Dear Section Member: 

In the Fall, the Section launched GP/Solo Law Trends & News. This e-newsletter is the product of each of our substantive practice areas and contains articles, checklists and other valuable substantive, practical tips and information of benefit to the members of our Section. I am very pleased to report that it was warmly received by the members of the Section and we received many, many notes and emails from so many of you about how wonderful an addition it is to the Section's on-line publications. 

It is with great pleasure that I want to tell you that the winter issue of Law Trends & News is below. Like the fall issue, this one contains many timely articles, checklists and practical tips on topics of importance to our members. They include topics such as tips for giving a Closing argument, a checklist for a commercial leasing transaction, the importance of a non-compete agreement and how to make them be upheld, and many, many more. We hope they are helpful to you in your daily practice. As an addition, there are also articles from others active in the Section on other topics such as the importance of a website and how to mechanically deal with a structured settlement. I strongly urge each of you to take a few moments and glance at the wonderful work here. Of course, they are yours to download and keep as a reference for the future. As you will also notice, we have added the picture and biography of many of those integrally involved in putting this e-newsletter together. Without their hard work and assistance, none of this could be possible. 

As I mentioned in the Fall, this e-newsletter will come out quarterly. The next one will be distributed shortly before the Spring meeting. If you are interested in writing an article for it, please contact Jim Schwartz at attyjls@aol.com. Jim is the Coordinator for our Section's five Substantive Group Newsletter Editors and can direct you to the proper editor if you would like to submit an article to be considered for publication in one of these newsletters.  I know that Jim is always willing to work with volunteers and will help you in submitting articles. Also, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this issue or other things you would like to see in the future, please contact Jim. 

On behalf of the entire Section, I want to thank all of those involved in this project, especially Doug Knapp, our Section's Staff Technology Coordinator. Many hours were spent by the authors, editors and staff in bringing this to you. I hope you enjoy it and that it is helpful to you. Please let us know your thoughts about it. I look forward to seeing each of you in Salt Lake City next week. 

Lee S. Kolczun, Chair 

Borrower’s Checklist for Negotiating the Commercial Real Estate Financing Commitment Letter

How Construction Contracts Cause Litigation

Some Less-Traveled Areas Of Due Diligence For Commercial Tenants And Their Counsel

Profile: Steven J. Hahn, Real Estate Group Newsletter Editor
Steven J. Hahn, is a partner at the Law Firm Hahn, Smith, Walsh & Mancuso, P.C., in Denver, Colorado, specializing in the areas municipal law, real property, public finance and probate.  Steve is a graduate of Hampshire College, BA 1985, University of Denver, JD 1988 and MA International Relations, 1993.  He is the vice-chair person of the Metro Volunteer Lawyers and volunteers his time for indigent clients in domestic relations cases.  He is married to Barb Cashman who works in the US District Court, Colorado and they have three sons, Jeremy, Ted and Ben who consume most available spare time.

Celebrity Goodwill
The Nature of the Beast From Horses to Hedge Funds Tips on Valuing Businesses

The Direct Examination of a Parent
Let Your Client’s Answers to These 100+ Questions Tell the Story

Emancipation, good idea?

Practical Considerations in Choosing a Nursing Home

Profile: David Wolfe, Family Law Group Newsletter Editor
Mr. Wolfe is an associate in the litigation department of Skoloff & Wolfe, P.C. in Livingston, New Jersey, where he practices in the real property valuation group, the family law group and in the general litigation group. Mr. Wolfe was formerly an associate in the litigation department at the law firm of Davis Polk and Wardwell in New York.

Mr. Wolfe holds multiple positions in the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. He currently serves as the Editor of the ABA GP Solo Online Newsletter for Family Law, Juvenile Law and Elder law and is a member of the ABA YLD’s National Conference Team. He is also the Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Committee on Real Property Tax and Procedure.