ProfNet Experts Available on E-Cigarette Regulations, Estate Succession, Arbitration, More

NEW YORK, May 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network – it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/alertswire

EXPERT ALERTS

• FDA Announces E-Cigarette Regulations
• Rule on Arbitration Would Restore Right to Sue Banks
• Law Firm Used for Phishing Expedition
• Regardless of Size, Wills are Vital to Estate Succession
• Truck Industry Safety Rules

MEDIA JOBS

• News Editor – PBS NewsHour (DC)
• Investigations Editor – The Seattle Times (WA)
• Managing Editor – The Colorado Statesman (CO)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Smart Freelancing Strategies for 2016
• 7 Ways to Make Yourself a Better Editor
• Ignorance is not a Defense to a Libel Lawsuit

EXPERT ALERTS:

FDA Announces E-Cigarette Regulations
Ronald DePinho, M.D.
President
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
"As an institution of healing and science, we applaud any and all instances where sound data informs public policy. Including e-cigarettes within the FDA's regulatory authority will provide a much-needed scientific evaluation of their safety and help limit youth exposure to these products that may lead to lifelong dependency."
Bio: https://goo.gl/9Bg1N7
Website: https://www.mdanderson.org
Contact: Haley Schwartz, [email protected]

Rule on Arbitration Would Restore Right to Sue Banks
Warren Burns
Attorney
Burns Charest LLP, Dallas
A new federal rule proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would restore customers' rights to bring class-action lawsuits against financial firms by removing requirements to take any dispute to arbitration. Says Burns: "We've seen that class actions are the most important and effective tools in the consumer's toolbox. For decades, Americans have been duped by a highly coordinated campaign to malign class actions and the lawyers who routinely protect consumer rights. The American economic system has always been built on a compromise designed to permit businesses to conduct their activities without excessive regulation, but at the same time to permit consumers to protect their rights through litigation."
Contact: Barry Pound, [email protected]

Law Firm Used for Phishing Expedition
Mark Thibodeaux
Cybersecurity lawyer
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Houston office
Cyber attackers have targeted all types of businesses, from oil companies to hospitals. This week the law firm of James T. Shelton, a small West Texas law firm reportedly discovered its email system had been breached, with hackers sending emails worldwide regarding a "lawsuit subpoena." An attached Word document included malware used to steal banking and other personal information. "Certainly, there has been a lot of interest in the last couple of years among companies and regulators about the potential vulnerability of law firms and how they might be the weak link enabling hackers to get access to corporate documents and information. All organizations must train computer-using employees to recognize 'phishing' emails. Both federal and state regulators have increased their scrutiny of how financial institutions are managing cybersecurity when they have entrusted information to third parties, like law firms, accountants, and IT contractors. They want to see due diligence on cybersecurity before information is handed over, strong contractual confidentiality protections, periodic audits of security, and notification and cooperation with investigations when incidents occur." Mr. Thibodeaux is a former IT executive with an in-depth understanding of the techniques used by data hackers.
Contact: Kit Frieden, [email protected]

Regardless of Size, Wills are Vital to Estate Succession
Sam Long
Estate Planning Attorney
Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, Dallas
Prince certainly isn't the first person to have died with a substantial estate but without a will -- by some estimates, more than 60 percent of Americans may not have a recognized will. However, arguably everyone does have a will. The question, says Long, is whether someone has their own or the state drafts it for them: "If you choose the latter route by default, then the resulting beneficiaries and fiduciaries under state laws are not always as one would intend or assume. Having no will also can cause additional expense and complexity, and sometimes a greater tax burden on heirs that could have been prevented with some planning. For many people, private wealth now is passed along by beneficiary designations but wills still play a vital role in the succession of property at death."
In addition to his legal practice, Long is an adjunct professor of wills, trusts and estates at the UNT-Dallas College of Law.
Website: http://shackelfordlaw.net
Contact: Rhonda Reddick, [email protected]

Truck Industry Safety Rules
Thomas M. Corsi
Professor of Logistics and Transportation
University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
An uptick in accidents involving large trucks has prompted a battle between the truck industry, its congressional allies, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates trucking, and its allies. Says Corsi: "Counterproductive was lawmakers stepping in to prevent the FMCSA from publicizing on its website when truck carriers had passed thresholds indicating increased crash risk, according to its Safety Measurement System. We talk a lot about how our economic system ought to be one in which people make informed decisions, in a free market, based on information. When this information was available, it was used effectively by brokers and by insurance companies. The vast majority of carriers operate safely, and follow the rules. You would think they would welcome people looking up their records and seeing that they are safe carriers. But the squeaky wheels -- the worst performers -- have been dominant in the discussion."
Corsi also supports FMCSA efforts to raise the $750,000 minimum amount of insurance that truckers carry: "The figure has not changed since the 1980s, and it bears little connection to the damage that an 80,000-pound rig can cause."
Corsi has served as a consultant on truck safety issues to the U.S. Department of Transportation and on Transportation Research Board committees dealing with truck safety.
Bio: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/directory/thomas-m-corsi
Contact: Greg Muraski, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• News Editor – PBS NewsHour (DC)
• Investigations Editor – The Seattle Times (WA)
• Managing Editor – The Colorado Statesman (CO)

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected].

• SMART FREELANCING STRATEGIES FOR 2016. We recently hosted a Twitter Q&A with Lynn Freehill-Maye, an independent writer and co-chair for this year's ASJA conference. Freehill-Maye discussed how to manage your time, market yourself using social media, keep your career fun, and more: http://prn.to/1rvmuuM  
• 7 WAYS TO MAKE YOURSELF A BETTER EDITOR. Instead of relying on an editor to neaten up your writing, you can learn to be your own editor. If you have no experience editing, the best place to learn is with your own writing. Once you have an initial draft, use these simple tips and tricks to turn your writing into a great piece of content: http://prn.to/1WaoFRa
• MEDIA LAW: IGNORANCE IS NOT A DEFENSE TO A LIBEL LAWSUIT. Libel laws could "Trump" First Amendment protections for reporters if he with the eponymous campaign wins the White House. Just as reporters master their craft, it's important for journalist to know the basics of libel law because ignorance will not hold up as a defense in court: http://prn.to/LibelLaw

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