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HOLLYWOOD 1909 TYLER ST., SUITE 501 HOLLYWOOD, FL 33020 833-529-5677 BOCA RATON 7777 GLADES RD., SUITE 100 BOCA RATON, FL 33434 AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT
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OCTOBER 2022
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Paralegals: Attorneys’ Heroes Honoring Our Paralegals and Their Indispensable Role
Surely, you’ve heard of the corny quote, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” While it is an overused and played-out saying, it will forever prove to be entirely true. At the Whisler Law Firm, our team of paralegals and assistants are the backbone of our firm. Without them, our day-to-day operations would lack organization, our systems and practices would not be streamlined, our attorneys would miss deadlines, and delivering the highest quality service for our valued clients would not be possible. Their attention to detail and dedication to our attorneys and clients are essential to our success. It is so true that paralegals are the heart of our law firm. Our paralegals carry the highest level of professionalism, expertise, and knowledge — and are incredible assets to our firm. On Oct. 23, we celebrate National Paralegal Day, a day set aside to recognize and appreciate the hard work, determination, grit, and dedication that paralegals bring each and every day. At many law firms, I’ve noticed that a large focus is placed on keeping attorneys up to date on new laws and practices as well as continuing education courses. However, here we believe in a more comprehensive approach. We have a team of three official paralegals who are backed by other legal assistants and secretaries. Once a quarter, they lead their own training based on areas in which they would like to expand their knowledge and skill sets. “Our paralegals carry the highest level of professionalism, expertise, and knowledge — and are incredible assets to our firm.”
of our paralegals: Carolyn and Janann! We are extremely proud of their success and are glad to hear that they found the training to be beneficial and enjoyable. Aside from large trainings, our paralegals are always very busy with in-house training as well. From a systems and processes standpoint, keeping up with all areas of the practice is crucial. Thus, they just completed an internal expert scheduling seminar that focused on email organization, discovery response, document management software best practices, notary, and trial preparation. The knowledge and skill sets of our paralegals help to complement and assist our attorneys, ensuring maximum efficiency in the work we provide for our clients. Together, as a team, we get the job done. To our team of paralegals, I want to say thank you for a job well done every single day. I’m grateful for the work you do — you are our heroes! –Josh Whisler
We encourage our paralegals to become certified Florida paralegals through the Florida Bar, and this past year, we sent two
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Have a Spooky Good Time
WHILE KEEPING SAFETY IN MIND
Halloween is all about letting the ghoul times roll, but monsters and ghosts aren’t the only things parents need to worry about this holiday. Most older kids don’t want an adult chaperoning — they want to venture off with their friends to enjoy the night all on their own. Here are a few safety tips so that you and your older kids can enjoy the spooky evening with no worries. Plan a route and curfew. Some older kids still love the nostalgia of trick- or-treating, or maybe they plan to pull some Halloween pranks with their friends. Whatever the reason may be, they may want to enjoy the evening without a parent. One of the best ways to make sure they’re staying safe is to plan a route and a curfew. Pick and choose which routes you feel
comfortable with them going on, either somewhere nearby or somewhere in the neighborhood. And choosing a curfew time is essential so you know when to expect their return. This way if something happens and you cannot reach them or they aren’t back in time, you have a general idea of where they can be on the route. Pack the essentials. Always make sure your child has their phone on them in case of an emergency, no matter if it’s to call you or an emergency line. You could even share locations so that you’re able to track where they are or use another location tracking app like Life360 or FamiSafe that’s available on your devices. If they plan to stay out for a while, have your child take water bottles, flashlights, and even a small first-aid kit with them. They actually
come in handy when exploring the Halloween night and the unexpected happens.
Older kids deserve a bit of freedom, as long as they can do it responsibly. Consider these tips to make sure the night is trick-free and full of the best treats.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOCAL SCOOTER LAWS ELECTRIC SCOOTER FRENZY
Electric scooter operators have an obligation to operate the scooter in a safe and compliant manner, being sure to obey all rules and laws. Did you know that scooters are capable of reaching 20 mph? When they are used on the sidewalk, this poses a huge threat to those walking or riding bikes. In fact, most cities have laws in place mandating that scooters only be operated on the road. This means that scooter operators must obey the same rules of the road that vehicle drivers follow: In some areas, they must even have a valid driver’s license. In addition to this, most cities require that they wear a helmet and limit the number of riders to one person per scooter. When a scooter accident takes place, it can be due to a variety of reasons, including reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, using sidewalks, or failure to obey the traffic laws. Determining liability in these types of accidents can be tricky, but it is necessary to ensure that the victim receives the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you know was involved in an electric scooter accident, it’s important to seek out the assistance of a trusted personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The Whisler Law Firm has the experience and expertise to protect your rights. Call us today.
According to a Consumer Reports study, in 2019, at least 1,545 accidents involving electric scooters took place nationwide. While electric scooters have become a popular, practical, and affordable method of transportation around many cities in the U.S., they also pose a significant threat of potential injury if not operated responsibly.
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And Understanding Inspection Guidelines for Recertification Owning a Condominium in Florida
If you’re a condominium building owner in the Sunshine State, it’s paramount that you become familiar with the building inspection rules, regulations, timelines, and processes so you can ensure safety for all of your residents. For example, for condos in Broward and Dade County, within 40 years of their construction date, a licensed engineer must conduct a thorough inspection to look for any potential structural or safety vulnerabilities or complications.
It should be noted that the Senate Bill 4D was recently signed into law by the governor; it states that all buildings above three stories must have a milestone inspection before Dec. 31 of the year the building turns 30 years old (or 25 years old if the building is located within 3 miles of a Florida coastline). After this 30-year inspection, recertification must be performed every 10 years thereafter.
There are two phases of milestone inspections for condominiums.
Phase one includes a visual examination of the building’s major structural components with an assessment of the structural conditions. If no signs of substantial structural complications are present, there is no need to proceed to the second phase. However, if structural damage is found, phase two includes destructive testing to assess the severity of the damage.
After this first inspection, recurring inspections must take place every 10 years for recertification.
During each inspection, the condominium building’s electrical system, roofing
What happens if a condominium owner fails to have a milestone inspection performed?
system, foundation, and floor will be examined — and a report should be submitted to the county with the inspector’s findings.
Failure to comply is a breach of fiduciary duty since compliance is necessary to ensure the safety of condominium residents and the integrity of the building itself. Don’t forget that we’re here to guide you through these requirements for your building! Contact us today for assistance.
Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
“Give light and people will find the way.” –Ella Baker IN AN ACCIDENT? Check out our personal injury blog and informative articles at WhislerLawFirm.com.
Inspired by Kenarry.com
These parfaits are an easy fall dessert everyone can make!
INGREDIENTS •
3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
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1/4 tsp nutmeg
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2 cups cold milk
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1/8 tsp ground cloves
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15-oz can pumpkin purée
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1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies
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1/2 tsp cinnamon
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8 oz whipped topping
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
2. In a blender or food processor, crush vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs.
3. In small jars or glasses, place cookie crumbs on bottom, then pumpkin mixture, then whipped topping. Repeat these layers twice and end with cookie crumbs.
4. Chill until ready to serve!
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1909 TYLER ST., SUITE 501 HOLLYWOOD, FL 33020 WHISLERLAWFIRM.COM 1-833-529-5677
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
National Paralegal Day
2
Halloween Safety Tips
2
Electric Scooter Laws
3
Condominium Building Recertification
3
Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
4
It’s World Teachers’ Day!
3 WAYS TO SHOW GRATITUDE It’s World Teachers’ Day!
Teachers have impacted you and your children’s lives in more ways than one. Maybe they inspired you to take a certain career path, always understood you, or were there for you or your child when it was needed. Teachers have a demanding job, so in honor of World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5, let’s take some time to appreciate them. Here are three ways to show your gratitude this month. Donate school supplies. Some teachers spend personal funds to purchase school supplies for their classrooms. This expense can become costly, especially if they provide for multiple students. Donate unused
meaningful than ones you buy at the store. It shows you put in time and effort to create something specifically for them. You can write about a favorite memory you had with them or the ways they’ve inspired you. If you’re feeling extra generous, add a gift card to the note! A small message can go a long way in turning someone’s day around. Volunteer when you can. In addition to teaching in the classroom, teachers need to chaperone students during field trips, recess, lunch, and standardized tests. Contact your child’s
school and see when they need volunteers to help with these activities. Teachers will greatly appreciate it because they will have a chance to take a break or organize their materials for the next class. Even if it’s just for the day or a few hours, teachers will appreciate the extra assistance.
notebooks, pencils, pens, or other school supplies to a teacher. Some teachers even have wish lists available if you want to purchase new items for their classrooms. They will appreciate your kindness, and the children who need these supplies will also be grateful. Write thank-you letters. If you had a teacher who impacted your life, or if your child has a favorite teacher, write them a thank-you note. Handwritten notes are more
Teachers play a vital role in preparing our children for the real world. They teach them vital social skills and problem-solving strategies that will assist them as they age. So, let’s take some time to show appreciation for their dedication to our children.
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