Ex-CTLawyer

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  • in reply to: FAA Bungled Badly #2155733
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    The secretary of Transportation does not run the day to day operations of the FAA.
    There are thousands of civil servants employed in the agency and they run the computers

    in reply to: FAA Bungled Badly #2155734
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Can you bungle goodly?

    in reply to: Dental Insurance #2155735
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Coffee Addict it is Joseph’s daughter who has spent so much time in our home.
    If it was Mrs. CTL’s grandmother who was born in Budapest it makes my son(s) UJM’s lantzman (same with my first cousins) not me.
    My maternal side is German from Bavaria, my paternal side Litvak from the Pale, all arriving in NY through Castle Garden more than 150 years ago.
    The biggest feat is that the family extends to the 7th generation born in America and still frum.


    @Gadolhadorah

    I have never posted a recipe for sweet fish or anything else sweet.
    I don’t like chocolate, ice cream or candy, give me the salty, crunchy snacks

    in reply to: why is everyone arrested called a suspect? #2155464
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Participant
    A reputable headline would read:
    “Armed man arrested in killing of 12 year old girl.”
    In means in response to the act of the girl being killed.
    No libel can be ascribed to the headline you wrote because man is generic, if it actually used the arrestee’s name and the story did not use verbiage such as alleged it may be problematic.
    Any libel action Would wait until after trial. If convicted there is no liability, as truth is always an acceptable defense to libel. There are others, and malicious intent may have to be proven in some jurisdictions. Here the intent appears to be to sell newspapers

    in reply to: Dental Insurance #2155377
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @UJM
    Mrs. CTL’s paternal grandmother was born in Budapest. An aunt of mine (by marriage) was also born there. Both made it to CT in 1938.
    The first extended visit I made to Budapest 40 years ago
    was with my aunt pursuing property claims.

    in reply to: Dental Insurance #2155276
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    I don’t have dental insurance.
    I currently need 2 implants
    It will cost about $17,000 here in Fairfield County
    But, just as there is medical tourism, there is dental tourism. I can. Get them done by excellent dentists in Budapest (where I have had dental work in the past) for about $1,500 add flight and a week’s vacation and am all in at $4300
    Already booked for March

    in reply to: why is everyone arrested called a suspect? #2155240
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Always
    You ascribe authority to the police they do not have. They make apprehensions, the magistrate or arraignment judge decides to hold or release. The DA, States Attorney or Grand Jury indicts on specific charges.

    Here in CT we don’t have DAs, our Stated Attorneys are appointed employees not elected politicians and we don’t use a grand jury system to indict. Much smoother, less political system than New York. We also still set cash bail got most who are arrested

    in reply to: why is everyone arrested called a suspect? #2155239
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Only trial and conviction can confirm the suspect is a perpetrator. Until then the arrestee/detainee is an ALLEGED perpetrator.
    Leave out that adjective and you can open yourself to slander/libel actions.
    We lawyers know to be very careful with choice of words as do journalists.

    in reply to: Speakerless #2154930
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @AAQ
    The CT court system helped facilitate WFH by requiring all filings do be done electronically. No more trips to the courthouse to file papers.
    Many court proceedings are still being held via Zoom. This saves clients loads of money. I typically bill $250 more per hours for court appearances (plus travel time) than my standard rate. Much of the day in court is wasted waiting for cases to be called, judges interrupted for motions, 90 minute lunch breaks when I can’t do other billable work, so the client pays a full day and I don’t do a full day’s work for the client, but have to be available as the judge’s clerk schedules.
    With Zoom, I can do billable work, until I hear the clerk call the case, there is no travel time to be paid by the client, no gas, parking, etc. I don’t take 90 minutes to eat, so i have another hour to work and bill another client. The first client is not stuck paying for a full day.

    We have used WFH for decades, as long as an office staff member is in the office during opening hours, the attorneys can come and go as appointments and meetings warrant. We do not have walk in trade.
    During Mrs. CTL’s long illness I did 90% of my work from my home office. I have a separate outside entrance and a few select clients could see me in person if necessary without me being unavailable for her needs.
    My daughters who work for the firm, loved being able to work from home when my grandchildren were very young and I extended that workstyle to non-family employees as well. each clerical worker chooses one half day per week to be in the office and file. Phones are often transferred to ring off premises at the office manager’s or receptionist’s home office.
    If I didn’t own our offices, I would downsize the firm’s space, but owning a fully paid and depreciated building means it is a prudent decision to remain.

    in reply to: Speakerless #2154839
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Little Froggie
    “We all…..paid NOT to work.”

    Please speak only for yourself.
    This member of the CR, who is an employer, worked all through Covid, as did his employees and allwere paid to work. No employee of the CTL firm was laid off and collected unemployment. The nature of the practice made remote work practical. Clients were serviced via, Zoom, phone, email and fax.

    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @akuperma
    This is one of the rare times I agree with what you post.
    My late FIL Z”L was an officer in the British Police during the mandate, transitioning to the Mishtara upon independence.
    We discussed this topic many times.
    Most westerners just don’t understand that European colonial rulers drew maps and established countries where none had existed. A line in a map cannot unite tribes into a country.
    In countless countries we have seen decades of civil war and genocide after independence.

    I laugh at the mention of Pakistan and Bengladesh above. Lumping two territories separated by thousands of kilometers into one country because they were to be a homeland for Muslims was a joke.

    in reply to: Speakerless #2154475
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Always
    Every time the Republicans shut down the Federal Government the shut out employees received their pay and benefits for the time not worked.
    We taxpayers will pay for this Republican circus in many ways, rest assured the Boeberts and Gaetzes will continue to line their pockets with our money

    in reply to: Speakerless #2154474
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @UJM

    Don’t give up your day job
    You have officially failed Constitutional Law
    Try READING the 25th Amendment which lays out the procedure for filling a vacancy in the VP office. The President nominates a VP and the nomination must be approved by the House and the Senate.

    This is different that Presidential appointments of Judges and Ambassadors which are confirmed solely by the Senate.

    I have taught Constitutional Law over the years as an adjunct professor. You get an F.

    in reply to: Stupid Planes #2154338
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @troll
    Good luck to you.
    I am sorry you fly on bad planes.
    That said I only book/fly in aisle seats, not interested in the curved wall of the window seat.
    I like to get up at will and stretch my legs.
    When Mrs. CTL was still alive we always booked aisle seats across from each other.
    The only time I fly seated in a window seat is when it is also an aisle seat in private planes.

    in reply to: Speakerless #2154268
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Akuperma
    Your scenario is only applicable if the President and VP die virtually simultaneously.
    Otherwise, once VP sworn in as President, nominates a new VP to be approved by both houses of Congress.

    Right now, the House has no members, so it can’t happen, but it can if there occurred a vacancy in the Speaker’s position during a session when members have been sworn in.

    in reply to: Board or bored #2153694
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Lakewoodscoop

    CTL is about 70 years old and drinking 6-8 cups of coffee a day since Bar Mitzvah: always black
    I have never experienced the issue you raise

    in reply to: Board or bored #2153589
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Cold not coke… autocorrect

    in reply to: Board or bored #2153588
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @5T
    Meat Board: charuterie
    Assorted coke cuts and cut vegetables

    in reply to: Board or bored #2153362
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @commonSaychel
    Thank you,
    I have been reading since shloshim for Mrs. CTL ended, but there has been little to actually comment upon.
    I have long made known my resistance to excess in entertaining costs, etc. Especially by those who go into debt to do so.
    This morning in shul, one of the regulars had yahrzeit for his father. After davening and the Rav’s daily vort, he put a bottle on his table, with some plastic shot glasses, opened a package of cookies and we regulars all had a drink and a cookie in his father’s memory/honor. No fish, breads, cheeses, cakes, caterer, etc. We acknowledged the occasion and went on with our day.
    This was just as meaningful as a lavish sit down breakfast, shared with the regulars who attend day in/day out, not those who find out there will be a spread and show up.

    in reply to: Board or bored #2153236
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Put out a pletzl (Onion Board) and a bottle of whiskey and fartig.

    in reply to: Trump Chia Pet #2149736
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    I would not buy anything Trump is selling (or sold) which is why I did not vote for him.

    I am not a not a Republican, neither is Trump. He is chair of the Trump first party: All for One and Trump for none.


    @yungerman

    Wishing someone dead and buried is inappropriate.
    As for your false accusations of voting from the grave, those abuses stopped decades ago.
    As a local elections official, I can say that the only votes arriving from dead people and counted were absentee ballots filled out signed and mailed before death. I know this because Mrs. CTL voted in a primary absentee and died and wax buried before the votes were counted. Absentee ballots in CT are sent out 30 days before the election by law. These votes from the grave are not fraud

    in reply to: SHIDUCHIM. #2147117
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Avira

    I can read and translate.
    The quotation does not say “proper”
    The word ‘Mutar’ as I learned it means permitted.

    Simply because something is permitted does not make it a ‘proper’ choice for everyone.

    If a charity/organization/institution needs my money gift to encourage others to give, I would rather put up a matching fund grant to stimulate donations large or small. The matching funds will be listed as coming from Aleph Bet Gimel Charitable Trust, not CTL.
    Better every dollar go to the need than to the bronze works making the plaques.

    Have you never seen a charity’s ad journal that lists a donation from anonymous? That doesn’t just mean they had blank space to fill, but some givers don’t want to be known publicly.
    Have you ever seen starter checks? They have the account number but no account owner’s name in them? I have such checks that I use for Tzedaka. I can print copies of the paid checks on line for my accounting and tax records without the recipient knowing who gave the money.

    We have quite different opinions as to the manner in which we make charitable donations. The important thing is that we make the donation. We prefer humility and privacy

    in reply to: SHIDUCHIM. #2147035
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Avira
    I did not mention money or wealth in my comment.
    The CTL compound came into existence out of necessity. Living OOT in a small town, building homes on land carved from our initial larger parcel allowed us to have a minyan in walking distance, a private eruv and a safe haven for our children and grandchildren each summer. It cost substantially less than housing and camp costs in NYC and its suburbs.
    I have repeatedly talked about doing much of the building ourselves, and still do lots of the tasks. We had 3.5 inches of snow last night and I was out with a shovel clearing the walks and driveway so I could go to minyan in time for 6:30 davening today. I wasn’t waiting on a plow service to arrive.

    As for what do we do besides give charity. Lots of volunteering in both the Jewish and community world. My daughters and granddaughters did their stints babysitting at shul and setting up the weekly kiddush and Oneg Shabbos. They also helped Mrs. CTL OBM cook many a shul dinner and deliver shiva meals. Our sons have taught afternoon Civics ad History classes (at no charge) in the local day school.
    For twenty-five years, I have run three times a year Blood drives for the American Red Cross. They are the only organization allowed to collect blood in Connecticut (you can’t go to a hospital and donate) AND, Connecticut is the ONLY state in the USA where blood is free for those who need it. Mrs. CTL needed 18 units in her final hospital stay and I am proud to have helped make sure ample blood supplies are available.

    BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>what is wrong with donating money??????????????
    Shuls, schools, hospitals need donations to keep operating. So do soup kitchens, food banks, etc. Both here and abroad, especially EY.
    I am not a doctor, I can’t treat you when you enter a hospital, BUT that Xray machine in Laniado may be one that I paid for. The local Rosh Yeshiva who is having a hard time meeting payroll or utility bills is not shy to call and request money over and above my annual contribution and I am proud to be able to help. There is little I need personally at this stage of life. All of a lifetime’s earnings and investments and generational wealth could not keep Mrs. CTL alive. Only KBH determined when her time on earth was up.
    What I can tell you is that with the exception of Yahrzeit placques you will never find the CTL name on anything that recognizes a contribution or donation.
    My father Z”L and grandfather Z”L taught us that it is in very poor taste to let people know what you give and even worse to make someone feel embarrassed that they can not give a similar amount or at all.
    I remember from the time I was a child that presents were never opened in public. If attending a birthday party, my mother would take us from the room if presents were opened in front of others.

    I don’t owe you an explanation, but your attack called for a reply

    in reply to: SHIDUCHIM. #2146818
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @AAQ
    We have never dealt with shadchanim in our family, personal connections and fix ups.
    My eldest daughter and SIL were introduced by a female Jewish law professor. They were in different classes but both had asked to be excused from a class on Sukkos. Engaged by Chanukah and married after Shavous.
    SIL introduced me eldest son to sister of his roommate from Yeshiva. Another successful match.
    I was so impressed by an applicant for a summer internship after first year of law school that I invited him
    And parents for a Shabbos at CTL compound.
    Married to daughter number 2 for over 20 years now.
    Our children have been involved in Our grandchildren’s matches as well.
    Much better than a stranger with a bunch of resumes

    in reply to: Georgia isn’t Really Solid Red #2146147
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    The lack of US history/political knowledge is evident in this thread.
    The Republican Party was liberal from its start. It was anti-slavery
    The Democrat Party of the south from 1865 to the late 1900s was far right, segregationist and against personal freedoms.
    Think George Wallace, Strom Thurmond (until switching parties in 1964),

    in reply to: latest shidduch data #2144614
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @UJM
    I had a long and very happy marriage. I know that our life end is determined by HaShem, but as the members of my family in the USA the last 150 years tend to live into their mid90s, I would not like to be alone the next quarter century.
    That doesn’t mean I am open to a shadchan soliciting my business. In a year or so I might be open to
    Meeting someone.
    I have not set up parameters or a wish list, but don’t imagine interest in a woman less than 60 years of age. I definitely am not going to be looking to have more children at this stage of life, so it would be unfair and unwise to marry a woman in a lesser age group.
    The companionship and friendship needed to sustain a marriage in retirement years calls for similar life experience and age and backgrounds.

    That said, I am sure that my children, siblings and their spouses and in-laws are already discussing possible candidates. I am in no rush

    in reply to: latest shidduch data #2144474
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Personal Anecdote:

    Regarding these girls/women who have worked 20 years in a law firm and are still single.

    Mrs. CTL died 3 months ago, I have already been approached by shadchanim about 4 of these females.
    I am not interested in remarriage at this time and certainly not to someone younger than my own older daughters.

    That said, some of these past their 20s females need to open themselves up to the idea of making a marriage, home or family OOT. It adds to the available pool of single men.

    in reply to: 2024 predictions #2141967
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @syag

    I don’t hide the fact that I have been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for decades.
    Your analysis is wrong.
    Harris appealed to People of Color, Women, Non-observant Jews (especially intermarried), mixed race married couples AND brought geographical balance to the ticket.
    She also was in a safe BLUE that could be retained if Biden won the election.

    You conveniently forget that Senators don’t impeach, the House of Representatives impeaches (as they did with DJT twice). The Senate tries impeached individuals.

    in reply to: Rigged Election #2140802
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Always,
    I would not be looking for more stringent ID rules. CT already requires a picture ID. Only twice in the past ten years have I had a voter refuse t show ID and fill out the affidavit instead.
    CT is one of only 4 states NOT to allow early voting and has only 6 exceptions for absentee ballots. I vote absentee as I do not work in my own district’s polling location. Assigning poll workers, asst Registrars and moderators to poll locations out of their districts reduces the appearance of possible fraud.
    This year CT had one question on the ballot: To allow early voting. It passed with more than 60% of the vote. I was in favor of it, as it will increase voter participation.
    Your child should ake a complaint to the Registrar of Voters in your municipality and your Secretary of State. giving his name, the fact he was a first time voter, the poll location and time he voted and that he was not asked for the ID.
    It will be investigated.
    That said: I have not read the voting instructions for your state. The fact that it said he had to bring a picture proof of ID, does not mean the same thing as he will be asked to produce it before being allowed to vote. Some poll locations may only ask every so many voters or if there is a challenge.
    We ask every voter in our town and train our poll workers to do so, even if the voter is a member of their immediate family.
    Our Town’s chief exec is the First Selectman, she was asked for her Drivers License.
    For the record, the ID is handed to a checker who compares picture and person, checks address and asks the person to state there name and address aloud to be checked off in the book by the checker of the other party at that table.

    I would hope your son is not so gullible to believe the conspiracy theorists.

    This year the Republicans ran an Election Denier for Secretary of State in CT. he lost in a landslide, voters resented his lack of faith in ability to run a fair and accurate election and were not bout to put him in charge of future elections.

    Lastly, when it comes to running elections, our party affiliations are left outside the polls. It is about honesty, integrity and accuracy. I do not attend any of the candidate’s or party’s events after the polls close. After an 18 hour day I want to go home and rest my feet and voice. I greeted and spoke to more than 3000 voters on election day, resolved problems and made sure with the other asst Registrar and Moderator that we accounted for every ballot.

    BTW, In CT, Moderators must take a course and pass an exam. After that they can work as moderator in any municipality in the state. Our town tries to hire moderators who do not live in town to avoid any appearance of monkey business. I cannot say that for every town. We also rotate polling locations for workers each year. We have 7 locations, plus Same day registration and voting at Town Hall. I had not worked at the location I was at this year since 2014.

    in reply to: Rigged Election #2140586
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Always
    Here’s the rub
    This was a Federal Election Year. Federal requirements state that a first time voter who did not register in person (maybe in line or by mail) must present picture proof of identity when voting the first time. Thus what you’d child read.
    Those memes have an asterisk in the voter check I. Books.
    BUT, how elections are conducted is left to the individual states. In CT (where I am an asst. Registrar of Voters). We require all voters to present a picture ID. If they don’t have one or don’t wish to present one, they have to fill out an affidavit subject to perjury charges. The exception is those with the asterisk. No picture IF no ballot issued.
    Other states handle it differently. The Feds made the rule but have no authority to enter the polls and enforce it.

    In CT, no one can enter the polling station except the sworn poll workers, voters, accompanying voters’ children less than 16 years old and helpers such as a health aide. The health aide can assist the voter to the booth, but the. Must leave during actual voting, the R and D asst Registrars together can assist the person. With voting. The two Registrars together can go out to a car to assist a mobility restricted voter with a ballot. This year we had two such voters in our district.
    Having been a poll worker for 50 years in three municipalities I can say that voter fraud (for in person voting) is extremely rare.

    in reply to: Rigged Election #2140388
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @lakewhut

    As usual you cannot refute facts and make a nonsensical reply.
    Donating money to a candidate is NOT a form of rigging.
    If it were, no donations to candidates would be legal.

    Too bad if one candidate attracts more than another, that reflects in the candidate’s appeal or organization not rigging.

    Here in CT we have a People’s Election Program. A candidate can raise a stated amount in small contributions from a required minimum number if donors in the district and qualify for public funding of the campaign. A candidate for state rep need only raise about 7k to qualify. On most districts both candidates qualify and have the exact same amount of money for the campaign.
    Even statewide candidates can qualify for funding. The multimillionaires who ran for governor chose not to participate so they could spend as much as they want. A participant running for state senate gets about $100k for the campaign which is plenty.

    in reply to: Rigged Election #2139567
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Lakewhut
    Who cares?
    In 1972 Sarah Rxxxxx, the comptroller of my father’s corporation embezzled more than $3,ooo,oooo (a lot of money back then) and contributed it to the Nixon Presidential campaign. That doesn’t mean it was a rigged election.
    I resent your false accusations. I am an Asst. Registrar of Voters and this November 8th was the 50 year I worked as an election official. We put in an 18 hour day and every D working is paired with an R of the same position to make sure nothing is rigged. Or polls close at 8 PM. We were off 9 votes. the R asst Registrar and I working under direct supervision of the UNAFILIATED Moderator (the official in charge of the polling location) required 2 hours to find the arithmetic mistakes that had been made in the checkers’ books and account for spoiled ballots and two that could not be machine read. Only after balancing cold we drive together in one car with the tabulator machines to Town Hall where he Registrars put them under lock and key. Yesterday I sent three hours in a recount of another polling location where the election had a margin of 11 votes. After examining every ballot, running them through the tabulator machines and explaining why three absentee ballots could not be counted (they were in inner envelopes that the voter had not signed or sealed. as required by law), the final count was a majority of 1 vote. There was no miscount on Election Day, but a ballot rejected by the machine for an overcount (more than one candidate with markings in a column) was examined by the Registrars of both parties to see if voter intent could be established. The voter had blackened a circle, realized it was for the wrong candidate, put an X through it and blackened a second circle. The voter wrote on the ballot that the X was to invalidate the mistaken vote. Machines can’t read and count these markings, but in a recount every ballot is hand examined and if both Registrars can agree on intent the vote is counted. The voter should have handed the ballot with the error to a ballot clerk, it would have been marked spoiled, but into a sealed bag and a fresh ballot handed to a voter. At my polling location there were more than three thousand in person votes cast and only 21 spoiled ballots.
    You and the election deniers need t stop making false accusations of voter fraud and impugning the reputation of the many thousands of dedicated election officials in the USA.
    Every POLL WORKER swears (or affirms) a Constitutional Oath regarding their position and is subject to Federal Criminal prosecution if they misbehave.

    Donating stolen funds to any campaign does not mean the election was rigged

    in reply to: Hospital Wait Times #2119325
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    It is now the Twelth Night (sorry Shakespeare) that I am sitting in a chair by Mrs. CTL’s hospital bed.
    Here in CT, two hospital systems own/run 90% of the hospitals, including all in our area.
    Her doctor is in a practice owned by Group A, she is in a hospital (our preference) owned by Group B.

    Group A only makes the latest records available instantly to Group B, otherwise request and wait 24 hours. As the ICU doctors ask questions about condition over time, I sign into her records on my smartphone and let Grouo B specialists see what they need

    in reply to: what advice do u wish you’d have received when you were younger? #2119043
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Huju
    My father always told us:
    It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich girl as a poor one.

    I told my children opposites may attract but make for a terrible life. Pick a spouse from the same socio-economic and educational background/level. It makes for a much better relationship.

    Lastly and most importantly:
    Question everything. Blind faith and obedience is what brought us the millions who did Hitler’s bidding

    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.”

    “Blame the Jew”

    Shall we start a pool for when Jared goes up the river?
    $10 a date pick, winner designates the Yeshiva to receive the proceeds of the pool.

    in reply to: Hospital Wait Times #2119041
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Wait times vary by both demand and staffing, as well as the care needed by the patient.
    I type this while sitting up all night (for the 10th consecutive night) in Mrs. CTL’s hospital room.

    When we arrived outside the ER in the driveway I lowered my car window and yelled to a nurse who was discharging a patient that we needed a wheelchair and staff to get Mrs. CTL out of car and into triage. Within 2 minutes 3 staff and a wheelchair were at the car. It took ten minutes to transfer her. I locked the car where it sat and followed them inside. Immediately they started taking vitals while I dealt with quick registration. In 5 minutes we were in our way to an ER room and exams and treatment began. It was 2:30 in the afternoon on a weekday. We had passed through the ER waiting room and it was virtually empty. Only half the ER treatment room were in use. At 10 pm I left the treatment room to move my car to the hospital garage. By then every treatment room was in use, I counted 14 patients on gurneys in the hallway being treated. The large ER waiting room was full. At 2 am she was admitted and sent to ICU. 8 days in ICU, half the rooms empty but no bed was available on a medical floor so it took an extra day til she was moved.
    Since arriving on the full medical floor, I walk the corridor to stretch my legs. Tonight I counted 3 empty rooms for the first time.
    What it will be in an hour? I don’t know and couldn’t guess.
    Your timing depends on many variables

    in reply to: BTL degrees #2118881
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Always
    “Would BS degree matter when you have a higher degree? Maybe law firms are picky, but in my areas it does not matter.”
    You may not be aware how much it matters.
    The old boy network still exists in many fields.
    You may be a top PHd from Ohio State, but that Yale or Harvard tie may mean a lot when you arrive for an interview. Showing up at the Yale or Harvard Club in Manhattan for drinks and networking works wonders.
    I went to UPENN undergrad, Wharton and then law school in Mass.
    My Penn connections have been very valuable in the climb through my profession.
    My children and their spouses all have IVY undergrad educations, not all have IVY law degrees.
    Every year or so I hire new associates who have graduated UCONN and Quinnipiac Law schools. If I see that IVY BS on their resume it does raise their chances. Since I don’t hire anyone who has NOT already passed the Bar Exam (the great equalizer) the law school name is not that important to me.
    Students learn law in law school, they learn to be and function as a lawyer in the working world.

    Eldest brother is an electrical engineer with his own firm. He also gave mental points to applicants who attended his IVY alma mater. He would send feelers out at his university club when looking for new hires.

    in reply to: Julius & Ethel Rosenberg & Donald Trump #2118006
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Ray Kaufman
    I”H your will should not be needed for another 40+ years…..
    That said, I do not solicit new clients and definitely not through the CR,
    I strongly suggest you use an attorney in this field who practices in the geographical area of your local Probate/Surrogate Court.
    The local attorney knows the peculiarities of the system and the judges/clerks. That save time and money for the estate.
    You also should use an attorney who understands the mandatory distributions per halacha in addition to statutory requirements. In most jurisdictions you can not disinherit a spouse or minor children (includes adult dependent children for reasons of mental or physical impairment).
    Always mention your direct descendants by name and state whether they are to receive something or not. If you leave one out, they may challenge the will claiming they were overlooked. I am not leaving assets to my children, they are well fixed, but will to my grandchildren, wife and chosen charities. To reinforce this, my children and their spouses are all named in my will and left $10 each. This tells the court you did not forget a child, but deliberated and made a calculated decision on their legacy. My children, all attorneys in the CTL firm, will not be insulted, as this has been discussed. They do not know the rest of my intentions and will not find out during my lifetime.

    in reply to: BTL degrees #2117605
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Ray Kaufman

    You are decades behind in your info/facts.
    Law schools did not require a Bachelor’s Degree for entry, as before 1962, The Standard law degree issued by American law schools was an LLB (Bachelor of Law).

    The horde of JFK appointed Harvard Law grads appointed to Federal positions complained that the Civil Service would only pay them for a Bachelor Degree education. JFK imposed on Harvard to switch to a J.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Law) so their graduates would be paid at the highest government rate. The entire American Law School community followed suit.

    I had a number of Professors in Law School and came up against lawyers in practice that had LLBs issued in the 1940s and 50s.

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    In NY, it was possible to still take the Bar Exam without attending Law School, having read the law and apprenticing for X years in a law firm. That is what FDR did in the 19teens. I had a paralegal in our NYC office in the early 1980s follow that route. I then hired her as an associate.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    Law degree Trivia;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
    Law is the only discipline in America where a Masters Degree outranks a Doctoral degree.

    Dating back to the LLB, mentioned above, post graduate work in Law earns an LLM.
    I earned an LLM in Estate Law after holding a JD

    in reply to: Are you ever wrong #2115813
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    My wife tells me that regularly

    in reply to: Julius & Ethel Rosenberg & Donald Trump #2115818
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @anonjew
    “If Trump is actually guilty, how ineffective is the FBI that they still can’t prove it.”

    You show a basic lack of understanding of the US legal system.

    I am not saying Trump is or is NOT guilty of a particular charge, just about to explain how the system works. My bonafides include decades as a member of the Bar in 4 states, as well as admitted to the Federal Bar in districts in NY, MA, CT. I have also taught as an adjunct professor at several US law schools over the years.

    The FBI (FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION) is an arm of the Justice Department charged to investigate crime. They report their results back to the Attorney General or applicable US Attorney (depending on the alleged crime and/or location)
    The FBI is not charged with proving guilt.

    Should the results of the FBI’s investigation cause the Federal Prosecutor to seek an indictment before a Federal Grand Jury, and such indictment is granted……

    Then the FEDERAL PROSECUTOR is the person(s) who must prove guilt in a court of law during trial.

    FBI gathered evidence, as well as testimony of FBI personnel may be entered in evidence during a trial, BUT the FBI NEVER has to prove anyone or any organization guilty of anyhing.

    in reply to: Julius & Ethel Rosenberg & Donald Trump #2115361
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Akuperma

    “Trump has the authority to declassify and transfer to his personal ownership”

    NO, that is FALSE!
    The sitting President has the authority to order certain documents to be declassified. He cannot perform the required steps himself. It has to be done by proscribed government employees according to set procedures.
    He does not get to transfer the documents to his personal ownership, leaving the government without ‘originals’ (what is an original in this era of digital production, unlike in the age of carbon copies) as opposed to making and taking copies of truly declassified documents to be owned personally.

    No President can proclaim something declassified and it is then so. Not how it works.

    in reply to: Julius & Ethel Rosenberg & Donald Trump #2115358
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Ray Kaufman

    Don’t give up your day job………………………

    This long time attorney will tell you that:
    #1 An EX-President has no authority to declassify anything
    #2 A sitting President may have the authority to order that certain documents be declassified, BUT The documents have to go through prescribed procedures executed by specific government employees for declassification to occur.

    This did NOT happen.

    No intent or statement by Donald Trump declassified these documents.

    in reply to: The process of asking for money for a wedding #2113593
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Avram in MD
    The average associate salary in a mid sized metro NYC firm such as CTL is about 100K
    So, two working associates earning 200K could afford to pay $25,000 yr for housing. In our area a 1BR apt goes for more than that in rental.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    No they didn’t upsize by selling their starter homes, they rent them out. It’s the start of their individual retirement/real estate portfolios.
    They have a nice profit sharing plan at work (since none are partners in the firm), they also get a piece of all work/billings they bring in (not unusual in this area).
    I don’t know what field you are in, but they were not “just out of grad school,” but had passed the Bar exam and held professional licenses.
    Those taking the MA Bar Exam, as I did decades ago, also automatically are Real Estate Brokers and this brings in extra income should they operate in Newton or Cape Cod offices.

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    Our home was built in 1803. It was a wreck when Mrs. CTL and I bought it for $62,000 32years ago. Lots of renovation and additions have occurred, much of the labor done by us. When she was younger and healthy, Mrs. CTL could hang and tape sheet rock with the best of them. My father taught me carpentry, and I can draft, use CAD and do basic electrical as well as paint.

    We paid for it as we went and could afford it, waiting until we could add each new amenity or space.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Since Covid, the number of schnorrers coming to minyan is down. Before that we would get a carload or two 3 or 4 mornings each week. They would travel as a team on a planned route.

    As I said, catch me in the hall before davening or in the coffee room afterwards, but don’t interrupt my davening to ask for money.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
    Hosting does not mean physical participation. Mrs. CTL is confined to our MBR suite for the past year and a half, but she can look out at the gardens and observe and a chasunah. Our eldest daughter pinch hits and manages the affair as well as allows access to gowns, etc.

    This coming Sunday, we will host the first non-family chasunah in our gardens since before Covid struck. Mrs. CTL is so looking forward to observing and listening. The officiants are coming from NY, so I will sign the license as a JP

    in reply to: I don’t like Donald Trump, but… #2113559
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    NO,
    I don’t agree with you and I detest Donald Trump
    The head of the FBI who executed this search warrant (it was not a raid) is a Trump appointee.

    The DOJ should be able to complete its investigation without further stalling by Trump and associates. Then, if found reasonable, indictments should be issued and a trial determine his guilt.

    I would say the same about anyone, Trump is not special.

    in reply to: The process of asking for money for a wedding #2112741
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Avram in MD
    Don’t throw at me the lifetime of a typical mortgage loan nonsense. I was clear the homes were paid off in 5-7 years.
    What is typical? When I bought my first house 50 years ago, conventional mortgages were 20 years. Car loans were 3 years. Today I see mortgages at 15, 30 and 40 years, car loans offered at 6 and 7 years.
    I financed the house purchases for my children, that was not with loans with interest loaded up front like a bank mortgage. I simply paid for the houses from available funds and the children made payments to reimburse me. I forego the interest I might have made on the money. The money was loaned by Mrs. CTL and myself to each couple. That kept the implied interest from falling under the gift tax limits.

    Does the CTL Law firm pay well? We have pay packages in line with mid sized firms in the metro NYC area. Our children and in-laws are employees, not partners. They will not become partners in the firm until my official retirement and becoming ‘of counsel’

    As to why I just don’t say no: I find all interruptions of minyan by those seeking money abhorrent. I am there to daven. Ask me in the hallway before minyan starts or in the coffee room after minyan ends, BUT never approach me while I daven. B”H I can afford to give Tzedaka if asked. I never go to a weekday minyan without cash in my pocket to dispense as needed/requested. During Covid, when there were limits on inside gatherings we did not have these interruptions.

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    “I think what you are doing is absolutely wonderful. I just don’t understand why you’re looking down at other families who are also helping support their children.”

    I don’t look down at other families who are also helping to support their children. They are not supporting their children when they have their hands out asking OTHERS to support their children.
    Instead of spending hours and gasoline traveling to ask strangers for money to marry off your child, work another job. You may live in an area where a man could hit 4-5 shuls in an hour, but if he shows up in my small town shul and has a 30 minute drive to the next minyan, he isn’t using his time wisely and the cost with $4.50 gallon gas is prohibitive.

    BTW>>>>in addition to my Justice of the Peace offer which includes the bottle and kichel, now that Covid is in abeyance, Mrs. CTL and I are again making our gardens and outsize Chupah (a 12’x20’wisteria covered Pergola) available for weddings for those who need a suitable venue at no charge. It is one one Mrs. CTL’s greatest joys to host a wedding, BTW>> we have an extensive collection of family wedding gowns, mother and mother in law of the Kallah gowns and family formal wear that is available to borrow as well. Mrs. CTL’s private gemach.
    Our home was used for a filming a movie back in 2010 and we have appropriate dressing rooms with hair/makeup station for the kallah as well.

    If we can help bring joy to the Chason/Kallah by providing these things, it also brings us joy. It is not just about handing over cash.

    in reply to: The process of asking for money for a wedding #2112493
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Avram in MD
    The cost of loaning the money at no interest for home purchases was far less than the cost of an apartment in Israel. These were starter homes and our children put down 25% down payments that came from their earnings.
    All paid off the loans within 5-7 years. When they sold and upsized, they did it on their own.

    Why did MRS. CTL and I work so hard for our adult lives if not for our family?

    We don’t support our adult children and grandchildren, they are professionals who earn good money. We paid for our childrens’ undergraduate educations, not professional/grad schools. We did not pay for our grandchildrens’ education. Yes, we have passed down the occasional old car and a couple of the kids stayed in our Brooklyn house (it was originally where my father was born 100 years ago) while in school in NYC. I stayed in my sister’s in Massachusetts 2 nights a week when I was in law school, big deal.

    MY point is that unless able to earn a living a couple has no business getting married.

    To get back to the point of this thread, those coming to minyanim to schnor wedding funds, I find it unacceptable. I’m a Justice of the Peace, I’d marry them for nothing in my office, enough frum Yidden there to make a minyan and I’ll break out a bottle of scnhaaps and kichel afterwards.

    Weddings are overblown and overpriced.

    in reply to: The process of asking for money for a wedding #2112118
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    I’m in the minority here, but if the couple doesn’t have the education and means to support themselves they have no business getting married.
    It is not the parents’ obligation to support adult children. They may choose to contribute, but this is a choice.
    We paid all the wedding expenses for our daughters. They were married in our gardens and the meals were cooked and served here. No expensive hall, a couple of hundred guests seated in banquet tents for the seudah, cocktails and schmorg were around the swimming pool and basketball court.
    Our sons married in NYC. We paid for orchestra, liquor, personal flowers and officiant.
    We did not buy any of our children houses. Three started married lives in apartments we owned, paying the utilities and expenses. One moved into the MIL apartment of my Late MIL’s home and helped to care for her. As they had kids, they moved to the 3BR upstairs unit and MIL moved downstairs to the apartment.
    All are professionals, many work in the CTL Law firm and all have bought their own homes over time. Our first tow married grandchildren are living in apartments we own as they finish graduate schools and get ready to earn a full living.

    Would we buy a child a home? Only if there was some physical or mental impediment to their earning enough to buy and support a home.

    What we would do and have done, is finance the home purchase so the children did not have to pay interest on a bank mortgage.

    in reply to: Philanthropy for Kavod #2111566
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    I prefer NOT to have my name, family name or business name attached to donations via signs, dedication pamphlets, etc.
    That said, I am often asked to permit it, because the organization needs to show ‘prominent names’ in order to successfully solicit other donations. In our local hospital the CTL Law Firm Name is on an exam room in the ER. This was used to solicit other similar donations from area law firms. Our competitors did not want to look bad in the eyes of the general public (potential clients). Now, every single exam room has been dedicated/paid for by a local law firm. That is not a bad thing.

    There are tax caps on charitable giving (in the USA), so many businesses insist on the signs for major gifts and instead of take charitable donation deductions, expense this money as advertising.

    None of my personal donations have signage saying donated by CTL, but there are signs (for example) saying donated in the memory of ‘CTL’s Father’ without identifying the donor.

    in reply to: Libraries, What are they good for? #2107450
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    I check out books from my local public library regularly for myself and my grandchildren (here for the summer). I look at a screen enough hours for work related things, I don’t enjoy reading books on a screen. There is something comforting about the feel of a book in my hands and the feel of the pages as I turn them and the ink.
    Even on our law library at the CTL firm, I like books as well as digital. Sometimes I want to spread out assorted cases in open volumes on a conference table and compare what I have researched, not flip back and forth between screens on a computer.
    With a physical book, I never have to worry about the internet going down

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