This summer seemed different than past summers. In the northeastern part of the U.S., spring seemed to come and go and summer was upon us before we were ready. Flowers that generally bloomed in July or August were already blooming in June and early July. It is now mid-August, and many of the gardens in my neighborhood are showing signs that autumn will soon be upon us. What does any of this have to do with the practice of law you may ask? The summer months have changed that practice as well. Summer used to be the time when the courts slowed down, vacation schedules determined how a law office would be managed and one did not expect to see opinions coming out of the courts that would have widespread consequences. Not so this year!!!