tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140364652011-04-21T13:56:22.152-04:00Orlando Lawyer James Hart represents Central Florida residents in complex Divorce, Marital and Family Law MattersJim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.comBlogger181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1146518700790076372006-05-01T17:24:00.000-04:002006-05-01T17:53:47.066-04:00

In the most recent issue of the Family Law Commentator, an article I wrote on effective closing arguments was included on page 11. The text of the Article follows:Presenting an Effective Closing ArgumentIn a Family Law trial, the judge is the trier of fact, not a jury. An attorney must keep this in mind when drafting an effective closing argument. The three simple rules that follow will help you

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1146426026694185672006-04-30T15:39:00.000-04:002006-04-30T20:27:28.460-04:00

The Following is an article that can be found on the website of the Florida Bar. It outlines the basic concepts of Divorce in Florida:CAN YOUR MARRIAGE BE SAVED?Before you take any legal steps to end your marriage, you should make sure that you have tried all possible ways to save it. Do you want professional help in working out ways to save your marriage? Many communities and social and

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1134336232214296602005-12-11T14:57:00.000-05:002005-12-11T16:23:52.263-05:00

From all the DUI defendants in Seminole County... thank you Judge Erikkson. Since early in 2005, the Seminole County Judges have been routinely throwing out the breath tests in DUI cases because the State Attorney has been unable or unwilling to hand over the source code for the Intoxilyzer 5000 breath test machines. In addition, Judge Erikksson has been throwing out the field sobriety tests as

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1132938726546144702005-11-25T11:59:00.000-05:002005-11-25T12:12:06.556-05:00

The penalties for drug offenses in Florida are some of the toughest in the nation. While a simple misdemeanor possession charge in other states could lead to a small fine and no criminal record, in Florida the offense of possession could lead to the following penalties:Up to one year in jail Up to a $1,000 fineUp to one year of probationCourt mandated counseling and drug testingLoss of driving

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1132521049266416302005-11-20T16:10:00.000-05:002005-11-20T16:15:16.426-05:00

Theft Offenses Theft offenses are also considered crimes of dishonesty, and can have severe consequences for those convicted, including:Loss of employment or ability to get a jobLoss of financial aid or scholarships for collegePublic humiliationPossible suspension of your driving privileges Additionally, anyone convicted of a theft offense faces the possibility of jail or prison time,

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1132441384186024012005-11-19T18:03:00.000-05:002005-11-19T18:10:06.436-05:00

Driving Under the Influence “DUI”In Florida, a person charged with “drunk driving” has been charged with what is also known as “driving under the influence,” or DUI. In other jurisdictions, this same charge has been called “driving while intoxicated” or DWI. Although the names vary, the goals of each state in prosecuting drunk drivers is the same: to punish those who drink or use drugs and then

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1131979491113267372005-11-14T09:25:00.000-05:002005-11-14T09:44:51.146-05:00

I recently ran across a book on networking entitled Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi. The title hit a cord with me, and prompted what has become the bulk of my marketing efforts so far. Ultimately, I will have a website (hopefully soon), and in January I will have a yellow page ad (small, but there). However, until then, I'm focusing my efforts on building a network of attorneys that can

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1131978177811765022005-11-14T09:20:00.000-05:002005-11-14T09:22:57.820-05:00

An individual charged with a felony can be sentenced to anywhere from one year in a state correctional facility to life imprisonment. Additionally, felonies carry higher fines than misdemeanors, and longer periods of probation. In Florida, felonies fall under five general categories: capital felony, life felony, felony of the first degree, felony of the second degree, and felony of

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1131480976651403352005-11-08T15:13:00.000-05:002005-11-08T15:16:16.670-05:00

Dawn Hawley learned firsthand how far a Seminole County Deputy could go, legally, in searching her personal belongings without a warrant. As a result of this search, deemed legal by Florida’s Fifth DCA, Ms. Hawley’s conviction for possession of ecstasy was upheld on October 21st. Hawley v. State, Case No. 5D05-196, (Fla. 5th DCA, October 21, 2005). Hawley’s initial arrest stemmed

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1131033397925663252005-11-03T10:56:00.000-05:002005-11-03T10:56:37.926-05:00

An attorney friend of mine expressed his desire to use direct mail as a major thrust of his marketing efforts.  For those of you who are unaware, this essentially means that you obtain (i.e. purchase) a list of individuals who may need the services of an attorney.  As I practice mainly criminal law, I would obtain the arrest lists for the county in which I work.  After obtaining these lists, one

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1130338425743242102005-10-25T22:46:00.000-04:002005-10-27T21:21:18.616-04:00

Starting a new law firm can be quite overwhelming, but quite empowering at the same time. My first potential client meeting just got pushed back a couple hours, so I figured, "Why not post a blog?"As I continue to develop a sense of what type of law practice I want to grow into, I am beginning to develop a sense of how I want my blog to function, and what information I want to provide. It has

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1129090641160814822005-10-11T23:51:00.000-04:002005-10-12T00:17:21.166-04:00

I am quickly learning that developing a strategic marketing plan is one of the most important things to do when starting and maintaining a law firm. Last week I attended a lecture by Stephen Fairley entitled "Becoming a Rainmaker." Stephen is a leadership and marketing coach who has worked with thousands of law firms and attorneys across the country. If you are an attorney looking to grow your

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1129088893694255732005-10-11T23:36:00.000-04:002005-10-11T23:48:13.700-04:00

For those of you that aren't 100% sure that you are able to design your own website... don't. I just spent the better part of 5 hours trying to figure out how to use Frontpage - unsuccessfully. Not to say that Frontpage isn't one of the easiest web site products out there, but it just isn't for someone who has absolutely no training in how to build a website. Luckily, I have found a great

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1121210074845716172005-07-12T20:09:00.000-04:002005-07-12T20:09:15.276-04:00

My business plan is almost finished... I'm now working on the appendix that includes more detailed information and sources for the stuff I have put into the actual "plan". I was starting to feel good about how things are going, but then I realized that at some point I am going to have to get clients. That means marketing.I have now headed full steam into preparing a marketing plan to help my law

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1120625005325141772005-07-05T23:40:00.000-04:002005-07-06T00:43:25.330-04:00

This post serves as a congratulations to a friend of mine, Joel Wilson. Joel opened the doors to his own law firm this week, and already has his first client! He is an inspiration to all of us who dream of one day opening our own Firm. I wish him the best of luck. His website should be up and running soon, and can be found at www.jwilsonlaw.com.

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1120324987907070602005-07-04T17:44:00.000-04:002005-07-04T14:44:44.320-04:00

Although they are only estimates, my first set of financial statements are finished. I've created a breakeven analysis, profit and loss statement, the Firm's initial balance sheet, and a Statement of Cash Flows. I've created three of each... one for the worst case scenario, one for the best case scenario, and one for the most likely scenario.Completing these spreadsheets has been an insightful

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1120085505409024172005-06-29T21:51:00.000-04:002005-06-29T18:51:45.413-04:00

Yesterday, I worked on my marketing plan, today I started to get serious about financing... I own a house and spoke with a mortgage broker about refinancing and possibly saving $200-300/month off our mortgage. I also stopped at a bank on my way home from a hearing near Tampa. It used to be that there were tellers, loan officers and the bank manager. Now there are "relationship managers" to try

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14036465.post-1120000112100041082005-06-28T22:07:00.000-04:002005-06-28T19:28:17.346-04:00

I have always wanted to own my own business, which is part of the reason I went to law school. I decided, while everyone else was figuring out which big firm they would go to work for, that I would start my own practice after I graduated. Well, things didn't work out quite as planned, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The drop dead date for me opening my doors is June 1, 2006. God

Jim Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07227408571640779821noreply@blogger.com1