Attorney Erick Becker Joins Cummins & White
May 3, 2013
ATTORNEY ERICK BECKER JOINS CUMMINS & WHITE Will Lead Labor & Employment Practice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…May 7, 2013…NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF….Cummins & White, LLP, a well-known diversified, full-service business and insurance law practice, today announced that Erick Becker has joined the firm as a partner and will lead the labor and employment practice group. Becker arrives [...]
From My Cold Dead Hands
April 4, 2013
“So, as we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those fighting words for everyone within the sound of my voice to hear and to heed, and especially for you, Mr. Gore: ‘From my cold, dead hands!” – Charleston Heston. Moses made this pronouncement [...]
Last Minute Tax Tips
March 22, 2013
April 15th is quickly approaching and people keep asking me if I know any “loopholes” that will help them get out of having to pay their fair share. The answer I give usually goes something like this, “Well, um, no.” Seriously, I really don’t know anything about loopholes, but I did find some creative deductions [...]
Houston Named Interim City Attorney For Anaheim
March 12, 2013
News Release CUMMINS & WHITE ATTORNEY MICHAEL HOUSTON NAMED INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY FOR ANAHEIM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…March 12, 2013…NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF….Cummins & White, LLP, a well known full-service business, government entity, and insurance law practice, announced that partner Michael R.W. Houston has been named interim City Attorney for the City of Anaheim, the 10th largest [...]
Sad News This Week
February 22, 2013
My goal for the Estate Planning Blog is to educate and entertain. However, as much as I like to talk about Taxmageddon, Star Wars, athletes, and Facebook, estate planning is a very serious subject. We should not forget that. This week, three people were ruthlessly killed by a homicidal madman in Orange County. Click here [...]
Only Little People Pay Taxes
February 18, 2013
“We don’t pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes…” -Leona Helmsley Facebook is in the news once more. Apparently, they reported $1.1 billion in pre-tax profits from U.S. operations in 2012, but will pay little if any tax. In fact, Facebook may even receive a federal tax refund of about $429 million! The reason–it was [...]
Tis the season…
February 11, 2013
It is that most wonderful time of year again. That’s right, time to prepare and file your 2012 Income Tax Return! As if this wasn’t bad enough, it is also a time that some will discover that they are a victim of identity theft. Here are the warning signs: -Receiving a W-2 or 1099 from [...]
Tom Lamons Named 2013 Super Lawyer
January 31, 2013
Congratulations to Tom Lamons for being named for the second consecutive year to the Southern California Super Lawyers 2013. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, [...]
Turn Out The Lights…
January 28, 2013
Turn out the lightsThe party’s overThey say thatAll good things must end Call it a nightThe party’s overAnd tomorrow startsThe same old thing again –Willie Nelson from “The Party’s Over” No doubt, this was the tune bouncing around in Phil Michelson’s head when he recently announced that we was considering leaving California. The reason: between [...]
Newly Formed Real Estate Practice Group at Cummins & White
January 15, 2013
CUMMINS & WHITE FORMS REAL ESTATE PRACTICE GROUP Integration of skills & expertise will better serve clients as real estate market continues upswing FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…Jan. 15, 2013…NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF….Cummins & White, LLP, a well-known full-service business and insurance law practice, today announced the formation of a real estate practice group to serve its corporate [...]
‘Taxmageddon’ is Upon Us—Part III
December 11, 2012
Last month, we discussed potential devastating effects on business taxation when the Bush Era tax acts expire. We were concerned there would be no movement, and unfortunately, we were right. It has been more than a month since the election, and with only 19 days to go until the “fiscal cliff” hits, neither side has [...]
The Force Will Be With You….Always
November 9, 2012
As a child, I was a big fan of Star Wars. I loved all of the movies (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi) and insisted on having all of the toys and action figures. I even managed to score a Death Star, which, back in the day, was quite unique. [...]
‘Taxmageddon’ is Upon Us–Part 2
Last month, we spoke about the possibly devastating effects of the expiration of the Bush Era tax acts as it relates to income taxation, not just estate and gift taxes. This month we need to talk about business taxation. Because the President and current Congress were both re-elected, we are very concerned there will be [...]
‘Taxmageddon’ is Upon Us–Part I
October 30, 2012
Without new federal legislation, the per person gift and estate tax exclusion will drop from $5.12 million to $1 million of net worth per person on January 1, 2013, making it very difficult to defer or reduce taxation on your estate. Estate and gift tax rates also will increase dramatically from 35 percent to 55 [...]
The more things change, the more they stay the same
October 3, 2012
For those thinking that a GOP victory in the race for White House is going to change the landscape for the estate and gift tax, think again. According to a recent article in the Politico, the estate and gift tax is likely here to stay regardless of the outcome of the election. Take this statement: [...]
T-100
September 26, 2012
Just in case everyone forgot, there are only 100 more days before taxmageddon. Today’s posting by Americans for Tax Reform goes into gory detail about the particulars. These are the highlights for what awaits in 2013: Personal income tax rates will rise on January 1, 2013. The marriage penalty returns. The expansion of the estate [...]
Wakefield Wins Jury Trial in Premises Liability Case
September 20, 2012
Squashes $1 Million Demand for Alleged Bodily Injury in Premises Liability Case Jim Wakefield, managing partner, represented a commercial insurance carrier and its insured, a high-end steak and seafood house in a premises liability case. A guest of the steak house claimed she suffered herniated discs in the neck and lower back after she fell [...]
Give Til’ it Hurts
September 12, 2012
Don’t look now, but 2012 is almost over, and it is now time to start thinking about year-end tax planning. The old saying is true, you can’t take it with you, and if you give it away, Uncle Sam lets you deduct the gift from your income. If you want to wait until after you [...]
Miglietta Earns LEED (Green Building) Credential
August 9, 2012
Cummins & White is pleased to announce that Margaret Miglietta, partner, has earned a LEED AP Building Operations + Maintenance credential through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). This distinction allows her to serve on any construction project whether it is new construction, major remodeling or renovation, and assist the project through the LEED certification [...]
“Initiative law is rife with technicalities.”
August 3, 2012
Michael Houston, municipal and election law attorney, comments about California’s initiative process in an article he wrote for Orange County Lawyer, August 2012. Click here to read the full article.
