Blog

Over the weekend, I read The Big Short by Michael Lewis. Lewis is a great storyteller, and really knows how to find the characters to make a catastrophe like the financial crisis comprehensible. This is the best book I have read yet on the origins of the financial crisis. 

To start off with Lewis' conclusion, Wall Street should have been allowed to disappear in the fall of 2008.  It had no redeeming qualities, so driven by the need for profit and outrageous salaries, whatever value Wall Street...
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the nation's biggest mortgage underwriters through purchases on the secondary market of loans, have said they will not allow borrowers who have walked away from their loan for strategic reasons (i.e., the loan was under water but they could still afford to pay).  This decision is counter to intelligent policy and will saddle Fannie and Freddie with decisions it cannot possibly make. As both of these entities are owned by the Federal Government, they should be opera...
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A few months ago, I wrote about the infirmities in the conviction of Joe Ferriero.  After yesterday's Supreme Court ruling on the conviction of Jeffrey Skilling, it appears that Ferriero is going home. In brief, Skilling's case was remanded to the lower courts because the basis of his conviction might have been the "Honest Services" statute, which had been used broadly by Federal prosecutors to catch those engaged in activities that were conflicts of interest from the interests of that indivi...
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I explain why over at Newjerseynewsroom.
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The New York Times had an important front page story yesterday in regard to debt modification or debt settlement agencies. These for profit companies take large fees upfront while making extravagant promises as to what they can do for you.  Most of the time, people end up being sued for their debts or foreclosure and end up with nothing for the fees and aggravation.  A licensed attorney can help you with defending against lawsuits, negotiating settlements or a bankruptcy filing. Contrary to w...
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The New York Times has a front page story on how those in foreclosure are living for long periods of time without paying anything, while the slow foreclosure process grinds itself out. Good idea to have a lawyer to help you drag out the judicial process and ensure your legal rights are protected. Please call me at 201-289-5352 for information on how I can help, affordably. 
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My analysis of the Supreme Court's decision ruling against the NFL is up at NewJerseyNewsroom.
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In the recent storm, lots of people had tree damage. See my analysis of the legal issues here.
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Now that my free trial period with Bloomberg Law is coming to an end I wanted to share my thoughts. 

Bloomberg has put together a platform that has some innovative features and great design elements. Building a platform from the ground up has allowed them to really make use of the best web technologies, something which both Lexis and Westlaw should consider. Searches are opened in separate tabs so that you can view each case and return to something you have seen without losing your place. Abso...
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