Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Contempt in Tennessee

Divorce Attorney Larry Rice talks about the forms of contempt and the consequences of violating a court order. He defines the two types of contempt, civil and criminal, and explains the various ramifications when one does not comply with a court order, ranging from a simple monetary fine to a more severe punishment such as jail time.To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Ru4ljMDQY

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Attorney/Client Privilege in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice speaks candidly on the significance of confidentiality agreements between clients and attorneys as well as between the clients and the employees. He also explains the exceptions of the agreement, such as the attorney's legal obligation to report any criminal intent suggested by the client's actions or words.To view the entire video, please click the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxghSoRgYDQ

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Alimony in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice speaks about Tennessee law for alimony. Mr. Rice's lecture enlightens listeners on the reality of alimony, including the different types of alimony and the factors that influence the final rulings for alimony in divorce cases.

To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP9b7-U36VY

Clerking at Rice Law

I have already learned so much clerking at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC, but this week I added a new thought to my list.  Our client list is expanding, the phones are ringing, and that is not by accident.  Not only do our attorneys do a fantastic job in the courtroom, but they also do an exceptional job marketing themselves to the City of Memphis and beyond.   I hope that you caught Larry and Nick Rice on Live at 9 on Channel 3 or Fox 13 this week.  If not, maybe you have seen a recent advertisement in a local magazine.  Our firm is also reaching beyond Memphis too with a recent advertisement in Newsweek.  The attorneys at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC have taught me how important it is to get your name out there and get involved in your community.  I have seen how the law firm uses Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to their advantage.  I always enjoy reading Larry Rice’s Facebook wall.   I guarantee you would find him entertaining so you should “friend” him today!  Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC have done all of the right things to make sure that when someone in Memphis needs a family law attorney they know exactly who to call.

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: On the Facts about Snooping in a Divorce Case in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the importance of not snooping in a divorce case. It can get you in a lot of trouble. Watch out because you could be charged with a criminal sanction. Snooping will hurt you, more than it can help you.

To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZEjLcEBqxE

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Relocation in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the importance of Relocation. Does the moving primary parent have a good reason to go? Mr. Rice recommends that you want to do what is in the best interest of the children.To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDRhQgxZH2c

Mediation and the Law

One of the classes I am taking right now in law school is Mediation.  Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution where both parties discuss their issues and needs pertaining to the lawsuit in an attempt to avoid going to trial.  At mediation, a neutral third party known as the ‘mediator’ assists the parties in (hopefully) achieving a settlement.  Working with the Rice Firm has afforded me the opportunity to witness a mediation take place.  I learned the overall process from witnessing a mediation in East Memphis. 

I did not know anything about mediation prior to watching one for the first time.  First of all, I did not realize that mediations typically take an entire day.  This makes sense of course, since the purpose is to try and reach a settlement.  Parties may start at complete opposite ends of the spectrum, and thus it takes around seven hours to reach middle ground.   Some mediations take days to complete, and proceed in stages.  The mediation I attended was one where the parties reached a settlement in one day.  The parties were introduced to the mediator, and then placed in separate conference rooms. The mediator met with one party and discussed their terms with them.  The mediator gave candid legal advice but did not interfere with opinions.  Then the mediator took that proposal and brought it to the opposing party in the other room.  The opposing party then adjusted the terms according to their preference, while the mediator explained that some middle ground should be reached.  With this gentle guidance, the parties worked towards give and take that ended with a settlement at the end of the day that both parties were able to live with. 

Mediation is an excellent tool for an attorney to use as it avoids the expense and time consumption of a trial for the client.  It also helps the client to vent frustrations to the mediator and to have his pseudo “day in court”.     Finally, mediation brings each party to a place where they end the lawsuit and are comfortable with the settlement.  In mediation, the client controls the situation and may walk away at any time.  In a trial, the judge is in charge, and so one of the parties may be unsatisfied with the result.   Mediation helps to keep the result on neutral ground, and both parties are likely to be pleased.

I feel very fortunate that I have learned mediation first hand instead of simply from a book.  Knowing the process has made understanding the classroom material much easier.  Thank you Larry and Jenn for giving me the opportunity to learn by doing! 

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Property Division in Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Divorce Attorney Larry Rice gives an overview of how to divide property in divorce cases. He explains the two different types of property: separate property and marital property. Larry Rice defines separate property as any property acquired prior to the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during the marriage. He also discusses marital property and states that judges tend to consider other factors such as income and separate property when determining how to divide the spouse's marital property.

To view the entire video, please follow the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5Cwu4DRAvg

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Pendente Lite Hearings in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the purpose of Pendente Lite Support hearings in Tennessee. Pendente Lite, Latin for "pending litigation," is a good way to establish temporary child support until the final divorce hearing. Attorney Larry Rice explains that the Divorce Referee only considers income, expenses and the Child Support guidelines when deciding temporary support at the Pendente Lite hearings. Other factors that would contribute to granting a fault divorce in Tennessee do not hold much weight at a Pendente Lite hearing.To view this entire video, follow the link below:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MCGn4jOwpU

Balancing Work and School

As September begins, the law clerks at Rice, Amundsen & Caperton, PLLC are fully immersed back into the law school routine: study, class, study, class, repeat. It seems hard to find time for much else. As a 2L, this will be the first time I attempt to balance both school and work, and naturally I am a little nervous about it.

Fortunately, Mr. Larry Rice understands the demands of law school (as all attorneys do), and he allows the law clerks at Rice, Amundsen & Caperton, PLLC to create their own work schedules during the school year. This freedom takes off a lot of the pressure that we, as clerks, feel to balance our ever-so-busy schedules and it makes everything seem much more manageable. 

Although I am nervous about finding the perfect balance between school and work, it is reassuring to know that I have an employer who genuinely cares about his law clerk’s success, in all aspects, and is willing to let us decide what is best for us.