"Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible."
George Orwell
In today's Law Firm Marketing, Positive ways to collect money and maintain relationships
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Greece crisis deepens amid deadlock
Greece and its international creditors remain in deadlock over its debt crisis despite a series of top-level meetings. Tsipras failed to reach a deal with Greece's lenders, then a meeting of European finance ministers broke up without progress. The Athens government faces default if it fails to make a €1.6bn IMF debt repayment by Tuesday. As EU leaders met in Brussels, Germany's Angela Merkel warned that talks were going nowhere. If Greece does default, it could exit the eurozone, with possible repercussions for the rest of Europe and the world economy.
France cracks down on Uber service
France's interior minister has ordered a ban on the low-cost car-sharing service UberPOP after a day of nationwide protests by taxi drivers. Bernard Cazeneuve said the service was "illegal" and ordered police and prosecutors to enforce its closure. His announcement followed a day of sometimes violent protests by French taxi drivers, who say the US-based firm Uber is stealing their livelihoods. Uber said the firm had contested the law under which UberPOP has been ruled illegal, and accused the interior minister of overriding the normal legal process. "The way things work in a state of law is that it's for the justice to judge whether something is legal or illegal," it said. San Francisco-based Uber says it has a million users in France, including 250,000 for UberPOP. Uber also operates a luxury service which is not banned. Uber has faced similar teething problems in cities all over the world, with traditional taxi drivers protesting against being undercut by the unlicensed company. But licensed taxi drivers have been criticised for being slow to adopt the app-based geolocation technology behind Uber's success. (Click here)
US Supreme Court preserves Obamacare
The US Supreme Court has upheld a key portion of President Barack Obama's healthcare law, preserving health insurance for millions of Americans. In a 6-3 decision, the justices said that tax subsidies that make health insurance affordable for low-income individuals can continue. The ruling preserves the law known as Obamacare, which Obama considers a major part of his presidential legacy. Republicans have vowed to continue fighting the law. Unlike in many other western countries, the US does not have a single-payer healthcare system. Private companies, rather than the US government, provide health insurance for US citizens. The enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA in 2010 mandated that every American had to purchase private insurance. It provided the subsidies to allow many to do so. In 2012, the mandate portion of the law was challenged in the court. (Click here)
Surprise request to prevent Lula's arrest spurs Brazil selloff
A surprise request to prevent former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from being arrested amid a widening graft probe spurred a rout in Brazil's stocks and sent the real to the biggest slide among global major currencies.
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Crumbs
1 - NYC to Pay $6.25 Million to Brooklyn Man Cleared in 1989 Killing - click here.
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China lead suspect in cyber hack
China is the "leading suspect" in the massive hack of a US government agency holding the personnel records of millions of Americans, US said. James Clapper is the highest-ranking US official to publicly implicate Beijing since news of the data breach emerged. The statement comes after three days of high-level talks in which China and the US agreed to a "code of conduct". China always dismissed suggestions that it was behind the hacking.
Why is China's female prison population growing?
Overall, the number of women held in Chinese prisons is soaring, up 46% in the last decade. That is in contrast to a 10% rise in the number of male prisoners. Women comprise just 6.3% of China's prison population. If trends continue, within five years, China will imprison more women than the United States, home to the world's largest prison population. China's prison statistics are slightly misleading: they don't include the estimated hundreds of thousands of women being held in China; in juvenile detention, mandatory drug rehabilitation and forced education camps. In the past few years, we have seen an increase in non-violent crimes involving women such as drug trafficking and telecommunication fraud. China's anti-corruption campaign is having an effect on prison populations too. More women are also being convicted of taking bribes, because the number of women working in the Chinese government has also gone up.
When corrupt Chinese officials flee, the US is a top destination
The US is appealing because of its high standard of living and lack of an extradition treaty with China. The US is also reluctant to arrest suspects unless provided with solid information.
Positive ways to collect money and maintain relationships
By Trey Ryder
You know the many get-tough methods you can use to make clients pay. The problem is, these methods often embarrass clients, arouse anger and destroy relationships. Here are constructive steps you can take to avoid collection problems, encourage payment and strengthen bonds with clients.
Step #1: Give every new client your written schedule of fees and collection practices. You might do this as part of your engagement letter or as a separate document. If you have different fees for different types of clients, then prepare a fee schedule for each client category. When you give every new client your explanation of fees and collection practices, clients understand that these practices apply to all of your clients so they don't take your policies personally. Also, when clients have a clear understanding of how you collect money, they will act to avoid the known consequences of late payments.
Step #2: Give clients a reduction for paying your invoice on time. Some lawyers add finance charges to past due invoices, but finance charges usually create bad feelings. Instead, take the positive approach and offer your client something he wants: a discount You might offer clients a reduction of 5 or 10 percent when they pay your invoice within 10 days or whatever time period you choose. Write a short statement on your invoice so your client knows the exact amount of the reduction (in dollars, not a percentage) and the date by which you request payment. Something like this:
(Bill, you're invited to take a prompt-payment discount of $375 if I receive your payment by Thursday, July 10th.)
When you offer a prompt-payment discount, you show your client how to reduce his legal bill. As a result, your client saves money and you get paid -- the proverbial win-win situation. But when you penalize clients with collection procedures and finance charges, you strain and sometimes demolish relationships.
Step #3: In your first request for payment (after the original invoice), acknowledge that your client might not have received your bill and include another copy. Also, write a gentle request for payment over your signature. If the post office didn't deliver your bill, this gives your client a second chance. And if not paying your bill was simply an oversight, you don't want to come on too strong when your client made a mistake.
Step #4: Once an account is past due, make sure all requests for payment are over your (the lawyer's) signature. Clients often think their past-due balances are known only to the back-office billing clerk -- or an outside billing service. But when the request for payment comes with a note from you, the client realizes you know his payment is late. To avoid embarrassment and the possibility of jeopardizing your relationship, clients often pay your invoice or contact you to request payment terms.
Step #5: Send collection requests frequently. Some clients think that after they receive your invoice or statement, they won't hear from you for another month. In this way, they view the arrival of your statement as a 30-day extension. Instead, send requests for payment of past-due amounts every 10 days or so. This keeps your receivable ever-present in their mind and gives them a gentle nudge because they know they'll receive another statement in 10 days.
Step #6: Invite clients to pay with a credit card. If you think your client may be short on cash, offer an alternative. Plus, clients often like to pay by credit card because they add to frequent flier miles or other reward programs.
Step #7: Ask clients to call you to arrange a payment schedule. Some clients don't ask permission to make payments to avoid embarrassment or for fear that you'll say no. If you think your client may be in a cash crunch, invite him to call you about payment terms. If your client is "a little short," this may be the breath of fresh air he needs. Plus, your offer to help him tightens the bond between you and strengthens your relationship.
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© Trey Ryder
FREE LAWYER MARKETING ALERT: If you'd like to receive Trey Ryder's weekly Lawyer Marketing Alert, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Write "Subscribe LMA" in the subject line and write your name and e-mail address in the body of the message
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Renovables
El fondo japonés JGC se suma a la decena de demandas de arbitraje contra España por el recorte a las primas a empresas de energía renovables. (Presione aquí)
Malvinas
La CSJN de Argentina reconoció el derecho de recibir una pensión o compenasción financiera a quienes sivieron a los soldados que desde cualquier ámbito, sirvieron al paí, durante el conflicto bélico con Gran Bretaña por el dominio de las islas Malvinas.
(Presione aquí)
Investimentos
AT&T informó que invertirá US$ 3,000 mlls en México para desplegar servicio de red móvil de alta velocidad, esta cifra se suma a los casi US$ 4,400 mlls., que invirtió a principios de este año para adquirir Iusacell y Nextel México.
(Presione aquí)
Petrobras tries to halt investor suits as bribery probe widens
Petroleo Brasileiro SA was heading into a Manhattan courtroom Thursday to ask a judge to throw out investor lawsuits triggered by the multibillion-dollar bribery scandal that's rocking Brazil's economy and its political elite. Less than a week after police detained the chief executives of Brazil's two biggest builders in connection with the kickback probe, the state-owned energy giant is asking that the investor cases be dismissed, saying it was swindled by renegade employees who traded construction contracts for payoffs. The investors, led by a Liverpool, England-based pension fund, claim the scandal helped knock tens of billions of dollars off Petrobras's market value.
After fierce debate EU leaders agree on plan to confront migrant crisis
EU leaders holding late night talks in Brussels have agreed to relocate tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived in Italy and Greece. Summit chairman Donald Tusk said 40,000 would be relocated to other EU states over the next two years. However, there will be no mandatory quotas for each country.
Lawmakers put brakes on resolution to ban Mississippi flag from Capitol
The measure, proposed by Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, would authorize the removal of that state's flag on the House side of the Capitol complex. The Capitol has not displayed the flags of territories with whom the US has engaged in battle. "Congress has never permanently recognized in its hallways the symbol of sovereign nations with whom it has gone to war or rogue entities, such as the Confederate States of America.”
French are fuming over report that NSA spied on 3 presidents
The US ambassador to France has been summoned to the French Foreign Ministry to answer new claims that the NSA monitored the communications of three sitting French presidents and their top staff. Those said to be targeted include President Francois Hollande, who is holding an emergency meeting today with top French lawmakers. “This is shocking and regrettable, considering the extremely close relations we have with the US, this is a rupture of confidence.”
France parliament adopts new surveillance bill
The French Parliament on Wednesday adopted a surveillance bill that would give French intelligence services the authority to monitor Internet use metadata. It is reported that the bill also allows for court ordered surveillance of suspects homes and cars utilizing beacons and tracking devices. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has commented on the new law and it's provisions stating,"[t]hese are legal tools, but not tools of exception, nor of generalized surveillance of citizens. There will not be a French Patriot Act." France's previous surveillance law was passed in 1991, before much of today's mobile and internet technology.
Brazil unemployment higher than expected as recession looms
Brazil's unemployment rate rose in May more than analysts forecast as higher rates and tighter fiscal policy stifle activity in Latin America's biggest economy. The jobless rate increased to 6.7 percent from 6.4 percent a month earlier, the national statistics institute said Thursday. That was higher than the 6.6 percent median estimate from 34 economists surveyed by Bloomberg and the highest in nearly five years. Unemployment has spiked as the economy contracts with the government tightening policy. That makes it a politically inconvenient moment for Dilma Rousseff's government to have restricted access to unemployment insurance as part of its fiscal adjustment. Above-target inflation is eating into real wages and further depressing sentiment, as Rousseff's approval rating plumbs new lows.
Obama: US won't prosecute families of hostages for paying ransom
Obama announced Wednesday that the government will no longer threaten litigation against families of US hostages who attempt to pay ransoms for the release of their loved ones. Obama plans to make this change a part of a larger overhaul of US policy on recovering hostages. He said that although the policy to not negotiate with hostage takers will remain intact, the new policy will allow the government to talk to them and aid families in doing the same.
South Africa considers quitting International Criminal Court
South Africa said it may consider quitting the International Criminal Court "as a last resort," after accusing the tribunal of seeking to compel it to arrest visiting Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir without proper consultation and following due process.
California law to curtail vaccine exemptions clears hurdle
The controversial bill that would require almost all children entering day care or school in California to be vaccinated crossed another key hurdle Thursday, as the state Assembly approved it by a vote of 46-30.
Indonesia volcano erupts three times in hours
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar
WATCH: Obama shuts down heckler at LGBT pride event
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
EU agrees to relocate migrants
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
He says he 'unintentionally' helped killers escape
CNN International, London, England
Kerry Katona's husband George Kay rushed to hospital 'with signs of a stroke'
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
Nick Gordon relaxes at Florida duplex as Bobbi Kristina's grieving family gathers
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
'We want it to stop', Lyon taxi drivers protest Uber
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France
French government seeks to defuse violent Uber protests in Paris
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Pakistan morgues run out of space as heat wave kills more than 1,000
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey
Gone with the Wind is an 'undeniably racist artefact', says prominent critic
Independent The, London, England
Bristol Palin pregnant for a second time
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England
The enduring genius of The Avengers and Patrick Macnee
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England
Gou calls for drive into emerging markets
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan
Korea Must Learn to Nurture Startups
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
'Postings in archives, archeology departments are important assignments'
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Japan lauds passage of TPA bill in U.S. as Pacific trade pact takes big step
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
China lashes out at US racial bias in human rights report
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Ukraine President cancels trip over protests in eastern Ukraine
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore
Beat the post holiday blues
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Japan, US can reach agreement for July Trans-Pacific Partnership deal: Japan official
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India
Arrested New York jail guard denies knowing of escape plan
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario
European Union leaders inch toward fix for migrant crisis
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Liberty Reserve Brought Down By 'Joe Bogus': How The Feds Arrested Arthur Budovsky
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S
Oil prices steady, all eyes on Greece
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S
No survivors aboard crashed Alaska excursion plane carrying nine
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S
Kathleen Wynne says she'll sign waivers to allow documentary's release
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario
Marikana deaths: SA police blamed
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
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