Linnell, Choate & Webber

Molly J. Watson

editor — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:40:03 +0000

Molly J. Watson, a native of Rochester, New Hampshire, graduated cum laude from Bates College, in 2004, earning a B.A. in Sociology. Prior to attending law school, Molly worked as a litigation paralegal for a Portland law firm. She received her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, magna cum laude, in 2009.

During law school, Molly received a Bernstein Fellowship to serve as a law clerk in the Lewiston District Court, she represented low-income individuals in family and juvenile matters as a student attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, and was a teaching assistant for the first-year legal writing program. Molly was an editor of the Ocean & Coastal Law Journal, and also served as co-chair of the Women’s Law Association.

A member of the Maine State Bar Association, the Androscoggin County Bar Association, as well as the Family Law and Women’s Law Sections of the Maine State Bar Association, Molly’s practice areas include family law, juvenile law, and workers’ compensation. She is a rostered guardian ad litem, and serves on the Board of Directors of New Beginnings, a local non-profit organization serving youths in crisis. In her spare time, Molly enjoys competitive swimming, politics, and volunteering as a teen mentor.

Contact Molly J. Watson

E-mail*: mwatson@lcwlaw.com
Phone: (207) 784-4563
Fax: (207) 784-1981
Postal:
Linnell, Choate & Webber LLP
Attn: Molly J. Watson
83 Pleasant Street
Auburn, ME 04210

* E-mail is not secure nor is delivery guaranteed. Always use discretion when sending sensitive or important information via e-mail.

What services does LCW offer to healthcare practitioners?

editor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:05:36 +0000

LCW provides multifaceted legal services for physicians and other healthcare providers. We can help you keep track of the various legal requirements for running a medical practice and let you know how changes in the law will impact your activities. We provide legal counsel to healthcare professionals regarding the formation and dissolution of groups and individual practices, incorporation, associate agreements, employment law, risk management, provider agreements, property acquisition and business plans. We will not take medical malpractice claims against physicians. For assistance with healthcare issues, please contact Jon Oxman.

Buying, Selling Or Leasing Real Estate?

randy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:20:52 +0000

When it comes to real estate transactions, LCW has long been a leading firm in the greater Lewiston/Auburn area and throughout central Maine. We represent lenders, commercial and residential property owners, as well as individual and commercial buyers and sellers. We have a seasoned staff that enables us to do our own title abstracting, issue title insurance, and effectively coordinate closings to insure that your closing progresses efficiently and smoothly. We are also experienced in commercial lending and municipal financing. In addition to the sale of real estate, LCW also represents many owners who lease commercial and residential properties. We can assist you in drafting and negotiating contracts for all types of leases, from an apartment to industrial, commercial and retail space. Whether you are buying a new home or selling the corner office building, leasing an apartment or an industrial work space, LCW is there to assist with all your real estate needs. Please contact Jack W. Conway for your business or real estate needs.

Starting, Buying Or Selling a Business?

randy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:19:15 +0000

If you are considering entering into business, you should consult an attorney. Starting a business can be a complicated and stressful process. Here at LCW, we represent businesses that range from sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies to corporations, both for and not for profit. We have the experience and expertise to get you on the right track. We can assist you in choosing the type of business entity best suited for your needs and then provide the guidance and assistance you require to get your plans off the ground. Once your business is up and running, LCW is there to counsel you along the way with advice on financing, purchase and sale of business interests and assets, contract negotiations and labor-management relations. Furthermore, LCW can assist you in the purchase or sale of a business. We have expertise in the areas of commercial lending, municipal financing and permitting. Whether you are starting a new business or purchasing or selling an established one, LCW is here to help you every step of the way. Please contact Jack W. Conway for your business or real estate needs.

What Employment-related Services Does LCW Offer?

randy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:18:58 +0000

Many people assume that if something has happened to them at work that was unfair, they have the right to go to court and get it corrected. This is not true. In Maine, the rule of thumb is “employment at will,” meaning that an employer can fire or discipline an employee with no good reason. The only exceptions are when the employer’s action is based on protected characteristics such as age, sex, race, religion, or disability. We can assist employees in determining whether or not their claims are covered by the Civil Rights Acts and, if so, what action to take. We can also assist employers by advising them on how to avoid complaints and minimize the risk of litigation and on whether disciplinary actions which have been taken were illegal and, if so, what can be done about it.

For employers: An employee at my business just hurt themselves outside of work and wants to come back even though we think he’s still injured - what can we do if we don’t think he’s ready to return? An employee got hurt at work and needs a leave of absence and we don’t know if she gets workers’ comp. leave, FMLA leave, ADA leave, or all three. How can we draft a sexual harassment policy that will provide us protection and what is that Maine law requiring training that we heard about?

It is unbelievably difficult these days to navigate through the maze of state and federal laws applicable to Maine businesses. One of the services we provide to our corporate clients is regular mailings on issues of employment law facing businesses. We also defend companies and their representatives before the Maine Human Rights Commission as well as state and federal courts. Because we also represent employees, we can offer a balanced perspective, one designed to focus on achieving appropriate business solutions as opposed to running up attorneys’ fees.

For employees: What rights do I have if I am fired? I’ve been treated unfairly - what do I do? I feel that I may have been discriminated against - where do I go and what deadlines do I have to worry about? Although Maine is an at-will state (you can be fired for any reason or no reason as long as it is not an illegal reason), employees have a number of rights ranging from wage and hour protections to civil rights to employment discrimination. Employees often have limited time frames in which to exercise their rights and therefore should act quickly if they think they have an issue. Given the complexity of employment laws, our extensive background in employment law is critical to any employee seeking representation. We can offer both experience as well as humanistic, balanced, and dedicated service.

We have produced guides on sexual harassment, email policies, required VDT training, family medical leave, issues with injured and disabled employees, required postings, unemployment claims, and religious accommodation, among others. If you would like a copy of any of those mailings, please let us know by emailing: rwebber@lcwlaw.com, or faxing a request to 784-1981.

For assistance on employment-related issues, you should contact Curtis Webber, Rebecca S. Webber, or Sonia J. Buck.

Issues of Estate Planning

randy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:18:29 +0000

What to do with one’s estate is a question which sooner or later confronts nearly all of us. Sometimes the question is easily answered, and sometimes it takes a fair amount of planning. Tax considerations, the protection of assets from one’s creditors, or from the creditors of intended beneficiaries can influence how an estate is planned. The appointment of a guardian or conservator for one’s children is often a major concern for parents. Lifetime gifts, trusts (either lifetime or established by will), the structure and ownership of personal and business assets, and the like may be as important as the proper designation of beneficiaries. Retirement benefits and life insurance play a significant role in one’s estate. Choice of trustees and personal representatives can also be important. Planning for the passing of one’s estate and provision for loved ones can be straightforward or complex. The assistance and advice of a competent attorney can serve to make the process less confusing and the result more effective. For assistance with estate planning, you should contact Richard J. O’Brien.

Insurance Matters

randy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:18:11 +0000

Insurance coverage, whether relating to your home or business, can present many complex legal questions. The differing scope of an insurance company’s duty to defend against lawsuits as compared to its duty to indemnify against judgments, for example, presents but one common area of disagreement between insurance companies and their policyholders.

If you have a concern over any insurance matter, and particularly if you have been denied coverage by an insurance carrier, it may be worthwhile to seek a legal opinion regarding coverage. If you have any questions or concerns over insurance matters, please feel free to call Jon S. Oxman. There is no charge for initial consultation regarding these matters.

What are some proactive measures my business can take in order to manage accounts receivables and keep them low?

editor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:01:53 +0000

The first measure should be a thorough examination of the customer’s credit application. Gather as much information as you can, not only to ensure the customer’s ability to pay, but also for information about how to contact them and collect from them in the event of a later default. Other tools you may consider to better protect your business against non-payment include obtaining personal guaranties from owners of corporate customers, taking collateral for services rendered or goods supplied on credit, and promptly exercising lien rights and other creditor self-help tools that the law allows. For assistance with collections, contact Sonia J. Buck.

When should I call an attorney about delinquent accounts receivable?

editor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:55:21 +0000

Although the statute of limitations on most contract and accounts receivable collections is 6 years, you should take action as soon as possible. If a customer is not paying your bills, there is a good chance they may not be paying other creditors. Steps should be taken to protect your business interests immediately, as there may be a risk of a bankruptcy filing or insolvency. Recognize the warning signs, and contact us for assistance. For assistance with collections, contact Sonia J. Buck.

What happens when someone who owes my business money files bankruptcy?

editor — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:12:18 +0000

When a customer files bankruptcy, there may be certain actions that need to be taken quickly, including stopping the shipment of goods in transit or recovering delivered goods sold on credit. There are also deadlines for filing with the Bankruptcy Court proof that the debtor owes your business money. When you learn that a customer who owes your business money has filed for bankruptcy protection, you should immediately stop any collection efforts. This does not mean that you automatically lose your right to payment, but you will need to work with an attorney to ensure that any rights to payment out of the bankruptcy process are protected. If you have questions regarding bankruptcy, you should contact Richard J. O’Brien.