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JANUARY 2026
901-388-5805 DouglassRunger.com
The Southern Belle Who Has My Heart Opposites in Pace, Partners in Life
When I first saw Jodi, it was like Reese Witherspoon from “Legally Blonde” walked right into my world. A pretty lawyer with a southern accent and a cheery disposition, whose email address was literally happydaisy@hotmail.com; it was a sweet sign of her upbeat personality that spoke to me. Before I ever met her, she was exactly the type of Southern belle with high energy I always saw myself settling down with. Years and many adventures later, she’s still the person who taught me patience, makes me laugh, and always manages to keep me on my toes. I married Jodi in 2007, and with Spouse’s Day on Jan. 26, it’s just one more excuse to celebrate my fashionable, supportive, independent, and sassy wife. We met at the University of Memphis Law School in 2003. I don’t remember all of the details about our very first conversation, but I do remember being drawn to her happy
attitude and Tennessee roots. For our first date, I took her to a Memphis Grizzlies game. My buddy had somehow managed to get us courtside seats, and I played it cool, as if this was just how I attended every game, which was hilarious to me. We bonded over our upbringing in the same part of the state, and Jodi had this energy that balanced out my reserved nature. We’re both very independent and share a love of travel. She had grown up in a small town, and I think she was drawn to the fact that I had lived in big cities, as well as a foreign country, and traveled the world at a young age. We’ve traveled all over the country (and world, for that matter) over the past 22 years. When we’re not exploring new cities, we like to play tennis together, lie around the house, swim, and regularly go to see movies at the actual movie theater. We’re both very into Christmas, so we enjoy decorating for the holidays. Jodi loves shopping and has a keen sense of fashion. She was even an influencer before those were a thing, and she likes to take credit for my fashion sense as well. Jodi has taught me a lot … definitely patience. I do everything fast (eating, working, reading), and she’s just one of those people who does everything slow. Our marriage has taught me to accept the people you love as they are. Personal development is important to me, and she taught me it’s okay to speak up when your standards aren’t being met. I grew up with the mentality that sometimes you just accept things the way they are, and you don’t complain. She’s shown me that if people say they’re going to deliver on something (whether
it’s a company, restaurant or professional services), they need to follow through.
People will say that partnerships are 50–50, but they rarely are. If you’re going to keep score all the time, it’s not going to work out. You have to embrace your partner’s quirks. She’s also taught me to be a fierce advocate for my own health and the health of my loved ones. She can be pointed, relentless, and even pushy about encouraging people in her life to take care of themselves, but I’ve seen it have a massive impact on her friends and family on several occasions. In terms of business, she’s been incredibly valuable to me and our firm. She’s a fantastic lawyer who has worked at various-sized law firms, so she is a great sounding board for me and provides solid advice. Jodi has sacrificed a lot in her personal career and those sacrifices allowed me to grow the firm. I look forward to supporting her in the future, whether it’s helping her with her own entrepreneurial goals or some future joint venture with her. We’ve been married nearly 20 years now, and I’ve never lost interest or gotten bored. I genuinely just love being around her. We have a solid foundation of friendship, and she always keeps me on my toes. I’m grateful every day for the woman who walked into my life with a bright smile and sweet southern drawl, pushing me and loving me, and filling my life with fun. I never want to have a day without her.
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More Than Mood Swings
The Science Behind Adolescent Brain Development
SLEEP SHIFTS If you’ve ever noticed teens staying up late and struggling to wake up, there’s science behind it. During adolescence, melatonin (the sleep hormone) kicks in later, shifting the natural sleep cycle. Unfortunately, early school start times mean that many teenagers don’t get enough rest, which can hurt focus, mood, and impulse control. MENTAL HEALTH TRIGGERS Adolescence is also when many mental health conditions first appear, from anxiety to depression. The rapid brain changes, hormonal shifts, and social stress make this a vulnerable period. Yet, the same flexibility that makes the brain sensitive also makes it resilient. With support, healthy habits, and stability, teens can develop strong coping skills and thrive. THE BIG PICTURE The teen brain isn’t broken. It’s under construction. Yes, it can be unpredictable, but it’s also primed for growth, adventure, and innovation. With patience, guidance, and encouragement, we can help teens channel that powerful development into building amazing futures.
Even though the brain reaches nearly adult size by early adolescence, it’s far from finished. The teen years are a period of massive remodeling. Neural pathways are strengthened or pruned depending on how often they’re used. This process, called synaptic pruning and myelination (insulating nerve fibers for faster communication), makes the brain more efficient but more sensitive to outside influences. THE EMOTIONAL ‘GAS PEDAL’ VS. RATIONAL ‘BRAKES’ Here’s the tricky part: The limbic system, which processes emotion and reward, develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for planning, judgment, and self-control. This uneven growth explains why teens sometimes act impulsively or take risks, especially in social situations. Scientists call this the dual systems model, where their emotional “gas pedal” is pressed before their rational “brakes” are fully installed. RISK AND REWARD While this imbalance can make adolescents more vulnerable to reckless choices, it also makes them incredible learners. The teen brain is wired for exploration, novelty, and social connection. This sensitivity to reward can fuel creativity, adaptability, and growth.
When Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset AI Helps You Stay One Step Ahead
CAPTURE LEADS INSTANTLY If you want to respond more quickly to your clients or potential customers, AI can help ensure you never miss a message, even after hours. You can automate appointment scheduling and use smart intake forms to gather information about your demographic. Chatbots can answer questions immediately and flag high-priority requests and inquiries. Not only does this make sure clients feel seen and taken care of, but it also frees up you and your staff to focus on other tasks. AI can be a powerful tool for your business in 2026, helping to take administrative tasks off your plate, generate first drafts of contracts, and gain a better understanding of your compliance with regulations. AI is not a substitute for sound legal advice; it’s a support system. If you’re ready to pair the efficiency of AI with experienced legal counsel, contact us at Douglass & Runger.
When you’re running a small business, you have to wear many hats at once. But managing the processes that are the foundation of your company doesn’t have to be one of them if you utilize the right tools. AI can be a game-changer, helping you automate document reviews, streamline compliance, and even flag potential risks before they become costly issues. SPEED UP DOCUMENT REVIEWS Reviewing essential business documents is a timely but necessary step for your business. AI
tools can quickly analyze, sort, and pull out key details from documents, making it easier to see what may need updating. These tools help to reduce the chance of missing essential clauses or misunderstanding technical legal language. The AI document-review software can also highlight terms in your agreements or contracts that may be at risk of non-compliance. DRAFT AGREEMENTS AUTOMATICALLY AI is especially helpful for the administrative tasks that can bog you down on any given workday. Generative tools can assist you in proofreading, billing, and creating solid first drafts of contracts or written communications. The more AI learns about your business goals, processes, and policies, the easier it is for it to draft documents that align with them. It can note your language preferences and streamline your workflow. One practical use of these tools is to create customized templates for various documents you’ll need down the line.
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A new year offers more than just a chance to make aspirational New Year’s resolutions that we’ll pursue as time allows. For small-business owners, this is an opportunity to really chart a clearer course to reach your professional goals. You can step into 2026 with a real roadmap if you can identify your career, personal, and financial goals and put them into action. When your objectives are written down, structured with deadlines, and connected to actionable steps, you give yourself a framework for success. IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS As simple as it sounds, your business planning for the new year should start by identifying specific goals in all aspects of your life, not just your company. Make sure you are still clear on the core purpose that drives your business and that it aligns with your personal and financial goals. Physically write these down, listing your primary or top targets and then smaller objectives. You can then identify areas where they may overlap or conflict. SET SMART DEADLINES Once you have specific goals, you need to create a structure, establish self- accountability, and take reasonable steps to accomplish them. The SMART goal-setting method is a popular way to approach a business plan. It stands for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. You should always create a timeline for yourself so that your goals don’t end up at the bottom of your to-do list. Figure out what has to happen between now and the deadline you’ve given yourself to achieve your vision. Plan With Purpose A Road Map That Actually Works for Your Business
Inspired by TheViewFromGreatIsland.com
Rustic French Pistachio Cake
Ingredients • 2 cups heavy cream, cold •
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1 1/4 cups sugar 1 tbsp vanilla paste 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped, plus extra for topping Powdered sugar for dusting
1 1/2 cups (minus 1 tbsp) all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
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3 large eggs
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F, then butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. 2. Whip cold cream until it forms firm peaks, then refrigerate. 3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. 4. Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 5. Fold pistachios and flour mixture into egg mixture. 6. Gently fold cream into the batter until no streaks remain. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. 7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until puffed and golden on top. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. 8. Dust with powdered sugar and top with pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature! INSPIRATION “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” —Robin Sharma
INTEGRATE YOUR PLAN Once you have your roadmap, allocate resources and time to it. You should communicate with your team so that everyone is clear on the overall vision and their respective responsibilities. If it’s necessary, provide training and support so your staff have the tools they need to carry it out. Check in regularly on your progress and invite feedback so you can continue to fine-tune your plan. By setting SMART goals and sticking to your timeline, you can turn intentions into real results in both your personal and professional life. Once you have your road map in place, contact us at Douglass & Runger. We can ensure that every legal detail lines up with your plan.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Why I Still Wake Up Grateful for Her 2 The Brain Science of Teenagers AI Meets Legal Expertise 3 Transform Intentions Into Measurable Outcomes Rustic French Pistachio Cake 4 The Legal Minds Behind Moon Missions
Cosmic Counsel Who Makes the Rules in Space?
The phrase “space lawyer” may conjure images of an intergalactic courtroom setting in a “Star Trek” film, but the term and profession are rooted in reality here on Earth. Simply put, space lawyers are legal professionals specializing in international law and drafting agreements between countries regarding their activities throughout our galaxy. Instead of brokering peace treaties between humans and Klingons, these attorneys work to establish policies that outline rules and obligations nations must follow when conducting themselves beyond our clouds.
For example, treaties negotiated by space lawyers were instrumental in getting the Soviet Union to spend millions to clean up radioactive debris deposited over northern Canada by its Cosmos 954 satellite in the late 1970s. Utilizing Article 7 of the Outer Space Treaty (via the 1972 Space Liability Convention), the Canadian government argued that the Soviet Union was on the hook to cover the majority of the cost of Operation Morning Light, an extensive cleanup operation by the U.S. and Canada to remove nearly 50,000 square miles of hazardous material dropped from space. Thanks to space lawyers, no nation can claim ownership of Earth (or any other planet), the moon, or any other entity discovered in the galaxy. However, recent debates have raised an intriguing question: Who would own the resources derived from the moon or another planet? If Russia were to one day discover a life-saving nutrient on the moon’s surface, would it have the right to claim exclusive ownership of this medical marvel? Would this discovery need to be shared with other nations involved in space-related treaties? While it may take years (or the invention of a good time-traveling warp drive) for us to resolve these questions, it’s clear we need space lawyers to tackle these and other questions in a legal frontier that no Earth-bound lawyer has pondered before!
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