Strawberries. The fruit of early summer. When my family starts coming home from the store with big boxes of strawberries, I know that the cool winds of early spring have passed, irises are bursting and the air conditioners will be getting a workout. IT IS SUMMER!! Picnics and vacation destinations are the talk of the town.

We have plenty to talk about in this Vantage Points, too. Arnold Janicker, one of our litigation attorneys, covers the key point of ADR, or Alternative Dispute Resolution. We see more and more ADR as a cost-effective way to short-circuit spiraling litigation costs. Steve Golder, who heads our Business Services Group, picks up with some preventative business advice, which is even more important than checking the propane tank in the gas grill before company arrives. And Tom Scarr, who leads our Litigation Section, gives us a brief review of new legislation passed by the 2008 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Joe Manchin, III. What new laws affect your business?

We have a bit of firm news, too. Tom Krieger, labor lawyer supreme, has retired to North Carolina. We wish Tom and his lovely wife, Jackie, all of our best. Their new home would be a great place for a picnic, don’t you think? Feel free to contact Mike Estep, who leads our Labor and Employment Law Group, with your needs.

Also, we are so very pleased to announce that Christa Dotson has passed the bar exam and now is licensed to practice law. We welcome her to our Worker’s Compensation and litigation practices.

All in all, we have a full summer menu being served!! Enjoy!