Millers are 28th on Rich list!

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THE Miller family has been named the 28th wealthiest in property in the UK, worth an estimated GBP498m, according to the Estates Gazette Rich List published today. Keith Miller, 56, is chief executive of the Edinburgh-based construction empire still 92-per cent owned by the Miller family. Last year Miller Group posted record pre-tax profits of GBP52.5m on sales of GBP752m, giving it 25-per cent compound annual growth in profits for the past five years, and is valued by Estates Gazette at more than GBP520m.

Happy Holidays

In the American community these are the times when you either travel across the country to visit family or await the arrival of family you may not have seen…well, since last year about this time. These are the days that most people cant wait for, the turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, the aunt that complains that she's cooking too much with little help and swears she'll not do it again next year, even though she's repeated this script for the last four or five decades! The children whom have grown oh so fast, the culmination of in-laws and step-families or the extended family whatever. We get a few days off work, if we're smart we get "sick" right after the holiday so we don't have to make such a hasty return to the grind.

With all of this excitement and prolonged family gathering, there is another community; the legal community. For us, we have a few extra days to complete a document that would have otherwise have been a late filing, or how about the fact that we get some amnesty in returning that "urgent" client call…because all client call are "urgent" right. Well the holidays for me are a bit of both, but for every slice of pie, I check a voicemail, for every sip of nog, I send an e-mail, and just when things are getting relaxed I realize; I have a twenty page document that must be finalized and submitted Monday morning, bright and early. I slip away to the library or den and while the rest of my family are deep in dialog about well what else, family, I am typing, maybe this message, but mostly the preparations for the continuance I desperately need in a city I cant be in on Wednesday, or even how to tell a client I cant continue working on their project even though I know it will almost be devastating for there matter. I worry through my holiday about problems…not my own, but the problems and concerns of others. Trouble that others have gotten themselves into that it is now my challenge to insulate them from, or get them out of it all together and of course if I don't…its now "my fault". Just remember one thing, even though I will be wearing this tuxedo for the next thirty days attending holiday party, Las Vegas shows and Beverly Hills red carpet events throughout the new year…my mind will not only be on my friends and family, but on the problems and worries of everyone whom have charged me with protecting them.

My holiday wish is that I succeed. If this comes true, I will have happily given thanks. J.

The ins and OUTS of wrongful termination.

Commonly, when you start employment with a company, you are oriented of your job description, responsibilities and the employees' code of conduct. The code of conduct or usually known as employee rules and regulations guides employees on the things they need to do in order to be considered worthy of prolonging their employment and receiving promotions and incentives. On the other hand, it also shows the employees the things they are forbidden to do which opposes the overall goals and objectives of the company. The rules also impose warnings and punishments for those who may be caught violating the rules and regulations.

Sometimes gross violations may even lead to termination of employment. However, if your employment has been terminated on unknown grounds, it would constitute wrongful termination. Generally, being wrongfully terminated means that you have been discharged from your employment for unjust reasons.

Still not every unjust or unfair discharge of an employment constitutes wrongful termination. Though this is the most widely used term, other terms referring to unfair or unjust employment discharge are the following:

- wrongful firing
- wrongful discharge
- wrongful dismissal
- illegal termination
- illegal dismissal
- illegal discharge

These alternate terms connote that an employer must have discharged an employee, illegally, so that such act would constitute wrongful termination. This is connotations is based at the very least on the legal implications of such terms.
If you, as employee, believed that your termination seem unfair, however, in the legal sense, the employer's discharge of your employment cannot be classified as illegal, then the act cannot be considered as wrongful termination.
It is helpful for an employee to be aware of the laws involving wrongful termination. Though knowing and understanding the laws would not prevent you from being wrongfully terminated from an employment, your knowledge will lead you to the ways of fighting against this unjust and illegal treatment and stop abusive employers from practicing such against others.
There is no federal law, which concerns only the subject of wrongful termination. However, a variety of federal laws exists that prevents employers from illegally dismissing/terminating or discharging their employees.

Wrongful termination may be wrongful if:

- it violated the Federal or state's discrimination law
- it violated the rights indicated in the "First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution"
- the act itself violated the discharge policy being enforced by the employer
- led to a breach of implied or explicit contract of employment and/or a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and union
- led to infringement of the "covenant of good faith and fair dealing"
- employee is not willing to break a rule or law
- disguised in a false statement of facts
- due to employees' jury duty

Furthermore, it might be considered wrongful termination if the employer discharged an employee as retaliation for the following:
- lawful exercise of employee rights based on the appropriate labor and employment laws
- lawful exercise of union rights
- taking legitimate leave under the FMLA or Family and Medical Leave Act
- served time in the country's military reserve
- whistle blowing

Based on several significant provisions in wrongful termination laws, victims can seek relief and damages by filing certain complaints with the respective government agency enforcing the laws that had been violated. Victims can also file private lawsuits against their employees or even both of these legal actions.
Keep in mind that knowing your rights and learning what you can do about any violation of it is empowering enough for employees.

High Legal Billl !@?!?

A client who felt his legal bill was too high asked his lawyer to itemize costs. The statement included this item:

"I was walking down the street and saw you on the other side. I walked to the corner to cross at the light, crossed the street and walked quickly to catch up with you. I got close and saw it wasn't you. - $50.00."

Who is M. Joseph Miller II. anyone?

M. Joseph Miller II. is a supporter of families with children having special needs. He has been a long time supporter of the J-Foundation and on the Board of Directors for more than five years.