Article Archive
Comments from the President
The southeastern area of the State of Michigan is the hardest hit area of our national depression. The near disintegration of the automobile manufacturing business has changed our economy forever. After 100 years of prosperity, we face the hard task of remaking ourselves. We are a tough breed here in the Detroit area, and we now have a fine team in charge of our local government committed to return our area to prosperity. It has been and will continue to be a battle, but we will overcome and once again return to prosperity. The mantra is “come to work each day, work hard, and good things will happen.”
Lifestyles have changed, and we all have less than what we once had, but we have survived the worst time and we are beginning to experience the recovery. Like most businesses, we have taken steps to ensure the continuity of the firm. By taking these steps, we have seen positive signs that we have weathered the storm and are on our way up. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue the great tradition of POWERS CHAPMAN and represent all of our longstanding clients. We look forward to making many new clients satisfied in the future. We thank all of our clients for the opportunity to serve you.
Gene DeAgostino
Robert P. Milia Celebrates 40 Years of Practice
Robert P. Milia was born in Ogdensburg, New York and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1970. He received his undergraduate, MBA and law degree from the University of Detroit. Mr. Milia has been a senior partner at the Law Firm of Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C. since 1986 and is highly specialized in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death and negligence law. He is a mediator for Wayne & Oakland County and also is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association for Justice, the American Bar Association, University of Detroit Law Alumni, and various other associations. His involvement in these organizations is due to the fact they provide services to the public as well as to the members of the legal community.
Mr. Milia has always had a special interest in law and doing trial work at an early age. He enjoys the adversary aspect of the law and has a knack for resolving complex litigation. Those attributes and interests led him to law school and eventually to a career as an outstanding attorney acknowledged by his clients and peers. Mr. Milia’s peer review rating in Martindale-Hubbel is AV rated which is the highest rating achieved by an attorney. He enjoys advocating different positions on behalf of his clients and assisting his clients in achieving their individual goals.
In 2010, Mr. Milia celebrates his 40th year as an attorney. In a recent interview, Mr. Milia reflects upon his journey as an attorney.
When did you join Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C. and how did the law firm obtain its name?
"Over a long period of years, the firm has developed and transitioned into what it is today. We have employed many different individuals with similar aptitudes, qualities and experience. Although the firm has more partners than listed in our trade name, the name reflects a continuing succession of the firm’s identity since 1928."
How have you maintained your success as an attorney during your career?
"I thoroughly prepare my cases. I keep abreast of the changes in law by reading, joining organizations, and attending seminars in order to stay current with new developments in the law."
In your opinion, what attributes lend themselves to being called a good attorney?
"Reputation, veracity, integrity, and preparedness."
After being in this profession for 40 years, what is the most important lesson you have learned?
"The area of law is a very complex and changing discipline. There is always something new to learn each day. Given that the laws are constantly changing, you need to be prepared for the unexpected and most importantly, you need to follow up on matters and communicate promptly with your clients."
How has the practice of law changed during the past 40 years?
"From a business standpoint, it has become much more competitive. From a legal standpoint it is difficult but necessary to keep up with all the new technology now applicable to the practice of law in my opinion. In recent years, the Courts have taken certain positions with tort reform that are not always in the best interests of the legal community and to our clients."
Do you expect the practice of law to change in the future?
"I am hopeful that legislature in conjunction with the Supreme Court will initiate more decisions for the best interest of the public and our clients."
In your opinion, what is most gratifying about being an attorney?
"I find helping people achieve their goals is most gratifying. The successful results you can attain by advocating for your clients is a good feeling."
Congratulations on 40 successful years of practice!
Will the Federal Government Produce a New Federal Estate Tax Law On Time?
Will Congress provide a new law before the end of 2009? If not, there will be a lot of uncertainty in the taxation of decedent estates. In June 2001, President Bush signed into law the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act including the Estate Tax Repeal. The current law is set to expire on December 31, 2009.
No one has a crystal ball, but we are told to expect the lifetime Federal Estate Tax credit will be frozen at $3,500,000.00. The marginal tax rate over the credit amount will be set at 45%. There is a promise to “index” the credit amount for years beginning in 2011. The “step up in basis” rules for capital assets should be preserved. Although this is good news, Congress may not act on time and maybe the congressional intervention will add a few new wrinkles. We will just have to wait and see.
At Powers Chapman, we are here to help. We intend to keep our estate planning clients informed and up-to-date. Review your existing estate plan to make sure it provides for maximum flexibility and benefit under any potential future scenarios or if you would like to devise an appropriate estate plan, please contact Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C.
Connie Kelley, Longtime Partner and Friend, Elected to Wayne County Circuit Court
In November 2008, Connie Marie Kelley was elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court. She will take her seat on the family law bench on January 2, 2009.
Connie has been advocating for her clients for more than 25 years and has been with Powers Chapman for approximately eight years. She has represented and fought for her clients in family law cases, involving divorce, custody, parenting time, child support and change of domicile. She has done extensive work in the area of employment and labor law, including age, race and sex discrimination cases, sexual harassment cases, and wrongful termination cases. She has also represented clients in personal injury cases, such as automobile accident cases and wrongful death cases.
Her community involvement includes membership on the executive board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan and volunteer work and free legal assistance to the Womens' Resource Center at Schoolcraft College.
Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, PC has truly benefited from Connie's dedication to her clients and leadership within the firm. Managing Partner, L. Gene DeAgostino sums up the firm's sentiment:
"Connie Kelley will make a fine circuit judge. She has a wealth of experience in the daily practice of law, she knows the law, and will apply the law in a fair manner to all who come before her. She relates well with fellow attorneys and will respect the lawyers who practice in her courtroom. Powers Chapman is losing a partner and great friend, but Wayne County is gaining a great judge. We wish Connie all the best."
L. Gene DeAgostino and Allen M. Meyers Celebrate 40 Years of Practice
L. Gene DeAgostino has been named by the Oakland County Bar Association as a "40-Year Honoree," signifying his 40 years of practice in Oakland County. Fellow Partner, Allen M. Meyers, also celebrates his 40th year of practice.
Mr. DeAgostino said that in his junior year of college a counselor told him that law would suit him well. So as Mr. DeAgostino says, "I chose the law then and there." In response to the same question, Allen Meyers advised that he always knew he wanted to be an attorney.
Messrs. DeAgostino and Meyers were hired directly out of law school by Powers Chapman (then named "Kenney, Kenney, Chapman & Prather") in 1967 while still studying for the Michigan bar exam. Both attorneys have been with the firm ever since.
Mr. DeAgostino credits his success over the last 40 years to following a pledge he made to himself when he became an attorney, "Be honest, have integrity and have respect for all people." He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1964 and graduated with his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Detroit Law School three years later. Mr. DeAgostino is the Managing Partner at Powers Chapman and practices in the areas of Corporate, Tax, and Estate Planning and Administration Law.
Mr. Meyers received both his undergraduate and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit (B.A., 1964; J.D., 1967). He is a Partner at Powers Chapman and practices in the areas of Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Family, and Criminal Law.
Congratulations on 40 successful years in the practice of law!
Powers Chapman Turns 80
Powers Chapman opened its doors in 1928, under the name "Lawhead & Kenney." Over the next 50 plus years, the firm's practice continued to develop into what it is today, a full-service law firm. The firm name became "Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino and Meyers" in 1980. Then in 1988, the firm's name further evolved into the current name, "Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia."
From Detroit to Troy
The law firm originally opened its doors in downtown Detroit. In 1971, the firm moved to Bloomfield Hills and then finally in 1975 to its current location across from the Somerset Collection in Troy.
Conrad D. Chapman: One of Our Pioneers Reflects
Mr. Conrad D. Chapman was hired by the firm in 1955 as a law clerk. Following his admission to the Michigan State Bar in 1958, he remained a member of the firm until his retirement in 2004. During this period, he served as managing partner, president and finally chairman of the Board of Directors. He is currently Of Counsel at Powers Chapman. In a recent interview, Mr. Chapman reflected that throughout his 53 year affiliation with the firm, its mission has always been to effectively and competently serve the legal needs of its clients and provide sound advice and good counsel on all matters relating to their business and personal legal issues. He further stated that the efforts of current management have insured that Powers Chapman will continue to carry out its mission in the years ahead.
The Current Powers Chapman Family
The current Powers Chapman Partners (shown below) have a combined 241 years of experience among them. Their expertise ranges from Family to Personal Injury to Commercial Law. Powers Chapman is supported by 19 capable associates with experience and backgrounds in all areas of the law. Our "Of Counsel" attorneys also bring a great deal of experience to Powers Chapman. For example, William H. Tripp celebrates his 41st year of practice and Thomas H. O'Connor and K. Paul Zosel are close behind at 39 years. This year Conrad D. Chapman was honored as a 50-year "Golden Honoree" by the State of Michigan Bar Association. Joseph M. McGlynn is three years away from that distinction, starting his legal career in 1961. Finally, Ward D. Powers has practiced law for an impressive 57 years.
Managing Partner, L. Gene DeAgostino, Reflects on Almost 40 Years In the Law
In his 39 years in the practice of law, the managing partner of Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C., L. Gene DeAgostino, has seen a lot of changes. And sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
What is the most important lesson you've learned in your 39 years of practice?
That honesty and integrity are the most important attributes for a lawyer. Lawyers deal with client confidences. If a client doesn't trust and respect his lawyer, that relationship is doomed to failure.
Many commentators complain that the practice of law has become much less civil than it used to be. Was there a "Golden Age" in the law and how has the practice of law changed since you first began your practice?
For me, there was a "Golden Age." In the late 1960's and prior to lawyers "being able to advertise," lawyers were much more civil to each other and respected each other on an equal basis to their clients. It was a "profession." Now it has become a business. The practice is not as much fun as it used to be.
Do you have any regrets?
The lawyer bashing and lawyer jokes are sometimes discouraging. It's unfortunate that most people don't get to meet good honest lawyers who are not in the public eye. Too many lawyers in the public eye give us a bad name.
What is the best thing about being part of Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C.?
The people I have met and the many wonderful relationships I have developed over the years with my partners and co-workers. Powers Chapman is really a special place.
People say having law partners is a little like being married. What is it like having seven law partners?
It is sometimes difficult, but we always seem to work out solutions. On the positive side, you are constantly learning, and have an opportunity to hear and consider new and creative ideas.
The practice of law is changing. Where do you see the practice of law going in the next 10, 20, 30 years?
I hope I am wrong, but I do see the practice declining. I believe there are too many law schools and too many lawyers. There are not enough jobs for all the lawyers. More and more people seem to be assuming the role of lawyer on their own.
Michigan appellate courts have issued some sweeping decisions in the past few years that have significantly changed the legal landscape. How have you seen these decisions change the practice of law at Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C.?
This has to do with personal injury and medical malpractice law. There does seem to be a movement to significantly reduce these practice areas. We have seen it within our firm and with many firms in our state and around the country. I believe that part of the public outcry in this arena is the result of the bad name that many lawyers have obtained as the result of the abuse of a few lawyers. Luckily, our Litigation Department is very adept at analyzing new decisions and doing everything it can to give all of our clients the best representation possible even in this changing and uncertain legal climate.
There are a lot of law firms out there. Why should a person or company with a legal problem choose Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C., as its law firm?
Because we exemplify honesty and integrity. We also render excellent service for a fair price, and we get our job done in a timely and efficient manner.
You've had a long and successful career in the law. What advice would you give to young attorneys and young people in general who may be just starting out in their careers?
Be patient. It takes five years after law school to understand what the practice is all about. It seems many young lawyers today want to conquer the legal world in their first five years when they are still in a learning curve. Find a good mentor. Be patient, bide your time, be a good lawyer, establish a good reputation, and in time you will be successful.
Technology and the Changing Practice of Law
There is hardly an area of life that has not been significantly impacted by computers and the internet, and the practice of law is no exception. But people who don't work in the legal field may not realize just how much the practice of law has changed since the dawn of the computer age. At Powers Chapman we are proud of the many advances in software and computer technology that we have been able to incorporate into our diverse practice to better serve our valued clients. This article provides a brief overview of just a few of the technological advances as they have impacted the practice of law and how Powers Chapman has incorporated them into its unique practice.
Computers & Software
Beginning in the early 1980's the use of personal computers and sophisticated software programs began to become an integral part of the practice of law. Where once typewriters, carbon paper and mimeograph machines were the cutting edge of technology, now speedy copiers, scanners, computer networks and word processing software handle the lion's share of legal paperwork.
The Powers Chapman law firm is no exception. We utilize cutting edge computer systems, including a system of networked computers outfitted with the latest software. Our firm is fully integrated into the internet, utilizing e-mail and high-speed internet service to speed up and at the same time simplify communication. Every attorney has a computer (called a workstation) with instant access to forms, word processing software, scanning and printing hardware. Our important documents are stored on a state of the art computer network and backed up nightly by redundant data systems. We also have in place state-of-the-art anti-virus software and hardware used to filter our internet and e-mail traffic for spam, spyware and viruses.
Legal Research & Case Management
Legal research was once conducted exclusively in libraries, where lawyers (or, more likely, their research clerks) spent countless hours pouring over dusty volumes containing statutes and cases. No longer. Now virtually every case, statute, ordinance, constitution and treatise is available on line. Services like Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, and Loislaw provide access to legal materials at the click of a button. New cases and statutes are available within a few days (or even hours) of their release by courts and legislatures.
Other companies have developed highly sophisticated case management software that allows attorneys like never before to download all their voluminous case material (depositions, interrogatories, pleadings, photos, videos, and research) into a computer where it is automatically digested, cross-referenced, and classified. Using programs like Summation and Concordance, an attorney or paralegal can instantly identify every reference to a particular word and then easily cut and paste the information into a brief, correspondence or exhibit for trial.
At Powers Chapman we subscribe to the Lexis/Nexis legal research system, which allows fast and certain legal research into just about any legal matter that arises.
Technology in Trials and Hearings
Technology is no longer confined to just the law firm setting. State and federal courts are becoming increasingly technically sophisticated. The extraordinary power of the personal computer is now available in equally powerful portable notebook computers. Ten thousand pages of exhibits and photos can be stored on a small hard drive not much bigger than a television remote.
Where once trials were conducted with paper exhibits and live witnesses, all that is changing. Now, more often than not, judges and juries are treated to electronic presentation of evidence. Digitally scanned photos and exhibits are projected onto a large screen. Where once witnesses testified live, now they often testify by way of video, all of which is stored on small hard drives or even flash drives for instant playback at trial.
Sophisticated trial presentation software programs, like Power Point, Trial Director and Sanction, allow the trial attorney to instantly present exhibits, video clips and detailed animations to the jury. In the appropriate case, it can be helpful for a witness to indicate what happened on diagram or photo. Instead of pointing to a diagram pinned to an easel, a witness can now draw the information on a special computer screen Dave Madden-style to create dynamic jury testimony.
At Powers Chapman we have invested heavily in courtroom technology from powerful laptop computers to trial software that allows us to present our client's case in the most effective and interesting way possible. We also use the latest video editing software and color printers to present stunning depictions of our clients' cases to juries, arbitrators and case evaluation panels. We encourage you to look at some of our recent verdicts and settlements, as well as some of our multimedia presentations. [Link to verdicts & settlements].
Internet, Webcasts, Podcasts, and Blogging
Locating, marshalling and sharing information has always been a large part of what attorneys do. An entirely new way of sharing information has emerged with the proliferation of the internet. New words have suddenly appeared. The terms "Webcast" and "podcast" and "blog" have suddenly become part of every day conversations. Millions of people broadcast their own podcasts and webcasts or post their own blogs, expressing their thoughts and opinions on everything from gardening to politics.
In the legal community, webcasts, blogs (sometimes called "blawgs") and podcasts are coming into their own as much more than just a way of expressing an opinion. These elements of the new internet medium can also serve the important function of educating. Complex legal topics like divorce or criminal procedure or arbitration can be clearly explained in a blog or podcast. The information is accessible 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. If your lawyer is not in his office at 10:00 p.m., that's okay because there is a possibility that a podcast or blog entry may have the information you are interested in. At Powers Chapman we are embracing the new medium of the internet.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples in the dazzling array of hardware and software tools that are changing the way lawyers do business. At Powers Chapman it is our mission to explore and embrace these amazing new technologies to give our clients the best representation possible. But for all its impressive speed and the bedazzling array of new ways to present information, it still comes down to the clients. At Powers Chapman, we never forget that underneath it all are real clients with real needs that we work to meet. Our goal is to provide the very best representation possible. Contact us about your case or legal matter today.
About Powers Chapman
Powers, Chapman, DeAgostino, Meyers & Milia, P.C. is a full service law firm located in Troy, Michigan. We specialize in many areas of law, including business law, estate planning, corporate, personal injury, family law, criminal law, litigation, wills and trusts.
Contact us today:
3001 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 704
Troy, Michigan 48084
(248) 643-6500
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