If you have a problem with nuisance or dangerous bear, call the N.C. Wildlife Helpline, a service of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Do not attempt to trap or to kill a bear on your own. In addition to possible physical injury or death, you could face serious legal trouble for violating various federal or state wildlife regulations.
An Ounce of Prevention Helps Avoid Bear Encounters
The best way to prevent problems with bears is to avoid unintentionally feeding them. Secure bags of trash inside cans stored in a garage, basement, or other secure area. Place trash outside, as late as possible, or trash pick-up days – not the night before. Keep all garbage sites clean. If a bear is in the area, remove bird or hummingbird feeders, even if they’re advertised as “bear proof”. Avoid “free-feeding” pets outdoors. Do not leave pet food out overnight. If you must feed pets outdoors, make sure all food is consumed and empty bowls are removed. Clean all food and grease from your grill or outdoor kitchen after each use. Bears are attracted to food odors and may investigate.
What If…A Bear Totaled My Car?
Damage to Your Automobile Yes. There’s insurance for that. Make sure your automobile insurance includes this relatively inexpensive type of coverage. Your deductible can be as low as Zero Dollars ($0), and will provide coverage for a number of scenarios, including: missiles or falling objects; fire; theft or larceny; explosion or earthquake; windstorm; hail, water or flood; malicious mischief or vandalism; riot or civil commotion; contact with a bird or animal; or breakage of glass. (Read more on auto coverage in the NC Department of Insurance Consumer Guide here.) While the missiles, explosions, or riots are uncommon here in WNC, we do have an abundance of wildlife who would just love to eat that leftover granola bar in your front
Big Win in Court of Appeals
In a decision handed down December 16, 2014, the North Carolina Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the decision of the Buncombe County Superior Court awarding more than $1,400,000 to the Town of Black Mountain against two bond companies. Cannon Law, P.C.’s Bill Cannon, along with Black Mountain Town Attorney Ron Sneed, represented Black Mountain when the bond companies refused to pay for completion of subdivision improvements after the developer defaulted. Lexon and Bond Safeguard Insurance Companies had argued that annexation by the Town had terminated the bonds that were issued while the property was in the County. They also argued that the Town had failed to file suit within three years of the developer defaulting on its obligations. The Court
Cannon Law Obtains $1,400,000 Judgment
At a recent hearing in Asheville on motions for summary judgment Bill Cannon successfully defended a motion for summary judgment by two surety bond companies and obtained summary judgment in favor of the Town of Black Mountain and Buncombe County in the amount of $1,403,240.00. The bond companies had guaranteed completion of roads, sewer, storm drainage and sewer improvements for a subdivision in the event that the developer failed to do so. After the developer defaulted on its obligation, the bond companies refused to pay. They claimed that the statute of limitations had run on the bonds before suit was filed and that the bonds were terminated when the subdivision was annexed into the Town. Bill Cannon’s practice includes representation
Waynesville Lawyer Named to 2013 Super Lawyers List
Bill Cannon has been named to the North Carolina Super Lawyers list as one of the top attorneys in North Carolina for 2013. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a rigorous multi-‐phased process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers magazines and in leading city and regional magazines across the country.
Bank Loses Guaranty Appeal
In SunTrust Bank v. C&D Custom Homes, et al., decided November 6, 2012, the North Carolina Court of Appeals found in favor of a Defendant sued by a bank on a guaranty agreement executed pursuant to a power of attorney. The Defendant contended that the attorney in fact had no authority under the terms of the power of attorney to act on the Defendant’s behalf until a physician had certified that the Defendant was incompetent. The Court of Appeals found that there was no evidence of incompetency and rejected the Bank’s argument that it could rely upon the apparent authority of the attorney in fact. It is difficult for a guarantor to prevail in North Carolina against claims by the
Ten Tips for Young Lawyers on Developing Professionalism
I recently spoke to the first year students at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School as part of the school’s Professionalism Series. Part of that presentation included my Ten Tips for Young Lawyers on Developing Professionalism in Their Practices. 1. Get over it. You will be entering a profession that is filled with conflict and emotion and stress. It is inevitable that someone will say something to you or engage in an activity that you find quite offensive. Ignore it and don’t lose sight of your goal of effective representation of your client. Responding in kind only results in collateral damage to the clients and the court system and it’s not going to help your satisfaction level.
Cannon Law Successful in Two Recent Trials
Bill Cannon of Cannon Law, P.C. won two recent jury trials in Haywood Superior Court. The first trial involved representation of clients that claimed title to adjoining property by adverse possession for more than 20 years. The verdict determined that all of the property claimed was now the property of the plaintiffs. In a second trial, Cannon successfully defended an officer of a foreign corporation against a claim by local plaintiffs for money owed. The plaintiffs sued the defendant, alleging that a loan was made to the individual defendant and not to the corporation. The jury verdict found that the defendant was not liable for the loan. NOTICE: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case has different
Waynesville Lawyer On NCBA Executive Committee
Waynesville lawyer Bill Cannon was selected by Mike Wells, President of the North Carolina Bar Association, to serve on the Executive Committee for that organization during the NCBA’s Annual Meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina on June 24, 2012. He has been a member of the NCBA Board of Governors since 2011 and is a past chair of the Professionalism Committee.