Application Portfolio!!

PROFESSIONAL WRITING MINOR 2015-­‐2016  

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TRACK

Eike Hoffmann

1  

There is an art to the business of making sandwiches which it is given to few ever to find the time to explore in depth. It is a simple task, but the opportunities for satisfaction are many and profound.!

“!

”!- Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless!

Murder your darlings.!“! ”!- Jeff Hanson (at least the first person I ever heard it from)!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Statement of Goals                  4    

Résumé                                    

Prefatory Material                          

Writing History                    3              Personal Information and Academic Preparation 2    

Track Choices and Explanation              5    

Writing For Public Speaking                9  

Writing Samples                          

Legal Writing 14

   Business Letter 10  

Business Memo 11

Company Brochure 13

Legal Memo 15

Advocacy Letter 17

Feature Article: Revisiting Measure P 20

Journalism Writing 19

Journalism in Chile 21  

I Love Chile Article: The Dream Is Real 22  

Résumé 7  

Financial Accounting and Analysis          23  

Target Corp. Financial Analysis Report 24  

1  

Prefatory Material!

2  

Personal Information and Academic Preparation

EIKE LIANG HOFFMANN                    _  

 

6582 Sabado Tarde Unit #1 (949)  463-­‐8947  Goleta, CA 93117 eike@umail.ucsb.edu !  

OVERALL GPA: 3.6  MAJOR: Economics & Accounting!MINOR: Professional Writing – Business Communication!

1  

Writing 107J – Journalism Grade: AFall 2014 with Dr. Cissy Ross

Writing 105PS – Public Speaking Grade: AFall 2014 with Professor Jeffrey Hanson

Writing 107L – Legal Writing Grade: ASummer 2014 with Dr. James Donelan

COMPLETED UPPER-DIVISION WRITING COURSES:

PLANNED UPPER-DIVISION WRITING COURSES:

Writing 150,  157  A-­‐BWinter and Spring 2014 with Dr. LeeAnne Kryder

PLANNED NON-WRITING UNITS FOR SENIOR YEAR:

Winter Spring12-­‐13 12  

3  

Writing History

Writing History!!!My love for writing began at a young age, when I would write poems and short stories for my teachers in elementary school. I dreamed of becoming a novelist, and I credit my prolific reading as a child for developing my own writing style and sense of humor. Authors Louis Sachar and Douglas Adams in particular have had a profound impact on my appreciation for wordsmanship. ! !Unfortunately, my enjoyment of writing waned as history papers and book essays dominated the curriculum in high school. My professional experience was limited to writing emails and tweeting for the NGO I worked for until last year. !!Writing classes at UCSB reignited my passion, and I can easily say that they were the most useful and inspiring I had ever taken. I rediscovered my ability with words through drafting professional documents in Writing 105PS, putting together an entire appellate brief related to copyright law in Writing 107L, and writing a lengthy feature article on Measure P in Writing 107J. ! !During my study abroad experience in Chile, I worked as a journalist and had 15 articles published by one of the nation’s few English-language news outlets. My writing spanned a number of topics, but my greatest achievement was covering the Chilean national soccer team in the Copa America tournament (hosted in Chile last summer). !!Writing plays a big role in my career plans, and I believe that my classes and recent experience in journalism have prepared me to take the next step in my writing development. !!

4  

Statement of Goals

Statement of Goals for Pursuing the Professional Writing Minor!!!In the Professional Writing Minor, I see a great opportunity for me to develop my writing talent into a powerful asset in the professional world. A hugely disconcerting thing I’ve realized after three years of college is that so many people graduate without having acquired any useful or marketable skills. ! !The desire to learn applicable skills was the driving factor in my decision to major in Economics and Accounting. My decision to apply for the Professional Writing Minor is driven by a similar motivation, for writing is an underappreciated ability that can distinguish me from others in a social climate where people are struggling to stand out. ! !Writing is one of the few things that allow me to truly be in my element, where I can whole-heartedly express my passions and ideas. I intend to bring those passions and ideas to the world of business through my writing, and believe that expert guidance from the Writing Program can help me achieve that aspiration. ! !My goal in pursuing the Professional Writing Minor is to learn how to communicate ideas through writing in the most effective and charismatic way. The chance to turn something I love into a powerful tool in the business world is too attractive to forgo. !!I believe that participating in the Minor will offer me a wealth of valuable learning experiences that will be key to my development as professional writer. !!

5  

Track Choices and Explanation

DESIRED TRACK OF THE MINORFirst Choice: Business CommunicationSecond Choice: Writing and Civic EngagementThird Choice: Multimedia Communication

!Explanation:!My goal is to use my writing ability in the professional workplace, whether it is producing marketing materials for a business, writing an NGO’s mission statement, or doing paralegal work. I am interested in being able to communicate effectively and efficiently through writing to benefit an organization or a cause. ! !Although all tracks of the Minor interest me, I have selected Business Communication as my first choice because it is the best fit for what I wish to achieve in writing, while also being the most relevant to my major. I have learned important aspects of business writing in my writing classes, and hope to continue developing my written, visual, oral, and collaborative skills in the professional workplace by pursuing this track. ! !Writing and Civic Engagement and Multimedia Communication are my second and third choices, as they also emphasize writing in relation to marketing and professional settings. However, Business Communication is my clear first choice due to its close alignment with my short-term and long-term goals. !!!!

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Résumé!

7  

EIKE$HOFFMANN$!

6582!Sabado!Tarde!Unit!#1,!Goleta,!CA!93117!!|!!(949)!463!8947!!|!!eike@umail.ucsb.edu!!!

SUMMARY$OF$QUALIFICATIONS$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$

! Strong!writing!skills!–!trained!in!drafting!business!letters,!emails,!short!memos,!and!professionalMlooking!brochures!

! Experienced!working!in!journalism!and!writing!in!Spanish!for!both!academic!and!professional!purposes!! Skilled!in!Microsoft!Office!(Word,!PowerPoint,!Excel),!proficient!in!Adobe!Photoshop!

Extensive)use)of)Powerpoint)and)Excel)to)create)multimedia)presentations)and)budget)charts)

Aspiring)photographer)with)experience)using)Photoshop)for)various)blogging)projects)

! Knowledgeable!with!Wordpress,!Twitter,!and!Facebook!from!blogging!and!previous!work!experience!! Professional!working!proficiency!in!Spanish!and!elementary!proficiency!in!German!!!! Capable!of!presenting!in!front!of!an!audience!and!conducting!phone!interviews!! Experienced!in!instruction!through!more!than!two!years!of!piano!tutoring!and!soccer!coaching!! Established!ability!to!perform!and!exercise!leadership!abilities!under!pressure!from!over!ten!years!of!

playing!competitive!soccer!$

EDUCATION$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$

University$of$California,$Santa$Barbara$ $ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $ $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$Anticipated)June)2016$B.A.!in!Economics!&!Accounting!! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!)

M!Minor:!Professional!Writing!!

Anticipated)GPA)after)Fall)Quarter)2015:)3.6!

Education)Abroad)Program)–)University)of)Chile)Spring)2015! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Honors:!Dean’s!List!2!Quarters! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! )

Relevant)Courses:!!

Writing!for!Public!Speaking!!

M improved)interpersonal)communication)skills)and)learned)effective)presentation)methods)

M) created)marketing)materials)that)I)presented)to)an)audience)through)“elevator)pitches”)

M) learned)effective)writing)techniques)in)a)professional/business)context)

M) drafted)business)letters)and)professionalMlooking)brochures)

Financial!Accounting!Analysis!and!Planning!

M) worked)in)a)team)to)create)an)analytical)report)on)Target)Corporation’s)finances);)presented)this)

information)in)front)of)the)class)in)the)form)of)a)sales)pitch)!

RELEVANT$EXPERIENCE$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$

I$Love$Chile$News$–$Chile$News$Ltd.$ $ $ $ $ $ $$$$$$$$ $ $Santiago,$Chile$Journalist)–)emphasis)on)sports,)Photographer) ) ) )))))) )))))))))))))))))) ))March)2015)–)July)2015)$

! Wrote!timeMsensitive!articles!on!various!topics,!often!within!hours!of!attending!an!event!or!conducting!!an!interview!(sometimes!over!the!phone!or!in!Spanish)!

! Attended!events!as!a!press!photographer;!notable!events!include!a!Corona!SunSets!promotion!party!and!the!finals!of!The!North!Face!Master!Bouldering!competition!

! Was!designated!reporter!for!the!Chilean!national!soccer!team!and!covered!its!entire!campaign!in!the!!Copa!America!2015!–!attended!games!and!took!photos!as!well!

$

Phoenix$Institute$of$Desert$Agriculture$(PHIDA),$NGO$ $ $$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$San$Diego,$CA$Social)Networking)Coordinator,)Website)Manager) ) ) ))))))))) ))))))))))August)2012)–)January)2015)$

! CoMmanaged!PHIDA’s!website!(phida.us)!and!its!social!networking!operations!on!a!daily!basis!! Extensively!used!Wordpress,!Facebook!and!Twitter!–!knowledgeable!in!those!platforms!!!! Involved!in!deadlineMintensive!work!such!as!fundraising!calls!and!continuous!email!correspondence!with!

other!organizations!that!wished!to!become!involved!with!our!operation!

! Worked!directly!with!Board!of!Directors,!including!former!U.S.!Congressman!Gary!Condit!

Résumé

8  

Writing Samples!

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Writing For Public Speaking

WRITING 105PS – Writing For Public Speaking!!My writing samples begin here because I am proud of what I learned and accomplished while taking Writing 105PS, the class that wholly affirmed my desire to pursue the Professional Writing Minor. Skills acquired from this class feature heavily on my résumé, and are highly applicable to writing in a professional or business context.!!Writing For Public Speaking gave me the opportunity to conceptually realize and put into writing an old business idea of mine, which I named Flight Guardian. Professor Hanson was instrumental in helping me use direct and enterprising language to market my idea in the most effective way.!!The class also helped me develop another important skill in the world of business: presenting in front of an audience. Constructing and delivering a compelling three-minute sales pitch was one of the most difficult yet fulfilling things I had ever done in school. !!BUSINESS LETTER!My introduction to Flight Guardian comes in the form of an informative yet brief letter to a potential customer. The format of the letterhead is key in this sample.!

BUSINESS MEMO

Here I am appealing to a law firm to invest in my company. Like in the letter, brevity is crucial while including as much information (including data) as possible in order to persuade my audience. The effective use of bullet points in the memo was a main goal of this assignment.!

COMPANY BROCHURE!The final piece to the Flight Guardian project, the company brochure showcases advertising language and persuasive writing in a more visual form. Stinginess with words is key here – the fewer words, the better. !

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!!!

!

flightguardian compensation guaranteed

3526 Von Karman Ave. Irvine, CA 92612 1 800 622 8948

flightguardian.com

!

October!23,!2018!!Mr.!Jeffrey!Hanson,!Founder!Better!Speaking,!LLC!660!El!Bosque!Rd.!Montecito,!CA!93108!!Dear!Mr.!Hanson:!!Thank!you!for!expressing!your!interest!in!Flight!Guardian.!I!am!sorry!to!hear!that!you!will!be!unable!to!attend!our!upcoming!event!in!Los!Angeles.!Hopefully!this!brief!letter!will!address!your!queries!and!give!you!a!general!understanding!of!what!we!do.!!Flight!Guardian!is!a!webTbased!service!that!provides!airline!customers!with!the!legal!resources!necessary!to!enforce!their!compensation!claims.!Each!day,!thousands!of!flight!passengers!fall!victim!to!airline!incompetence!in!the!form!of!overbooked!flights,!cancellations,!and!lost!luggage.!The!considerable!distress!caused!by!these!events!is!often!compounded!by!the!indifference!shown!by!airlines!in!addressing!the!concerns!of!their!customers.!Our!mission!is!to!empower!people!in!combating!this!corporate!invulnerability.!!Flight!Guardian!provides!the!legal!expertise!and!authority!to!help!customers!successfully!claim!their!due!compensations,!even!when!it!means!taking!the!airlines!to!court.!!!I!first!conceived!of!Flight!Guardian!after!my!own!deeply!dissatisfying!flying!experience.!A!long!and!unsuccessful!battle!with!an!airline’s!customer!service!led!me!to!envision!a!gameTchanging!consumer!protection!service!that!could!help!frustrated!passengers!like!me!hold!airlines!to!their!legal!obligations.!This!passionate!goal!of!mine!came!to!fruition!in!the!fall!of!2016,!when!I!launched!Flight!Guardian!with!the!help!of!two!friends!and!an!angel!investor.!!What!began!as!a!simple!application!tracking!flights!in!an!out!of!John!Wayne!Airport!has!expanded!into!a!major!operation!that!has!helped!thousands!of!customers!nationwide!settle!their!airline!disputes.!I!am!pleased!to!say!that!Flight!Guardian!now!has!over!thirty!employees!in!addition!to!the!45!legal!experts!and!attorneys!throughout!the!nation!with!whom!we!have!consultation!agreements.!!!I!hope!this!has!given!you!a!brief!yet!informative!explanation!of!this!company.!Please!visit!our!website,!and!feel!free!to!contact!us!if!you!have!any!further!questions.!!!Sincerely,!!!!Eike!Hoffmann,!CEO!Flight!Guardian,!Inc.!

Business Letter

11  

Business Memo

!!

flightguardian compensation guaranteed

3526 Von Karman Ave. Irvine, CA 92612 1 800 622 8948

flightguardian.com

!

TO:$$ $ De!Graaf!Jones!&!Janssen!LLP!!FROM:$ Eike!Hoffmann,!Flight!Guardian!LLC!DATE:$$ 18!November!2018!SUBJECT:! Partnership!Proposal!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!

You!are!receiving!this!correspondence!as!an!overture!to!a!formal!offer!of!collaboration!and!partnership!between!your!firm!and!Flight!Guardian.!We!believe!such!an!arrangement!would!be!in!your!great!interest,!and!hope!you!will!earnestly!consider!our!proposal!after!reading!this!memorandum.!!!

ABOUT$US$!

Flight!Guardian!is!a!webLbased!service!that!provides!airline!customers!with!the!legal!resources!necessary!to!enforce!their!flight!compensation!claims.!Thousands!of!flyers!each!day!fall!victim!to!airline!incompetence!in!the!form!of!overbooked!flights,!delays,!cancellations,!and!lost!luggage.!In!these!events,!airlines!often!fail!to!honor!passenger!rights!or!properly!address!the!concerns!of!their!customers.1!Our!mission!is!to!help!customers!successfully!pursue!their!deserved!compensations,!even!in!cases!where!a!claim!must!be!settled!in!court.!!!

Our$Success$!

In!this!year!alone,!Flight!Guardian!has!!

• settled!nearly!35,000!claims!in!the!United!States!and!Canada,!• achieved!a!customer!growth!rate!of!10!percent!each!month,!and!• boasted!a!98!percent!success!rate!for!eligible!claims!on!domestic!flights.!!

!

We!have!received!a!significant!amount!of!positive!media!attention!in!the!last!few!months,!with!the!Wall!Street!Journal!recently!acknowledging!our!success!rate!as!“unsurpassed!by!any!competitor.”!Our!policy!of!offering!free!consultation!and!only!charging!commission!on!successful!claims!has!also!given!us!unprecedented!popularity!with!flyers.!!!

Our$Plans$For$The$Future$!

In!the!forthcoming!year,!Flight!Guardian!will!pursue!considerable!expansion.!We!aim!to!become!a!multinational!company!with!customers!worldwide!by!2020.!Making!our!service!available!to!flyers!throughout!the!world!will!give!us!tremendous!growth!potential,!as!nearly!450,000!commercial!flights!are!delayed!worldwide!every!month.2!We!plan!to!first!become!active!in!the!European!Union,!where!almost!70!percent!of!flight!delays!are!due!to!airline!incompetence.3!The!E.U.!also!has!stringent!and!comprehensive!laws!regarding!passenger!rights,!so!we!will!follow!a!similar!claims!process!as!in!the!U.S.!and!Canada.!After!becoming!firmly!established!in!the!E.U.,!we!will!look!to!expand!into!the!Asian!market!and!eventually!make!Flight!Guardian!available!worldwide.!

12  

Business Memo

WE$WANT$YOUR$PARTNERSHIP$!Our!ambitious!plan!to!become!a!multinational!company!with!customers!worldwide!will!require!experienced!attorneys!and!consultants!in!international!aviation!law!to!be!contracted!to!Flight!Guardian!on!a!stable!basis.!After!months!of!careful!deliberation,!we!have!identified!De!Graaf!Jones!&!Janssen!LLP!as!the!ideal!legal!partner!for!Flight!Guardian.!!What$We$Need$!Flight!Guardian’s!current!workforce!comprises!of!fewer!than!55!copywriters!and!other!employees,!mostly!based!at!our!office!in!Orange!County,!California.!Until!now,!we!have!also!relied!on!hiring!independent!attorneys!on!a!caseLbyLcase!basis.!!!We!would!like!your!firm!to!provide!us!the!following:!!

• Legal!consultants!and!attorneys!for!claims!purposes!• Legal!and!financial!aid!in!cases!of!litigation!against!us!• Use!of!your!offices!in!New!York,!London,!and!continental!Europe!as!contact!centers!

for!our!service!!By!providing!us!with!your!extensive!legal!infrastructure!throughout!the!world,!Flight!Guardian!will!be!able!to!quickly!become!available!to!international!customers.!!What$We$Have$To$Offer$!Flight!Guardian’s!financial!situation!is!strong,!and!we!are!wellLpoised!to!expand!without!incurring!major!debt.!This!year!we!took!in!approximately!$2!million!in!revenue,!and!our!logistical!analysts!project!Flight!Guardian’s!customer!base!in!the!U.S.!and!Canada!to!triple!in!2019.!Expansion!into!the!worldwide!market!will!certainly!increase!both!our!revenue!and!the!value!of!our!company!by!enormous!proportions.!!In!return!for!providing!us!considerable!legal!resources!that!will!allow!us!to!expand!globally,!we!are!prepared!to!offer!De!Graaf!Jones!&!Janssen!significant!equity!in!our!company.!PartLownership!of!Flight!Guardian!can!yield!massive!financial!gains!for!your!firm,!as!a!successful!expansion!will!cause!our!valuation!to!skyrocket.!Together,!we!can!benefit!tremendously!from!such!an!arrangement.!!We!hope!this!memorandum!has!given!you!a!brief!explanation!of!why!your!firm!should!consider!becoming!an!integral!part!of!our!exciting!project.!With!your!help,!Flight!Guardian!will!grow!into!an!incredibly!successful!and!profitable!company!with!global!reach.!If!we!have!successfully!piqued!your!interest,!please!contact!us!so!we!can!provide!you!with!greater!details.!We!hope!to!hear!from!you!soon.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!Marty!Fulgueira!Elfenbein!&!Katherine!Abigail!Roberts,!“Stranded:!Navigating!Aviation!Delay!Damages!Under!the!Montreal!Convention,”!The$Florida$Bar$Journal!(SeptemberLOctober!2014),!21L29.!!2!Flight!Stats,!Global$Cancellations$and$Delays,!http://www.flightstats.com/go/Media/stats.do?region=northAmerica&queryDate=last30Days!3!Bureau!of!Transportation!Statistics,!Understanding$the$Reporting$of$Causes$of$Flight$Delays$and$Cancellations,!http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/help/aviation/html/understanding.html#q6!

13  

Company Brochure

!

!!

!

flightguardian!compensation guaranteed!

Flight'Guardian'LLC''

3625%Von%Karman%Ave.%Irvine,%CA%

16800662268948%flightguardian.com%

Are'you'a'victim'of'airline'

incompetence?''

You%are%likely%owed%compensation%or%a%

refund%if%you%have%ever%%

Been%involuntarily%bumped%off%a%flight%

and/or%

Arrived%at%your%destination%more%than%three%hours%later%than%your%scheduled%arrival%

time%and/or%

Had%your%luggage%lost%or%did%not%receive%your%luggage%at%

arrival1%%

Sound%like%you?%%Flight%Guardian%makes%

claiming%your%refund%easy!%%

1%US%Department%of%Transportation,%A"Consumer"Guide"to"Air"Travel,%%http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov%2%Bureau%of%Transportation%Statistics,%Understanding"the"Reporting"of"Causes"of"Flight"Delays"and"Cancellations,%http://www.rita.dot.gov%3%Marty%Fulgeira%Elfenbeim%&%Katherine%Abigail%Roberts,%“Stranded:%Navigating%Aviation%Delay%Damages%Under%the%Montreal%Convention,”%The"Florida"Bar"Journal%(September6October%2014),%21629.%%

File%your%claim%at%flightguardian.com'

Questions?%Visit%our%website%or%call%our%%toll6free%number%at%16800662268948%

!

CLAIM'YOUR'REFUND'IN'FOUR'SIMPLE'STEPS'

!

!!!!!!!!!!!%%%%%%%%%%

!

!!!!!!!!!!!%%%%%%%%%%%%

Register'your'claim'and'flight'info'on'our'website'

Our'excellent'legal'team'is'prepared'to'take'your'claim'

to'court'if'necessary''

We'negotiate'with'the'airline'

You'receive'your'refund'in'the'mail''

FLY'WITH'PEACE'OF'MIND'

More%than%100,000%flights%in%the%U.S.%are%cancelled%or%delayed%each%month%because%of%airline%incompetence.2%%

Founded%by%a%disgruntled%airline%passenger%in%2016,%Flight%Guardian%has%helped%thousands%of%flyers%claim%their%compensations,%boasting%a%98%percent%success%rate%and%a%%92%day%resolution%time,%the%quickest%in%the%field.%

A%simple%and%effective%way%to%get%your%money%back%

No%win,%no%fee%%Our%service%is%commission6based.%If%your%claim%is%unsuccessful,%%you%owe%us%nothing.%%

Airlines%are%legally%obligated%to%compensate%or%offer%refunds%to%passengers%who%are%victims%of%their%wrongdoing,%but%often%take%advantage%of%the%fact%that%most%flyers%are%unaware%of%their%rights.3%

Simple,%user6friendly%interface%%Flightguardian.com%is%designed%so%that%you%can%file%your%claim%in%less%than%%five%minutes!%

14  

Legal Writing

WRITING 107L – Legal Writing!!Legal Writing was the first writing class I took at UCSB, and my introduction into the world of technical writing. I enrolled out of my desire to become more knowledgeable in legal processes, and did not necessarily expect to find this type of writing interesting. !!However, I loved the class. Drafting case briefs and memorandums after doing arduous legal research was a valuable experience that improved my ability to process and deconstruct information into concise statements and arguments. I especially liked the clarity and precision that technical writing requires, though it often wasn’t easy for someone prone to writing unnecessarily long sentences. !!Legal writing is relevant to a business context in that it is technical and argument-based. I find it to be similar to translation because it involves deducing understandable language from dense legal discourse. My ability to identify arguments and support them with evidence greatly benefited from taking this class. !!LEGAL MEMO

This sample is the first and last page of a legal memo presenting all the known information regarding a situation that may potentially lead to litigation. It is organized so that the person reading it clearly understands all the factors in play. Key to the memo is the systematic and chronological organization of information, as well as the conclusion containing a recommended path forward.

ADVOCACY LETTER!This letter demonstrates the classic means of persuasion, using appeals to authority, emotion, and logic to convince the recipient of the legal arguments. As the situation in question is fairly sensitive, careful wording is key.!

15  

Legal Memo

To:$$ $ Mr.$James$Donelan,$Supervisor$

From:$$$ Eike$Hoffmann,$Paralegal$

Date:$$ $ September$19,$2013$

RE:$$ $ Widow’s$Claim$to$Estate$of$Deceased$Husband$

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

$

Statement$of$the$Assignment$

$

You$asked$me$to$evaluate$the$situation$regarding$the$widow$Francine$Underwood’s$claim$

to$the$estate$of$her$deceased$husband$Frank$Underwood.$

$

Issues$Presented$$

$

Mrs.$Underwood’s$claim$to$the$estate$of$her$deceased$husband,$which$may$face$

contestation$from$a$Mr.$Bob$Berenson,$is$contingent$on$a$number$of$conditions:$$

$

I. Does$Frank$Underwood’s$will,$drafted$yet$unsigned,$carry$the$force$of$law?$

II. If$Mr.$Underwood$is$found$to$have$died$intestate,$do$the$intestate$succession$

laws$of$Massachusetts$or$Florida$apply$to$his$estate?$

III. Is$Mrs.$Underwood$the$sole$surviving$spouse$of$Frank$Underwood?$

a. Did$Mr.$Underwood$and$Bob$Berenson’s$eight$years$of$cohabitation$in$Massachusetts$constitute$a$legally$recognized$commonTlaw$marriage?$

IV. Is$Mr.$Berenson$entitled$to$any$of$Mr.$Underwood’s$intestate$property$in$light$of$

their$cohabitation?$

a. What$can$Mr.$Berenson$claim$regarding$Mr.$Underwood’s$Massachusetts$property$if$he$can$establish$that$he$has$paid$for$a$portion$of$the$mortgage?$

V. Is$Frank$Jr.,$legally$coTadopted$by$Mr.$Underwood$and$Mr.$Berenson$in$

Massachusetts,$considered$Mr.$Underwood’s$legal$son$in$Florida?$

VI. What$inheritance$rights$does$Mrs.$Underwood’s$unborn$child$with$Frank$

Underwood$have?$$

VII. Who$is$the$beneficiary$of$Mr.$Underwood’s$IRA?$

$

Facts$

$

In$April$of$2004,$Frank$Underwood$purchased$a$house$in$Boston,$Massachusetts,$which$he$

occupied$with$Bob$Berenson$for$eight$years$until$July$of$2012.$During$this$time,$Mr.$

Underwood$and$Mr.$Berenson$legally$coTadopted$a$boy,$Frank$Jr.,$who$is$now$two$years$old.$

After$leaving$his$Massachusetts$home$–$where$Mr.$Berenson$and$Frank$Jr.$still$live$–$in$

2012,$Mr.$Underwood$moved$to$Tampa,$Florida,$where$he$met$and$married$Francine$

Dashiell$in$January$of$this$year$(2013).$Francine$(Mrs.$Underwood)$became$pregnant$with$

Frank’s$child$seven$months$later$in$July.$During$this$time,$the$two$had$begun$to$work$on$

various$estate$plans.$However,$Mr.$Underwood$died$suddenly$under$accidental$

circumstances$on$August$3.$His$will$remains$unsigned$and$unnotarized.$$

$

$

$

16  

Legal Memo

$Mrs.$Underwood’s$unborn$baby$will$be$born$after$the$death$of$its$father,$but$will$also$be$the$father’s$only$[known]$biological$child.$The$child$is$thereby$an$heir$of$Frank$Underwood$according$to$Florida’s$intestate$succession$laws,$in$the$event$that$Mrs.$Underwood$dies.$§732.106$Fla.$Stat.$(2012).$Any$heir$conceived$before$the$death$of$the$decedent,$but$born$thereafter,$will$inherit$intestate$property$as$if$they$had$been$born$during$the$decedent’s$lifetime.$Mrs.$Underwood’s$unborn$child$is$therefore$set$to$inherit$whatever$share$of$Frank$Underwood’s$estate$goes$to$its$mother.$$

$VII. The$disposition$of$Mr.$Underwood’s$IRA$is$contingent$on$who$has$been$named$

the$beneficiary.$$Mr.$Underwood$leaves$behind$an$IRA$worth$$100,000.$Since$an$IRA$is$not$subject$to$intestate$succession$laws,$the$disposition$of$his$IRA$will$be$determined$by$whomever$Mr.$Underwood$named$as$his$beneficiary.$Unlike$with$a$401k,$an$IRA$is$subject$to$state$law$rather$than$the$rules$of$the$federal$Employee$Retirement$Income$Security$Act,$meaning$the$spouse$is$not$automatically$designated$the$beneficiary$of$the$account.$Even$if$the$majority$of$the$IRA$has$been$rolled$over$from$a$401k,$Mrs.$Underwood$would$be$unable$to$claim$the$asset$if$she$is$not$named$beneficiary.$The$beneficiary$named$on$the$IRA$should$therefore$receive$the$full$amount.$$$

$Conclusion$$Because$she$is$the$sole$surviving$spouse$of$Frank$Underwood,$Mrs.$Underwood$is$entitled$to$half$of$his$estate$under$Florida’s$intestate$succession$laws.$Likewise$Frank$Jr.,$who$is$recognized$by$the$State$of$Florida$as$a$legitimate$descendant$of$Mr.$Underwood.$Mr.$Berenson,$despite$living$with$Mr.$Underwood$for$eight$years,$stands$to$inherit$none$of$his$intestate$property.$However,$ownership$of$the$Massachusetts$home$remains$under$question.$Assuming$that$the$house$was$jointly$purchased$with$a$Tenants$in$Common$title,$Mr.$Underwood’s$stake$could$be$inherited$by$Mr.$Berenson,$Mrs.$Underwood,$Frank$Jr.,$or$someone$else$entirely.$The$disposition$of$Mr.$Underwood’s$IRA$also$depends$on$who$has$been$named$beneficiary.$In$conclusion,$the$estate$of$Frank$Underwood$should$be$split$evenly$between$Francine$Underwood$and$Frank$Jr.$(whose$beneficiary$is$Mr.$Berenson),$while$determining$the$beneficiaries$of$Mr.$Underwood’s$Massachusetts$home$and$IRA$requires$further$examination$of$contractual$obligations.$$$Recommendations$$It$appears$that$Mrs.$Underwood’s$claim$to$half$of$Frank$Underwood’s$estate$has$strong$legal$standing.$While$it$is$quite$clear$how$the$estate$should$be$split,$the$ambiguity$regarding$the$Massachusetts$home$could$make$things$complicated$for$all$parties$involved.$I$respectfully$recommend$that$we$enquire$further$about$the$details$of$the$house$and$the$IRA$so$as$to$ensure$that$Mrs.$Underwood$receives$what$she$is$due.$

17  

Advocacy Letter

Donelan'&'Associates'93'Independence'Ln.'Tampa,'FL'33160'813=900=3680'

correspondence@donelanassoc.com'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ''September'30,'2014''Mr.'Bob'Berenson'684'Wheat'Street'Boston,'MA'02108''RE:'Regarding'the'Estate'of'Frank'Underwood''Dear'Mr.'Berenson:''We'at'Donelan'&'Associates'are'contacting'you'on'behalf'of'our'client,'Mrs.'Francine'Underwood.'After'reviewing'the'estate'of'Mr.'Frank'Underwood,'we'have'come'to'the'conclusion'that'a'settlement'would'represent'the'best'course'of'action'for'all'parties'involved.'Given'the'facts'of'the'matter,'we'believe'this'settlement'to'be'an'attractive'alternative'to'protracted'litigation.'''While'we'by'no'means'question'that'you'have'produced'a'legitimate'marriage'certificate'between'you'and'Mr.'Underwood,'it'does'not'change'the'fact'that'–'on'January'6,'2014'–'our'client'entered'into'what'she'believed'to'be'a'legal'marriage'with'the'same'man.'This'union'took'place'here'in'Tampa,'where'Mr.'and'Mrs.'Underwood'purchased'a'house'and'lived'until'Mr.'Underwood’s'death'on'August'3.'Mrs.'Underwood'has'clearly'expressed'that'she'had'no'knowledge'of'Mr.'Underwood’s'prior'marriage,'as'he'never'mentioned'to'her'that'the'two'of'you'had'cohabited'for'eight'years'and'had'even'adopted'a'child'together.'She'also'insists'that'she'would'never'have'married'Mr.'Underwood'had'she'been'aware'of'his'bigamy.''In'light'of'the'latest'ruling'on'Florida’s'constitutional'ban'on'same=sex'marriage'by'the'U.S.'District'Court'in'Tallahassee,'we'acknowledge'that'the'State'of'Florida'must'recognize'your'marriage'to'Mr.'Underwood.'However,'while'this'may'effectively'invalidate'Mrs.'Underwood’s'marriage,'she'maintains'her'full'rights'as'a'legal'spouse.'As'her'marriage'to'Mr.'Underwood'was'not'considered'putative'until'recently,'the'house'that'they'bought'together'in'January'was'legally'held'as'tenants'by'entirety.'For'this'reason,'the'legal'foundations'of'Mrs.'Underwood’s'ownership'of'the'house'are'beyond'question.'''Although'the'putative'spouse'doctrine'is'not'strictly'defined'by'case'law'in'the'State'of'Florida,'there'is'common'law'protection'for'the'putative'spouse.'Because'Mrs.'Underwood'believed'in'good'faith'that'her'marriage'was'valid,'she'is'entitled'to'the'same'marital'property'rights'as'a'legal'spouse.'Take,'for'example,'the'ruling'made'by'the'Supreme'Court'of'Nevada'in'Williams'v.'Williams,'120'Nev.'559,'97,'P.3d'1124'(2004).'In'this'case,'the'

18  

Advocacy Letter

Court'ruled'that'the'defendant'and'plaintiff,'a'couple'whose'marriage'was'annulled'due'to'the'defendant’s'bigamy'–'had'to'divide'their'property'under'the'same'rules'as'it'would'have'been'had'the'pair'been'legally'married.'Adopting'the'putative'spouse'doctrine,'the'Court'determined'that'an'individual'whose'marriage'is'void'is'treated'as'a'spouse'as'long'as'they'seek'equitable'relief'and'participated'in'their'marriage'in'good'faith.'''Regarding'Mr.'Underwood’s'IRA,'the'lack'of'a'named'beneficiary'means'that'we'could'be'locked'in'an'endless'legal'dispute'(IRAs'do'not'automatically'rollover'to'a'surviving'spouse’s'account'unless'explicitly'stated),'an'outcome'that'is'financially'undesirable'for'all'parties'involved.'Due'to'the'ambiguity'surrounding'the'IRA’s'origin'and'accumulation'(Mr.'Underwood'had'not'yet'retired'at'the'time'of'his'death,'and'was'still'contributing'towards'his'retirement),'Mrs.'Underwood'requests'that'the'money'is'placed'into'trust'funds'for'the'children'–'25'percent'for'her'unborn'child'and'75'percent'for'Frank'Jr.''''''We'request'that'you'make'no'further'claims'to'Mrs.'Underwood’s'Tampa'home'and'any'of'Frank'Underwood’s'intestate'property'here'in'Florida,'and'that'Mrs.'Underwood’s'unborn'child'receives'25'percent'of'the'money'in'the'IRA.'''This'dispute'has'taken'a'significant'toll'on'Mrs.'Underwood,'who'is'struggling'to'come'to'terms'with'the'shocking'invalidation'of'her'marriage'in'addition'to'the'unexpected'death'of'her'partner.'We'ask'that'you,'as'a'single'(and'widowed)'parent'yourself,'recognize'that'our'client'wants'this'heartbreaking'affair'quickly'resolved'so'as'to'normalize'her'life'again'as'soon'as'possible.'We'look'forward'to'hearing'your'response'to'our'offer,'and'trust'that'you'are'equally'committed'to'a'hasty'resolution.''Sincerely'yours,''Eike'Hoffmann'Junior'Partner'at'Donelan'&'Associates'''

19  

Journalism Writing

WRITING 107J – Journalism Writing!!Journalism not only emphasizes precise research and gathering of facts, but also speed and spontaneity. For this reason, Writing 107J was probably the most stressful of the three writing classes I took. !!One of my greatest problems in writing has always been my own lethargy. It sometimes takes me forever to write a single sentence because I dote on each and every word. Unless a sentence sounds perfect in my mind, I struggle to move on. !!Writing 107J helped me tackle this issue and dramatically improve my ability to write quickly. Journalism also taught me how to present the most information in the fewest words. Being economical with words is also very important in business writing. !!My biggest achievement in the class was writing a full-length feature article. In addition to all the necessary research involved, this assignment required me to be adventurous and leave my comfort zone. Setting up interview appointments, conducting interviews over the phone, and contacting a major newspaper for information were all valuable new experiences for me. !!FEATURE ARTICLE: REVISITING MEASURE P!This sample includes the first page of my feature article (9 pages in total), an in-depth examination of the student movement behind the Measure P ballot initiative last fall. Despite its length, the article maintains brevity as well as a rigid, content-heavy structure. The writing is less technical than in the other samples, however, and uses a more conversational tone that draws the reader in. !!!!!

20  

Feature Article: Revisiting Measure P

This%article%would%be%featured%in%the%Santa%Barbara%Independent,%the%largest%circulated%newspaper%in%Santa%Barbara%County.%The%Independent%was%heavily%involved%in%the%debate%over%Measure%P,%and%readers%would%find%this%article%interesting%because%of%its%focus%on%ordinary%students%at%a%local%university%trying%to%make%a%difference%with%limited%resources.%%%Revisiting)Measure)P:)A)Victory)for)Student)Activism)!By!Eike!Hoffmann%%7%PM,%Nov.%13,%2014.%The%air%was%cold%enough%that%six%warmlyIclad%individuals,%standing%in%

a%close%huddle%outside%UC%Santa%Barbara’s%university%center,%could%see%their%breaths%ascend%

to%the%starry%black%canvas%above.%The%voices%emanating%from%the%group%were%low%but%

purposeful,%with%the%phrase%“Measure%P”%a%frequent%refrain%in%the%conversation.%

%

When%they%had%last%convened%nine%days%earlier,%these%same%six%individuals%watched%in%bitter%

disappointment%as%the%oftIrepeated%Measure%P%headed%towards%a%heavy%electionInight%

defeat.%After%a%halfIyear%of%tireless%campaigning%and%sleepless%nights,%the%efforts%of%

hundreds%of%grassroots%volunteers%and%environmental%activists%ultimately%came%up%short.%%%

%

A%county%ballot%initiative%that%sought%to%eliminate%all%of%the%local%oil%and%gas%industry’s%new%

drilling%operations,%Measure%P%attracted%unprecedented%nationwide%media%attention%due%to%

the%industry’s%enormous%financial%outlay%to%defeat%it.%However,%little%recognition%was%given%

to%the%many%student%organizations%that%succeeded%in%getting%more%than%10,000%people%in%

Isla%Vista%and%UCSB%to%vote%on%Nov.%4.%%

%

Although%Measure%P%was%ultimately%unsuccessful,%the%prominent%role%of%student%activism%in%

campaigning%for%the%initiative%was%indicative%of%heightened%environmental%awareness%and%

proactivity%among%the%young%generation.%%

)

Taking)Positives)From)Defeat%

%

Student%activism%is%an%increasing%force%in%Santa%Barbara%County,%a%regular%battleground%

between%industry%and%environmentalists.%Agriculture%is%the%largest%industry%in%the%county%

21  

Journalism in Chile

Journalism in Chile!!!While studying abroad in Chile, I got the opportunity to work as a journalist for the most widely-read English-language news outlet in the country. I wrote articles spanning many topics for I Love Chile (yes, that is unfortunately its actual name), and sometimes conducted interviews in Spanish that I had to transcribe back into English. !!This experience gave me a taste of real-world journalism and the chance to practice what I learned in class at a professional level (I wasn’t paid, but hey). The majority of my articles were written in less than two hours, and showcase my ability to write under pressure. !!I LOVE CHILE ARTICLE: THE DREAM IS REAL!!Viva Chile! My last article for I Love Chile was written after Chile won the Copa America soccer tournament that I covered. I include this as a writing sample because, although sports journalism may not be so relevant to business communication, it demonstrates my versatility as a writer.!

22  

I Love Chile Article: The Dream Is Real

23  

Financial Accounting and Analysis

Financial Statements and Analysis!!!The most useful accounting class I have taken so far, Financial Accounting and Analysis involved analytical writing on data and research. The final project consisted of a 30-page collaborative report (and presentation) on a public company’s financial statements and performance outlook. !!Working in a team is a crucial part of the business environment. The final project helped me improve my ability to write and coordinate with a team, as well as practice presenting in front of an audience. !!TARGET CORP. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS REPORT!I include this writing sample because it is business-related and part of a collaborative project. The report in its entirety was written in about five days, and I made the final edit to ensure the individual sections flowed smoothly together (there were five others in the team). We then presented the report to the class in the form of a sales pitch, telling our classmates to shop at Target but not to buy its stock. !

24  

!

1.0!Executive!Summary!!

The!purpose!of!this!report!is!to!provide!a!comprehensive!and!beneficial!analysis!of!

Target!Corporation!by!a!thorough!examination!of!its!financial!data!and!business!model.!We!

hope!to!present!information!that!will!be!useful!to!potential!investors!of!the!company!and!

other!interested!parties.!A!major!retail!giant!operating!in!the!United!States!and!Canada,!

Target!Corporation!has!come!to!rival!WalAMart!Stores,!Inc.!in!many!sectors!of!the!market.1!

Its!success!in!recent!decades!can!be!largely!attributed!to!its!emphasis!on!customer!and!

guest!services!as!well!as!a!“more!for!less”!sales!strategy.2!Target!offers!a!wide!range!of!

products,!including!clothing,!groceries,!and!electronics.!Additionally,!the!company!is!

devoted!to!making!a!difference!in!the!community!through!both!donations!and!service.3!

In!this!report,!we!will!provide!many!common!size!analyses!and!a!variety!of!

accounting!ratios!of!many!important!and!outstanding!accounts!to!educate!investors!about!

the!company’s!health!and!competitive!standing.!Our!aim!is!to!present!future!investors!and!

concerned!individuals!with!enough!analytical!data!so!that!they!can!make!an!informed!

investment!decision.!!

Our!examination!will!include!a!fundamental!outline!of!corporate!structure!and!

management!procedures.!We!will!focus!on!Target!Corporation’s!primary!markets,!potential!

competitive!concerns,!and!reveal!the!company’s!economic!climate!by!examining!financial!

statements!and!accompanying!Notes.!Analyzing!these!areas!will!provide!a!crucial!insight!

into!the!company’s!position!and!future!longevity.!!Additional!breakdown!of!a!section!of!

Target’s!financial!statements—including!the!Balance!Sheet,!Income!Statement,!Statement!

of!Cash!Flows,!and!Statement!of!Stockholder’s!Equity—!will!identify!the!company’s!

strengths!and!weaknesses,!as!well!as!provide!comparative!data!with!Target’s!major!

competitors.!!This!combination!of!analytic!processes!will!deliver!a!concise!yet!complete!

analysis!for!all!interested!parties!to!make!informed!and!logical!investment!decisions.!

1!http://www.cbsnews.com/news/walmartAandAtargetAaAtaleAofAtwoAdiscountAchains/!2!http://pressroom.target.com/corporate!3!https://corporate.target.com/about/missionAvalues!

Target Corp. Financial Analysis Report

25  

3.1.2!Credit!Card!Revenue!!

Credit!Card!Revenue!201182013!(in!millions)!! 2013! 2012! 2011!Sales! 72,596! 71,960! 68,466!Credit!Card!Revenue! AAAAAA! 1,341! 1,399!Total!Revenue! 72,596! 73,301! 69,865!

!!The!2013!income!statement!omits!revenues!from!the!company’s!Target!Credit!Card!

and!Target!Visa!portfolios.!Income!from!these!two!operations!is!now!classified!within!SG&A!

expenses!following!their!sale!to!TD!Bank,!N.A.!for!$5.7!billion.!The!bank!now!underwrites!

and!owns!all!receivables!related!to!those!credit!card!portfolios,!with!Target!still!receiving!a!

significant!portion!of!their!revenues.!The!company!has!stated!that!it!would!use!90!percent!

of!those!profits!to!reduce!its!debt,!with!the!remaining!money!used!to!buy!back!shares.4!

Target!earned!a!net!$555!million!from!this!new!profitAsharing!arrangement!with!TD!Bank!

in!2013.!!

Prior!to!the!sale!of!the!two!credit!card!portfolios,!Target!retail!sales!charged!on!

those!two!credit!cards!totaled!$5,807!million!and!$4,686!million!in!2012!and!2011,!

respectively.!However,!credit!card!revenues!recorded!in!those!two!years!show!

substantially!lower!totals.!Additionally,!the!$5.7!billion!sale!value!was!a!significant!decline!

from!the!$8!billion!valuation!of!the!portfolios!in!2011.5!Target’s!sale!of!its!credit!card!

portfolios!is!indicative!of!an!industry!trend!in!which!retailers!are!selling!their!financing!

operations!to!banks!and!other!issuers.!!

!

3.1.4!Operating!Expenses!! Target’s!total!operating!expenses!have!increased!from!$14.9!billion!to!$15.4!billion!

in!the!past!year.!This!growth!amounts!to!a!growth!rate!of!3.09!percent.!When!compared!to!

Target’s!Net!Sales!growth!rate!of!0.89!percent,!one!can!surmise!that!the!amount!of!money!

Target!contributes!towards!operating!its!stores!is!not!proportional!to!the!amount!of!money!

its!stores!generate.!!

! 4!http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2012/10/23/targetAsellsAcreditAcardsAtoAtdAbank.html 5!http://tcbmag.com/News/RecentANews/2014/January/HowATargetsACreditACardAPortfolioAFaringAAfter

Target Corp. Financial Analysis Report