Legal News That YOU Can Use

Transcription

1 Legal News That YOU Can Use Summer 2008 Christina Bruner Sonsire Joins The Ziff Law Firm To learn more about Christina, please visit us at zifflaw.com. In This Issue: Christina Bruner Sonsire Joins The Ziff Law Firm Tis Spring an Time For Fishing! The Laws u Nee To Know... Woul u Rie ur Motorcycle Nake? The Ziff Law Triathlon Team A recent aition to the Ziff Team, Christina Bruner Sonsire joine the firm in March 2008 an practices in the areas of Personal Injury an Meical Malpractice. Christina loves being in the courtroom an is eager to continue eveloping her trial avocacy skills. Her firsthan experience in personal injury an municipal efense shoul prove invaluable for our clients, who will benefit from Christina s in-epth unerstaning of how attorneys think an operate on the other sie of the courtroom. Christina grauate from Notre Dame High School in 1994 an from Georgetown University in 1998, earning ual Bachelor of Arts egrees in Classics an International Relations. Christina was a stanout soccer player on the Div.1 Georgetown Varsity Women s Soccer Team earning istinction as the all time high-scorer an assists recor holer. She stuie International Economics abroa g o l at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Upon ur B O t i om grauating from Georgetown, Christina joine Vis at og.c l B Americorps National Civilian Community Law jury n I Corps, a volunteer program often referre to.ny www as the Domestic Peace Corps, where she serve for nearly three years. She then attene the University of Montana School of Law, garnering the prestigious Colton an Hatfiel Scholarships. At the U of M, she was a Moot Court National finalist an was name a Best Oralist in the Western Region. Christina began her legal career at the Chemung County District Attorney s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. She also practice personal injury an municipal efense, gaining valuable experience. Christina has extensive courtroom trial experience an has successfully argue before New rk s Court of Appeals for the Thir Department. Christina lives in Elmira with her husban, Damian Sonsire, a Chemung County Assistant District Attorney. She is a member of the Notre Dame High School an Arctic League Boars of Directors, serves as the ViceChairperson of the City of Elmira s Planning Commission, an is a hea coach of Notre Dame s Mock Trial Team. In recognition of service to her community, Christina was aware the Jefferson Awar for Public Service in In her spare time, Christina enjoys running with the Finger Lakes Runners Club, riing her snowboar an hiking on the many trails running through the Southern Tier. 303 William Street, Elmira, NY Phone: Toll Free: 800-ZIFFLAW Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 1 6/23/08 1:44:51 PM

2 Tis Spring an Time For Fishing! The Laws u Nee To Know... I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from iscovering trout. Paul O Neil For many people in the Southern Tier of New rk an Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, April oesn t just mark the en of snowy, gray ays an the promise of vibrant spring flowers. Instea, the month opens the gate to something even more fulfilling the start of fishing season! In a region where stream waters are overflowing with trout just waiting to be caught an school chilren are seemingly entitle to take a brief respite from their stuies to celebrate nature s vast bounty, the lawyers at Ziff Law are please to present you - the eager fishing public - with a brief refresher on the general rules an regulations governing fishing in New rk. Accoring to New rk State s Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC), New rk fishing licenses an permits may be purchase through NYDEC s Automate Licensing System (DECALS) at all license issuing outlets, via DECALS online registration form ( vansis.wcom.com/fgnyia/html/welcome. jsp), by phone (1-86-NY-DECALS/ ), or by ownloaing a mail orer application ( willife_pf/sportlic.pf) an mailing it to Verizon Business, P.O. Box 36985, Phoenix AZ Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 2 An annual fishing license costs $19.00 for New rk resients an $40.00 for nonresients. (A complete scheule of fishing license fees, incluing the cost for obtaining a Lifetime License, can be foun at A New rk State fishing licensee (or combine hunting an fishing licensee) is entitle to take (1) fish by angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, an tip-ups; (2) frogs by spearing, catching with the hans or using a club or hook; an (3) fish by baiting for personal use. Everyone who fishes in New rk must have a vali New rk State fishing license in his or her possession, except: Persons uner 16 years of age; When fishing waters of the Marine District or in the Huson River south of the Troy Barrier Dam. (Note: A fishing license is require on the entire length of all Huson River tributaries south of the Troy Dam to the Tappan Zee Brige even if the tributary is subject to tial flow); When fishing on license fishing preserves; Citizen-resient owners, lessees an citizen members of their immeiate families 6/23/08 1:45:00 PM

3 occupying an cultivating farm lans, when fishing on their own lans; Persons holing farm fish pon licenses an members of their immeiate families, when fishing on waters covere by their licenses; an Resient parties at Unite States Veterans Aministration hospitals, Department of Mental Hygiene institutions, an Department of Health rehabilitation hospitals, an inmates at Division of uth rehabilitation centers. A free permit is available from: NYSDEC License Sales, 625 Broaway, Albany, New rk Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 3 Don t forget New rk esignates the last full weeken in June as Free Fishing Days, a two-ay perio when anyone can fish New rk State waters an no fishing licenses are require. If any of you are lucky enough to snag a big fish, please feel free to mail us a photo of you an your catch (303 William Street, Elmira, New rk 14902) or us a copy at cbruner@zifflaw.com. Happy fishing! 6/23/08 1:45:13 PM

4 Woul u Rie ur Motorcycle Nake? u are NOT covere by your car insurance for an accient on your motorcycle. Motorcycle coverage will NOT cover meical bills an lost wages like your car insurance! In the Spring 2007 issue of our newsletter, we wrote an article entitle Woul u Rie ur Motorcycle Nake? which was intene to alert reaers to some common misconceptions people have about their motorcycle insurance. Little i we know how important this article woul be to someone very close to us. On April 15, 2008, Ewar Nelson, the husban of Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 4 our long time real estate paralegal Enola Nelson, was involve in a serious motor vehicle collision while on his motorcycle. Despite operating a large, conspicuous, fully resse motorcycle with three healights, a car attempting to turn into the Maple Lawn Dairy faile to yiel the right of way to E, resulting in the collision. E was bange up pretty ba, sustaining multiple fractures, scrapes an bruises, an nearly lost a finger. E is a long way from being out of the woos, but is resting comfortably at home uner the attentive care of Enola an their kis. The point of telling you all this is that because of that newsletter article, E an Enola (who is also an avi biker) sat own with their insurance agent last year to review their coverage. When they i they foun out, much to their surprise, 6/23/08 1:45:17 PM

5 that they woul have no meical coverage in the event they were injure in a motorcycle accient. They immeiately aresse this issue, an are now reaping the benefit every time their motorcycle insurance covers another bill with no co-pay or exclusion. For a mere $65.00 per year, E an Enola were able to purchase $10, in meical coverage. For those of you new to our newsletter, previous issues are always available on our website at For everyone s benefit, the most common misconceptions are: 1. I on t nee to purchase a lot of motorcycle coverage, because my car insurance will cover me in the event of a collision. DON T MAKE THIS CRITICAL MISTAKE! u are NOT covere by your car insurance Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 5 for an accient on your motorcycle! In fact, every motor vehicle policy contains an exclusion specifically enying coverage for injuries sustaine while operating a motorcycle. 2. My motorcycle coverage will cover my meical bills an lost wages just like my car insurance. WRONG!!! Unlike with cars, there is no no fault coverage for motorcycles. Basic motorcycle coverage is esigne to cover property amage an personal injuries sustaine by others in the event you are foun responsible for a collision. It is not esigne to protect YOU! Basic Economic Loss (OBEL) can be use to repair your motorcycle, cover your meical expenses an make up for lost wages while you are hurt, an are available in varying amounts epening on your circumstances. These provisions are typically reasonably price, usually totaling only a fraction of the liability portion of your policy. It is money well spent to provie peace of min an to protect you an your family in the event of a collision. So how can you protect yourself? Most insurance companies that sell motorcycle insurance also sell a-ons to their policies that will help protect you in the event of a loss. Coverage such as Comprehensive Collision, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) an Optional 6/23/08 1:45:33 PM

6 The Zifflaw Triathlon Team aka Too Dumb to Stay Home on the Couch! By ZiffLaw Attorney Jim Ree Rule #1: NEVER hire a new, young, energetic lawyer. Rule #2: If you violate Rule #1, on t let the new young lawyer talk you into competing with her in a triathlon. Rule #3: If you violate Rules #1 an #2, pray that you on t ie when trying to get in shape for the triathlon! So I thought I was smart when I hire Christina Bruner Sonsire. I was exceeingly impresse with her intelligence, her energy an her enthusiasm. I knew that she was a ynamite athlete (heck, she was a recor-setting Division 1 athlete!). But little i I know that she is VERY evious. She sweetly aske one ay: Wouln t it be fun to enter a triathlon as a team? Not realizing that a trap was being set, I sai: Sure, souns like fun. Now when you say that type of thing to most people that s the last you hear of it. But not with Christina. Oh, no, not with her. Two ays later, she announces: I signe us up for a triathlon the Cayuga Triathlon in Ithaca. An then she throws in the kicker: An, oh, by the way, it is the National Triathlon Championships! So now, she has us not only oing a triathlon, but competing in the Nationals with 700+ whacko super-athletes! Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 6 6/23/08 1:45:34 PM

7 So here s our team: Runner Christina ung Puppy Bruner Swimmer Aam Speeo Boy Gee Bicyclist Jim Ol Dog Ree Shoul be fun! Say a prayer for us early on the morning of Sunay, August 3, 2008, when we will be trying our harest not to embarrass ourselves too baly.. Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 7 6/23/08 1:45:46 PM

8 job:kt3 0-3 (b) job:kt30-3 (f) The Ziff Law Firm Key Tag Program job:kt3 0-3 (f) Just a reminer for those of you who have not yet registere the Ziff Key Tag we sent you recently. Taking the time to attach the tag to your keys an register now can save you a consierable amount of time, frustration an worry in the future. u can register your Key Tag online at registration.php or by calling 800 ZIFFLAW ( ). Anyone intereste in receiving a Key Tag can easily request one by calling 800-ZIFFLAW or visiting ABOUT Don t Miss The Valuable Information In These Books by Attorney Jim Ree! Call Toay For ur Free Copies: 800-ZIFFLAW OR UTH EA years, n 20 UT TH re tha ABO For mo has battle on e ies Jim Re e compan rsons. nc pe insura ure ce to inj of tte ami behalf its his practi injury He is l Jim lim nt persona tice cases. sylvania s ac ca Penn ling case signifi ical malpr N.Y. an han an me ce in both perience ex cti e pra siv to s exten s nia. an ha Pennsylva. He ha es Forum is an N.Y. an Avocat Cases. He an the both Dollar ghout ers Plus al throu Million l Lawy Dollar on leg er of the ral Million aemy of Triafrequently wers Ac e a memb le seve vie rk is tur to lec n w Jim s poning nally ha er of the Ne tion. Jim ha perso -TV res memb Associa on WETM active l Lawyer s He weekly. Tria ies ars. an pe N.Y an ap e comp maximize uranc rage topics estions. ent ins business to s for cove repres legal qu mium l not, anies are in high pre an wil s not, urance comp by charging. Jim ha ins an o so possible s that n you for t they claims as know ee tha tw st be an little on at is be g fiel profits o wh lieves that m playin ying as el the re that you be an pa to lev flaw.co firmly su s book rier to en mpany. He :// luing inc ote thi car tp Jim wr insurance insurance co bsite at ht legal topics ls, small your car ily, not the r. Visit his we e range of l estate, wil wi rea your fam on is powe ation on a insurance, ati inform ional inform, motorcycle. it ira, NY for a malpractice re. m, Elm al Fir mo w ic La an me Ziff court, an the nts, er of the claims g Partn t the law firm for its clie nagin ou the Ma ation ab w has earne is Jim ZiffLa re inform om. For mo nts/vericts ww.ziffiaw.c settlemevisit please at: che y be rea m Jim ma jree Firm w Ziff La lliam Street, 303 Wi N.Y ), 43 Elmira FFLAW (9 -ZI r.in okcove ReeBo 1 TH E AU THOR For more than 20 years, Jim companies Ree has on behalf battle insu of injure to significa rance persons. nt persona E Jim limits l injury an his prac extensiv S GUIDis amitte me SIDER e experience hanlin to practice in both N.Y. ical malpractice case tice g cases thro s. He AN IN an Pennsyl ughout both vania an Jim is a mem SING has N.Y. an FU ber Pen N of the Mill nsylvania. hanle ion Dollar several Mill THE CO Av TOrk oca ion Dollar tes Forum. Acaem Plus Cas He has pers y of Trial es. He is Law OF lecture ona an active yers an lly freqld member the N.Y. uently on WOR Trial Law of the New viewers legal topi yer s Asso legal que cs an app ciation. Jim stions. ears wee has kly on WET RK M-TV resp Jim has NEW YO oning to not, an will not, insuranc represe e compan.. nt insuranc E. NC ies e compan are in bus charging SURA ies. He kno high IN iness to prem max TO ium ws imiz s that for coverag AU e profits an that e an pay they o Jim wrote ing as little so by this book on claim to level the s as pos carrier to sible. ensure that playing fiel ho you o w between compan what is bes y. He firm meone you an your car t for you ly believe by so r family, insuranc s that info ww.ziffl not e rma the aw. tion insuranc com for topics inclu is power. nny e pe a Visit his web a ing me itional info e ak ical rma site claims cou m tion on a at n t malpractice, mot rt, an wie rang oes more. orcy e. cle insurance, real esta e of legal suranc Jim is the te, wills, in to sma Managin au ll gner gllin Part about the of the Ziff law firmse Law Firm an the please visit, Elmira, settlements NY. For mor /vericts ww.ziffia e informa ZiffLaw has w.com. tion earne for CE Jim may ge its clients, be reache Covera RAN U rtant at: jree@ziffl S po IN aw.com e Most Im it!) n Buy Th Ziff Law u Ca on t have AUTO Firm t you 303 Will t I ll be iam Stre en Ag (an et, Elmira, N.Y. ance Insur u ts ur ZIFF Secre Won t Tell LAW (94 Don t 33529) t ur t Wha ure Ou an Leave ily to Fig Do ssociatio How n.com es u Fam rag ve ve Co e Ha Don t rotect ) np n t U Ca Can (aniver for u Dr When Other $12.95 Sue the ur Injuries cting ote of Pr crets Family the Se Learn u an ur LEARN THE LEA N THE FIVE DERA DLY THAT CA MISTA N KILL YO KES UR AC CIDENT CASE! FIVE ETS SECR G TO BUYIN B. JAMES What you nee to know BEF ORE talk Myths abo ing to the ut Insuran insurance ce Claims compan What you that sim y nee to ply are NOT know BEF true ORE talk ing to any How to fin the attorney right atto Why hon rney for esty is ALW YOU AYS the best pol icy for you r case JAM E. S, ESQ REED Ne B. REE D, w rk an 9/24/07 11:49:12 AM Pennsylva nia Accie ESQ. nt Attorn ey PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #419 FORT MYERS, FL 303 William Street, Elmira, NY New rk Fishing Licenses: A Must Have See Page 2 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING The information inclue in this newsletter is not intene as a substitute for consultation with an attorney. Specific conitions always require consultation with appropriate legal professionals. Current_LegalNews NewsletterTemp.in 8 6/23/08 1:46:55 PM