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Making Life Better for Injured People.
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May 2026
I Didn’t Grow Up Around Lawyers Here’s What Led Me to Become One
I didn’t grow up dreaming about being a lawyer. There was no family history of attorneys or dinner-table talks about case law. My story starts a little differently: I’m a first-generation college graduate and the first lawyer in my family. My dad is a plumber in Atlanta. He started his plumbing business in 1977, and he just retired earlier this year — nearly 50 years later. See, the plumbing business and law business have more in common than you might think. Both require a license, unique skills, and a desire to help people. Growing up in the plumbing business taught me something: A special skill is a license to help people solve problems. That’s why I became a lawyer.
After a few years, I started working for a lawyer named Pitts Carr. He defended large companies in personal injury cases. If you can think of a big company, like Pepsi, I probably defended them or another business like
them. I worked closely with insurance companies. I learned how they evaluate cases. I also learned it’s not for me. Something was missing. Why am I defending large corporations when I could
be helping people like my own family? So, in April of 2021, right in the middle of COVID-19, I opened my own law firm. It was scary. My kids were 4 and 6 years old, and, like many families during COVID-19, our house had turned into an elementary school, office building, and daycare. My wife is a mental health counselor. We were both trying to keep our businesses moving forward while our kids were doing school in the “school shed” (It was a little nicer than it sounds, but not much!). Some of my earliest days running the firm were spent working at the kitchen counter while my kids ran around the house. I didn’t have many cases at the very beginning, so I started writing a book about truck accident cases, using what I’d learned defending trucking companies to help injured people. Looking back now, opening my firm was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Today, I work with real people (moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and friends) in some of the hardest moments of their lives. Our mission is simple: Make Life Better for Injured
I graduated from law school in 2010, which, if you remember, was a tough time for all of us. The recession hurt the economy. The plumbing business and the law business had taken a hit. My plan was to work at a big law firm in one of Atlanta’s tall buildings. After the recession hit, those big law jobs disappeared. I moved back home, instead of downtown Atlanta, and I started to think differently. Rather than working for a large law firm pushing paper, I asked myself how I could get real experience in the courtroom. I found a job with a lawyer named Emory Palmer, a wonderfully smart man who is now a judge. We defended lawyers in legal malpractice cases. It was the best training I could ask for. Day after day, I saw cases where things went wrong due (often) to poor lawyering. And in cases where the lawyering wasn’t poor, we took them to court and won. Watching those cases taught me how to practice law. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS Emanda Grace Kate Roe Norris Pittman Fabian Oliva Manuel Oliva Brianna Stewart James Smith Nate Allen
People. That means answering the phone when they call, working hard, and treating people with the kindness they deserve. In many ways, it’s not so different from what my dad did as a plumber. Someone has a problem. They call you for help. And, you help them as best you can.
- Alex Weatherby
404-689-1287 · WeatherbyLawFirm.com · 1
A Split-Second Decision Can Be Deadly THE RISKS MOTORCYCLISTS FACE ON THE ROAD
Small habits can save lives. A few simple actions can make a major difference: • Look twice before turning or changing lanes. • Check blind spots carefully for motorcycles. • Allow extra following distance behind riders. • Avoid distractions like phones while driving. For motorcyclists, wearing protective gear, using headlights, and riding defensively can Motorcycles are a common sight on the road, especially during spring and summer. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that everyone shares responsibility for road safety. Taking an extra second to scan the road, double-check intersections, and stay alert could mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy. also improve visibility and safety. Share the road responsibly.
In 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, accounting for about 15% of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even more alarming, motorcyclists are nearly 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per mile traveled. These statistics point to why May is recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a national effort to remind drivers and riders alike that awareness and caution can save lives. At WLF, we have handled a lot of cases where a motorcyclist was severely injured because another driver failed to see them. As warmer weather brings more motorcycles onto the road, drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert, and remember one powerful
larger objects more easily, like cars and trucks. A motorcycle’s narrow profile and single headlight can make it appear farther away than it actually is. Because of this, drivers sometimes misjudge the distance or speed of an approaching motorcycle, especially when making quick decisions in traffic. There’s a risk at intersections. Intersections are one of the most dangerous places for motorcyclists. Safety data consistently shows that a large number of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle happen at intersections, often when a driver turns left in front of an oncoming rider. Timing is a big part of the problem. For example, a large truck can take about 12 seconds to fully clear an intersection, while most passenger vehicles take about five or six seconds. That is why it is critically important to look twice to before turning. A driver must make sure the roadway is safe to enter, and motorcycles are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Is it indifference, or is your brain too worn out from making decisions all day? Every day, we make countless decisions. Some are conscious, such as choosing what to have for lunch or deciding which work tasks to do first. However, we also make subconscious decisions while driving, talking with coworkers, and progressing through our day. As we make more and more choices, our brains get worn out, leading to decision fatigue. From that point until we go to bed at night, it becomes almost impossible to provide clear answers to direct questions or make any other decisions. Decision fatigue feels similar to brain fog. You’ve used your brain to the point of exhaustion, and now, it’s going to look for any shortcut when you try to make another decision. Your mind may encourage IT’S EXHAUSTED!
message: “Look Twice. Save a Life.” Motorcycles are easy to miss.
Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, which can make them harder to see in traffic. Human perception plays a role in this challenge. Our brains naturally detect
Your Brain Isn’t Indecisive
You just got home from work and exchanged greetings with your spouse or significant other. Before long, the dreaded question is going to come up: “What do you want for dinner?” You hem and haw, pondering your choices before asking them if there is anything they want. They respond similarly.
you to put off the decision until later, act impulsively against your better judgment, or avoid the thought altogether. When none of those options present themselves, you’re left with indecision. It may seem impossible to limit our choices throughout any given day, but it’s necessary if we want to avoid decision fatigue. Some beneficial strategies include setting strong daily routines, delegating decision-making to coworkers or family, and stopping any thoughts that lead you to second-guess a choice you’ve already made. If the simple questions your spouse, kids, or friends ask you create stress for you after a long day of work, you’re likely experiencing decision fatigue. Awareness of this issue is the first step toward finding a reprieve from it!
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There’s something about the end of elementary school that sneaks up on you. One minute, your child is learning to tie their shoes and racing across the playground, and the next, they’re packing their backpack for middle school. For our family, that moment has arrived with Elyse, our sweet 10-year-old who is finishing fifth grade and preparing to leave the halls of Talley Elementary behind. Elyse has always been the baby of the family. Her older sister, Sybil, is 12 and already navigating middle school. Elyse is our youngest, so we’re getting ready to say goodbye to elementary school. Watching our daughters grow has been full of little joys, like playground stories after school, art projects tucked into backpacks, and the nonstop chatter about her teachers over dinner. Save those art projects, parents! They stop coming in middle school. Now, Elyse is getting ready for a big new chapter. Next year, she’ll attend Beacon Hill as a middle schooler and ride the bus every day with her big sister. The excitement is there, but so are the nerves. Being around bigger kids, managing more homework, and trading long recesses for packed schedules is a big leap. Her older sister has been teasing her about riding the bus, joking about where they will sit. These sibling moments remind us just how quickly these milestones arrive. We do look forward to one bus stop in the morning! As a dad, this is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s wonderful to watch our daughters grow into curious, capable young people ready for the challenges ahead. On the other hand, it’s tough to say goodbye to the sweet simplicity of little kid life. There will be no more long recesses and small classrooms! Middle school can be a tough transition. We all remember the awkward moments and friend drama, but we also remember how meaningful those years can be. Some of the friendships that begin there last a lifetime. I have several friends from those days! So, while it’s hard to say goodbye to Talley Elementary, we’re also celebrating how far our girls have come. This chapter is closing, but another exciting one is just beginning. And no matter how tall they grow or how many math assignments come their way, we will be there for support. From Playground to Middle School A Bittersweet Goodbye to Elementary Days
CREAMY SPRING SALMON
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • •
4 skinless salmon fillets
•
1 cup unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
• • •
Zest of 1/2 lemon 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1/2 cup dry white wine
• •
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
DIRECTIONS
1. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. 3. Add salmon and cook 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes. Remove from skillet. 4. To make the sauce, reduce heat to medium and add garlic and shallots. 5. Sauté for 1 minute, then add Dijon mustard and white wine. Whisk and cook for about 2 minutes. 6. Add coconut milk and simmer on medium-low heat. 7. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, chives, dill, and tarragon. 8. Add salmon to sauce and cook, uncovered, 3–5 minutes.
Inspired by TheDefinedDish.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. The Moment I Realized I Wanted to Help People 2. An Extra Second Could Save a Motorcyclist’s Life The Silent Burnout Behind ‘I Don’t Care, You Choose’ 3. Backpacks, Bus Rides, and Big Changes $100 Gas Card Giveaway Creamy Spring Salmon 4. Comfort, Warmth, and Courage
A Bark in the Darkness How a Devoted Dog Saved Her Owner in the Oregon Woods
Anyone who has a dog knows the warmth and comfort they can bring. And, sometimes, that care can be life-saving. When 82-year-old Karen Joyce Davis got lost in the Oregon woods, it was up to her devoted dog, Cami, to keep her safe and warm. The loyal Australian cattle dog never
left her side on that cold night and helped rescuers locate her.
Rescuers treated Karen for hypothermia on site, and though she was very cold, she was alive and safe. Even as volunteers prepared to transport Karen to the hospital, Cami continued to rest her head on her owner, providing extra support. The dog even showed her thanks by licking rescuers and getting some well-deserved pets. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, thanking area residents and the team for their help in the search. The canine hero also got a special shout-out, thanking her for “being such a good dog.” In the end, Karen’s safe return was thanks to a little dog whose loyalty never wavered. Cami proves that sometimes the most important lifeline during an emergency is the warmth and comfort of a four-legged friend.
Karen went missing on Dec. 29 after she was seen taking a walk with her dog and never returned home. With the cold weather, search-and-rescue volunteers sprang into action to find her. The pair had managed to get lost in the rough terrain past the end of a forested road. Volunteers were told Karen had dementia, and Cami was known to stick by her in case she fell. One volunteer said she called out Cami’s name and heard a bark in the darkness, leading them right to the woman. “Without Cami, we likely would not have found her, and so the dog really did save her life,” the volunteer said. “The temperature was near freezing, and I don’t know if she would have made it overnight.”
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