Category: Uncategorized
Kemp Klein IT Manager Geri Hames Performs Humanitarian Work in Nicaragua
I was in Nicaragua from February 29-March 8 with Amigos for Christ. They’re a Christian humanitarian organization that works in communities near Chinandega, Nicaragua, providing clean water to homes and helping local farmers bring their products to market and become Certified Organic farms. I traveled with my friend Sandy who has been on several trips to Chinandega with Amigos.
The Climb up Maderas Volcano
At the beginning of the trip, Sandy and I ran Fuego Y Agua, an ultra-trail race on the island of Ometepe with about 15 of our Amigos teammates. The island is made up of two volcanoes, Conception and Maderas. The race we ran was 28 kilometers. Parts of it were on a beach, rocky road and a significant part climbing and descending the Maderas volcano. It was 87 degrees when the race started in the morning and the temperature rose to 94 during the day. We got a little shade and slightly lower temperatures as we climbed the volcano, but it was still HOT compared to the weather we trained in here at home. We made it to about half a mile past the last checkpoint on the volcano before we decided to turn around. Quite a few other race participants turned back before we did. The last group we spoke with said the top of the volcano was all mud that required you to crawl on the rim of the crater while holding a rope so you didn’t slide off the side. It took us an hour to climb the previous mile and we had about another hour before we made it to the top. We decided we didn’t have another hour of climbing left in us. The 4.5 mile descent was every bit as hard as the climb. When we returned to the aid station where our team truck was waiting for us, we had covered 24 kilometers. I had refilled my hydration pack at the 10k mark and had no water left when we returned to the aid station. It’s a tough, tough race and not like anything I’ve ever done before or will ever do again.
We spent the rest of our trip working in La Cuncha outside Chinandega and on the Amigos Farm. All the families in the community currently get water from a contaminated well. We broke ground on a water project that will connect homes to a clean water system about 4 miles away. It will take about 5 months to complete with the local s doing a significant part of the work and other churches and groups helping at other times. We dug about ½ mile of trenches and laid pipes in very rocky ground. We had to chip away at it, inch by inch with pickaxes. It was hard work in 90-97 degree temperatures! The locals who joined us were amazing. A 90 year old woman even joined us one day, working in a skirt and flip flops. That’s a pretty normal occurrence there. Everyone helps everyone else. We also worked one day at the Amigos farm, harvesting curcumin. The root of the curcumin plant contains “fingers” of turmeric. We harvested about 300 pounds of turmeric while we were there. We also planted 3000 hot pepper plants. The peppers harvested from the plants later this year are already under contract to the Tabasco company.
It was an amazing experience with some incredible people who feel called to do a small part in making the world a better place.
Geri Hames
Michigan’s New Uniform Power of Attorney Act
Effective July 1, 2024
Cynthia L. Umphrey
Brian R. Jenney
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT INFORMATION
Kemp Klein Welcomes Attorney George W. Gregory
Kemp Klein Law Firm welcomes George W. Gregory as a shareholder this February. Mr. Gregory brings over 30 years of experience in the areas of estate planning, tax and business law. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Gregory was a Revenue Agent with the IRS. He has also taught tax course at the undergraduate and graduate level as a Professor with Wayne State University School of Business Administration. George’s years of practice both with the IRS and in private practice uniquely qualifies him to represent clients in tax controversies as well as estate planning and business planning for individuals.
For further information or questions please contact Kemp Klein.
ADR Provisions in Business Agreements—So Many Choices—So Little Time
Michigan Bar Journal, Summer 2016
Cynthia Brazzil
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Legal Issues in Care and Treatment
-Published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Thomas V. Trainer
Binding Third Parties in Probate Court: “Proceedings” Verses “Civil Actions”
-Published in Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Journal, Summer 2015
Alan A. May
Multiple Damage Claims in Probate Court
-Published in Probate & Estate Planning Journal, Vol. 37, Winter 2017
Alan A. May
Ronald Nixon
By Geri Hames
Alan A. May book, "The Journey" Accepted at the Detroit Jewish Book Fair
Kemp Klein attorney, Alan A. May’s book The Journey was recently selected for an event featuring Michigan authors. The Detroit Jewish Book Fair will be held on November 1-13, 2022. Details are in the pdf below. Congratulations Mr. May!
For further information regarding the book fair, please contact Mr. May at 248.740.5670 or via email.
WHY YOU SHOULD TALK WITH YOUR LAWYER – TODAY
There are resources all around you that can help you find the perfect attorney for your case and situation. First, you can ask other professionals whose judgment you trust, such as your doctor or accountant, for the name of a good lawyer. Also try business people who often work with attorneys, as well as legal service organizations like your state bar association.
The State Bar of Michigan works to promote good relations between the legal profession and the public, and they are an excellent resource. Using their website www.michbar.org, you can research attorneys, get referrals, find out about legal aid options, and read about legal issues.
Remember that you are entitled to interview lawyers. At the meetings ask questions about the attorney’s experience with matters like yours and about their practice. Ask how long it should take to deal with your matter and whether there are alternative ways to deal with your situation. Always remember though, that things can occur to lengthen the process. Make sure you ask about the attorney’s methods of communication and how often you will hear from him or her. You should be able to communicate effectively with the lawyer you choose. Always be completely comfortable with the lawyer you hire.
Once you have chosen an attorney, they may give you a written retainer or fee agreement. Be sure to read it carefully and discuss any questions you have before signing the agreement. The agreement should at least set forth the amount of legal fees to be paid and how the fees will be billed and due, and which costs will be your responsibility. You can ask for an estimate of costs, their hourly rates and who in the lawyer’s office will be working on your matter. Remember that it will be an estimate, and that circumstances can affect the total fee amounts.
It is your attorney’s responsibility to give you objective advice and protect your rights. It is your responsibility to be honest with this attorney and to get him or her all relevant documents and information. Your attorney cannot represent you effectively without knowing the whole situation.
Remember also, that you are entitled to make the final decisions about how to proceed with your case and about any settlement options. You are entitled to consult with your lawyer about the methods to be used in your case but your attorney is bound by certain ethical conduct standards. The attorney is not allowed to employ means that would violate those standards, even if that is what you request. Your attorney is also allowed to make certain legal decisions on your behalf if necessary.
At the end of your matter your attorney will retain your file for a period of time. He or she will notify you and give you an opportunity to have any “client property” returned to you before the file is destroyed. Client property is anything you provided to the lawyer, and any original documents like wills, deeds, etc.
