The Hotline program is designed to provide union carpenters and their families with a source for information on a wide variety of legal matters.* In other words, a quick reference source you can trust and go to without obligation and with the knowledge that the information being given to you is being given to you in good faith. You will receive the information you need to help you resolve your legal problem or you will be directed to where you can receive the additional information you need to help you resolve your legal problem.
For a quick reference source you can trust, call 1-877-MY HAMMER or 1-877-694-2663
These are some frequently asked questions about the legal information hotline:
Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS FREE LEGAL INFORMATION?
A: Any member in good standing.
Q: WHO IS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING?
A: A member in good standing is one who is current on his or her dues and not in arrears. A member is deemed to be in arrears when he or she owes three or more months of dues.
Q: HOW DOES THE CARPENTERS’ LEGAL INFORMATION HOTLINE WORK?
A: When you have a legal question, just dial the CARPENTERS’ LEGAL INFORMATION HOTLINE number 1-877-MY-HAMMER or 1-877-694-2663 and speak to the legal information hotline attorney. You will have to identify yourself by your name, home address, telephone number and your union local number. You will then tell the attorney what your problem is and answer questions related to your problem. The attorney will then discuss your problem with you and suggest how he thinks you should resolve your legal problem. Everything you tell the attorney is privileged, confidential and protected from discovery unless you request the information be disclosed. If new facts subsequently develop or something was missed during your telephone conference, just telephone the attorney again and go over the additional information related to your legal matter. Remember, with respect to the information you are free to take the attorney’s suggestions, reject them, or seek additional information from another source.*
Q: WHAT TYPE OF LEGAL ISSUES CAN THE ATTORNEY HELP ME WITH?
A: Listed are areas where the attorney can give advice.
- FAMILY LAW: Divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity and visitation
- QUASI-CRIMINAL: Traffic offenses, DUI, suspended or revoked licenses
- FINANCIAL/COMMERCAL: Credit collection, warranties and lemon laws
- REAL ESTATE/PROPERTY LAW: Sales/Purchases of real estate, evictions and foreclosures
- CRIMINAL: Felony/Misdemeanor charges
- PERSONAL INJURY: Workers compensation claims, construction site injuries, auto accidents, slip & falls, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, and railroad and airplane accidents.
- ESTATES: Wills and probate
If you request that the attorney suggest the name of an attorney to help you, the attorney will try to give you the names of at least three attorneys or law firms or a bar association from which to choose. You can pick from the attorneys, law firms, or bar association suggested to you, or you can go to someone of your own choosing.*. Remember, you must negotiate any conditions and financial arrangements you want in your contract with the attorney or law firm you hire to represent you, because once you retain an attorney or law firm to represent you, the attorney you hire is your attorney and answerable and responsible to you alone.
*Once you have retained an attorney or law firm to represent you, professional ethics prohibit the “CARPENTERS’ LEGAL INFORMATION HOTLINE ATTORNEY” from discussing your legal problem with you. Also, the attorney or law firm you hire, and not the “CARPENTERS’ LEGAL INFORMATION HOTLINE” or ITS AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES will be responsible to you for the work your retained attorney or law firm does for you or the outcome achieved.
Nicholas J. Cortesi, Attorney at Law
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