r/AskLawyers

I am the owner/manager of a company in Germany, and we recently had an issue involving unauthorized use of a software product.

The software manufacturer/parent company allegedly detected unauthorized use at our company through our IP address and a MAC address.
They subsequently contacted us about the matter.
To resolve the issue and avoid the matter escalating further, we agreed to purchase a licence through a local reseller. The cost of this was €XX,XXX.XX .

Based on the information available to us, we believe that the unauthorized use was caused by one of our interns, who had used the software during their internship.

We subsequently sent the intern an email stating words along the lines of:
“Your unauthorized use cost the company €XX,XXX.XX . ".
We also forwarded the relevant email exchange with the reseller showing the licence offer/cost.

We did not explicitly ask the intern to reimburse us, state that they are legally liable for the amount, or give them a deadline for payment.
We simply informed them that their unauthorized use had resulted in this cost to the company.

My questions are:

1. Does the wording of our email amount to a claim against the intern, or would we need to explicitly demand reimbursement?
2. Could the intern’s failure to respond be interpreted as accepting responsibility or liability?
3. If we believe the intern is personally responsible for the cost, what would we need to do to formally pursue reimbursement?
4. Are there particular issues with holding an intern/employee personally liable for this kind of software licensing cost under German law?
5. Does the fact that the software manufacturer identified the company’s IP/MAC address and we subsequently purchased a licence establish sufficient grounds for us to attribute the cost to the intern?

We are not trying to improperly pressure the former intern; we mainly want to understand whether the email we sent already has legal significance and what the appropriate next step would be if we believe reimbursement is warranted.

So my daughter was arrested for a DUI in Florida I let her spend the night in jail and now she is out.

What can she expect? She is only 19. Will this ruin her life?

i’m looking for a lawyer that can give me some advice i’m in desperate need about a relationship query particularly in the middle east.

location: saudi

willing to pay please please please!!

I have a very strong suspicion that I was under FBI surveillance last year. In fact I know it, but I can’t prove it. While under surveillance I was the victim of a serious crime, the impact of which will affect myself and my children for the rest of our lives. How can I get them to surrender any evidence they have to the crimes against me? I might still be under investigation so there’s that. But I’m losing everything as a result of this. I can’t have my children on the streets. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m caught in this trauma loop and I need resolution. Thank you.

So last month I got a new job at a dispensary. But on the 3rd I had my car fall on my leg while I was working on it. It caused a lot of mental issues and physically issues. One day I had to call off due to the fact that I was in so much pain I couldnt even leave my house. The next day they fired me saying they had to be fair. Ik I live in an at will state but can I sue them even if its for compensation? I dont want my job back because thats bs and its not fair.

All of this is going down in New York.

Preface: My grandfather died way back in 2018/19 I think. I genuinely don't remember since it's been a long while. Ever since then, there has been so much drama surrounding his will that it got passed from one lawyer to another. In that drama, my mother became executor of the estate.

My mother....well...ugh.

To put it shortly, none of my siblings and I trust her. We're worried she's going to hold all of the money, and we're never going to see a cent of it because she is the type of person who only cares about money. I wish I could say I'm exaggerating, but I'm not.

She's already dragged out the proceedings longer than they should have. She could have sold his house as is, and been over and done with it but she poured thousands of dollars into the house to fix it up (all the while complaining about it the entire time...), and is now trying to get reimbursed from that from the money from the will (I don't even know how that works or if it's viable, but I smell something suspicious because again, with how my mom is, she definitely did that solely to make sure she gets the largest cut of all...)

To add even further complications to this, I actually do not speak with my mother because of other family drama. So if she is dicking with the money, my ass is definitely not getting my share. Which, I don't really care but I don't want to see my siblings get dicked over too.

The question: My siblings and I are wondering if there is some sort of paperwork, or proof, that we individually will be sent once the will is paid out, detailing every little detail about how much the payout is, when it was paid, or anything like that. I did try to call the lawyer managing the will, but he was on vacation and hasn't called back and honestly I highly doubt that I'll hear back considering the history of the drama that this all has had (and, I don't blame him for not wanting to return my call ngl). That, and I don't feel comfortable trying to call again because I don't want to come off as money hungry, and I also am afraid that instead of calling me, he went to my mom and told her I called (one of my siblings asked me to call since they too are afraid of backlash from my mom).

The last bit of paperwork that I've gotten was from 2022, and it was the notification that the will was being serviced by a different lawyer.

Hi guys! So I am a disabled person with a service dog and I am really interested in becoming an ADA lawyer. I want to defend people who have SD's and have issues with bringing their services dogs into public places.

I'm wondering what I should major in for my undergrad? What is the route that most people take?

My lawyer(Florida), does all the paperwork, including faxing, emailing, and preparing of documents himself. I get charged $200 an hour for this. He has a partner, but he does not have a paralegal or assistant. I feel like just bc he does everything, why do I have to pay his fees? As opposed to paying a paralegal less for these things. He is not a new lawyer. Any thoughts? I did not hire him, a relative did.

Seeking advice or hearing from anyone who’s experienced something similar. In 2021, I obtained a Hawaii business license to recycle catalytic converters. In June 2022, five plainclothes officers entered my home without announcing themselves and handed me a search warrant for four guns. They removed about $80,000 worth of my business inventory and personal property. I was jailed for two days and released without being charged with any crime. On 1/6/26, I went to the Second Circuit Court to get a copy of the search warrant. The clerk asked for my case number. I told her I never had one. I gave her the search warrant number instead. She said there was no record of it. I still have the original warrant, and the clerk whose name is stamped on it was the same clerk I spoke with. I still don’t understand how both things can be true. If anyone’s experienced something similar or knows possible legal options, I’d appreciate hearing about it.”

I work in Wisconsin. Today, a US Marshall came to my workplace and two of my coworkers were in the lobby. My understanding is that the US Marshall stated who she was (had badge and gun), showed one of my coworkers a photo of me and asked what my name was. My coworker gave my name. Then the Marshall showed her another photo of a different woman and asked if that person worked at the company and my coworker didn’t recognize that person and said so. They also asked if a person by the name of “so and so” worked here and my coworker said no, never since she’s worked here 20 years. Marshall left.

We later pieced together that the name given works for a client of ours. I’m told that there’s a mild likeness between us. I suspect the Marshall was trying to figure out if I was this person they are looking for.

My question is that I’m pretty concerned that my coworker just gave my name to law enforcement in the lobby, especially considering there could be a mistaken identity. The coworkers present were non-management and I’m confident had good intentions, so I’m wondering if it’s a good idea that I request my company provides everyone additional training on confidentiality? Is there anything else I should consider?

Maybe it’s not a big deal but I don’t like the idea of being on any law enforcement radar without reason.

Hello there! My name is Ashton Gutierrez from Texas in search of an entertainment lawyer to look over this artist contract I drew out. I left sum parts out that I wanna discuss with a lawyer but everywhere I look is tryna charge me something or charge me a ridiculous price and all I’m trying to do is have someone simply look over it and help me. Is there an entertainment lawyer here that can look it over?

okay first off, is 23 too late to step into the game and go to school for law?

i was a decent highschool student and i imagine i could be a far better student now but how hard is it? be real with me PLEASE, what type of qualities should i possess? i'm a very comfident young lady. i did a great amount of public speaking events all through my school years and i have been on one debate team for one debate. i thrive in interviews and i really live just having a confrontational conversation and sorting things out.

i'd say i have good morals and i hold myself well. i'd like to be someome that can advocate for any young people who have some petty charges, or any charges at all honestly, and the're having to spend some of their most important developing years because they're locked up. most people cannot afford a "good" lawyer and that makes me so sad when i think about the fact they're all sitting in jail with few officers to keep them in line, conditions are terrible, and they're genuinely unsafe.

jail should only be a rehabilitation center and i genuinely worry about everyone that's locked up. facilities are terrible everywhere. everyone's dying. everyone's dirty. everyone's starving.

anyways, any advice or conversation is welcome, please though i would truly love to hear from a lawyer or two.

I'm a new law clerk. Is it normal to be told to go defend your first deposition (with less than 12 hours notice) on a civil case you haven't worked on? With no mentorship on the matter?

I am not sure if I'm just being extra because of nerves. If this is normal, bet- I'll do my best. My best may be questionable though.

trying to get some advice

Location: USA

I'm currently in a 1983 Civil rights lawsuit againt a county for money owned due to foreclosure tax sale.

This has been going on for 2 years now and I predict it will probably take another 2 to 3 years more.

It just came to my attention that the judge thats preceding over this case is literally the same judge that sentenced me to more than 5 years in a previous unrelated criminal case more than a decade ago.

I dont think anyone actually realizes this probably due being unrelated cases or maybe someone does. I have no idea.

I think if I tell me lawyers that, then they will have ethical obligation to respond? When it comes to legal court issues, I'm truly clueless. If I tell my lawyers this can this potentially destroy my case or is this another grass is not greener.....

What are your thoughts?

It's crazy, my brother was arrested for driving under the influence in the state of Missouri (STL), and believe it or not, was actually sober for the interaction with police. He is furious and demanding justice because he feels he has been wronged and that much of the police report is inaccurate/fraudulent. He has hired an attorney, but the that attorney has been dragging his feet and just wants my bro to just take a plea deal.

My brother has asked a couple of other attorneys in the area that are just telling him to take the plea at face value, without really even digging into the case. He is trying to find someone that will look at the body cam footage and the info he has and give him a real honest take on what going to trial would actually look like. Is there a secret to weeding out and finding solid candidates for representation that can give a little more accurate look into what trial would look like and what the options are?

Location: Arkansas

I recently had my car immobilized with a boot by a third-party company while parked at my apartment complex. The company claimed I was "double parking." I was less than a foot over the line because the parking lines are severely faded (completely invisible 10 feet away), and I parked at night using adjacent vehicles as a guide.

The leasing office refuses to get involved and told me to settle it with the booting company. However, I believe this immobilization was unlawful for two primary reasons:

1. Breach of Lease: My lease explicitly specifies towing as the penalty for improper parking on the property. It contains absolutely no provision or language permitting vehicle immobilization or booting.
2. Lack of Notice: There is zero signage anywhere on the property warning residents or guests that booting is utilized or that a third-party company has the authority to immobilize vehicles.

I have already paid the fee to get the boot removed so I could get to work.

My Questions:

• Can a landlord legally enforce a parking penalty (booting) via a third party if that specific penalty is completely absent from the signed lease agreement?
• Does Arkansas state law or common consumer protection law require explicit signage before a vehicle can be booted on private residential property?
• Since I already paid under duress to free my car, what is the best mechanism to demand a refund—small claims court against the landlord, the booting company, or a formal complaint to a state board?

Hi there!

Few facts to consider before getting into the details:
- I am aware I am obligated to repay the $, no concerns with that, totally understand
- I am an exempt EE (gross biweekly pay is $3750)
- I am working in Connecticut, USA
- After taxes / withholdings, my take-home net pay is $2,200

I am a part of a rotational program and was offered a $10,000 sign on bonus when I started. As of a few days ago, a new wave of rotational employees joined the business. Unexpectedly, they processed a second bonus check to me when processing theirs. I immediately made my head of comp aware as well as my rotational leader.

I received an email today saying they are resolving this issue by withholding $2,000 from the next 5 paychecks to repay the amount.

A few things stand out to me that I want to address with the team but want to make sure I’m not talking out of my ass here…

1. Why would I repay $10,000 when I did not receive that full amount due to taxes? Would I not just take the total of the check & subtract my normal salary amount to understand the difference in pay and give them that amount?
2. Should they not consult me to agree on this total withholding amount? This was sent to me via email.. nothing to sign. No questions on how I wanted to do this.. Just a short email telling me what was happening and that it would start next paycheck..? I don’t feel comfortable moving forward without some sort of agreement in case of any tax errors in my W2.
3. Not 100% confident on this one.. so let me know if I’m way off base here.. Is this legally allowed? I read somewhere that withholdings for incorrect/overpayments totals cannot cause your check to be less than the minimum wage. Does this apply to GROSS or NET pay? Meaning they could take $3750 - $2000 =$1,750.00 and it be legal bc my gross is more than the minimum wage (80hrs x 16.94 [CT MW] = 1,355 total pay…)?
4. Surely there has to be a better way I can repay this.. surely. I would much rather pay the amount upfront by taking the check with the error (salary pay + 10k bonus) and subtract my normal check amount and have them reverse my paycheck and then reissue and off cycle paycheck of my normal pay (no bonus)… right??? I feel this would be easiest from a tax perspective as well. PLS leave suggestions that will require me to pay it all up front to avoid only taking home $200 for the next ten weeks worth of paychecks.

TYSMIA!!!!

Hi all, I am posting from Michigan, US. So, my mother passed this past may after a long back and forth with addiction. Since she passed her phone has not been located (she passed at a relatives home) and we do not have passwords. Long story short I have already contacted Google regarding obtaining access to her Gmail and got a sample of a court order for me to file. My question for you all is this-- once I take the pdf and fill it in, can I submit just to my local court or does it have to be somewhere specific? And can I do it as her daughter or would it have to be my dad (they were still married)? Any advice or experience with this is appreciated.

ETA: I have already gotten and submitted her death certificate to Google that part is done I literally just need to know if there's anything I need to know about filling out and submitting the paperwork thank you all