Law Offices of Karen Shea

Although you may be anxious to have your day in court, it’s important to stay open to any settlements that are offered by the other side. In some cases, the settlement may make court unnecessary.

The term “civil law” comes directly from the Latin phrase, "ius civile," law applicable to all Roman citizens. It’s based on the compilation of existing law commissioned by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Justinian’s laws were lost within a few decades, but were rediscovered during the 11th century.

A civil lawyer with experience in bankruptcy law can explain the advantages of filing for bankruptcy in detail. One big advantage is that once you file for bankruptcy, a legal stay is in effect. This means all creditors must stop calling or trying to get in touch with you about your debts.

Do you typically think of civil law as more of an individual or personal proceeding? While this can be the case, contract law is a common area of civil law and may frequently involve corporations and small businesses.

Do you have a will? It’s no fun to think about death and dying, but a will can pass along crucial information to family members about your last wishes. For example, if you have children, a will can include your choice as a guardian for your children in your absence. A civil lawyer can help you draft a will.

Federal and state laws protect employees, and those seeking a job, from mistreatment, discrimination and harassment in the workplace, if the harassment arises because race, s*x, age or any other personal characteristic specifically protected by law.

The discovery phase of a civil action follows the initial pleadings. Its focus centers on each party being granted the opportunity to learn what evidence the other side has, and to understand what information is needed to prove or disprove a case.

An administrative law attorney specializes in representing citizens and businesses that must interact with government regulatory agencies, or appear before an administrative tribunal. Administrative law attorneys have experience handling matters that can range from environmental rules to licensing issues.

Do you know what a living will is? It’s a document in which you can express your specific desires in relation to end-of-life medical treatment. A civil lawyer can help you draft this document, so that your wishes will be clear to any doctors or family members.

If you have been a victim of police brutality, there are a couple of steps you need to take. Any injuries need to be documented and looked at by a healthcare professional, and you need to request copies of all police reports surrounding the incident.

Tort law is also known as the law of “personal wrongs.” The purpose of tort damages is to restore the wronged party to their original position prior to the commission of the tort. Tort damages may also include punitive fines.

It’s important to remember that not all instances of discrimination will necessarily be worth taking to trial. Let’s talk about the discrimination you were forced to endure and whether you could win in court.

In many cases, it is possible to represent yourself in an effort to save money. But there are many areas of the law that are extremely complex and your inexperience could be significant. For example, if you do not properly fill out a petition for personal bankruptcy, your case will be refused.

Police officers have broad powers to carry out their duties, but the law does place restrictions on how far they’re allowed to go when enforcing the law. If you’ve been a victim of police misconduct, our attorneys can help.

Basically, civil procedure dictates that the civil case begins when the complaint is filed. The complaint is then served to the offending party, who drafts and files an answer with the court. In many cases, the parties then go before the court to present their case/defense.

If you are considering initiating a lawsuit, you want to make sure you receive everything the law allows. Our expert guidance will show you what your rights are and what you can expect to receive.

What kind of damages can you expect to receive in your personal injury case? The goal of civil law is to put the plaintiff back to the position he or she was before the incident. Compensatory damages can be awarded for medical costs, lost work and any property lost.

If you have been involved in an accident, did you know that your insurance agent's main obligation is to the insurance company? A civil lawyer; however, is only concerned about your legal interests and can make sure you get the proper insurance payout.

The longer a couple is together, the more complicated a divorce can be. While the divorce itself is a civil case, there are a wide variety of other civil cases that often go with it, such as child support or custody cases.

When the civil rights guaranteed to everyone in the Constitution are denied, the type of case involved depends on where the unlawful infringement took place. If police treat you differently because of your race or s*x, there is a specific body of law that offers protection.

Did you know that even in at-will employment, an employee's military status can affect his rights? By law, employers can't base hiring, firing, or adverse workplace decisions on whether an enlisted employee is on active duty, or has been called to active duty.

The Textus Roffensis (1124) is really two manuscripts bound together. The first section represents the most complete version of Anglo-Saxon laws from 600 through 1100. The second contains the leadership, history, and property records of the Rochester Cathedral, where the book once resided.

The first law school in America was opened by Tapping Reeve in 1784. During the Revolutionary War, Reeve taught aspiring lawyers, but in 1784, he adopted a formal curriculum, scheduled classes, built a small school building, and launched the Litchfield Law School.

Police officers are bound by duty to protect individuals from constitutional violations by their fellow officers. An officer who witnesses misconduct but does nothing may be civilly liable for failing to intervene.

If you believe you have been discriminated against but are not sure what to do or who to sue, we can help. Our team of legal professionals will review all your information, and make sure everything is in order before proceeding.

An old proverb says that “he who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” Our civil attorneys will analyze and advise you on your issues, and will also help you identify any additional claims you may have overlooked.

King Aethelbert of Kent established the first written English law. While many of the laws defined crimes and accepted punishments, many were devoted to civil infractions and related fines. For example, “if a freeman commits hedge-breaking, he shall pay 6s [shillings] compensation.”

A badge does not exempt someone from the law. If you have been the victim of a police officer abusing his or her power, you have legal recourse. Call us and let us examine your situation and let us act in your behalf.

While the majority of police officers take their duty to serve the public good very seriously, there are those who occasionally overstep their authority. We’re here if you’ve been a victim of police misconduct.

In a police misconduct suit, the evidence supporting your claim is the most vital element. If you’ve been a victim of police misconduct, contact our civil attorneys promptly so they can make sure this valuable evidence doesn’t disappear.