Blog

As 2018 draws to a close I find it beneficial to look back at what has happened, what I’ve done and the roads I’ve traveled. It’s a practice that I was introduced to years ago by a former client. After I resolved his matter we were chatting about things unrelated to his case when he surprised me with a question: “So: are you satisfied with how you spent your time this past year? Anything good happen?” I’ll admit I was flummoxed: I had never thought to have asked that question of myself before.

Community involvement is important to Locks Law Firm – whether as a firm, a local office or individual members of our staff.  We are proud to be able to help support local businesses and families across the region. In particular, we are thrilled to be sponsoring a youth basketball team this winter through the Taney Basketball league in Philadelphia.  Taney Basketball aims to keep youth basketball affordable for every child and will not turn away any child, regardless of ability to pay, offering financial aid where needed.  And since registration fees don’t cover the costs of uniforms, equipment, basketball court rental fees, referees, and other league expenses, they rely on the community to step up.  We are excited to be sponsoring the Wolfpack this season and the youth right here in our “backyard.” GO PACK!

Dan Rather posted on Facebook this week, “For many, this season is ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ But for those struggling with loneliness, illness, economic hardship, the loss of a loved one, and other challenges, this time can be very difficult. So please reach out in kindness to those in need of help and comfort.”

Caribou Coffee notified customers yesterday of a data breach of it's POS systems for credit cards.  Data Breach notification letter is here:

https://assets.coffeeandbagels-static.com/cariboucoffee/Data-Security-Notice.pdf

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 originally created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a no-fault alternative to the traditional tort system. The VICP is administered by the Division of Injury Compensation Programs, Healthcare Systems Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is venued in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington D.C. The VICP is entirely separate from the traditional tort lawsuit claims that one might expect with personal injury. The VICP was created because we recognize as a country that vaccines are good for the common benefit, however, in rare instances some vaccines can cause certain side effects. In order to stabilize vaccine costs and prevent vaccine shortages related to lawsuits from these rare occurrences, the legislature created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This program established a Compensation Trust Fund that is funded by a $.75 tax on each vaccine that is recommended by the CDC. 

Partner Marc Weingarten not only works as a full time attorney at Locks Law Firm but also is a Judge Pro Tempore. Marc’s responsibilities with this title includes being assigned a certain number of cases per month and serves as a settlement master. He meets with counsel together, separately, and confidentially to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their positions. He will then make a report of his impressions which will contain his position and recommendations for the settlement in hearing.

Every day, the heart of our practice is in serving the people in our communities.  People who have been injured through no fault of their own. People who have lost loved ones.  People who need help representing themselves against wrongs done to them. But this isn’t just what we do in our “day jobs.”  Many of our employees are involved with charities throughout our neighborhoods, giving back to causes important to them. And it is in that spirit that each year around the holidays, our firm “adopts” an organization to support.  Last year, we chose Operation Warm. Operation Warm’s mission resonated with our team: “Operation Warm provides warmth, confidence and hope to children in need through the gift of brand new winter coats. We believe a brand new coat is more than a coat. Through serving millions of children in need across North America, we have seen that a brand new coat offers a child physical and emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future.”

We would like to send a very warm congratulations to Partner Jerry Lindheim who has been selected to the Susan G. Komen Board of Directors. As a member of the Philadelphia board he will be part of a team that “governs and advises [us] in our endeavors to save lives and end breast cancer forever, and leads [our] efforts to fund the best science and equip the boldest communities in order to make the biggest impact.”

At about 6:15 on the morning of Tuesday, November 20, I learned that Kevin Laughlin, CFO and Of Counsel to the Locks Law Firm, had passed away suddenly the previous night.   The day before I had been teasing Kevin playfully about his beloved Villanova Wildcats losing to Furman. (He took it rather well, reminding me of their two recent national championships). The news was a shock on many levels.   Kevin was a key part of the Firm, but more importantly he was a joy to be around.

At a Thanksgiving dinner years ago when my son was a small boy he asked me, “Dad, what do lawyers give thanks for?”  Unsurprised at his question, I responded with the expected categories---family, country, good health and good food. He wasn’t buying it, and a cross-examination followed: “No Dad, I mean what lawyer things are you thankful for?”