Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Lawyer

1. Do they offer a free consultation? Many lawyers will not charge for an initial consultation. Make an appointment to explain
your issue and see if you feel comfortable with the lawyer or lawyers you’ll be working with. A good connection is crucial for success. Ask potential lawyers questions to determine your compatibility.

2. What does the lawyer charge per hour, and how do they handle fees? How big is the firm? Will other lawyers be working on your case? What does the firms staffing situation look like? Can other employees work on your file at a discounted rate, saving you money?

3. What are your expectations? Make sure you discuss your expectations with your attorney so you can avoid any miscommunication. Ask if they have time to take on your case immediately and if they have time to devote to it. How much communication are you expecting to receive from your lawyer? Is your case civil, where frequent contact is required? Do you prefer phone calls or emails? You and your lawyer should have a mutual understanding of what communication will look like throughout your case.

4. Ask questions. Lawyers understand making this choice is significant, financially and often emotionally. They should be willing to work with you to help meet your needs and determine what actions will lead to a positive outcome.

Learn more about things you should consider when choosing a lawyer here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

For more information or to speak with us about your legal issue, please contact our attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441. To learn more about Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., or any of our attorneys, please visit learn more about us here.

What to Consider when Choosing a Lawyer

Choosing the right lawyer for your situation and needs is extremely important. You may be asking yourself, “What kinds of things should I consider?”

Whether you’re looking for help dealing with a legal issue, estate planning, going through a divorce or starting a business, here are some key factors to consider when selecting a lawyer:

1.     Location- One of the first things to consider is location. Where is the firm’s located?

2.     Do your research! Go online. Talk to your friends and neighbors and ask who they’d recommend. Most people have to interact with the law at one time or another so maybe they have a recommendation. Ask people in your area who they’ve used and liked. Look at ratings on Google. Reputation matters!

3.     Look for areas of law or specialty. Lawyers usually have a primary area of focus like estate planning, civil litigation, and domestic relations matters. Ensure you retain an attorney who understands your situation's legal process and is an expert in that particular area of law. 

4.     Short-term or Long term representation – Do you need a lawyer on retainer? Do you have a short-term lawsuit? You need to determine whether you need continuing or short-term representation. Drafting documents involves a few interactions with a lawyer, whereas a civil suit can require years of contact.

Learn more about things you should consider when choosing a lawyer here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

For more information or to speak with us about your legal issue, please contact our attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441. To learn more about Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., or any of our attorneys, please visit learn more about us here.

Can’t Repay the UIA Unemployment Benefits? PSED Can Help You!

UIA initiated the repayment demands early last year, claiming that benefits to approximately 700,000 qualified claimants during the previous 2 years, were disbursed in error, totaling  approximately $3.9 billion. It claimed that under new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) eligibility rules, the recipients of the funds lost their previously recognized eligibility. The UIA mailed notices to 700,000 people demanding repayment of benefits previously received, advising that the payments had been made in error due to a change in federal eligibility requirements.

Did you receive a request in the mail? Learn more about repaying the UIA unemployment benefits here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about the cancelation of UIA repayment demands, please contact employment and labor attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

Do You Have To Honor A Request By UIA For Repayment Of Unemployment Benefits?

In recent months, over 38,000 Michigan residents have received demands from the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) for repayment of unemployment benefits. The UIA’s repayment requests are for substantial amounts of money, as high as $ 35,000. However, the repayment demands are of questionable legality. Many of the recipients have exhausted the benefits they previously received and cannot afford to repay the State.  How to respond to and contest a repayment request is an issue that is causing and will continue to cause serious concern to many Michiganders. 

Did you receive a request in the mail? Learn more about repaying the UIA unemployment benefits here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about the cancelation of UIA repayment demands, please contact employment and labor attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Disputes Are Resolved

Both the employer and the employee have a right to appeal from an Agency determination with which they disagree to an Administrative Law Judge, and from the ALJ’s decision to the UIA Appeals Committee and ultimately to court.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you as either an employer or employee, have questions concerning the right to unemployment benefits, contact our employment law lawyers in Ann Arbor today to help get your questions answered.

Forfeiture of Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The right to receive unemployment insurance benefits after an employment relationship ends depends solely on why the relationship ended.

Employers and employees commonly believe that because the employee is jobless he/she is entitled by law to receive unemployment benefits from the State. However, in many situations, that’s not true. In Michigan, there are a number of legal limitations on an unemployed employee’s right to receive benefits from the State. 

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you as either an employer or employee, have questions concerning the right to unemployment benefits, contact our employment law lawyers in Ann Arbor today to help get your questions answered.

Employment Law Attorneys in Ann Arbor Can Help You Win Your Non-Compete Agreement Fight

Have you signed a non-compete agreement at work? 

Are you looking to change your employment?

You could have a hard time navigating the job industry if you signed one of these agreements.

While employee non-compete agreements are authorized by a Michigan statute, that statute and related laws impose a number of limitations on their enforceability.  Read this!

Have questions regarding employment or labor law issues? Contact PSED, schedule an initial consultation with a employment law attorneys in Ann Arbor! 734-665-4441

Are Employee Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable in Michigan?

Employers commonly condition the hire of a new employee on their willingness to agree in writing that after leaving the job, he or she will not engage in another job or a business that is competitive with the employer’s business. While such a commitment may appear to someone who is unemployed to be no big deal, that’s normally not the case. Being subject to such an agreement after one’s employment ends, is likely to create unexpected concerns for both employee and employer. In light of today’s tight job market, a terminated employee, with limited job skills and experience, may suddenly find himself with few, if any, employment opportunities. Because of a number of legal limitations on a former employer’s ability to enforce a non-compete agreement, employers attempting to do so may find themselves entrenched in costly and unpredictable litigation.

Learn more here!

Have questions regarding employment or labor law issues? Contact PSED, schedule an initial consultation with a employment law attorneys in Ann Arbor! 734-665-4441

Why is the Pre-Suit Preparation Important?

The Michigan Supreme Court recently adopted changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure that will completely overhaul the discovery process in Michigan to bring it closer to the procedures in federal court. If you’re not familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure the changes could be overwhelming, but for many litigants the changes will be welcome. 

The new rules will emphasize initial disclosures and document production. Instead of waiting until asked, parties will be required to disclose the factual basis of their claim or defense, the legal theories on which they rely or their case, possible witnesses or people with discoverable information, their computation of damages, and the location or types of documents in their possession that are relevant to the case. All of this information must be produced by a party without being asked. Practitioners in federal court will be familiar with this process, as it is similar to the Rule 26 disclosures required in federal cases. 

Learn more here about the changes the Michigan Supreme Court adopted to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about civil law in Ann Arbor, contact Jeremy Kennedy at PSED today! Schedule an initial consultation. 734-665-4441

Dismissal of Charges, But Removing Your Criminal Record Could Be Harder. Until Now.

Effective June 12^th 2018, a new law in Michigan provides that an arrest record, biometric data and fingerprints may be removed from ICHAT if the charge is dismissed before trial. Rarely do state legislatures enact criminal-defense-friendly laws but, here, the Michigan legislature took a step toward a fair system; a step away from a system that has handcuffed people charged with a crime even after the charge was justifiably dismissed.

Learn more!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you need help navigating the criminal process, contact Steven Tramontin, a criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor! Attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with virtually everything law related. Consult your attorney for details.

Possession Of A Gun On Municipal Property

The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that a local school district may adopt a policy that prohibits the possession of a firearm on school property. The outcome of the case was in doubt considering prior appellate court rulings that a municipality may not establish gun-free zones on municipal property.

This new law distinguishes between types of premises and sets different rules for concealed versus open possession and for members of the public versus municipal employees.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about concealed or open carry gun laws or municipal law services at PSED Law, contact us today! Schedule an initial consultation. 734-665-4441

Employment Attorney in Ann Arbor Helps Workers Fight Harassment in the Workplace

Do you feel targeted by your boss?

Are you being harassed at work?

Are you afraid to go to work and lose your job because of harassment?

Workplace harassment occurs in many forms. Some of the most common types occur because the employee is targeted by his boss or supervisor because of his or her sex, sexual identity, race, age, national origin or disability. 

If you’ve been harassed at work, you should talk to an experienced employment attorney in Ann Arbor today about your concerns. If someone is harassing you at work, at very least you should know your rights.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about harassment rights at PSED Law, contact us today! Attorneys at Pear, Sperling, Eggan, & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. Consult your attorney for details.

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact our employment attorney in Ann Arbor today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.

Victims of Workplace Harassment & Their Rights

One of the most common types of inquiries I receive is from people who claim they’re victims of workplace harassment instigated by a boss, supervisor or co-worker. Their most common question is if they can put an end to the harassment and recover money damages from the harasser.

Unfortunately, the situations that afford a harassed employee a right to threaten or take legal action against a harasser are legally limited. Talk to an experienced employment attorney in Ann Arbor today about your concerns. If someone is harassing you at work, at very least you should know your rights.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact our employment attorney in Ann Arbor today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.