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National Speakers Association (NSA) adds Ingage Consulting’s Evan Hackel to its roster of professional speakers

Evan Hackel
Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting

WOBURN, MA …

The National Speakers Association (NSA) recently accepted Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting, a leading consulting firm in the franchise arena. During his 25 years in working with franchises, Evan Hackel has developed a reputation as an expert on engagement and how it improves performance. With his recent acceptance to the NSA, Hackel will be taking this message to a broader audience.

“The franchisee member who is engaged tends to be more successful on an individual basis and is also the best sales agent an organization can have in attracting potential franchisees,” said Hackel, who founded the Woburn, MA-based Ingage Consulting in 2009, Massachusetts. “In joining the NSA, I would like to continue bringing that message to franchise organizations. I would also like the opportunity to speak to other types of organizations in both the public and private sector on how engagement can raise the performance level from top to bottom.”

To be accepted to NSA’s Professional Speaker roster, candidates must meet the organization’s requirements based on stringent criteria. Hackel met that criteria though his experience giving keynotes, meeting and workshop facilitation and breakout presentations and other speaking engagements.

Hackel has previously been tabbed as keynote speaker for a variety of companies and organization types, ranging from Fortune 50 companies to professional associations. The audience sizes have also varied, with Hackel speaking at smaller, interactive workshops to addresses for several thousand.

In particular, Hackel’s message resonates with franchise organizations. His next featured speaking engagement will be at the Franchise Operations Performance Summits (OPS), the only franchise executive conference dedicated to operations performance excellence as well

Beyond topics relevant to franchise organizations, Hackel is known for his energetic and interactive presentations. “Evan showed how franchisees grow stronger as the organization grows stronger, and how the organization grows stronger as franchisees grow stronger. That struck a credible nerve that everyone understood,“ said Steven C. Bursten, CEO and chairman of Exciting Windows! “We had more favorable comments than any convention speaker in our eight years of franchising. In fact, last year’s presentation was transformative.  Business owners who never appreciated what it means to pull together “got it”, and have been more supportive than ever this year.“

Some of the topics on which Hackel has spoken on in the past include:

  • Better Together:  Understand the most effective ways to tackle individual agendas and dysfunction in your organization.
  • The Need for Change: Learn how to address the paradigm shifts your organization needs to make to ensure long-term success.
  • The Power of Collaboration: Explore the power and possibilities of collaboration that lead to better ideas and a greater passion for success.
  • The 4 “Ps” of Selling: Learn to think differently about selling by focusing on the four “Ps.”
  • Overcoming the Price Objection: Leave with real-world tools to better deal with difficult customers and price objection.

Hackel is available for keynotes, breakout and facilitation sessions, and a variety of speaking engagements. You can contact him directly at 781-569-5900. To see more of Hackel’s previous speaking engagements, visit his profile page on the National Speakers Association website, http://www.nsaspeaker.org/.

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with franchisors and franchisees to improve the franchise organization’s culture which in turn increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits.

Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of both franchisors and franchisees.  The company helps solve the problems of franchise organizations by offering services that range from partnership creation and vibrant intranet community creation to trust building, improved communication and strategic planning.  After a thorough assessment, Ingage Consulting devises solutions to a franchise organization’s challenges. These solutions may include the development of methods that maximize collaboration among franchisees/licensees or the development of a clear strategy and execution plan for change which is customized to meet organizational objectives.

Evan Hackel, Ingage founder and management expert has more than two decades of experience in best practices, turnaround strategies and team dynamics.  He is often engaged to analyze franchise businesses, provide recommendations and facilitate strategic planning.  He is a member of the International Franchise Association and New England Franchise Association.

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA. For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

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Sigman Law Office Launches Restaurant Division

Sigman Law Office, P.C. of Stoneham, specializing in real estate, business, franchise and estate planning law, has recently launched a new Restaurant Division.

Renowned as the transactional law experts, Sigman Law has established a dedicated Restaurant Division to meet significant demand for their legal services in the start up, sale and acquisition of restaurants. For Sellers and Buyers, Sigman Law reviews and drafts any and all of the documents produced for transaction from the offer to the closing documents. Their representation also includes assistance with due diligence requests and assistance with the unique issues of permitting and licensing necessary to close the transaction. Sigman Law attorneys also review franchise, co-op or other documentation related to the business so Buyers are fully informed of their potential investment prior to closing.

“As with any transaction that we are involved with, it is our goal to eliminate surprises and strive towards a smooth transaction from beginning to end,” explained Eric Sigman, Esq. of Sigman Law.

He continued, “For sellers, we make sure that they can walk away with peace of mind after the closing. We ensure that they sell their business and never have to think about it again. For buyers, we make it so that they are protected and that they are getting what they paid for. They want to be sure that they get the assets that they are buying free and clear of any liabilities left over from the seller.”

Essentially, Sigman Law provides “soup to nuts” legal services to the Buyer/Seller involved in the restaurant transaction. Sigman Law represents Buyers/Sellers under a flat fee rate.

For more information, contact Sigman Law Office at 781-333-4182.

About Sigman Law Office

Renowned as the transactional law experts, Sigman Law Office, P.C., specializes in real estate, business, franchise and estate planning law. Providing a high level of service with an emphasis on individual attention, honest representation and reasonable fees, Sigman Law Office represents clients in and around greater Boston, the North Shore and Metro West. Sigman Law Office attorneys set themselves apart by performing nearly all of their legal services under a flat fee.

Sigman Law Office is the home of the Business Wellness Program™, where business clients are able to obtain the benefits of “in-house” counsel without the cost. The program has three different levels, designed to address any business’ needs and budget.

The practice is located at 2 Main Street, Suite 300 in Stoneham, MA. For more information, contact 781-333-4182 or visit the website http://www.sigmanlaw.us.

Sigman Law Office Launches Restaurant DivisionRead More

Plymouth South freshmen get off to perfect start earning Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Students of the Month for January

Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac General Sales Manager Joe Wilkerson, far right, and Plymouth South Assistant Principal Marc Loranger, far left, lead the pizza toast with the Plymouth South students who earned Tracy’s Driven Students of the Month honors.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

It’s unlikely too many high school freshmen are familiar with Woody Allen’s famous expression about “80 percent of success is showing up”. Yet for 17 Plymouth South High School freshmen who have yet to miss a day of school, they clearly got the memo. And for their perfect attendance record in the 2012-13 school year, they are the deserving winners of the Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student of the Month Award.

“The transition from middle school to high school can be quite difficult. In many ways, it’s like you’re starting all over after spending a year in eighth grade as the oldest in the school,” said Marc Loranger, assistant vice principal and director of Plymouth South’s freshman academy. “The kids we honored today with the Tracy Driven Student Award are an example for their peers in that the best way to make the transition to high school is to simply be here every day.”

For being chosen as the Driven Students of the Month, the group received a pizza party courtesy of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. In addition to pizza and refreshments, each student also received a Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac drink koozie.

“As somebody who hires and manages people, one of the key attributes we look for is dependability,” said Joe Wilkerson, general sales manager at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. “These students have shown early on in their high school careers that they understand that just showing up every day is a big deal and that will serve them well in school and in the work force. They are very worthy recipients of our Driven Student Award.”

Students selected for the Driven Student Award include: Andrew Baier, Andrew Bastoni, Heather Brzykoy, Mackenzie Callanan, Quinn Carey, Edward Coombes, Eileen Coughlin, Victoria Delph, Nathan Dupes, Kayle Forgette, Richard Gast, Jr., Brendan Johnson, Spencer Mazzola, Colin Moran, Teagan Ponte, Adrian Rigatuso and Michael Shea.

Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student program recognizes Plymouth high school students for their performance and achievements in and out of the classroom. Awarded on a monthly basis, recipients are selected by faculty and advisors at the student’s given school.

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

For more than 80 years and three generations of dealers, the Tracy family has made it so easy for customers on the South Shore and greater Plymouth area to purchase new and used automobiles. Since its beginnings in 1992, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has emphasized first-rate customer service and straightforward, bottom-line pricing with fair trade-ins every time–without the games or gimmicks you find at other dealerships. For more information on new and used trucks and automobiles, you can go to www.tracymotors.com or stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 137 Samoset Street, just off exit 6 on Route 3. For more information, or to make a service appointment, you can also call (508) 830-0101.

 

Plymouth South freshmen get off to perfect start earning Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Students of the Month for JanuaryRead More

For lakefront buyers, hope springs eternal—particularly in the spring

Scott Freerksen, owner of Lakefront Living Realty, LLC

MANSFIELD, MA…

In general, there’s something about the spring that elicits hope in even the most cynical among us. Perhaps it’s the fact that spring marks the start of a new beginning for everyone and everything. Even the Red Sox are still in contention on the first day of spring. For those looking to buy lakefront property, there’s very good reason to be hopeful in the spring because it is statistically when most lakefront homes sell.

“We’ve been in business for 10 years and I’d say 40 percent of all our sales take place between the months of February and May,” said Scott Freerksen, owner of Lakefront Living Realty, LLC, a Massachusetts-based brokerage that specializes in properties that are directly on lakes.

Freerksen says there are a number of reasons why spring generates more sales than any other time of year for lakefront homes. Those can include:

  • Eager buyers who want to buy a lakefront property and be moved in time for the summer season. Some can be so eager that they might overpay in order to get in for the summer.
  • Motivated sellers – Many lakefront homeowners put their property on the market in the late summer or fall. If the property is still on the market come late February or early March, some might be more flexible with their asking price.
  • Cold and inclement winter weather – Bad weather in the winter and early spring discourages foot traffic to view and visit lakefront properties. This means fewer casual buyers and more serious players looking to make a deal. This can greatly expedite going from purchase and sale to done deal.
  • Lakefront properties taken off the market – With a traditional home, the decision to sell is usually pretty straightforward. With lakefront homeowners, the decision to leave the lake can be very difficult and there’s likely a greater chance for the seller to pull the home from the market the closer you get to the warm weather. That tends to make buyers more aggressive with their bid

“Of course, another reason for spring being a great time to buy is that prices for lakefront properties have been fairly flat the last several years so the motivated and educated consumer knows they can find very good value, especially if they work with a broker that knows the ins and outs of buying lakefront property,” said Freerksen.

Lakefront Living Realty, LLC routinely holds information seminars for prospective buyers of lakefront property. Their next seminar, “Keys to Lakefront Buying”, takes place on Saturday, March 16, from 10am to noon. The seminar is $29 and seating is limited to the first 50 people. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a free kayak. To register, please visit http://www.lakefrontliving.com/seminarKeys.asp  or call 508-377-7167.

About Lakefront Living Realty, LLC

Based in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Lakefront Living Realty, LLC is a full service real estate brokerage specializing solely on the purchase and sale of pond and lakefront property in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Owner Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, a Real Estate Broker and Realtor, founded Lakefrontliving.com in 2003 as way to support his real estate practice and to bring to potential buyers and sellers a website that features direct lakefront homes. All the “riverfront”, “oceanfront”, “across the street”, “within walking distance” homes are taken out of the site.

Lakefront Living Realty has one mission: To passionately unite Buyers and Sellers of lakefront property. For complete information, please visit www.lakefrontliving.com or call Scott at 508-377-7167.

For lakefront buyers, hope springs eternal—particularly in the springRead More

Rodman & Rodman CPA featured in Accounting Today

Learn more about Rodman & Rodman’s Green Team and their alternative energy niche in this great feature in Accounting Today – http://www.accountingtoday.com/ato_issues/27_2/practice-profile-Meet-the-Green-Team-65549-1.html

Rodman & Rodman CPA featured in Accounting TodayRead More

A Sunday drive that will save lives. Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac hosts blood drive on Sunday, March 10, 11am to 4pm.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

When it comes to donating blood, it’s difficult for many well-intentioned donors to find time in their schedule during the week. With those people in mind, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac, located at 137 Samoset Street in Plymouth, will host a blood drive on Sunday, March 10, from 11am to 4pm.

The American Red Cross will conduct the blood drive inside the dealership’s showroom, which is located off Route 3’s exit 6 on the old Route 44. Donors from the general public are welcome to attend. Walk-ins are also welcome. You can make an appointment in advance by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767)

“With the recent blizzard, it has made it difficult for some people to get out and donate. By holding this drive on a day where many folks aren’t working, we’re hoping to draw enough people to make up for some of that,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. “We urge all able bodied Plymouth residents to come out and donate. Donating blood can literally save lives.”

Here are some facts about blood:

  • Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
  • More than 44,000 blood donations are needed every day.
  • A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006).
  • The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
  • The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
  • The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
  • Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98 percent of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
  • More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
  • A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

For more information about the blood drive on March 10 at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac, call 508-830-0101 or visit the dealership’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/TracyChevroletCadillacOfPlymouthMa.

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

For more than 80 years and three generations of dealers, the Tracy family has made it so easy for customers on the South Shore and greater Plymouth area to purchase new and used automobiles. Since its beginnings in 1992, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has emphasized first-rate customer service and straightforward, bottom-line pricing with fair trade-ins every time–without the games or gimmicks you find at other dealerships. For more information on new and used trucks and automobiles, you can go to www.tracymotors.com or stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 137 Samoset Street, just off exit 6 on Route 3. For more information, or to make a service appointment, you can also call (508) 830-0101.

A Sunday drive that will save lives. Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac hosts blood drive on Sunday, March 10, 11am to 4pm.Read More

Voice4Nations Launches 2013 Clean Water Campaign

Voice4Nations.org, the non-profit outreach of virtual phone service company, VoiceNation, has kicked off a new 2013 Clean Water Campaign to raise funds to provide clean water to developing nations.

Voice4Nations is continuing their work with charity: water and helping them in their mission of constructing fresh water wells and providing education to those around the world who are without clean drinking water. Voice4Nations’ 2013 Clean Water Campaign fundraiser is an “Ice Cream Challenge”.

More people die from dirty water and poor sanitation than all forms of violence, including war (source: charity: water). It is going to take $20 billion worldwide to provide clean drinking water (source: World Bank). American spends $21.4 billion a year on ice cream (source: International Dairy Foods Association).

The Ice Cream Challenge encourages households to take the same amount they spend on ice cream in a month and contribute it to Voice4Nations’ Ice Cream Challenge at charity: water. In this way, individuals and families can make a huge difference in the lives of many people without access to clean water.

Voice4Nations’ Ice Cream Challenge fundraising efforts from 2012 are being utilized to build wells in Ethiopia and Nepal. According to charity: water, 60 new and rehabilitated hand-dug wells, 79 new and rehabilitated drilled wells, and 11 new and rehabilitated spring protections are underway in Ethiopia. Additionally, 40 large-scale gravity fed water systems and 62 rehabilitated hand-dug wells are underway in the Sinduhili and Chitwan districts of Nepal.

“More than a billion people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water. We want to change that. Our 2013 Clean Water Campaign starts with an Ice Cream Challenge, where 100 percent of all donations directly funds clean water projects in developing nations. Working together, we really can make a difference,” explained Jay Reeder, president of VoiceNation.

To participate in Voice4Nations’ Ice Cream Challenge, visit http://mycharitywater.org/take-the-ice-cream-challenge.

About Voice4Nations
Voice4Nations, the non-profit outreach of VoiceNation, acts as a voice for the nations – a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves, like the 50 percent of all children who live in poverty. Voice4Nations’ goal is to create awareness, encourage people to make a difference, and connect them with successful organizations where they can make a contribution directly funding the need. To learn more about Voice4Nations, visit http://www.voice4nations.org.

About VoiceNation
VoiceNation is America’s telecommunications leader for virtual PBX, voicemail and innovative Next Generation call centers. Named a “Top Provider in Industry” by PC World, VoiceNation provides live answering service and call center solutions utilizing the latest in proprietary technology to deliver high quality call answering services at the lowest cost to their customers. In this way, VoiceNation enables business of all sizes to compete in the marketplace with 24-hour availability that adapts to any situation.

Founded in 2002, VoiceNation is a privately-held company that serves more than 40,000 customers including FEMA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Dell, AIG and the U.S. Coast Guard. The company also provides qualified non-profit, tax-exempt charities with access to voicemail, faxmail and other specialized communication services at reduced cost through their Care2Call outreach program.

To learn more about VoiceNation, visit http://www.voicenation.com/.

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Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), the only franchise executive conference dedicated to operations performance excellence, announced for May 2-3 in Boston.

Evan Hackel
Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting

WOBURN and BOSTON, MA…

For centuries, Boston has knack for drawing the best and brightest minds. Take for example, the City’s universities and medical institutions. On May 2-3, some of the best and brightest minds in the area of franchise operations will convene in at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay for the Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), the only franchise conference dedicated to operations performance excellence, to contemplate the role of future franchise field consultants and other franchise operations issues.

“You think of Boston, you think history. But what distinguished people like Sam and John Adams, John Hancock and others noteworthy was their ability to look towards the future and envision a new country,” said Evan Hackel, a speaker at Franchise OPS and founder of Ingage Consulting, the leader in improving performance through engagement. “With this OPS we’re looking at the very critical role of franchise field consultant and exploring how technology can enhance this critical component of the franchise operations system. Is it revolutionary like the old colonists? Maybe, maybe not. But technology will dramatically change the types of skill sets required to do the job of field consultant in the future.”

Topics to be covered over the two days of workshops include:

  • Technology for Field Consultants
  • Benchmarking
  • The Field Consultant of the Future
  • Better Onboarding
  • FDD Item 19 – How to Do It Right

Covering this material will be a diverse roster of franchise experts, which features Hackel and Bob Gappa, founder of Management 2000. Over the course of his career, Hackel has helped numerous franchise organizations improve performance and their bottom line. Over the past 31 years, Gappa and Management 2000 have worked with more than 950 franchises, providing strategic insights and recommendations for those organizations to address critical business challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.

In addition to Hackel and Gappa, other Franchise OPS speakers include: Deb Binder of Ingage Consulting, Rupert M. Barkoff of Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton; Keith Gerson of FranConnect; Eric Stites of Franchise Business Review; Stacey Ruth of Actio Marketing; Barth Getto of BizUnite; Mindy Golde of Listen360; Matt Talbot of GoSpotCheck; Cordell Riley of Tortal; and Steve Abercrombie of Profit Soup.

 

Franchise OPS is held three times a year in various locations around the country. Said Atlanta attendee Efrain Inzunza of the UPS Store, “I’ve been involved in franchising for 10 years and this summit represented some of the best interaction and information that I can apply to my role within my organizations.”

In addition to the educational benefits, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities with C-level franchise executives, the Franchise OPS offers the added bonus of being approved for 300 CFE credits by the International Franchise Association.

Interested parties can register for the Franchise OPS before March 25 for $599. After that, the fee increases to $699.

Franchise OPS is sponsored by FranConnect, Franchise Business Review, Kilpatrick Townsend; Actio Marketing, BizUnite, Ingage Consulting, Listen360, Management 2000, GoSpotCheck, ProfitSoup and Tortal. For complete information on Franchise OPS, please visit http://www.franchiseoperationssummit.com. 

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with franchisors and franchisees to improve the franchise organization’s culture which in turn increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits.

Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of both franchisors and franchisees.  The company helps solve the problems of franchise organizations by offering services that range from partnership creation and vibrant intranet community creation to trust building, improved communication and strategic planning.  After a thorough assessment, Ingage Consulting devises solutions to a franchise organization’s challenges. These solutions may include the development of methods that maximize collaboration among franchisees/licensees or the development of a clear strategy and execution plan for change which is customized to meet organizational objectives.

Evan Hackel, Ingage founder and management expert has more than two decades of experience in best practices, turnaround strategies and team dynamics.  He is often engaged to analyze franchise businesses, provide recommendations and facilitate strategic planning.  He is a member of the International Franchise Association and New England Franchise Association.

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), the only franchise executive conference dedicated to operations performance excellence, announced for May 2-3 in Boston.Read More

Marston Mills resident Rachel Pumphery wins Law Offices of John C. Manoog III “Legal Eagle” Award

Rachel Pumphery

HYANNIS, MA…

Rachel Pumphery fills two roles at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, working both as a staff paralegal and assistant to Attorney Michael O’Malley.  As a staff paralegal, one of Rachel Pumphery’s many duties is the drafting of case settlement demand packages on behalf of their clients.   In addition, Rachel serves as a full time assistant to Attorney O’Malley.  While it may seem a thankless task, it did recently earn her the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III’s “Legal Eagle” award for January.

“We created the Legal Eagle award as a way to recognize the hard work and time our staff puts into helping the firm get favorable results for our clients,” said Manoog. “Rachel may work primarily as an assistant to Attorney O’Malley, but she is a team player who has performed at a high level as long as she’s been here. She’s a very deserving winner for the “Legal Eagle” award.”

Pumphery began with the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III in 2005. Prior to that, she had worked in the banking industry.

“There’s always so much to do at the firm and we are often under serious time constraints. It’s nice to know that your efforts are recognized and appreciated,” said Pumphery.

Recently engaged, Pumphery currently resides in Marston Mills.

“The success of a law firm depends on everybody including attorneys and staff pulling their weight and doing what’s necessary to best serve our clients,” said Manoog. “When we achieve a favorable outcome for a client, it’s not solely because the attorney represented them well but, in many cases, because of people like Rachel supported their efforts and that’s how everybody wins.”

About The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III 

The attorneys at The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III specialize in helping clients  recover their losses in all types of personal injury cases including automobile accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, product liability, construction site accidents, as well as obtaining the benefits needed in workers compensation cases. The Firm also offers criminal defense services for clients. Initial consultation is free. The Law Offices of John C. Manoog III has two locations, 450 South Street in downtown Hyannis and 18 Main Street Extension in Plymouth center for added convenience.

For more information, visit www.manooglaw.com or call toll-free 888-262-6664.

Marston Mills resident Rachel Pumphery wins Law Offices of John C. Manoog III “Legal Eagle” AwardRead More