If you have become sick from exposure to asbestos, then you may be looking to take legal action. If so you might be asking yourself the question, "Do I need a Lawyer," or "What type of Lawyer Should I Hire?" Legal issues are tough, and you need to make a decision if you are going to fly solo, or have an attorney represent you.


First off, you will need a lawyer if you want to win a lawsuit in an asbestos case, but the good news is that if you circumstances meet the qualifications then you can get a lawyer without having to pay anything out of pocket. They will get paid after the case has been won.


Second, you are going to need to look for a lawyer that specializes in asbestos cases, and has a strong background of winning cases. When you enter that courtroom and all eyes are on you. A lawyer that is specialized in winning cases that deal with asbestos is going to make all the difference in the world because they will have answer to the hard questions, and will have an idea to as to what type of questions opposing counsel is going to ask. A great lawyer is the difference between winning and loosing, so be sure to take you time and make sure you find the right attorney to represent you.


In closing if you are looking to win your asbestos case then you are going to need a tough lawyer that is ready to fight for you, and has a history of dealing with these specific cases. I believe once you have the right lawyer, then you will be on your way to the settlement that you deserve for your injury.

READ MORE - Dallas Law :: Do I need a lawyer for my asbestos lawsuit

When the need for a lawyer arises, it is important to be able to find a good lawyer who is knowledgeable in the area that is required and has a good reputation. Many people would prefer to find a local lawyer whether it is a Maryland lawyer, a New York lawyer or a Kentucky lawyer. A lawyer search can be an overwhelming and often frightening task for anyone who has never needed a lawyer before. Personal, business and criminal problems can arise for almost anyone at any time. From finding a Maryland lawyer to finding a Californian lawyer, there are some different ways a person can find a lawyer that will best suit their needs.

When looking for a lawyer in any state, it is necessary to determine what kind of lawyer will be needed. There are a number of different types of law that lawyers specialize in including family law, real estate law, estate law, family law, criminal law and many other types of law. Sometimes it might be difficult to begin a lawyer search when the issue doesn’t clearly fall into a particular category. It is a good idea to make a few calls to see what type of attorney would handle that specific case before continuing with a lawyer search.

Once the type of lawyer that is needed is clear, it is time to make a list of the lawyers that are in the area who deal with a particular matter from a local phone book. Once the list is compiled, ask friends, family and professionals if they have had any experience with a particular lawyer and if it was a favorable one. If that particular attorney is on the lawyer search list, he or she might be one of the first ones that are contacted. Next, if the local search is not going very well, there are a number of search web sites on the Internet that a person can use to find an attorney that will suit his or her needs. Sometimes individual states have their own lawyer search web sites. Maryland, for instance, has a web site available for anyone who needs the services of a Maryland lawyer.

The Maryland lawyer search is much like the kind of searches available for other states. A Maryland lawyer can be found when searching by city name, county name, zip code, a particular lawyer’s name, by law school and by legal specialty. If all else fails, a person can find a Maryland lawyer or a lawyer in another state by contacting the Bar Association.

Once a lawyer search has narrowed down choices to just a few names, it is a good idea to schedule either a phone or personal interview with the attorney. Important questions that can be posed during an interview should include how much experience a lawyer has in the particular area that is needed, how long they have been in practice, what are the fees and what do they include and how successful they feel that they could tackle any particular issue. Once these questions have been answered, it is up to each individual to assess their choices and hire the attorney they feel that will represent them the best.

READ MORE - Search for Lawyer!

The financial state of mortgages is in disarray. There simply is no way to butter it up. With more and more mortgages coming onto the market as homes are being foreclosed, it is going to make buying your first home a challenge to say the least. My advice is to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge of Dallas mortgage loans.

You can find a Dallas mortgage to suit a wide range of circumstances depending on your specific needs. If you know little or nothing at all about Dallas home loans, the whole process can still be confusing and frustrating. It may be a smart idea to inquire about the services of an independent financial adviser, you are not too confident about finding the right mortgage. These companies advise on the best Dallas Texas mortgage for your needs based on your financials details.

Another option for finding the right Dallas mortgage loan is to try a specialist mortgage broker. These are professionals with contacts to a large number of mortgage lenders. When you use a mortgage broker, there is only one application form, which the broker uses to approach different lenders in order to find you the best deal on a Dallas mortgage. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much time and work is reduced since the broker is doing the majority of the work for you. It also reduces the chances of rejection since they are likely to know which mortgage lender will and which one won't approve your application.

Before you approach a Dallas Texas mortgage broker or adviser about Dallas mortgage loans, it is a smart move to study up and research some of the different mortgage options available. This can give you an idea of the type of Dallas mortgage you may want to sign up for. Not only does it affect whether you want to opt for a repayment or interest only mortgage, but you also must come to a decision on the type of mortgage you want. For example, would a variable rate mortgage, fixed rate mortgage, or offset mortgage be best for you?

If you are still a little confused about Dallas home loans and the easiest way to go about getting one, trying going online. There is tons of information available. Hopefully, this can help you can get an idea of the different types of mortgages and which one might suit you best.

If you already signed on with professional broker, ask them for help in terms of helping you to find mortgage information. They should have more than enough resources, contacts, and experience to assist you in finding the best Dallas mortgage loan.

READ MORE - Finding the Perfect Mortgage for Your Perfect Dream Home

Luxury is something that hardly fails to impress anyone. When thinking about luxury, cars are definitely one of the few things that first come to our mind. Also, when it is the best of all, limo, which itself is thought to symbolize sophistication and opulence, there would be very few exceptional people who do not appreciate this VIP treatment of traveling in it.
Bygone are the days when people used to gift precious stones or other such gifts to their loved ones to make then feel special. Just try taking them out on a dfw limo and see the effect it has. Another benefit of hiring a limo is that it also gives you room to spend some of the beautiful moments of your lifetime that you will cherish for your lifetime. So, if you are in Dallas and looking forward to make any of your special days a memorable one, no matter if it is your wedding day, birthday, prom night, or any other thing, E3 Worldwide Transportation is the name you can always bank upon. They provide you with dallas car service and you can choose the limo that you want to hire from the wide range of Dallas limousine choice made available to you such as SUVs, luxury sedans, full-size passenger vehicles, mini buses and passenger coaches. Open seven days a week, they make available to you the best Dallas limos.

Apart from the personal events, you can also look forward to hire limousine service Dallas for commercial purposes. You can hire Dallas limo to treat with luxury any VIP client, to take him to the various destinations in the county and to the airport. However, if you do not know beforehand the destinations that you would like to visit, you can also take on hire limousine service Dallas on ‘hourly basis’. This kind of limo service is called ‘customer directed’ car service. You can also ask for chauffer service along with you Dallas limo to drive you to your desired destinations. Chauffeurs have been trained in the standards of executive customer service and they can be taken with you even if you are willing to have night-out or an all-day conference within the town.

If you want to take your team out for any celebratory event or dinner, lavish limo buses are there to accommodate around 16 people with ultimate comfort and fashion. For information on pricing of limousine service Dallas simply visit our website www.dfwtransit.com and type in the zip code of the area you would like to cover with sophistication in our Dallas limos at our page for instant quotes or if you would like to go for hourly basis along with your choice of limo and you will get your quote without any delay. To make reservation you can both contact their customer care over the phone or via the Internet and confirm your reservation.

Hence, no matter what your requirements are, whether business or personal, a luxurious Dallas limousine will surely serve your purpose really well. For more information on dallas limo, Dallas Limousine, Dallas Car Service, Dallas Car, Visit: - www.dfwtransit.com

READ MORE - Dallas Limo | Dallas Car | Dallas Limos | Airport transportation dallas

If you are looking for a tax lawyer you need to know how to find the best one possible. There are literally hundreds of sites alleging to have the best tax lawyer available and it may seem that they are all pretty much the same. However, as with all types of lawyers, there are good tax lawyers as well as bad ones and it is important to find the right one for you.
If you are looking for a tax lawyer you need to know how to find the best one possible. There are literally hundreds of sites alleging to have the best tax lawyer available and it may seem that they are all pretty much the same. However, as with all types of lawyers, there are good tax lawyers as well as bad ones and it is important to find the
There are a number of questions that you need to ask any tax lawyer before you decide which company to hire. Obviously, experience is a key factor in narrowing down your list of potential candidates to a reasonably small number. If the tax lawyer you are considering has no recent experience with court cases then you should avoid using their services. This is because the tax laws are constantly changing and it is vital that your chosen tax lawyer is completely up to date with current legislation.

The track record of any tax lawyer is also important. If you ask any tax lawyer how many cases they have won, and lost, this will give you an idea of how effective they are at pleading your case. However, your individual circumstances should be taken into account and you need to ask the lawyer if they have had specific experience with a similar case and what the outcome was.

The best tax lawyer is one that specialises in more difficult cases and is more likely to be able to help you in whatever situation you find yourself.

The methods used by a lawyer in preparing your case should also be a consideration. Usually, a tax lawyer will be extremely thorough in investigating the circumstances surrounding your case and you should look for the most comprehensive service possible. A thorough tax lawyer will look into all of your financial records and gather evidence, of course, but will also look into any other mitigating circumstances to help with your plea.

Of course, any tax lawyer would like to claim that they can have any case against you dismissed but the reality is that this is often unlikely. You should discuss with the lawyers on your shortlist what penalties they anticipate you being given and how they plan to negotiate for lower ones. Obviously, you want to have a tax lawyer who can obtain the most lenient fines possible, even if the case against you is very clear.

Finally and probably most importantly, is the rapport that you feel when you are talking to the individual tax lawyer. It is essential that you are able to discuss everything freely and openly with whichever tax lawyer you finally decide to hire. If you do not feel comfortable talking with a particular lawyer then simply cross them off your list and move on to the next one.

READ MORE - How To Find The Best Tax Lawyer

Are you in the market for a vacation home? You might not think of Dallas as the best vacation spot in the world but Dallas is a wealthy and exciting city that has a lot to offer.

Vacations in Dallas are never dull and there are a lot of interesting museums and parks and other attractions that keep people coming back for more. Dallas has warm weather in the winter making it a great alternative winter vacation spot that is much cheaper than some other more crowded cities. Best of all, you can buy Dallas real estate for rather cheap so even if you could not afford a vacation home in another city you could probably afford one in Dallas.

If you want a vacation home in Dallas you can always rent it out when you're not using it too, which could pay for the cost of the house. If you are curious about the idea of buying Dallas real estate as vacation property you should talk to a Dallas real estate agent about buying some of the beautiful modern condos that are popping up in the downtown area.

With a sleek downtown vacation condo you could take a spa trip for a weekend or just jet down to one of the malls to do some shopping and you would not have to worry about where to stay because you would already own some prime real estate.

One thing that Dallas offers that other cities don't is some great world class sports teams. So if you are a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Stars, or the Mavericks then buying some vacation Dallas real estate is just the thing for you. You could go to all the games and never have to pay for a hotel again. You could bring all your friends to stay in your vacation home and hit the games and party for the weekend.

Since Dallas real estate is so affordable you could afford to buy a fine home or condo as a vacation paradise without breaking the bank. If you have never seriously considered buying a vacation home in the Dallas area, it is time to reconsider. Contact your Dallas real estate agent for more information on the many different types of condos and other great vacation properties on the market right now. You might even be interested in buying a fractional ownership in one of the luxury resorts that are cropping up all over.

A fractional ownership in a luxury resort would make a great vacation and you would not have to worry bout paying someone to watch the property during the time that you are not in town either if you have a fractional ownership in some luxury Dallas real estate. Fractional ownerships are becoming more and more popular for vacations. You should talk to an experienced Dallas real estate agent today about buying a fractional ownership in a luxury Dallas real estate project. And if you decide that you don't have the time to make it to there to use your fractional ownership you can always sell the fractional ownership to a company or to a business-person that needs a luxury place to stay in Dallas and you might even make a profit.

READ MORE - Buying Dallas Real Estate as a Vacation Home

Limousine service in Dallas have been hired nowadays for almost every occasion whether it is a wedding, night-out, anniversary, corporate meeting, and receiving guests from airport, birthdays, or bachelor’s party. The reason being the elegance, grace and the reputation that limo lends to your arrival at any place or event. You can hire any Dallas car service which would be really cheaper in comparison to the limousine service but the awe that would be created amongst your kith and kin on your alighting from the limo will be unmatchable.

Dallas limousine service is one of the best providers of limo service in Dallas and above all it is renowned for the most cost-effective Dallas car service.

You can even hire Dallas limo even if you are not in Dallas as the company is the premier worldwide limo service provider. The exclusive worldwide limo services provided by the company include:

• Dallas car service
• DFW limo
• Dallas bus charter
• Dallas limos
• Airport transportation Dallas

Whether it is a short trip to the airport or a long trip to different states the best car hire will be of limo. Limo hire is not only for style statement since limo is the luxurious of all the Dallas car service.
Dallas limo service will be your first and last stop once you have enjoyed its Dallas limo service as it provides additional luxury services along with car.
Limousine service in Dallas has been on increase due to its great demand in business sector. Most of the big business groups hire DFW limo to receive and escort their foreign business delegates. Limos make a great impression on the business clients and increase the reputation of the company which in turn brings in more business.
business transportation should not only be on time but it must have look of great elegance and make a style statement of the company in the eyes of the other business associates and competitors in the market and for this best car service to be hired is limo.
If your business is Dallas based or you have to arrange a business trip for your company even outside Dallas, Dallas limousine will be the best option as it ensures comfort and luxury of time and space to your travel. Dallas limousine service is easy to hire and offers airport transportation Dallas, DFW limo service, Dallas bus charter within the Dallas and even outside the state.
You can even hire limousine service Dallas on hourly basis. You can opt for this service when you are not sure about the destinations you will be visiting in your hired Dallas limo. Also, the Dallas limo service provider avails you their additional service of a trained chauffeur who knows all the geographical routes and is an expert driver who assures you timely reach to your desired destination. You can even hire the service of bus charter for a large group of people who are going on a party or a trip. if you are interested in hiring luxurious worldwide limousine services, you can log on to www.dfwtransit.com

READ MORE - Dallas Limo | Dallas Limousine | Dallas Car Service | DFW Limo

Booming business opportunities in Dallas area seem to be directly profiting the sector of Real estate Dallas region. Being the third most popular business trip destinations, Dallas receives high number of employees of major business establishments flying this place every month. These visitors come either to scope out a new place for their next branch office or else with a motive of doing business with one of the hundreds of already existing Dallas businesses.

It is quite surprising that such an economic boom in the place has still not affected the real estate market. Dallas still has fairly low real estate prices that. As per US Census Bureau date, average home price in the city is $179,920 that is only marginal higher than national average prices of $173,585. So, you will surely get a great deal if you will go for buying a property in this area.

Best part of living in Dallas is easy commutation. The place is easily accessible to Dallas Forth Worth International Airport, which is world’s second busiest airport. Along with this, you will find some of the best schools and universities located at this place. All these aspects have helped in creating Real estate in Dallas a vibrant business.

Investment in Dallas real estate is one of the safest step you can take that will generate high profits for you. It is sure that value of real estate in Dallas will increase in no time because the city is growing and attracting more businesses. Investing in real estate Dallas is a sensible thing to opt for if you are on the beginning of some real estate.

Whether you are willing to invest in multiple storey apartments or want to go for single family homes, there is still a huge profit you can earn by investing in rapidly growing metroplex Dallas.

READ MORE - Real estate Dallas

If you have become sick from exposure to asbestos, then you may be looking to take legal action. If so you might be asking yourself the question, "Do I need a Lawyer," or "What type of Lawyer Should I Hire?" Legal issues are tough, and you need to make a decision if you are going to fly solo, or have an attorney represent you.

First off, you will need a lawyer if you want to win a lawsuit in an asbestos case, but the good news is that if you circumstances meet the qualifications then you can get a lawyer without having to pay anything out of pocket. They will get paid after the case has been won.

Second, you are going to need to look for a lawyer that specializes in asbestos cases, and has a strong background of winning cases. When you enter that courtroom and all eyes are on you. A lawyer that is specialized in winning cases that deal with asbestos is going to make all the difference in the world because they will have answer to the hard questions, and will have an idea to as to what type of questions opposing counsel is going to ask. A great lawyer is the difference between winning and loosing, so be sure to take you time and make sure you find the right attorney to represent you.


In closing if you are looking to win your asbestos case then you are going to need a tough lawyer that is ready to fight for you, and has a history of dealing with these specific cases. I believe once you have the right lawyer, then you will be on your way to the settlement that you deserve for your injury.

READ MORE - Dallas Law :: Do I need a lawyer for my asbestos lawsuit

For such a long time, Dallas is known to have the best reputed Dallas tax attorneys. Dallas tax attorneys cater to the tax problems and issues of the taxpayers in a light manner. Meaning, these Dallas tax attorneys provide their clients the best services they can in the range of legal tax laws. There are plenty of Dallas tax attorneys spread all over the region and they are often attached to the law firms which are known to be effective.

Of course there are also a lot of private Dallas tax attorney practitioners within reach. Apart from Dallas tax attorneys, you can also seek the services of Dallas criminal attorneys, Dallas bankruptcy attorneys, Dallas divorce attorneys, Dallas medical malpractice attorneys, Dallas DWI attorneys, Dallas personal injury attorneys, and so on. In short, Dallas attorneys are professional experts in various fields. You name it, and you can spot an attorney who will work things out for you.

When problems about taxes arise, you know you will be dealing with a very stressful and complicated matter. It is not a surprising thing to figure out that numerous individuals are dealing with issues with the Internal Revenue Service on a yearly basis. Messing with your taxes is punishable by the law. So whether you intentionally evaded your yearly taxes, incurred a minimal mistake in your computation and payment, or have missed something, the hands of IRS will get you.

Dallas tax attorneys can come to your rescue especially in cases involving corporate taxes, inheritance taxes, personal income taxes, and all other types of taxes. With an efficient Dallas tax attorney acting on your behalf, these kinds of situations can be lightened. You know that you cannot handle these things by yourself and you need an expert to guide you. Ease yourself with the worries because Dallas tax attorneys are all over the state to save you. You may be worried with the expenses to be incurred for hiring an attorney but you will realize it in the end that you can better save money if you hire one Dallas tax attorney.

Dallas tax attorneys are nonetheless thriving all over the state. Their names are listed in a directory. If you are looking for one effective Dallas tax attorney, you know where you can get one.

In terms of their educational backgrounds, Dallas tax attorneys earned their degrees from the reputable law schools in Texas and from other states in America. They have had their own share of apprenticeship period with the veteran tax attorneys, generalists, and specialists. All of the Dallas tax attorneys are tied up to one single mission—and that is to serve their clients to the best level they can. More so, the legal services in Dallas can be counted on.

Dallas tax attorneys have always been in demand. Many clients flock to their offices. Their phones are always ringing. In fact, Dallas tax attorneys also have their portals in the internet so that they can be more accessible to you. You just have to log in to a certain website and there you go with the list of the most sought-after Dallas tax attorneys. It will be a matter of making your own choice. Just be sure to work with someone whom you know has the credible references. Seeking for the advice, referrals, or opinion of your friends will do you best.

READ MORE - The Importance of Dallas Tax Attorney

DALLAS — Gardere Wynne Sewell announced today that it has been recognized among the top law firms in Texas, earning high rankings in seven practice areas in Chambers USA’s prestigious annual survey of the U.S. legal industry.

Gardere is ranked among Texas’ top business law firms in six of the practice areas highlighted in the Chambers USA Guide: America's Leading Business Lawyers 2008 survey. The firm is recognized for its work on behalf of clients in Antitrust, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions, Insurance, Real Estate and Tax matters.

The firm is also named among the top in the nation for its Government Contracts practice. Marshall J. Doke Jr., a partner in the Dallas office, received national recognition for his work in the area of Government Contracts.

Additionally, 18 of the firm’s partners, representing 11 practice areas, were recognized as being among the best attorneys in Texas in their respective fields. They include:

Antitrust – Curtis L. Frisbie Jr., Dallas; Randy Gordon, Dallas

Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Deirdre Ruckman, Dallas; Holland O’Neil, Dallas; Richard Roberson, Dallas

Corporate/M&A – Larry Schoenbrun, Dallas

Environment – Frances Phillips, Dallas; Richard Faulk, Houston

Insurance – Kimberly Yelkin, Austin; James Cooper, Houston; John Pearson, Houston

Intellectual Property – Kenneth Glaser, Dallas

Labor & Employment – Neil Martin, Houston

Real Estate – Kevin Kelley, Dallas

Tax – Allen Craig III, Houston

Tax Litigation – Cym Lowell, Dallas; Val Albright, Dallas

Technology Corporate & Commercial – Frank Putman, Houston

“We are very pleased not only with recognition that we have received as a firm, but also for the recognition our individual lawyers have earned,” says Gardere Managing Partner Steve Good. “We take pride in providing the best possible legal counsel in the areas that matter to our clients.”

Published annually by London-based Chambers & Partners, the Chambers USA guide recognizes the top business law firms and leading individual attorneys in the United States. The firms and attorneys are selected for the merit-based listing based upon interviews by more than 100 researchers with more than 4,500 private attorneys and in-house counsel across the U.S. Complete rankings appear in Chambers USA Guide: America's Leading Business Lawyers 2008 and can be found online here.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, founded in 1909, is one of the Southwest’s largest full-service law firms.

Source: Gardere Wynne Sewell

READ MORE - Dallas law firm Gardere Wynne Sewell recognized as one of the top firms in Texas by Chambers USA

Although we would like to believe that just the odd few people decide they do not want to pay their taxes to the government, this is not the case as many businesses fall foul of tax laws as well. Anyone found doing this is committing an offence under the tax laws of the United States. Perpetrators can be punished severely for this type of offence as it can have serious consequences on the running of government. Most often these so called ‘clean crimes’ are carried out by what are considered respectable people that have not been in trouble with the law in the past.

There are types of tax fraud and degrees of seriousness with tax evasion the most important but it can also refer to the small business that is just late in filing their tax report for the financial year. Tax fraud lawyers are specialized attorneys that deal with issues of tax fraud and represent clients who are accused of tax fraud.

Do not mistake a tax fraud lawyer for someone you will contact to help file your tax returns as their sole purpose is to represent people accused of tax crimes. There are two situations where a person or firm will seek their help; when they suspect their affairs are being looked into by the IRS or where they have been formally charged with the offence of tax fraud. Imprisonment is not always necessary though and a good tax fraud lawyer will try to negotiate a settlement between the authorities and his client so that their liability is lessened.

It is not uncommon for people and even companies to fail in their tax responsibilities through lack of knowledge or understanding of their responsibilities. Some individuals and firms also fall foul of poor advice for their tax planning form the tax specialists they employ to represent them.

Often attorneys will provide proof that their client was the unwilling victim of tax fraud and although still guilty it is usual for the punishment in these circumstances to be more lenient or the charges dropped completely. The need to choose a tax consultant that has proper qualifications cannot be underestimated in circumstance like this if investigation by the IRS is too be avoided.

The normal approach by a tax fraud lawyer will be too reason the argument that prosecuting the individual or company will not serve the public interest as recovery of the taxes owed is less likely. Sending a tax evader to prison just places additional costs on the system which are paid by other tax payers with little chance of the tax owed being paid so the argument to allow the offender to pay by installments will be made by a good attorney as the best in the public interest

READ MORE - The Normal Approach By A Tax Fraud Lawyer

I’m a lawyer. Worse yet, I’m a bond lawyer and tax lawyer. This means I have to read and interpret complex, tedious, mind-numbing regulations and statutes. I read and write 80-page, single-spaced document. I argue over commas, for crying out loud! I deeply and thoroughly understand what it means to be a legalist — I am one in the purest, truest sense of the word.

It’s great training for reading the Bible and confronting arguments about what the Bible means. And I learned a long time ago that even bond and tax lawyers aren’t one-tenth the legalists that some of my brothers in Christ are! I mean, the theologians put the lawyers to shame when it comes to straining out the meaning of words.

Some of our preachers (none in my congregation) make arguments in all sincerity that a lawyer would be too embarrassed to take money to make! And when a lawyer won’t take money to make an argument, well, it’s a pretty bad argument. We call this the “red faced” test — whether you can make the argument without your face turning red. When the argument is that bad, you don’t make it because you lose all credibility with whomever you are arguing with.

This little article is a plea that our preachers elevate their discourse to at least the level of the most dastardly, unethical, venal lawyers. And that surely isn’t asking too much.

We lawyers have a few sayings that we recite in Latin. Latin is largely a lost art among lawyers, but a few sayings are too deeply rooted in the original Latin — from back when the church ran many of the courts in “Olde England” — to leave behind. You’ve heard of habeas corpus, for example. It’s been in the news quite a lot lately.

We also say, “Expressio unius est exclusio alterius.” And, no, we don’t know how to pronounce it either, which is why we shorten it to “expressio unius” (ex-SPRES-i-o you-NYE-us). The phonetic pronunciation will likely curdle the blood of anyone who actually knows Latin, but pronounce it right among lawyers and we’ll consider you pretentious — not that we’d care. We’re used to lawyers acting that way!

This means that the express mention of one thing excludes all others. Sound familiar? Expressio unius is a rule of statutory construction that is used to figure out what the legislature means in its often-badly written laws. And it makes sense. If you say x, you mean x and not something else. Seems too obvious to mention, actually.

In Church of Christ circles, the argument comes up in the instrumental music debate. We say, correctly I think: God told Noah to build his ark with gopher wood (cypress, in the NIV). If Noah had used cedar or pine instead, he surely would’ve violated God’s will-and certainly he would have. Expressio unius.

Therefore, we reason, not quite so well, if God said to sing, he didn’t mean play an instrument. Not expressio unius. Not even close.

Why does the first example about Noah work and the second one about instruments not work? Well, because you can’t build an ark out of gopher wood while also building it out of pine. The nature of the thing is that you must do one or the other. In fact, expressio unius, and common sense, tells us that God didn’t mean to use mainly pine and trim it out with gopher wood. He meant just gopher wood.

However, using an instrument does not by any means contradict the command to sing. Sing with an instrument and you are, plainly enough, singing. The command to use gopher wood does not contradict using nails or bringing lanterns on board or storing hay or using brass hinges on the door or doing anything else — so long as Noah didn’t substitute the wrong kind of wood for components made of wood.

Just so, if we didn’t sing at all — if we just played kazoos in church — that would violate expressio unius. But adding to the singing does not change the fact that we’re singing.

At this point, the usual rejoinder is that we’re adding a sixth act of worship, as the instrument is a mean of worship. That argument is answered at http://jayguin.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/15-acts-of-worship.pdf.

The next response is that the people playing instruments aren’t singing, but by that standard, about 40% of most churches are damned! After all, many of our members decline to sing. And we often have a soundboard operator or PowerPoint operator or someone counting the money or even the preacher not singing! Of course, many instrumentalists sing while they play or during other parts of the service, and they are generally much more involved in the song service than the women in the nursery.

The final argument is that instruments are not permitted because they are unauthorized — and authority is required for all acts of worship. Now, this is a more serious argument. It goes back to the so-called Regulative Principle propounded by John Calvin and his disciples — and Calvin was a most serious guy. But addressing the merits of the Calvinistic argument on worship is for another day.

READ MORE - Expressio Unius