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Real Estate Update: What You Should Know Before Buying or Selling

February 7, 2019 by Morris Lilienthal

Photo of Mac Martinson with podcast information

Join Martinson & Beason, PC attorneys Mac Martinson and Morris Lilienthal for a real estate update on Wednesday, February 13^th at 6:00 PM (CST). Through an interactive question and answer format, Morris and Mac will be discussing residential and commercial closings, exemptions, rental property, life estates and more. Get your real estate law questions answered as Morris and Mac will be seeking questions from viewers.

If you are thinking about buying or selling real estate in 2019, what can you expect at your closing? How much does it cost and how long does escrow take? By knowing the legal ramifications in buying and selling real estate, you can make the process more enjoyable and increase the likelihood of a smooth closing.

Maori Davenport v. AHSAA: High School Sports Star Fights to Play After Team USA Basketball Mistake

February 6, 2019 by Morris Lilienthal

basketball hoop

Earlier this year, an Alabama high school basketball star sued the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) over her one-season suspension imposed for receiving improper monetary payments. However, this is not a story of illicit or illegal money being paid by corrupt coaching assistants like we have seen in the FBI investigation of “pay for play” schemes in college basketball. Instead, this seems to be a perfect storm of innocent mistakes that may cost Ms. Maori Davenport an opportunity to play out her senior year. AL.com has done a terrific job in covering the story, which you can read about here.

Ms. Maori Davenport is an exceptional basketball player at Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama. She has signed to play with Rutgers next year. In the summer of 2018, Maori played for the U18 Team USA basketball team in an international tournament in Mexico City. That November, Maori received a check from USA basketball for $857.20 for her participation in the tournament. The amateurism rule in the AHSAA handbook prohibits high school players from being paid in this way, and the punishment is a mandatory one-season suspension. The Executive Director of the AHSAA, Steve Savarese, has stated that he has no discretion to issue a less severe punishment.

Mo Show Live with Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama President Patrick Wynn

February 5, 2019 by Morris Lilienthal

Photo of Patrick Wynn and Mo Show Live The next episode of the Mo Show Live will air Wednesday, February 6^th at 3:00 PM Central Time and will feature Patrick Wynn, President of the Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama. Morris and Patrick will be discussing the mission of the Club, what our local Clubs have to offer, how people can support the Club, and Patrick’s journey and career.

Patrick Wynn is a Huntsville native and has been with Boys and Girls Club since 1998 and became the President of Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama in March of 2008. Patrick is a 1993 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a degree in criminal justice. In March of 2013, Patrick was selected as the Executive of the Year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Southeast Region.

M&B Attorneys Secure Quarter-Million Elder Exploitation Judgment

January 30, 2019 by Morris Lilienthal

Photo of an elderly arm and care nurse

Martinson & Beason, PC attorneys Doug Martinson and Will Pylant recently secured a $249,395.51 judgment in an instance of elder exploitation. In the case, an elderly wartime veteran with dementia was exploited by a woman over forty-years his junior. The case has been referred to law enforcement for prosecution.

Unfortunately, elder abuse happens far more often than we like to think. In fact, according to the National Council on Aging, one in ten elderly Americans have experienced abuse. Abuse can take many different forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, financial abuse, and deprivation of resources.

Mo Show Live with Urban Engine Executive Director Toni Eberhart

January 29, 2019 by Morris Lilienthal

Photo of Toni Eberhart and Morris lilienthal

The next episode of the Mo Show Live will air Wednesday, January 30th at 3:00 PM Central Time and will feature Urban Engine Executive Director Toni Eberhart. Morris and Toni will be discussing Urban Engine’s formation, how it accelerates the growth of area businesses and startups, and Toni’s career.

Toni Eberhart is an accomplished executive with specialties in strategic communications, workforce development, and advocacy for economically diverse and equitable communities in the interest of public service. Her past achievements focus on economic impact primarily within the Southeast Region of the United States spanning across diverse industries such as medicine, energy infrastructure, higher education, and federal program & policy operations. Toni is known as a distinguished leader in the evolution of robust and dynamic innovation ecosystems, often advocating for burgeoning business & technology communities in the State of Alabama.

Alabama Considers New Texting Ban to Fight Increase in Distracted Driver Accidents

January 21, 2019 by Morris Lilienthal

phone and someone texting In a move possibly inspired by neighboring state Georgia, Alabama is considering the same type of distracted driving law implemented in July for the entire state of Georgia. This law made it illegal for drivers to hold their phone, GPS, tablet, or any device while driving—or even while the driver is stopped at a red light. Rather than being called a “no-texting” law, the proposed bill would be known as a distracted driving law, with a first offense carrying a $50 fine, adding two points to an Alabama driver’s license. A second offense would add three points to a driver’s license—the same number of points as many other driving violations, including speeding. In the state of Alabama, racking up 12-14 points on a driver’s license during a specific length of time can result in a license suspension.