The Daily Record (Baltimore)

Commentary: Raising the Bar - State Court Criminal Defense: Nuts and Bolts, Part Iv

Last week, we left your nephew's hypothetical arson trial hanging in the balance. The prosecution just put on a formidable case against your client (the nephew) and his co-defendants, who allegedly conspired to burn down a barn. Now it's the defense counsels' turn to call any witnesses and, ultimately, present closing arguments. As a civil litigator who only rarely tries cases before a jury, you'll find this stage of the criminal case presents one of the greatest challenges you've faced as a ...

Commentary: Ub Viewpoint - with Roughly 9,000 Stores, Starbucks Serves It Up by Design

For the past couple of weeks I've been spending a lot of time in local Starbucks stores, paying $3 or more for a cup of coffee that used to cost less than a buck. This all began when I realized that I was far more comfortable meeting people at a nearby Starbucks than in my office. One of the reasons for this, of course, is that just about no matter where you are, there's always a Starbucks nearby. Starbucks' business strategy seems to disregard completely how close one Starbucks is to another...

Commentary: From the Governor - 2005 Session a Success for Marylanders

The Ehrlich-Steele administration achieved real results for the state business community and citizens of Maryland during the 90-day legislative session. The majority of the legislative package the administration introduced will be signed into law and many of his budget priorities won bipartisan support in the legislature, benefiting children, families and commuters while promoting economic growth. Commerce: The administration won major victories this session in our effort to strengthen Maryla...

Commentary: Eye On the Entrepreneur - Time for Entrepreneurs to Game Plan for Injury, Illness Is Now

Many entrepreneurs are the heart and soul of their business. Even after they put a team together and learn how to delegate, most entrepreneurs need to keep hands-on with their business. I often hear entrepreneurs complain that they really don't have time to even take a vacation. But some vacations aren't taken willingly. An accident, a sudden onset -or not so sudden onset - of sickness can quickly separate you from your beloved business.

Commentary: Charitable Giving - Marian House Inspires Inner Strength for Maryland Women

A frequently used motif during the Renaissance, caryatids are female figures that serve as ornamental support in place of columns. I find it quite fitting then that the courtyard at the Marian House is decorated with four unique marble caryatids, sculpted by Annapolis artist Claire McArdle. These striking sculptures offer inspiration beyond their aesthetic beauty - they often incite inner strength for the women of Marian House.

Commentary: The Negotiating Table - Turning Problems Into Opportunities

The Maryland Court of Appeals Rules govern mediation in court- referred matters. I would like to comment on and supplement the information provided in Rule 17 by suggesting the philosophy and purpose underlying the rule. The Court of Appeals has determined, correctly in my view, that unless the mediation process is significantly different from the usual settlement procedures undertaken by attorneys in a case, why have it?

Commentary: On the Road - Road to Weight Loss Starts with 10,000 Steps a Day in Maryland

Maryland health care experts don't want Americans to take the nation's collective weight problem sitting down. More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for problems like heart disease and diabetes, said Dr. Suzanne Sysko, medical director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Commentary: Web Sightings - Md. Entrepreneurs Creating New Trail for Others to Follow

Maryland and entrepreneurs - two words you typically don't hear together. But while Maryland is hardly Silicon Valley East, the state is making enormous strides in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit. In the past few years, locally based entrepreneurial companies such as Advertising.com and BreakAway Games have drawn national attention.

Commentary: Legal Advice - Profits Attributable to Copyright Infringement

A prevailing copyright plaintiff has the right to obtain its damages and the defendant's profits that are attributable to the infringement. Instead of proving damages and profits, however, the plaintiff may be entitled to elect to recover statutory damages of up to $150,000 for each work infringed, plus attorneys' fees. The problem is, many infringements occur prior to the date on which the copyright owner has registered the work with the Registrar of Copyrights. As a result, the infringed ow...

Commentary: Look Beyond Price and Go with Your Gut

We have all heard horror stories about the contractor who doesn't show, makes excuses for long delays in a project and then comes in over budget. The first inclination may be to think: Better that family than mine, but choosing a contractor based on an ad with a free estimate and a dollars-off coupon could lead any building project to this end.