three related firms during this period. Klein is a member of the Acquisition Committee and Advisory Board of the Mary and Leigh Block Museum at Northwestern University. He has also been active at the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, serving as President of two centers. Klein has a B.A. from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Advertising and Marketing from the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism. http://www.acrobatmarketing.com/bio.html

Athena Herman began practicing law with Benassi & Benassi immediately after graduating from law school in 1997. She was privileged to learn employment law and litigation with Patricia Benassi, a co-founder of Benassi & Benassi with her husband, A. Lou Benassi. While Lou Benassi focused on family law, medical malpractice and personal injury, Patricia Benassi and Athena Herman worked as a team on civil rights/employment cases on behalf of employees. Together, they obtained the biggest jury verdicts of the firm's history, including Ryan & Gillespie v. DCFS (Constitutional rights, $4.9 million); David v. Caterpillar (Title VII, $850,000); and Albright v. Caterpillar (workers' compensation retaliation, $1.76 million). They also obtained many favorable settlements against some of the largest employers, e.g., Radmanovich & Mausshardt v. Combined Insurance Company of America (class action sex discrimination, $9 million); Woodward v. Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America (class action race discrimination); Burwell v. City of Peoria ($550,000 gender discrimination and retaliation for a single plaintiff); and $1.1 million on behalf of a white security guard and white teachers against Peoria Public School District 150 (“reverse” race discrimination and retaliation). Learn More: https://www.athenahermanlaw.com/

Jim Doppke is a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the CBA's Professional Responsibility Committee. Learn more: https://rsmdlaw.com/our-team/jim-doppke-illinois-legal-ethics-attorney/

This is part 2 of 2 David Lee returns to answer questions from Nela Illinois members Attorney David L. Lee has practiced and taught law for over forty years. From 1984 to 1991, Attorney Lee was a full-time clinical professor at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law's nationally-recognized clinic on employment discrimination. Since approximately 1984, Attorney Lee has concentrated his practice on representing employees in severance negotiations, contract negotiations, discrimination claims, harassment claims, retaliation claims, wrongful-discharge claims, overtime claims, wage claims, commission claims, and employee-benefit claims. Attorney Lee is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association, and the Section of Labor and Employment Law of the American Bar Association. He speaks frequently to lawyers and human resources personnel on issues concerning employment law and is a Hearing Officer for the Cook County Commission on Human Rights and an arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, the National Association of Securities Dealers, and the National Futures Association. He has also published extensively on employment law, legal writing, civil procedure, and other aspects of the practice of law.

Jim Doppke is a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the CBA's Professional Responsibility Committee. Learn more: https://rsmdlaw.com