They say you should only blog when you have something to say. I must confess I have a bit of writer’s block this week and because of other commitments I have not had much time to write.
Well, it’s been a busy week. I attended the Solo and Small Firm Conference and Expo (which was great by the way) co-sponsored by the Law Society of Upper Canada and Ontario Bar Association. I’m not sure I like being referred to as a small firm- I much prefer the phrase “boutique firm”.
Anyway, I can’t wait to pick up my new Ipad and start working on my files in the “cloud” while I’m outside the office lying under a tree looking at the clouds.
Ok- I don’t plan to do that all day everyday ( I don’t want to make my clients or prospective clients nervous) – but it was refreshing and exciting to hear about all the new technology and gadgets out there for lawyers.
One of the messages at the conference was that technology should help lawyers become better organized and efficient and manage their time effectively so that they can achieve a better work-life balance and reduce stress.
I’m not convinced that technology is the answer. I have spent a lot of time this week cursing my old computer for various technical issues- but the fear of replacing the computer and the time and expense to reload programs and data is not reducing my stress level.
But I am looking forward to playing with ( I mean working with) my new Ipad! And I look forward to downloading all those amazing apps and blogging using Dragon Dictate and if time permits, do some billable work too.
_______________
Anyway, this is supposed to be a blog about Sibling Estate Fights- so I thought I would do a brief update on an earlier blog post I wrote back in March about the Samsung sibling feud.
The chair of Samsung Electronics Lee Kun- hee is being sued in two separate actions by his eldest brother Lee Maeng- hee and his elder sister Lee Sook- hee for 714 billion South Korean won and 196 billion won respectively ( a total of approximately
$ 810 million) . Lee Kun-Hee is the richest man in South Korea, according to the 2010 Forbes Rich List, with a personal fortune of $7.2 billion.
The dispute centers around shares in Samsung Life, a public company. Samsung Life is one of several affiliates that has holdings in Samsung Electronics, the largest company in Asia by revenue.
Well, the Court case began this past week in a packed courtroom in Seoul, South Korea. The hearing only lasted 90 minutes as lawyers for both sides argued which laws would apply to the inheritance dispute. It is anticipated that there will be monthly hearings for the rest of the year.
According to an online report in The Wall Street Journal, one of the lawyers for the elder sibling plaintiffs told the Court that his clients were not suing because they are “greedy” but because “their rights were violated” by their younger brother. Interestingly, that is what I often hear from clients- “it’s not the money, it’s the principle!”
My view -don’t go to Court just on principle if it means you have to air your dirty laundry in public.
I will keep you posted with updates on this fascinating case involving one of the world’s richest families.
Who knows- if Samsung shares dip a bit because of this sibling fight- maybe I will be able to afford a Samsung tablet as well as an Ipad.
And oh yes- there’s always that Apple v Samsung feud to blog about.
Have a great weekend everyone!