Michael S. Byrd authors article for Plastic Surgery Pulse News titled “Five Tips to Maximize the Value of Your Plastic Surgery Practice.”
Michael S. Byrd was one of the authors for Plastic Surgery Pulse News, Volume 2, Number 1 (http://www.plasticsurgerypulsenews.com/2/article_dtl.php?QnCategoryID=16&QnArticleID=48). Michael’s article, titled “Five Tips to Maximize the Value of Your Plastic Surgery Practice”, addresses many misconceptions regarding the value of a medical practice and identifies principles that will enable physician’s and other providers to develop strategies to build value in their practice.
David M. O’Dens secured a top Texas verdict for 2009.
On June 10, 2009, David M. O’Dens, Chair of SettlePou’s Creditor’s Rights Division, obtained a jury verdict in favor of Wachovia Small Business Capital against Daniel E. Manley, doing business as Mr. Quick Lube, and Thomas E. Manley in the 95th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas. On June 7th of this year, this verdict will be reported by Texas Lawyer as one of the Top Texas Verdicts of 2009. The case was brought as a breach of contract claim involving a U.S. Small Business Administration promissory note and guaranty. The final judgment entered in this case awarded Wachovia Small Business Capital principal and interest through the date of judgment in the total amount of $457,029.00, plus $89,259.00 in attorneys’ fees for prosecuting the claim, for a total award of $546, 288.00; the final judgment also rendered a take nothing verdict on the counterclaim brought by Daniel and Thomas Manley.
Bradford Adatto speaks in Washington DC at the ASAPS conference on “National Health Care Reform”.
Bradford Adatto spoke in Washington DC at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2010 meeting on “National Health Care Reform” on April 24, 2010. The presentation covered the impact national health care reform will have on individuals, business and physicians.
Allen Smith is featured in the 2010 Corporate Counsel Edition for Super Lawyers
The May/June 2010 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition features J. Allen Smith of the firm. Super Lawyers selects lawyers across the nation based on research of all candidates qualifications and a 12 step peer evaluation process. This group of top attorneys is limited to only 5 percent of the lawyers practicing in the state of Texas. Mr. Smith is featured for his expertise in Eminent Domain, Business and Real Estate Litigation and has been licensed in Texas for over 25 years and has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1992.
Michael S. Byrd speaks at UT Southwestern Medical School on “Legal Accounting 101: Preparing for Private Practice”.
Michael S. Byrd spoke to the UT Southwestern Medical School Plastic Surgery Department on “Legal Accounting 101: Preparing for Private Practice” on February 4, 2010. Michael and CPA Jon Karp with UHY Advisors jointly presented on the business, legal, and accounting issues that are encountered in entering private practice.
Michael S. Byrd presents “Entering Practice: Decisions for Residents” as panelist on a Webinar for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Michael S. Byrd spoke at the 2009 Webinar for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery “ASAPS”. Byrd spoke with the panel titled “Entering Practice: Decisions for Residents”. Byrd’s presentation was titled “Legal 101: Entering Private Practice.” The Webinar is primarily attended by plastic surgery residents and fellows around the country.
Michael S. Byrd and Michael Steinmark Selected as 2010 Texas Rising Stars
The publishers of Texas Monthly magazine have again recognized the accomplishments of SettlePou attorneys. For the second year in a row, Michael S. Byrd was selected for the publisher’s Rising Stars list, joined this year by Michael Steinmark. The announcement of these awards comes just a few months after Allen Smith of SettlePou was selected for the publisher’s 2009 Super Lawyers list for the third straight year. Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition is described by the publisher as a “listing of top lawyers who are under 40 years old and younger or who have been in practice 10 years or less.” Selection is limited to only 2.5 percent of all lawyers in Texas, and is based on the collection and evaluation of objective criteria on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Michael Byrd is a shareholder at SettlePou and Chair of its Business Counsel Services practice group. He has been practicing law since 1995 and focuses his practice on health care and private business. Michael Steinmark is an associate in SettlePou’s Commercial Litigation and Insurance Defense practice groups. He has been practicing law since 2005. SettlePou’s two Rising Stars can be found on pages 5, 26, and 34 of the 2010 Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition magazine, and at www.superlawyers.com/texas.
Bradford Adatto, author and editor of “Representing Physicians Handbook”
Bradford Adatto was one of the authors and editors for Representing Physicians Handbook, 2nd Edition, published in December of 2009. The Handbook addresses the issues that confront those who represent physicians in the increasingly complex physician practice world. The authors have provided their expertise, insight, and guidance to issues of compliance, business, reimbursement, and many others.
Marsha L. Dekan elected Secretary of the Real Property Section of the Dallas Bar Association
The Real Property Section of the Dallas Bar Association, the largest section in the Dallas Bar Association with over 950 paid section members, is a forum for real estate lawyers who practice in such areas as real estate lending, development, acquisition, disposition, leasing and other types of real estate related practice areas. The Real Property Section meets monthly and provides continuing legal education presentations on topics of current interest. The Section also makes charitable contributions to local charitable organizations.
Allen Smith presents National Webinar on Taxes and Takings
Allen Smith was a presenter in a webinar broadcasted nationally by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America on November 11, 2009. The presentation was entitled "Taxes and Takings" and addressed the distinctions between the valuation of billboard property interests in an eminent domain proceeding versus the differences in the valuation of billboard property interests in a taxation instance. The presentation was to attorneys and real estate experts across the nation and addressed the latest case law and trends on these valuation issues.
News Alert – Is Your Business Ready for 2010?
Beginning on January 1, 2010, all Texas entities that were formed prior to January 1, 2006, and all foreign entities that registered to transact business in Texas prior to January 1, 2006, will automatically become subject to the Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC”). This change may require updating certain governing documents with your business to ensure their compliance with the TBOC. It will also be important to reevaluate the current business structure and operations of your business to confirm consistency with both the TBOC and the governing documents. If your entity will be affected by the change, you should review your governing documents and consult with legal counsel to update them accordingly. For more information, contact Michael S. Byrd, Chair of our Business Counsel Services Section, at mbyrd@settlepou.com or Bradford E. Adatto at badatto@settlepou.com. Either Michael or Brad may also be reached at (214) 520-3300.
Jeff Porter honored as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation
Jeff Porter has been honored as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Texas Bar Fellows represent 1/3 of 1% of State Bar of Texas attorneys. These Fellowships are awarded to attorneys who are dedicated to the law and the cause of justice, and are of high professional standing among their peers. Mr. Porter is also a Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation. Similar to the Texas Bar Foundation Fellowships, the Dallas Bar Fellowships are awarded to attorneys who have demonstrated a high ethical standard and a commitment to the cause of justice and the welfare of the community. The goals of these two separate Foundations include the encouragement of legal assistance to the indigent and needy, education of the public, child advocacy and excellence in the legal profession and judiciary. Jeff Porter has been practicing law for 29 years and is the Chair of SettlePou’s Real Estate Transactions practice.
Allen Smith selected to 2009 Texas Super Lawyers
J. Allen Smith is featured in the October edition of Texas Monthly Magazine as one of the 2009 Super Lawyers in Texas. This is a select group of attorneys in the state based on a rigorous multi-step evaluation process that incorporates peer recognition and professional achievement. This is the third year that Mr. Smith has recieved this honor. Smith is the Chairman of the Commercial Litigation Section of the firm and has 25 years of trial practice experience and has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specializtion in the area of Civil Trial Practice for 17 years.
Michael S. Byrd appears on The Weight Loss Surgery Channel to discuss recent workers compensation rulings
Michael S. Byrd was interviewed on The Weight Loss Surgery Channel on September 11, 2009 to discuss the impact of recent worker compensation rulings that forced employers to pay for weight loss surgery of their employee. The Weight Loss Surgery Channel is a web based news outlet and can be found at www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com. The interview may be seen as http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/breaking-wls-news/weight-loss-surgery-claim-paid-9-years-late.html/.
Michael S. Byrd appears on The Plastic Surgery Channel to discuss healthcare reform
Michael S. Byrd was asked to provide interviews to The Plastic Surgery Channel on August 7, 2009 and again on August 21, 2009. The Plastic Surgery Channel is a web based news outlet and can be found at www.theplasticsurgerychannel.com. Byrd’s first interview focused on the rumored plastic surgery tax being considered to fund President Obama’s healthcare reform initiative. This interview may be viewed at http://www.theplasticsurgerychannel.com/breaking-news/plastic-surgery-tax-may-help-fund-healthcare-plan.html. Byrd’s second interview discussed the current status of President Obama’s healthcare reform initiative. This interview may be viewed at http://www.theplasticsurgerychannel.com/breaking-news/plastic-surgery-industry-may-suffer-under-health-care-reform.html.
Michael S. Byrd presents “Legal Secrets: Planning to Maximize the value of your Practice” to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas
Michael S. Byrd spoke at the 2009 conference in Las Vegas for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (“ASAPS”). Byrd spoke with a panel titled “Practice Forum: Strategies for Today’s Aesthetic Practice.” Byrd’s presentation was titled “Legal Secrets: Planning to Maximize the Value of your Practice.” The seminar is primarily attended by board certified plastic surgeons from around the country who belong to ASAPS.
Allen Smith presents "Regulatory Impact on the Value of Billboards" to the 2009 National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies Conference in Missouri
Allen Smith made a presentation to the 2009 National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies Conference in Branson Missouri on August 11, 2009. The presentation was entitled "Regulatory Impact on the Value of Billboards" and addressed pertinent statutory and case law across the nation impacting the valuation of property interests concerning Billboard properties. The seminar is primarily attended by the Federal and State transportation officials across the country.
Allen Smith is featured in the Corporate Counsel Edition for Super Lawyers
The May/June 2009 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition features J. Allen Smith of the firm. Super Lawyers selects lawyers across the nation based on research of all candidates qualifications and a 12 step peer evaluation process. This group of top attorneys is limited to only 5 percent of the lawyers practicing in the state of Texas. Smith is featured for his expertise in Eminent Domain, Business and Real Estate Litigation and has been licensed in Texas for over 25 years and has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1992.
Kerry Hayden appointed Chair of the Membership Committee for The DFW Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers.
The DFW Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers (DAYBL) encourages education, mentoring, communication and networking opportunities for and with young bankruptcy attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth area through involvement with the bankruptcy bench, other members of the bankruptcy and restructuring community and Texas law schools. The Membership Committee is responsible for implementing a membership plan for DAYBL which includes a strategy for building and sustaining membership through the retention of existing members and recruitment of new members who will advance DAYBL’s mission.
Cliff Wade recently spoke on a panel discussion at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law with Bankruptcy Judge “Cooter” Hale and other DFW bankruptcy lawyers.
The panel discussion, which was directed to law students with interest in a career as a bankruptcy lawyer, was organized by the DFW Area Young Bankruptcy Lawyers Association and included six bankruptcy lawyers with various careers in bankruptcy including the judiciary, a career law clerk to Dallas Division Chief Judge Barbara Houser, a Chapter 7 Trustee, debtor’s lawyers, and a creditor’s lawyer (Mr. Wade). The event was well attended by the law students, who were energized by the lively discussion between the panel members’ past and current work experiences and career insight in light of the current economic environment.
Michael S. Byrd selected for the Rising Stars list in 2009 Texas Super Lawyers
Michael S. Byrd is featured in the April edition of Texas Monthly Magazine as one of the 2009 Rising Stars in Texas. This is a select group of attorneys in the state based on a rigorous multi-step evaluation process that incorporates peer recognition and professional achievement. Byrd is the Chairman of the Business Counsel Services section of the firm. Byrd’s litigation experience helps drive creative real-world business planning solutions across the U.S. for the firm’s physician and business clients.
