It is disheartening to see a ravaged urban landscape, with its bustling life disrupted by the forces of fire and flood. Communities burned to the ground in Queens while the subway system in New York was an intractable piece of technology for days. For a country with a record of penetrating outer space, this picture presented a truly remarkable contrast of helplessness.

All the more as arguments about disaster preparedness have been floated in the following days of damage assessment. The damage is estimated at more than 20 billion dollars, calling in the nightmare of destruction that was Hurricane Katrina. In that particular disaster, people have wondered whether better disaster preparation could have been a mitigating consolation. All the floodwater under the bridge could only render useless the flashback of solutions.

What’s certain is that federal assistance will bankroll recovery for New Jersey and affected communities. But given the record of the United States’ vulnerability against disasters, federal action and budget could (and should) be split by post-disaster response and the anticipation of the next hurricane’s landfall.

Types of Custody

Custody comes in two forms: joint and sole. Under a joint custody arrangement, the parents have equal rights for decision-making regarding the health, education, and care of the child. Under a sole custody arrangement, only one parent has  the majority of decision-making powers for the child. The non-custodial parent typically has to pay child support to help financially with the child’s rearing.

With joint custody, while the parents may have equal decision making responsibilities,. they make not have equal rights to time of possession of the child. For example, the child might primarily live with one parent and see the other every other weekend and during the week for short daytime visits. Although the child spends more time with one parent, both parents have a say in how he is raised, points out attorney Craig Seldin.

Who Can Get Custody

Generally, only parents are awarded custody of a child. That includes adoptive parents as well. In some cases, a grand-parent might be awarded custody over a biological parent. The biological parent must have passed away or not be able to care for the child.

Craig Seldin: Deciding Custody

It’s often better for the parents to come to an agreement on their own, without needing the opinion of the court. However, even parents who come to a friendly agreement about custody will benefit from having a court ordered custody agreement and working with a lawyer. The signed agreement serves as an official document and leaves no question about who cares for the child.

Attorney Craig Seldin has years of experience in family and divorce law. With the advice of Craig Seldin, parents can come up with a reasonable child custody agreement. Craig Seldin advises divorcing parents to consult a lawyer in their state for support and help through what is often a difficult process.

Identifying Wrongful Termination

Unless an employee quits or moves on to a better position, losing a job is rarely ever a pleasant experience. There might be a lot of anger and hurt on the part of the person let go. After a let-go employee has had some time to cool down, he might realize that he was wrongfully fired or that something not above board occurred when he was let go.

Reasons for wrongful termination include:

• Discrimination. It is illegal to fire a person because of her gender, sex, race, religious beliefs or physical ability. In many states, a person cannot be fired because of her sexual orientation.
• Retaliation. An employee cannot be fired because he was a whistle blower or because he filed a complaint of discrimination with EEOC.
• Violation of contract. A lot of companies have contracts and specific policies in place that can be regarded as creating contracts that regulate the termination process. If a supervisor does not follow these contracts, the employee has the right to claim wrongful dismissal, notes attorney Craig Seldin.

Consequences

Employees who are terminated usually cannot receive unemployment benefits unless they can demonstrate that the termination was wrongful. Wrongful termination usually means that a person was fired through no fault of his own.. Employees who are denied unemployment after being let go may wish to consult an attorney to discuss their options.

Craig Seldin: What to Do

An employment lawyer can help people who were unjustly terminated from their jobs. In most cases, wrongful termination suits involve filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Your case might need to go through the state court or a federal court, depending on the situation. Not all wrongful termination suits make it to court, though. An employer might prefer to settle with you out of court to save on costs.

Houston attorney Craig Seldin has helped many employees who were wrongfully dismissed from a job. When a client reaches out to Craig Seldin, he has the assurance of decades of experience and a proven track record of success. If you have a legal problem concerning a past employer, contact attorney Craig Seldin today.

One thing Craig Learned fast was that graduation from law school is no longer a gilt-edged invitation to the good life. Law school is extremely expensive. A year after graduation comes, many law students are still unemployed and looking for jobs. Even law students with employment offers are being told by their firms the offer has been pushed back months or years.

Here are some questions Craig Seldin thinks you should ask yourself before you apply to law school

1. Evaluate why you want to go to law school.  Some people want to become a lawyer, others want to work in corporations.  Some would like to become ombudsmen or mediators.  What ever the reason you want to go.  Make sure that you have a specific goal in mind.

2. What law school are you likely to get into based on your grades and your LSAT scores? Law school rankings really are important. Graduates from the top tier of law schools are the first to get tapped for positions with lucrative firms. They’re also the students who get selected for the most prestigious judicial clerkships. Craig Seldin’s alma mater, UT Law, is one of the top 20 schools in the nation.

Is it really worth it to you to go to a school knowing that your education there won’t help you land a job? Think about the answer to this question very carefully.

3. If you’re considering a particular school, what percentage of its graduates have passed the bar exam? If you want to be a practicing attorney, you need to pass the bar exam. Even if you don’t want to practice law per se, it’s probably to your advantage to pass the bar. Different schools have different passing rates.

Attorney Craig Seldin Says Law School Is Expensive

Law school can be extremely expensive, depending upon where you end up going. Most public schools charge in the neighborhood of $30,000 a year for in-state students. For out-of-state students, that amount may be closer to $50,000 a year. Private universities may charge even more.

Law school is a three-year endeavor. At minimum, you will graduate with a student loan debt close to $100,000. What if you don’t get a job right away? How will you pay this debt?

Take a look at the annual salaries of students who graduated from the school you’re interested in attending. How much are they making? Could you afford to pay back your student loans on those amounts? Craig Seldin says the law is an exciting career, but you need to weigh all factors carefully. There are pluses and minuses to going to law school, notes attorney Craig Seldin. Make sure the pluses outweigh the minuses before you enroll, advises lawyer Craig Seldin.

Craig Seldin urges you to remember the old adage: “The person who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.”

If a legal transaction’s outcome could involve a substantial financial loss or the loss of freedom, you need a lawyer. An attorney works as your advocate, securing your financial interests and legal rights. An attorney can give you sound advice that will help you better navigate the complex thicket of the law.

Many lawyers offer free consultations during which you can share the outlines of your case. The lawyer will tell you frankly then whether he or she will be able to help. The meter will start running only after you decide the attorney’s involvement is worth it.

Lawyers can be expensive. It’s best to do your own cost benefit analysis before you consult one. Compare the cost of a lawyer with the potential losses or gains in a given situation. Do you stand to lose more that the lawyer’s fee if a legal situation doesn’t go your way? Then the lawyer’s fee is definitely worth it, advises Houston personal injury lawyer Craig Seldin.

Keep in mind, too, that only lawyers can give legal advice. A paralegal may be able to prepare legal documents but he or she cannot give an informed opinion. A lawyer is an officer of the court, and as such, trained to interpret the law. A lawyer is also sworn to represent clients’ best interests. Any communication you have with a lawyer is protected by attorney client privilege.

Craig Seldin: When Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There are statutes of limitation on most personal injury cases. This argues for hiring a lawyer sooner rather than later, even if you think the injury is minor. If you were injured by the negligence of another person, and insurance companies are involved, consider engaging a lawyer.

A lawyer can help collect the necessary documentation you’ll need to handle the case. A lawyer can help you communicate with the third parties you need to communicate with to collect compensation. These third parties may include claims adjusters, witnesses, medical providers, medical billing offices, bill collectors and others.

It’s more than likely your claim will not be against the person who injured you but that person’s insurance company. You can be sure that insurance company is amply represented by attorneys.

Personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency basis, notes lawyer Craig Seldin so you won’t be out of pocket. Personal injury lawyers like attorney Craig Seldin know the system and have the expertise to negotiate a good settlement. Craig Seldin thinks you will save time by working with a good personal injury attorney.

The courtroom settlements and hearings you might have to go through are going to be harrowing in their own right. Things can go from bad to worse the instant you and your ex-spouse disagree about the tiniest detail. If you have children, you’ll have to make some gut-wrenching decisions. You also have to consider, however, how hard it’s going to be to deal with other, more basic issues. Having a divorce lawyer isn’t just a benefit in the courtroom.

Yes, good divorce lawyers are important because they ensure you get your fair share of property. Yes, they help you make sure that your children still get to grow up with a fair chance at the best life has to offer. Yes, they help you figure out how to make your future financial situation as manageable as possible. What many people overlook, however, is that divorce lawyers also help you get through the day-to-day tedium you now face.

Every step in your divorce procedure is a huge chore. Your emotions are still fresh, and they affect your actions so much that you say and do things you’d normally refrain from. Although this may be OK in other situations, attorney Craig Seldin knows it has no place in divorce proceedings or meetings outside court.

You need to keep a clear head if you’re going to come out on top or anywhere close. Of course, it’s impossible to totally detach yourself from your feelings. That’s why divorce attorneys are so valuable. They provide steady, even-handed council that lets you keep yourself in check so that you can get through your proceedings as quickly as possible.

Craig Seldin Promoting Divorcee Rights

Your soon-to-be ex-spouse may not even be your biggest stumbling block. Your judge may decide not to grant your divorce. Maybe your casework was improperly prepared or you failed to present yourself correctly. Either way, the odds of you getting in and out of court successfully are low. If you had a divorce lawyer’s help, however, you’d be free to move on with your life by now.

There’s too much at risk to leave your fate to chance. No matter how well you think you’ve prepared yourself, you can’t play dice with your family’s future. Hiring a divorce lawyer is the smart choice, even if all they do is review your case.

Attorney Craig Seldin is here to help. With decades of experience in divorce, property, alimony and visitation law, Craig Seldin knows how to get you ready for a healthy split. Some people think divorce is a negative thing. Craig Seldin, on the other hand, knows that even though it’s not ideal, it doesn’t have to wreck your life.

Craig provides expertise on the formation of new businesses, as well as probate issues. He provides assistance in business transactions and litigation. This may include various types of contracts, including insurance contracts.

Craig also advises clients who are seeking divorce. He says that the first mistake some make is letting an attorney take over everything. A client should be accountable for their own divorce. Therefore, an attorney such as Craig is an advisor and a leader in the courtroom. Some other mistakes clients make include:

• Not taking an inventory before dividing property
• Not gathering pertinent information, called in legal terms, discovery. Not letting the attorney handle all of it saves the client money. Paperwork may include the value of a home after taxes and the value of vehicles.
• Not paying enough attention to the impact that taxes will have on the divorce. Such things as capital gains on the sale of a home should be considered.
• Making a last-ditch effort to gain back the lost spouse by giving her everything. When she doesn’t come back, it usually creates resentment in the one left without anything.

In negotiating with adjusters on a personal injury claim, the expert Craig Seldin notifies all people involved in a client’s accident and files a claim. A client can help Craig’s investigation by providing items such as the police report and photos of the accident scene. According to Craig, most insurance claims are settled out of court.

Craig Seldin and the Model Penal Code

Craig Seldin defends criminal cases throughout the courts. For example, federal courts involve felonies that deal with federal property, employees or taxes. State courts deal with felonies such as robbery, rape, or murder.

Most felonies carry one or more years of imprisonment. Misdemeanors carry less than one year prison time. According to Craig, this system of dividing crimes into felonies or misdemeanors is being replaced. A system called the Model Penal Code (MPC) is being used in at least 22 states, including Texas.

Craig explains that through the MPC, crimes are classified by degree. For example, murder is considered a first-degree crime. Mischief, on the other hand is considered a fourth-degree crime.

In order to convict an accused party, the prosecutor must prove two basic elements. These elements are a guilty mind and a guilty act. If a person committed a guilty act with a guilty mind, a crime was committed.

The expert Craig Seldin explains that the MPC uses four conditions to describe the state of mind of the accused. These include:

• Purpose
• Knowledge
• Recklessness
• Negligence

In addition, Craig Seldin explains that the MPC includes specific elements as well. For example, for the accused to be convicted of murder, he would have purposely caused it. The professional Craig Seldin says that for a person to be convicted, the state must prove all elements, beyond a reasonable doubt.

The History of UT Law In Austin

In 1958, the Texas state legislature passed a $100,000 bond to raise funds for the construction of a state university. Austin was chosen to be the site. When the University of Texas opened its doors in 1883, it consisted of the Law Department and the Liberal Arts Department. The Law Department started out in the Main Building’s basement.

By 1908, the Law Department had its own building. In 1920, the University of Texas Department of Law became the University of Texas School of Law.

As befitting its association with Texas, UT Law has always been a pioneer in energy law. UT Law gave its first class on oil and natural gas-related law in 1914. In 2008, it became the first law school in the nation to offer a class on laws regulating alternative energy sources.

UT Law publishes many different legal journals, including:

• The Texas Law Review
• The American Journal of Criminal Law
• The Texas Environmental Law Journal
• The Texas Journal of Oil, Gas and Energy Law
• The Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Many notable alumni have graduated from the University of Texas’s law school. Attorney Craig Seldin is honored to be among their number. UT Law alumni include former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen, and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

UT Law is well known as being one of the most selective law schools in the U.S. While students include representatives from 30 states, two-thirds of its seats are reserved for Texas residents.

Craig Seldin On the Importance of a Good Law School

Now more than ever, it’s important to go to a good law school. These are tough economic times, and even highly trained lawyers are having a hard time finding jobs. Large firms generally hire lawyers who come from top-ranked schools. A disproportionate number of prestigious judicial clerkships also go to these graduates.

Law school rankings do become less important as you get established in your career as an attorney, however. Even so, your law school’s alumni provide you with a professional network you can always draw upon.

There are a lot of other criteria to consider when you’re deciding which law school to attend. If you already know where you want to live and practice, a local law school may be a better choice. Some lesser ranked schools may also have a great reputation in the subspecialty that interests you, notes Craig Seldin. Bar passage rates are also important as a cue to academic excellence, says attorney Craig Seldin. Once you get started on your legal career, observes UT Law graduate Craig Seldin, your reputation will drive your business.

Seldin follows a variety of values and ethics that will ensure that his clients are satisfied and get the results they deserve. Having worked in several areas of law, Seldin tackles a long list of practice areas. These practice areas often overlap and lend him the skills to take on many legal situations with full confidence.

Values

Seldin’s services are always meant to satisfy the needs of customer. Within his client care you will find that Craig respects and utilizes these ideas:

• Listening to the Client
  Among the many mistakes he commonly sees in law practices, is an attorney’s inability to listen to the clients needs. Whether the attorney is operating on their on financial interest or career gains, failure to listen to the client can result in further complications. While a client should trust and listen to the carefully prepared advice an attorney provides, their needs should come first.
• Recognizing Costs
  As stated above, many attorneys take cases based on financial promise. However, Seldin works to avoid a client’s overall costs, before and after the situation is resolved. Especially in cases of divorce, Seldin pays attention to smaller details that others tend to overlook. For example, one such detail is avoiding future costs by recognizing taxes associated with assets.
• Quick Resolution
  Not only does resolving a case in a timely fashion reduce costs incurred by both parties, but it eliminates a lot of headaches and unnecessary dilemmas. Although Seldin is fully prepared to bring your case to trial if necessary, he often works to negotiate or mediate between parties to achieve an acceptable result.
• Direct Communication
  If you’re dealing with large firms or a distracted attorney, reaching them in a time of need can prove difficult.  Craig Seldin maintains direct contact with his clients by returning calls promptly and informing the client of every step in the legal process.
• Dedication
  Often-times, an attorney may lose focus in the middle of your case resulting in an unwanted outcome. Seldin promises to see his cases to the very end and maintain a strong sense of dedication with aggressive action plans.
• Staying Informed
  To become an attorney, you can’t just graduate from law school and continue to practice modern law; it’s a field that is changing every day. As a result of his roots in journalism, Seldin is keen to stay on top of all relevant news. He makes full use of comprehensive databases that supply him with the best information to provide thorough representation. By staying informed, Seldin can predict outcomes and avoid trips over unexpected changes.
• Education and Recognition
  Seldin has involved himself with many notable cases that have made publication and is the recipient of the 2011 WOW Award as an outstanding attorney in Texas. The Law Offices of Craig Seldin, PLLC, are recognized for outstanding service to customers and representation of the legal profession.He credits much of his expertise to his education, where he studied at prestigious universities like Northwestern University and University of California at Berkeley. It was at these institutions where he developed a further interest in history and social issues, having studied subjects like European History and French Enlightenment.Seldin continued his academic excellence when he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and passed the Texas State Bar. All of his clients can trust that his impressive knowledge amplifies his abilities to appropriately represent their cases.

• Wide RepresentationCraig Seldin prides himself on offering a variety of legal services to his clients. The following are among his current practice areas:
  •   Civil Rights
  •  Immigration Law
  •  Contract Law
  •  Criminal Defense of Felonies
  •  Real Estate and Construction Law
  •  Deceptive Trade Practice Litigation
  •  Personal Injury

Craig Seldin – A Compassionate Attorney

Most legal situations involve fairly complex emotions and extenuating circumstances that often distract the focus of the client. In these situations, it’s not helpful for an attorney to avoid the needs of a client. While he works to quickly resolve cases with favorable results, Craig Seldin understands that some areas of the law are emotionally difficult.

Family Law

One of the most sensitive areas of law is that of family law. While the most common issue seen is divorce, there are other areas that are just as fragile. Although many court cases often have a guilty party, divorce does not always merit such direct judgment. The end of a marriage is brutal, not to just the separated couple, but to their family, friends and children.

Seldin makes sure to approach every case delicately and has offers clients useful tips so that they can come to a peaceful resolution. Other areas of family law that he is familiar with include:

• Guardianships
• Adoptions
• Parental Rights

Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury

When you or someone you love is injured as a result of an incompetent doctor, you may end up feeling victimized or betrayed by a trusted professional. In severe cases, medical malpractice can result in death that was otherwise avoidable. Seldin is well-informed in this area of law and works to resolve these delicate cases without causing further harm to the affected parties.

He also strives to protect those who incurred personal injury through some form of accident or other situation. Often-times these cases can become complex due to insurance regulation and another party’s unwillingness to negotiate. Seldin has vast experience dealing with insurance companies and other businesses to ensure a justified outcome for his clients.

A Houston Representative

The Law Offices of Craig Seldin, PLLC, are located in the Houston area and focused on serving nearby residents. The practices of Craig Seldin involve a full understanding of Texas law codes and regulations. Attorney Craig Seldin is open to reviewing cases and invites potential clients to refer to him for an informed suggestion on their next course of action.