McCarty Law - Reg's Articles

Jury Rigged (Civics Law)

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Last week one of my partners got called in for jury duty. He was absolutely buried in work, so a few of us jokingly made up some wacky excuses for him to get out of it. We were only kidding, of course, as serving on a jury is a very important role for an American citizen.

Drive You Nutella (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite episodes of 'Seinfeld' is the one where Kramer invests in a non-fat frozen yogurt shop. The yogurt is delicious, and becomes a favorite treat for the gang. After putting on some weight, however, Jerry and Elaine become suspicious that the yogurt is not fat-free. Elaine then decides to send the yogurt to a laboratory for testing.

The Password is Secret (Employment Law)

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I remember when I was assigned my first email account from UW Eau Claire during my senior year of college. At first, I never used it. I suppose it was like the first person to get a telephone in town - it was pretty cool, but didn't help when there was no one to call.

Clean & Dirty at the Same Time (Public Decency Law)

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

During my second year of law school, I had two roommates. Both of them were engaged, so they spent most of their time at their girlfriends' places. For the most part, it was great for me, as I had a big apartment all to myself. They would only come home to eat, shower, shave and perform other bathroom activities.

Right on Track (Aviation Law)

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

On Christmas morning in 1979, I raced up the stairs and under the tree I found one of the coolest toys of all time: a Big Trak. The Big Trak was a programmable, electronic, six-wheeled tank created by Milton Bradley. Using the keypad mounted on its back, you could program the Big Trak to drive, turn, reverse, pause or even fire its front-mounted blue photon laser.

Thunderdome of Merchandising (Licensing Law)

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

This off-season has been an exciting one for the NFL. First of all, the New Orleans Saints franchise suffered a serious blow for implementing a bounty system that offered financial incentives for defensive players to hurt opposing players. They lost their head coach and GM for the year, lost draft picks and were hit with a $500,000 fine. The only four-time MVP, Peyton Manning, was cut by the Indianapolis Colts. The Denver Broncos pulled off what many experts consider the most significant free agent signing after they landed Manning. With a new quarterback at the helm, the Broncos were free to trade great-human-being-but-questionable-quarterback, Tim Tebow, to the New York Jets.

Putting their Training to Use (Education Law)

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Every day I'm getting more reminders of how old I'm getting. Take music. I don't know any of the artists that my kids like and I don't particularly enjoy some of their favorite songs. A perfect example is the Willow Smith song 'I Whip My Hair Back and Forth' where she sings about solving her adolescent problems, such as "haters," by thrusting her locks to and fro. To me, the song sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Are You Siri-ous (Technology Law)

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

The last few weeks, I've written about my infatuation with my new smart phone. Now that I've got one, I pay closer attention to legal developments affecting smart phones. It seems that mobile technology advances so quickly, the law has a hard time keeping up. As I've written, this is particularly true in the area of privacy.

Application of Privacy Laws (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Last week I wrote about how much I love my new smart phone. I keep it with me at all times to catch the scores of NCAA tournament games, check the weather, find directions or sometimes even make a call. I also wrote about how law enforcement officers can confiscate my phone if I'm arrested to check it for numbers. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the police's ability to obtain evidence quickly by checking phones outweighs this "modest cost" of privacy invasion. However, if I get arrested, I should probably expect a little invasion of privacy.

Too Smart Phones (Criminal Law)

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I've mentioned in previous articles that my cell phone is pretty ancient. It's a step above those old car phones that you carried around in faux leather bags. Well, our office decided that as attorneys, we need to be more accessible to our clients. Therefore, I am the proud owner of a new Android smart phone.

No Medal without the Mettle (Military Law)

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Last week, the movie 'Act of Valor' opened up to smashing box office success. The film stars real Navy SEALs reenacting their dangerous special operations. After the SEALs' well-publicized raid last year that killed Osama bin Laden, the Navy's special missions force is the subject of American adulation. Disney even tried to trademark the name 'Seal Team Six.' Our servicemen and women and their families sacrifice so much to preserve our freedoms. They are true heroes and it's only fitting that they be portrayed that way in movies like 'Act of Valor.' However, because members of our military deserve that kind of praise and admiration, it's not surprising that some people try to get in on the action.

Where There's a Will… (Estate Planning and Probate Law)

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite things to do in my practice is help people with their wills. While I'd still rather talk about the Packers getting knocked out of the playoffs early than discuss death, it is a great feeling to help people get their affairs in order and contribute to their peace of mind knowing their wishes are documented.

Legal Definition Picture a Little Grainy (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Some people claim I fear change. I prefer to think that I'm a creature of habit. For example, every day that I took a lunch to school, from first grade through high school graduation, my mom made me a peanut butter sandwich on white bread. Some kids would have bologna one day and turkey the next. My favorite sandwich was peanut butter on white bread, so I never wanted a different kind.

There's No Business Like Monkey Business (Animal Law)

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

As a kid, one of my favorite memories was getting up on Saturday mornings and eating Cheerios with my dad while watching 'Tarzan.' Based on the works of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, the TV show starred American Olympic gold medal swimmer Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan, the man who was raised by apes in Africa. The show also featured Cheetah, Tarzan's chimpanzee sidekick.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I'm a very blessed person. I have a sweet, gorgeous wife and two happy, healthy kids. Having those great people in my life, I don't need a yacht, a Ferrari or a condo in Florida. With a terrific family, all I need in life are the simple pleasures. For instance, after my crew turns in on a Saturday night, a slice of heaven for me is to head to the basement with a Mountain Dew and a package of cookie dough for nourishment while playing my Xbox. Apparently, my simple pleasures can cause some pretty intense legal issues.

Being Human Can be Taxing (Tax Law)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite comic book series is Marvel's 'The X-Men.' Created by Stan Lee, who also brought us Spider-man, the comic focuses on mutants. Mutants are humans with special abilities due to mutations that are either genetic, such as Wolverine's ability to extend claws and quickly heal, or those caused by radiation, such as the gamma rays that turn Bruce Banner into the Hulk.

Internet Users Getting on their SOPA Box Over New Law (Intellectual Property Law)

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, my wife and I rented a DVD. After sitting through about 14 previews, a public service announcement appeared that warned about the perils of pirating movies. The tagline of the spot was, "You wouldn't steal a car!" So, logically, you shouldn't steal a movie by illegally downloading it off the Internet. While channel surfing recently, I came across a stand-up comedian doing a bit about that very same anti-piracy PSA. The comedian conceded that he certainly would never steal a car. He did go on to say, however, that if his friend bought a brand new car and offered to burn him a copy, he'd probably take him up on it.

Paper or Plastic - It's in the Bag (Environmental Law)

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

As I've mentioned in countless past articles, I'm a proud fourth-generation resident of Kimberly. In 2010, we celebrated our 100th birthday as a village. Although we were officially incorporated in 1910, our community started in 1889 as a settlement for the paper mill. The village was named after John A. Kimberly, one of the founders of what is now Kimberly-Clark Corp., who built the mill.

Online Gambling a Revenue Generator - It's a Safe Bet (Gaming Law)

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I am very fortunate to have been involved with several charities in my hometown of Kimberly. Several years ago, shortly after forming one of these charities, a few of the directors were brainstorming about fundraising ideas. One of the directors came up with the idea of having people pay $1 for a chance at guessing the final score of a high school sporting event. The winner guessing the closest score to the actual outcome would split the pot with the charity.

Ups and Downs (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Because I have highly addictive appetites, I never started drinking alcohol. I figure that if beer tasted as good to me as Mountain Dew, I'd be on my third liver by now, so I decided to stay away. During college, my buddies thought this was the best situation ever: we could go out and have a good time, they could imbibe as much as they wanted and I would always be there to drive them home safely.

Put it to a Vote (Constitutional Law)

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Growing up in the 1980s, one of my all time favorite movies is 'The Breakfast Club.' The film focuses on five high school students who are stuck in the library on detention for a whole Saturday. They identify and stereotype each other as the Jock, the Brain, the Criminal, the Princess and the Kook. In one of many hilarious scenes, the students are examining the contents of the Brain's wallet when they find his fake ID, which reflects he is 68-years-old. When asked why he would even need a fake ID, the Brain replies, "So I can vote." He answers as though it's the most obvious response in the world and that every teenager longs for a fake ID to vote.

Fake Drugs, Real Problems (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Last week I wrote about the federal government's crackdown on fake stuff: purses, shoes, DVDs and professional sports jerseys. The feds are trying to stop counterfeiters from profiting on the intellectual property rights of others. To make matters worse, the counterfeiters are using these profits to finance other criminal ventures. Well, now the federal government is taking on a far more dangerous set of fakes: synthetic drugs.

Artificial Christmas (Intellectual Property Law)

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

There's a guy I went to school with who has had a few brushes with the law. He's a great guy but he hangs around with a shady crowd. Everyone knows that if you're looking for some illegal substances, he's got a trunk full of goods, so he can set you up. While we don't feel good about it, a few of my buddies and I have sampled some of his merchandise.

Food for Thought (Animal Rights Law)

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Last week we spent Thanksgiving with our closest family friends. Our host, Gregg, prepared a smorgasbord of delicacies, including mouth-watering turkey, juicy tenderloin and succulent ham. He also had cheesy corn, green beans with bacon and deviled eggs. It was the most delicious Thanksgiving meal I've ever had. If you were a vegan, however, your choices would have been limited.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Internet (Technology Law)

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Last week we went to our kids' elementary school for parent-teacher conferences. Thankfully we received glowing reports and were very proud of our children. On the way out of the school, however, I got a little nostalgic as we passed the computer lab. The lab had rows and rows of state-of-the-art computers. When I attended the same school thirty years ago, I remember when we got our first computer: an Apple II. It was about as big as a teacher's desk and had almost a dozen programs you could run by inserting a 51/2-inch floppy disk into the drive.

Online Shopping Can Be Taxing (Tax Law)

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

With the Christmas season fast approaching, I have to start thinking about gifts for my loved ones. As we have for the last several years, I'm sure my dad and I will get up at the crack of dawn to score some sweet deals on Black Friday. The first year we went, we weren't prepared for the mayhem. My dad is a former Marine, and even he was shell-shocked by the violence that ensued in the aisles. We actually witnessed a woman swipe a highlysought-after item from another woman's shopping cart only to be punched in the face by its rightful owner and collapse on the floor unconscious.

Shed Some Light on Daylight Savings (Consumer Law)

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

A few years ago, our family got up early on a Sunday morning and we made breakfast in bed and watched a Disney movie. Of course, the movie was longer than we thought so we had to scramble to get to church. We showed up at about 10:02, hoping to sneak into the back pew unnoticed. However, as we approached the doors, parishioners started exiting the church. At first we thought we were in for a long sermon, but then we quickly realized that the crowd was coming from the 8:00 mass and we had totally forgotten about Daylight Savings Time.

Not Very Diplomatic Immunity (International Law)

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

For my birthday this year, my in-laws got me an awesome royal blue hooded sweatshirt with the Cobra logo from the G.I. Joe cartoon from the 1980s. Stylish, comfortable and nostalgic, it's everything you could ask for in a hoodie. My in-laws got it from possibly the greatest online retailer of all time: www.80stees.com. This website has everything a Generation X'er could long for fashion-wise. It has t-shirts from '80s cartoons like 'G.I. Joe' and 'He-Man,' movies such as 'Karate Kid' and 'Top Gun,' TV shows like 'Charles in Charge' and 'Saved by the Bell,' and even video games such as 'Pac-Man' and 'Mario Brothers.' Perusing the website was like a trip down memory lane.

Oldie, but a Goodie (Privacy Law)

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT

When I was little, I played little league baseball. I was not a great ballplayer, so I had to do whatever I could to get on base. I was one of the few left-handed batters in the league, and I crowded the plate. I set a record by being hit by a pitch 14 times, and I'm proud to say that 3 of the pitchers that hit me went on to pitch in college. "Any way on," as Brewers manager Ron Roenicke would say.

CLASS Dismissed (Health Care Law)

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT

A huge part of my practice involves elder law. I really enjoy working with seniors, and one of the reasons why is because of their endless supply of jokes.

Too Old, Bar None (Discrimination Law)

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT

One of the cheesiest movies of all time is Road House, the 1989 action flick starring Patrick Swayze. Swayze stars as Dalton, an expert cooler, or head bouncer who trains a bar's tough guys to break up fights and handle unruly customers.

It's Not Easy Breathing Green (Health Care-Environmental Law)

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT

When my wife and I first started dating, I knew she had asthma, but I never gave it much thought - that is, until I was with her and she had an asthma attack. We went for a walk on a hot summer day and all of a sudden she stopped, turned a light shade of blue and stooped over, struggling to breathe. Thank God we were close to her house, so we were able to get inside with air conditioning and she was ok.

Sea Sickness (Maritime Law)

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The other night I was watching one of my favorite shows, The Simpsons. In this particular episode, Homer house-sits for his billionaire boss, Mr. Burns. One morning, Homer goes to the bar but is upset because he can't buy beer until 2 p.m. Moe, the bartender, informs him that he can either wait or "steal a boat and sail out to international waters...Once you get twelve miles out, there's no laws at all. That's where they held the Tyson-Secretariat fight."

Where's the Beef? It's Licensed (Intellectual Property Law)

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

My junior year of high school, we had a school trip to New York City. It was a great time, as we got to see Cats, the Statue of Liberty and Niagara Falls. While walking the streets of the city, however, I was stopped on three separate occasions by tweenage girls asking for my autograph. The boy band New Kids on the Block was in town for a concert, and apparently I had a resemblance to Joey McIntyre, one of the members of the group.

Off the Wall Street (Securities Law)

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

After I graduated from high school, several buddies and I were hired to work at the paper mill in town. We were thrilled, for while it was a very tough job, the pay was great. We called getting hired there the "Midtec Scholarship," because working one summer at the mill generally earned enough to pay for a year of school. We didn't get in right away, but management assured us we would start getting hours once full-time employees starting taking vacation. Needless to say, June quickly became July and we still hadn't worked a day. At that time, summer jobs were hard to come by, especially that late. We applied at ManPower, and I worked a few hours for a moving company and then a few weeks at a doctor's office doing filing. While I didn't work much, that may have been the only summer I had something resembling a suntan.

Flight Risk (Transportation Law)

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

In 1999, my wife and I flew to Naples, Florida, to spend a week with her parents who were snow-birding for the winter. Knowing we would be visiting, I asked her parents for her hand in marriage before they left and I planned on popping the question on our trip. Because I was worried about losing my luggage, I kept the engagement ring in the breast pocket of my sweatshirt. Thankfully this was before 9/11, because I was undoubtedly the most nervous passenger in the history of flying and would have been flagged as a person of interest in the airport parking lot. I was sweating buckets and I patted my pocket every 17 seconds to ensure the ring was still there.

Skin to Win (Discrimination Law)

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Last summer our family went to a pool party at my sister's house, which was a blast. We swam all day until my brother-in-law treated us to burgers and brats off the grill. Everything was going great until the pocket on my swimming trunks accidentally caught the latch on the gate to the pool. One of the great blessings my family has is living in close proximity, so we get to see a lot of each other. However, after my swimming trunks ripped, my family got to see WAY more of me than they ever wanted.

911 Worth a Thousand Words (Communications Law)

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Technology is a wonderful thing. Without it, life would be much more difficult. For example, a friend of mine ran into 1980s professional wrestling icon The Iron Sheik in a Milwaukee tavern. In exchange for a mere $20, the Sheik put him into his signature move, the Camel Clutch. Normally, such an account would seem way too awesome to be true. However, because my friend had his camera phone, photographic evidence corroborates his legendary tale.

Restaurant's New Rule-No Kidding! (Discrimination Law)

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

When our kids were babies, my wife and I would love to get out of the house and go out to eat. One such night my wife had a hankering for some broiled haddock at a local supper club, so we loaded up the kids and headed out. When we arrived, the hostess seated us in a back corner, presumably for a romantic, intimate dinner. After asking for a high chair and booster seat, we were told they had neither. It was at that point I deduced that we were secluded in a corner so everyone else could have a romantic, intimate dinner.

Copywrong (Copyright Law)

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Last month, San Diego hosted its annual Comic Convention. For nerds like me, Comic Con is a big deal. The stars and directors of upcoming super hero and sci-fi movies attend to promote their films. This year, a trailer revealing portions of never-before-seen deleted scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy was shown to promote the release of the saga on Blu-Ray.

Robbing Houses (Real Estate Law)

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

My junior year of college, six buddies and I moved into a house off campus. We had an awesome house in a horrible neighborhood. Several shady characters inhabited our block, such as the man we nicknamed 'Fernando the Pimp' due to his outrageous wardrobe. One day, the next door neighbor decided he needed to move the fence between our yards a little further onto our lawn to make room for his broken-down car. Because the police came to his house at least once a week and since we were pretty sure he had a gun, we didn't protest. Plus, we just had that much less grass to cut.

Employers Take a Shot at Liability Under New Law (Concealed Carry Law)

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

While flipping through the channels the other night, I came across one of my all-time favorite action flicks, Die Hard. The movie stars Bruce Willis as Officer John McClane, an off-duty New York cop visiting his wife in Los Angeles to attend her company's Christmas party in the penthouse of the Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper. Of course, down-on-his-luck McClane's party is crashed by international terrorists bent on stealing $600 million worth of bonds locked in the Plaza's vault.

Caylee's Law (Criminal Law)

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

When I was younger, I used to think I knew what worrying was. I worried about the first day of school. I worried about final exams. I worried about saying something moronic on my first date with my now wife (which, of course, I did). But I had no clue what worrying was until I had kids.

The Law Augmented (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

For the past 12 years I have written this article hoping to keep my readers informed of the latest legal news that might affect them or their loved ones. I've tried to augment their knowledge of the law. Some articles succeeded, while others were a bust. Hopefully this week I can implant some legal wisdom about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which recently declared that silicone-gel breast implants are safe and effective when they are used as intended (I'm not sure what else anyone would use them for, but that's what the statement said).

4G or Not 4G, That is the Question (Telecommunications Law)

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

As most people know, I'm not too technologically savvy. My cell phone isn't much more advanced than the old car phones that were about the size of a brick. My buddies have phones with Internet access. Using these smart phones, it takes them about 30 seconds to settle bets, such as the movie role Tom Selleck turned down to play Magnum P.I. (it was Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark by the way).

A Little Crispy Around the Edges (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

About 20 years ago, my brother-in-law invited me to play in a volleyball tournament. The tourney took place at scenic High Cliff State Park, and we had a blast (and even won a few games!). Because I was responsible, I covered myself with sunscreen. The games were played on grass, however. Because of all the running and jumping, the grass soon flattened and became slippery. I took off my shoes and was far more successful. At the end of the day, though, as I went to put my shoes back on, I noticed my feet were glowing and red like fresh lava out of a volcano. Apparently I forgot to put sunscreen on the tops of my feet.

I Think the Change Just Sphinx (Consumer Protection Law)

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

A couple of years ago, I wrote about how the pillars of my elementary education were casually tossed out. First, in 2006 the International Astronomical Union decided that Pluto was no longer a planet. Then the British government revoked the spelling mantra that generations of schoolchildren have learned: i before e, except after c. Citing too many exceptions to the rule, like veil and their, teachers were advised not to use it when instructing students.

Think Ink (Copyright Law)

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Growing up, I was a huge boxing fan. Of course, Iron Mike Tyson was my all-time favorite fighter. Early in his career, he was absolutely devastating. He was the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles and the first heavyweight to ever hold them simultaneously. Tyson knocked out his first 19 opponents, 12 of them in the first round. He was on his way to possibly becoming the greatest boxer of all time.

Rapture (Estate Planning Law)

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

As kids, my sister and I loved to watch music videos. One of my favorites was Rapture by Blondie. The video featured Deborah Harry prancing around in a miniskirt with rapper Fab 5 Freddy, who was wearing those cool sunglasses with the blinking red lights on them. The song was about the end of the world caused by an alien coming to Earth to eat all the cars, guitars and eventually the people.

SEAL the Deal (Retirement Planning Law)

Sat, 28 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Growing up, my favorite show was The Brady Bunch. My sister and I would watch it every day after school. The show was funny and touching and always had a moral. One such moving episode featured a sibling dispute between Bobby and Cindy, ending with Bobby claiming he wished Cindy would get rid of her beloved doll, Kitty Karry-All. When the doll does go missing, Cindy naturally blames Bobby. Bobby pleads his innocence, so Mike organizes a trial to determine his guilt.

It's a Grand Old Flag (Commercial Law)

Sat, 21 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

My senior year of college, five buddies and I went on spring break in Panama City, Florida. When there were no NCAA basketball tournament games on, we would wander down to the beach. On one hot, sunny day, a local club held a bikini contest.