NewsWire

Judicial Committee Issues Anti-Social Networking Ruling
The Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee has ruled that judges and lawyers should no longer "friend" each other on Facebook or other social networking sites. The committee found that such connections could create the impression of favoritism and special influence. "You could speculate that every social situation between a judge and attorney poses some risk, but I see no real harm in the low-level and passive contact that typically occurs on these sites," says Greg Curry, President of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and a litigator at Thompson & Knight. "However, the decision properly highlights that if you have an ongoing matter before a judge, then you should evaluate and properly limit any inappropriate contact. It may be best to remove a judge as a ‘friend' under certain circumstances." To interview Mr. Curry, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.

Parents Urged To Use Caution When Shopping For Toys
A word of warning to all parents and other would-be Santas: beware of toys that violate basic safety standards. That's the advice of Dallas attorney Angel Reyes of Reyes Bartolomei Browne, following the U.S. Public Interest Research Group's recent release of guidelines for dangerous toys. "This year's dangerous toy list is divided into three categories: choking hazards, chemicals - such as lead paint - and noisy toys that can harm a child's ears," says Reyes. He notes that safety advocates have made it easy for parents to check on toy safety even while shopping, with the new Web site, toysafety.mobi. "Beyond that, parents need to use common sense and remember that they are on the front lines in the battle to keep their kids safe." To interview Mr. Reyes, contact Mark Annick at 800-559-4534 or mark@androvett.com.

Pediatric Care Shouldn't Be Victim of Divorce
When a child is sick, little else matters to parents. But when parents are divorced, a pediatrician's ability to provide non-emergency care for a child might be affected by the family's legal situation. "A pediatrician's first priority is to care for the child, but when parents are divorced, unfortunately it can impact the doctor-patient relationship," says Elizabeth Durso Branch of McCurley Orsinger McCurley Nelson & Downing, L.L.P. "By understanding a few basics of family law, everyone will be better equipped to handle the situation." When parents are divorced, a doctor needs to know if both parents must consent to non-emergency, invasive medical treatment, as well as the validity of parental authorization agreements. The doctor also should be provided a copy of any current court orders for the patient file. To interview Ms. Branch, contact Rhonda Reddick at 800-559-4534 or rhonda@androvett.com.

Payroll Taxes Targeted In Random IRS Audits
Beginning in February, the Internal Revenue Service will launch audits of 6,000 randomly selected businesses to examine payroll tax practices and the estimated $14 billion in annual corporate underpayments nationwide. The three-year initiative is expected to result in a ramped-up enforcement strategy that identifies and targets employers with the greatest compliance risks for future audits. "The major focus will be the traditional hot-button issues - worker classification, fringe benefits, reimbursed expenses and executive compensation," says Elizabeth Schartz of Thompson & Knight's Dallas office. "You can expect increased activity from both federal and state agencies that are looking to increase revenues in a difficult economic environment. Employers need to get ahead of the issue now by conducting a preemptive self-audit to correct any problems." To interview Ms. Schartz, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.

Banks Face Growing Number of Ponzi Scheme Allegations
Banks and other financial institutions are facing increased litigation over business dealings with questionable investments that might be considered Ponzi schemes. From 2007 through the first half of 2009, these allegations comprised 3.5 percent of all federal class-action filings, up from 0.2 percent the previous two years. "Increasingly common are class actions based on what a bank should have known, even if the institution acted as a passive custodian of the funds," says Kenneth Johnston of Dallas's Kane Russell Coleman & Logan. "Banks may face costly claims for failing to identify that, for example, one of its customers was in fact a Ponzi scheme." Johnston also notes that SEC receivers and bankruptcy trustees are aggressively pursuing fraudulent transfer claims against both banks and investors who merely held or received Ponzi scheme distributions. To interview Mr. Johnston, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.

McKool Smith Expanding National Bankruptcy Practice
The national litigation firm of McKool Smith is announcing the addition of bankruptcy litigator Basil A. Umari in Houston. Umari rejoins his former law partner and noted bankruptcy specialist Hugh Ray, who founded McKool Smith's bankruptcy practice earlier this year. "McKool Smith is committed to having one of the top bankruptcy practices in the world, and the addition of Basil is another step towards that goal," says firm co-founder Mike McKool. Umari represents debtors, creditor committees, secured and unsecured creditors, and other parties in virtually every type of bankruptcy proceeding. A former briefing attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, he has represented clients from a variety of industries, including banks, oil and gas producers, healthcare entities, ship manufacturers, and many others. For more information, contact Bruce Vincent at 800-559-4534 or bruce@androvett.com.