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» Lawyer Wellness

Introducing the Lawyers Coffee Crew (Episode 001)

Earlier this year, I tested an idea – what if a group of lawyers grabbed a virtual cup of coffee every Monday morning and chatted about their progress building a profitable law firm that prioritizes the attorney’s well being? Thos… Read More
September 30th, 2019
Contributor: Chris Attig
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Categories: Lawyer Wellness
Tags: Annual Planning, Monday Morning Coffee, Scheduling

Lawyer Wellness in the practice of law.

“To be a good lawyer, one has to be a healthy lawyer.”  So begins an August 2017 report from the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. The problem with this statement, however, is that it is a false comparison. Some of… Read More
August 9th, 2019
Contributor: Chris Attig
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Categories: Building a Better Law Firm, Lawyer Wellness

Coffee w/Chris (11-14-2018): The problem of attorney suicide.

  In today’s episode, I’m going to give you a quick introduction to the case of Cook v. Wilkie, a November 2018 precedential decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This case is big: it involves when and h… Read More
November 14th, 2018
Contributor: Chris Attig
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Categories: Building a Better Law Firm, Lawyer Wellness
Tags: attorney suicide, BVA hearings, Cook v Wilkie ___ F3d ____ (November 13 2018), law firm annual planning

Monday Morning Coffee with Chris: Are You Taking Care of Your Law Firm's Most Important Asset?

Taking care of your law firm’s most important asset. Law is a service business.  We help people resolve the disputes which impact their ability to live. That makes your law firm’s most important asset … you. If yo… Read More
March 12th, 2018
Contributor: Chris Attig
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Categories: Building a Better Law Firm, Lawyer Wellness, The Business of Law
Tags: Exercise, Mindfulness, Monday Morning Coffee

Taking Point! Blog

Oct
26
8 Reasons to Choose Attig | Curran |Steel to handle your Veterans Court appeals.
October 26th, 2022
If you are an agent, VSO, or attorney, you have a tough decision under AMA when the BVA issues a denial of your client’s benefits. On one hand, you can file a supplemental claim. On the other, you can file an appeal to the US Court of Ap… Read More
Jun
3
Action items for veterans who want to lead on gun control.
June 3rd, 2022
I really can’t take it anymore. I’m sure many like you feel the same way. Every time another child with a military weapon ambushes a school full of children, I am overwhelmed with emotions that have no outlet. I can’t even process… Read More
May
18
Four standards of review at the Veterans Court.
May 18th, 2022
When appellate courts review the decisions of lower courts – or in administrative law where a Court like the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) reviews the decisions of the BVA, an administrative tribunal – they use “… Read More
May
16
A Tale of Two Veterans.
May 16th, 2022
Let me tell you the story of two veterans. The first veteran – we’ll call him Jim – claimed he was exposed to herbicides – Agent Orange – outside of the Republic of Vietnam. After the VA spent decades denying his claim,… Read More

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Recent Cases

Client Win: CAVC No. 21-4029 (BVA fails to consider earlier effective date under §3.156(c).)
This case involves the BVA’s failure to address an argument explicitly raised before it: whether a veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date under 38 C.F.R. 3.156(c) when service  medical records are added to the file after the original… Read More
Client Win: CAVC No. 21-2655, (BVA overlooked evidence of suicidal ideation in claim for an increased PTSD rating)
This case involves the BVA judge’s inadequate reasoning of a denial of a veteran’s claim for an increased rating for PTSD.   The appeal was resolved through a joint motion to remand. ISSUE ON APPEAL TO THE CAVC (BVA overlooked evidence… Read More
Client Win: CAVC No. 21-0394, (BVA erred in denying past-due benefits in claim for an increased rating)
This case involves the BVA judge’s inadequate reasoning of his denial of a veteran’s past-due benefits in a claim for an increased rating due to an increase in the severity of the veteran’s PTSD. The appeal was resolved through a jo… Read More

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