Saturday, March 16, 2019

Past Guest Speakers

- Volunteer Attorney, Atlanta Legal Aid
- SE Director/Attorney, Federal Trade Commission
- Family Law Attorney
- Personal Injury Attorney
- Entertainment Attorney discussing "Arc of a Career"

In this course, students learn how to advocate for their rights with common problems of everyday life, including: landlord-tenant, medical debt, contract disputes, car dealership scams, fixing bad credit, debt collection, consumer fraud, data breaches, and identity theft. Ultimately, participants are taught how to effectively document proof, file a small claims court lawsuit, and argue their case.  The stakes involved are too small for a business litigator to take (because they are paid by the hour), but they are of great significance to you or your business to pursue.
LGLS 3040 Listed in goSolar under LEGAL STUDIES - a Robinson elective

 THE PROBLEMS
(1) Debt – caused by student loans, mismanagement of budget, and unforeseen events; and (2) Personal or business disputes with people or companies

PERRY'S SOLUTION?
Document everything.
Be Professional, Persistent, and Patient.
Find Leverage.
Know the Law but also know when to settle and when to file a claim.

COURSE INTRODUCTION ON ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Social Justice - "the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities." 
Criminal Justice - "laws, procedures, institutions, and policies at play before, during, and after the commission of an alleged crime." 
Civil Justice - I define this as leveling the playing field for the little guy in civil disputes.  
This course is all about civil justice.


RECOMMENDED VIDEOS TO WATCH FOR CLASS    

UNIT I Videos

Ga Fair Business Practices Act https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2QDD2Zu4-s
Debt Collection Videos and Podcasts 
- If you are sued about a debt
- Garnishment Information video
- Getting help with medical debt
For Mock Trial
For our Mock Mediation:
Mediator Opening Statement (shouldn't be read)

UNIT II Videos

#1 Thing to do if in a car accident https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HKpfWyqM6U

Biggest law mistakes when in a car accident https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLTFpJXaXd0
Auto mechanic dispute - Don't use cash, check, debit cards! Use a credit card https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkWEFgmMYTM 
Buying a New Car - The Right Way (good video but I disagree with financing with dealer)
Negotiating emergency room bills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51ZK05cVrJk
What is a Guardian Ad Litem in Custody Cases? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYeE32s1Ru0

CONSUMER RESOURCES FOR GUIDANCE
Links updated August 2024

UNIT I – CONSUMER LAW: CAVEAT EMPTOR (Let the Buyer Beware) 

Students and Young Consumers
Debt collectors to call more often, send unlimited texts, emails under proposed rules
Warren Buffett: This is the No. 1 mistake parents make when teaching kids about money
Practitioner Resources  
Check, Credit and Debit Card Purchases
Clark Howard Consumer Guides - Skim Topics

 Before Advocacy Comes Documentation
Georgia Watch: Dispute Resolution Tips
Sample letter to business
Mediation instead of going to trial in Small Claims Court
The term Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to any method other than litigation for resolution of disputes. Mediation is a form of ADR.
Georgia ADR Rules
Fulton County Mediation
Cobb County Mediation -  first court in Georgia to implement a volunteer mediation program for small claims cases

Filing and Defending a Complaint “Pro Se” in Small Claims Court
Magistrate Court forms
Clark Howard: How to sue someone in Small Claims Court
Small Claims - Q & A
Filing a Complaint
Trover
Responding to a Complaint and Summons
Subpeona for Witnesses (pdf)

Collection Post-Judgment
Garnishment
Garnishment FAQ
Discovery
FiFa

Federal Consumer Agencies
Federal Trade Commission
- Consumer Information
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Georgia Department of Law 
- Consumer Protection Division

Rights under federal consumer cases and statutes, including:
Fair Debt Collections Act
Georgia Fair Business Practices Act

UNIT II – CONSUMER ADVOCACY – PUTTING YOUR RIGHTS INTO ACTION

Bad Debts: Initiating and Defending Cases

  • Who Should Appear in Court?
  • From the Plaintiff’s Point of View
  • From the Debtor’s Point of View
Automotive Accident
Accidents and Injuries

 Auto Mechanic Dispute
How to handle the dispute

Advocating Tenant Rights
Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook 
Evictions

Georgia’s tenant-protection laws are among the weakest in the nation, allowing landlords to disregard health and safety concerns, charge excessive fees, and quickly evict residents who fall behind on rent.  AJC June 2022

Local governments prohibited from imposing rent controls
No caps on security deposits
No law to allow withholding rent over living conditions
Eviction notices allowed without grace period for late rent
No requirement that landlords guarantee livability


State law does not require landlords to disclose crimes that take place on their properties, but it does say they must exercise “ordinary care” to prevent foreseeable criminal acts. For instance, they must provide functioning locks.  But this lease can give tenants the impression that no such legal protections exist.  AJC June 2022

Health Insurance
Assistance
Medical billing mistakes
GA Legal Aid - Health Information
Hospital billing practices
Out-of-Network "Surprise Bills"
Appealing your medical bill (pdf)

Buying a New or Used Vehicle
​Man buys used car for 17,000.  Days later, it needs 15,000 of repairs​
Claek Howard: The Best Time to Buy a Car
Former car salesman: Never say this 1 thing when negotiating a deal
Buy your car online or in person?
Legal Aid - Car Issues 

Domestic Relations
Buy a house instead of wasting cash on a wedding?
Rights of parents and children
Alimony and child support
My spouse of 20 years hid $50,000 in an overseas account

Consumers in the Workplace
If You Don't Ask, You Won't Get the Salary You Deserve. Say These Words When Negotiating
Are you subject to a Non-Compete Agreement?


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