Friends,

Now concluding my 34th year of practicing law, I've decided to do something that lots of the big firms offer their partners...take a sabbatical. I checked with my boss Renee and she asked, "How soon can you be packed?". Planning has been in the works for some months now - the courts and defense counsel have granted me "Letters of Protection", meaning no trials, hearings or depositions scheduled in my cases during those weeks I'm away.

We're working extra hard at the office to make sure all cases are current, investigated, developed and maintained so they'll proceed in my physical absence. Most importantly Renee Franke, my paralegal and boss now for 22 or so years, can run the show blindfolded and with one arm tied behind her back.

Cases will still evolve during the months of June and July. And, with computers I won't be far from Renee or anyone's needs. Between cell phones, Skype, email and our "virtual" office on my laptop, I'm still available to all...clients, friends, family. I will stay in touch as needed with insurance adjusters, my medical experts, and witnesses, so when I return in late July there's very little "catching up" to do.

Son Doug and I leave embark the end of May for a couple of weeks doing a "guy thing" and then Andrea and youngest Rosena join us later in June. Oldest daughter CC will already be in Brussels for an internship so we'll stop there for a visit and some good Belgian beer and maybe some chocolate.

Please keep emailing and calling, everyone knows I'm always eager to have a conversation or two. I'm just going on an adventure, not an exile!

Try this - it's free to download and use if you want to talk this summer http//www.skype.com.