It’s incredible how much time we spend online. I recently read an article that the average person has close to 100 online accounts; whether it be social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, other applications like Gmail and Amazon, online bank accounts, and yes, even the Pokemon Go app. Generally, posts, emails and other
Other Legal Issues
Buyer Beware? Wisconsin Court says “Not So Fast!”
By Thomas Schober on
Posted in Other Legal Issues, Real Estate
Spring is almost here, and that means real estate sales in Wisconsin will soon be picking up! With that in mind, a recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision may have a large impact on future Wisconsin real estate transactions. In Fricano v. Bank of America, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals found that a buyer…
Feds Resort to 1789 Law to Stop Apple
By Thomas Schober on
I read an article noted on the ABA Journal Weekly Newsletter entitled, “Feds say 1789 law requires Apple to help government get encrypted smartphone data.” I’ve always been a proponent of individual liberty (and privacy), and I wanted to see what the government was arguing to support its case that they are entitled to snoop…
Dropbox Passwords Hacked
We learned this morning about another data breach, this time relating to the widely used Cloud Service called Dropbox.
Steve Kovach, of BusinessInsider.com reported yesterday that over 7 million Dropbox passwords have been compromised.
After the Target, Home Depot and other recent breaches, this isn’t a big surprise. However, since many lawyers use dropbox…
Easier Tax-Exempt Status: New IRS Form 1023-EZ
By Thomas Schober on
Good news for those of you starting new exempt organizations: the IRS just released a new form, called the 1023-EZ, which will make applying for tax-exempt status for some smaller organizations much easier. The new form is only three pages long, compared to the lengthy 26 page standard 1023 form. The simplified form will substantially…
The Innocent Owner Defense: Wait! That’s My Car!
One of my partners, Eric Raskopf, who practices criminal and traffic defense work, recently posted to his blog, On Legal Ground, an article about someone losing their car as a result of being stopped while involved in criminal activity. Before you say, “Wait, that’s never going to happen to me,” read about what your…
What do Clients Feel about the NSA Evesdropping on Attorney-Client Phone Conversations?
By Thomas Schober on
Posted in Other Legal Issues
The American Bar Association’s annual technology conference was held in Chicago last week, and one session was entitled, “Tools for lawyers worried that NSA is eavesdropping on their confidential conversations.” While I think most of the conversations I hold with my clients would be pretty boring stuff for the NSA, there are a few occasions…
Obamacare’s New 3.8% Sales Tax on Real Estate
By Thomas Schober on
Starting in 2013, a new 3.8% federal tax, known as the “Medicare Tax,” may apply to some gains on the sale of real estate, including even sales of personal residences. However, this is not a general tax and there are some exceptions. It is best to know the rules and seek competent tax advice.
The…
Has the NSA Gone Too Far?
By Thomas Schober on
Maybe its time for Americans to start taking sides on the issue of what their government ought to be spying on. While I have been no fan of Edward Snowden, I have also become no fan of the NSA. The longer this matter drags out, the more the NSA looks like it has become even…
Obamacare: What To Do if You Are About to Lose Your State Assisted Insurance In Wisconsin (HIRSP, Badgercare, Medicaid)
By Thomas Schober on
Posted in News and Recent Decisions, Other Legal Issues
The Wisconsin legislature had originally reacted to Obamacare by deciding to shift the burden of providing health coverage for government dependent people to those plans that would become available on the exchanges, with many of these people qualifying for subsidies. Unfortunately, with the poor roll out of Obamacare, many people do not know what is…