Tech Tip | LawPay Acquires MyCase
Most cloud-based law practice management software startups have neither the volume nor the expertise necessary to host solutions for electronically processing client payments. Many firms that use a stand-alone electronic payment solution, like LawPay, don’t use a cloud-based legal practice management system.
Over the years, several large cloud-based legal practice management companies (for example, MyCase, Clio, and Rocket Matter) have introduced their own electronic payment solutions. These allow law firms to process everything within a company’s case management system, while at the same time enabling integration with LawPay or the processing of payments outside the system.
In early June, the parent company of LawPay, AffiniPay, announced that it had acquired MyCase.
LawPay and MyCase users will be able to use each system separately or take advantage of a new integration to use both systems.
Additionally, LawPay has announced it will continue to provide integration with other cloud-based legal practice management companies, and lawyers can continue to use LawPay as a stand-alone service.
State Bar of Wisconsin members can receive discounts on both LawPay and MyCase by visiting www.wisbar.org/aboutus/membership/membershipandbenefits/Pages/Member-Benefits.aspx.
If you have any questions about using a stand-alone electronic payment processor or cloud-based practice management system, contact Practice411™ at (800) 957-4670 for a confidential consultation.
Source: Christopher C. Shattuck, Law Practice Assistance Program manager (Practice411), State Bar of Wisconsin.
On the Radar | No Habeas for Happy
New York’s highest court on June 14 denied a petition demanding that the Bronx Zoo recognize the “legal personhood” of Happy, a 50-something Asian elephant.
The petition, which was filed by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), demanded that Happy be released to an elephant sanctuary. NhRP is a nonprofit organization that advocates for granting legal personhood to great apes, elephants, dolphins, and whales.
Happy was born in Thailand during the waning days of the Vietnam War. For many years at the zoo, she gave rides to children and performed tricks. Today, Happy is retired and lives in a one-acre enclosure at the zoo.
NhRP argued that Happy’s confinement in the zoo is akin to solitary confinement and is cruel because elephants are social creatures that, in the wild, roam across large areas.
The argument was based on the common-law notion of habeas corpus.
In a 5-2 decision, the court ruled that habeas corpus applies only to humans.
Source: CNN, The Atlantic, The New York Times
Got a Nugget to Share?
Send your ideas for interesting facts, trends, tips, or other bits and bytes to wislawmag@wisbar.org, or comment below.
Quotable | “You made him feel he’s not worthy and that’s diabolical.” – Judge Jean Marie Kies
In May, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge sentenced a white man convicted of throwing acid in a Latino man’s face to 10 years in prison.
“We’re all different from one another,” said Judge Jean Marie Kies in sentencing 64-year-old Clifton Blackwell.
“When we let these differences cloud our judgment, that’s bias or prejudice or discrimination, and in this instance it is hate.”
Blackwell’s attack, which occurred at a Milwaukee bus stop in November 2019, was unprovoked.
Mahud Villalaz, the victim, suffered second-degree burns in the attack, along with permanent damage to his left eye.
Out There | Release the Roaches
A protester dumped hundreds of cockroaches on the floor of an Albany, New York, courtroom during an arraignment on June 7.
The four defendants being arraigned were tenants from New York City who were arrested at the state Capitol in May. They were part of a protest pressing legislators to pass a bill that would limit evictions to those made for good cause.
About two dozen protestors attended the arraignment. One of them dropped a piece of lettuce, covered with roaches, onto the courtroom floor.
Authorities closed the courthouse and called in an exterminator.
“What transpired is not advocacy or activism,” said Lucian Chalfen, a spokesperson for the Office of Court Administration. “It is criminal behavior with the intent to disrupt a proceeding and cause damage.”
Source: Albany Times-Union
By the Numbers | 19%
– The percentage of lawyers who said in a recent survey that they’d contemplated suicide at some point in their careers.
The survey of lawyers, conducted by law.com, illustrates in stark detail the mental health challenges they face.
Most of the survey respondents were employed by Big Law firms at the time of the survey.
According to the survey, 67% of respondents reported experiencing anxiety, 35% reported experiencing depression, and 44% reported feeling isolated.
Additionally, 9.4% said they had a drinking problem and 2.4% said they had a drug problem.
About 74% of respondents said their work environment contributed to their mental health issues.
Always being on call (72%), pressure related to billable hours (59%), and client demands (57%) were the top three factors affecting mental health.
Regarding remote work, 62% said it increased their quality of life, with 54% saying it led to an increase in billable hours.
WisLAP Can Help
The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, and their families who are suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse, anxiety, and other issues that affect their well-being and law practice.
WisLAP 24-hour helpline: (800) 543-2625
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255); suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Source: ABA Journal
Did You Know? | Don’t Make Her Mad
The next entry in Marvel’s movie franchise features a green-skinned woman lawyer.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law tells the story of Jennifer Walters, a Los Angeles lawyer who practices “superhuman law.”
Walters is cousin to Bruce Banner, the physicist who becomes the Incredible Hulk whenever his heart rate goes past 200 beats per minute. Walters acquires Hulk-like powers and relies on her cousin to teach her how to harness them.
In one scene from the new film, Banner says, “The transformations are triggered by anger and fear.”
“Those are like the baseline of any woman just existing,” Walters replies.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is scheduled for release on Aug. 17.
Source: MSN Entertainment
