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
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
ELECTION 2013 – EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians held its primary elections for Tribal Council yesterday, September 5, 2013. Here are the unofficial winners in each community, as reported by the Cherokee One Feather newspaper and the Tribe’s Board of Elections. Each community has two council members and they serve two-year terms. Several incumbents lost their seats, but representation in the majority of communities stays the same. Big Cove Tribal Council Teresa McCoy and Perry Shell Yellowhill Tribal Council David Wolfe and Alan “B” Ensley Birdtown Tribal Council Gene “Tunney” Crowe Jr. and Albert Rose Painttown Tribal Council Tommye Saunooke and Terri Henry Wolftown Tribal Council Bo Crowe and Dennis Edward (Bill) Taylor Cherokee Co./Snowbird Tribal Council Adam Wachacha and Brandon Jones SUMMARY
A Place for Civil Discussion
My practice is primarily focused on civil litigation, with additional practice areas where I try to counsel clients and prepare documents to minimize litigation. In legal jargon, I am a civil lawyer and my goal is to also be a “civil” (courteous & professional) lawyer in my dealing with opposing counsel, judges, court officials, parties and clients. I am starting this blog to have a forum where civil discussion can take place regarding issues that arise from the practice of law and developments springing from court decisions and legislation. I think an appropriate topic to kick this blog off is the importance of civility in the legal arena. Some trial lawyers and lawyers in general have developed a reputation for
Innocent Spouse Relief from the IRS
If you are married, separated or divorced, you probably filed your federal income tax returns as “married, filing jointly”. This makes sense because filing jointly gives you certain tax benefits. However, it also makes you and your spouse jointly liable for all the taxes, interest and penalties that might be owed on the joint return, even if you later get divorced. Do I Owe the Money? Each spouse, independently of the other, can be made to pay the entire debt to the IRS. Also, one spouse may be held responsible for all the taxes even if all the income was earned by the other spouse. It doesn’t matter what your separation agreement or divorce judgment says. The IRS didn’t sign the agreement and it wasn’t a party to the judgment. It just wants
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.
Waynesville Lawyer is Professionalism Speaker for Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
I had the opportunity to speak to the first year class as part of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School Professionalism Series on October 30, 2012. I was introduced by Associate Professor Michael Mears, a classmate from the University of Georgia School of Law. I spoke on the topic of “Professionalism–What is it and Why is it Important?” The Elements of Professionalism I see four necessary elements of professionalism in the practice of law: (1) developing a state of mind that prevents a lawyer from responding in kind to improper conduct; (2) recognizing that the advancement of justice is more important than a lawyer’s ego, income or the result of an individual case; (3) developing a relationship of trust and honor with others; and
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
Texting and Driving
Can a Person Who Texts a Driver be Held Liable? Texting and driving can be lethal. The news is full of accounts of drivers – mostly young people – who get distracted by their cell phone, crash, and seriously injure somebody. So far, liability has been limited to the person who was negligently driving and who caused the crash and injuries. A new texting and driving case in New Jersey asks the novel question of whether the person who sent the text to the negligent driver can also be held liable. Crash Caused Terrible Injuries. In this case, David and Linda Kubert sued Kyle Best for injuries they suffered when Mr. Best crossed the center line in his car and
Can I Lose My Driver’s License if I Get a Speeding Ticket?
Yes, you can lose your North Carolina driver’s license if you get a speeding ticket. If you have to go to traffic court in western North Carolina because you were caught speeding or were cited for some other traffic law violation, you really will have three options: (1) admit guilt and pay the fine; (2) fight the ticket in court; or (3) negotiate with the assistant district attorney and plead down to a reduced speed violation or, if possible, to a non-moving violation. The experienced lawyers at Cannon Law, P.C., will help you make the best decision for your case. What is the best approach? Each approach has its advantages, but every case is unique and requires individual attention and