A H am -F isted A ttempt at R obbery INTRUDERS FLEE FROM LUDWIG THE PIG
On the night of New Year’s Eve in 2014, a group of burglars experienced the fright of a lifetime. Expecting to rob a quiet home in Derby, England, the intruders instead came face to snout with Ludwig, a 240-pound potbellied pig. Abandoning all thoughts of crime once they spotted the pig, the burglars instantly fled the scene and ran for their lives. The “hero ham” had already become a popular figure in his town and was well-loved for his gentle demeanor. In fact, Michael Maughan, Ludwig’s owner, is confident that Ludwig wouldn’t have harmed the intruders, even if he does look quite intimidating. Local officers believe the robbers must have heard Ludwig’s Rottweiler-like “growl” and immediately hit the road, leaving the door wide open behind them. The story of this heroic potbellied pig became a sensation throughout Europe. Countless fans have applauded the Canadian-born hog for his loyalty to
his owners. But the owners want to ensure people understand that Ludwig would never hurt anyone. Some fabricated web stories made Ludwig sound
more dangerous than he is, so Maughan spoke to the Toronto Star to dispute any defamations against Ludwig’s kindness. “He’s being painted as a vicious creature when he’s actually quite a sweet animal,” he explained. “He didn’t exactly bare his tusks and charge, I don’t think. I think he got absolutely, ‘Arrgh,’ and they just ran for it.” In fact, Maughan detailed that after a two-month separation during their move to England, the pig shed tears during their reunion. Adorable and affectionate, Ludwig would have probably become friends with the intruders in no time.
Even if his “bark” is worse than his bite, Ludwig succeeded in keeping his owners safe while also
protecting their home. This 240-pound potbellied pig continues to enjoy his comfortable home in Derby and is considered a town hero. Anyone looking for a guard dog may want to consider a hefty hog instead! F rom R eception to L aw S chool Paralegal Karen Perez’s Astounding Journey
For Karen Perez, the last five years have been a whirlwind. She began as a receptionist at The Manely Firm before advancing to the client care coordinator position in less than a year. Within one more year, she became a junior paralegal. Karen has now been a senior paralegal for two years — and is planning to begin law school this fall. “The Manely Firm loves promoting from within,” Karen explains. “So, they create those opportunities for us, and it has been really exciting.” Thanks to her fluency in Spanish, Karen has been an excellent fit for The Manely Firm’s international cases from the start. “I love the value the firm places on diversity,” she says. “The international cases we do are some of the most exciting ones. There’s talking to experts in other countries, interpreting, and translating documents — that work always seems to be the most gratifying to me.” As the oldest of four children to parents from Guatemala, Karen says, “I’ve always grown up in this international community.” Her talents are particularly beneficial in cases of international abductions, also known as Hague cases. “We’ve
had quite a few of those through Spanish-speaking countries in the past year,” she says. “We returned a child to Mexico and two girls to Chile. Those cases require a lot of translation, and it has been extra rewarding to be a bridge between our attorneys and foreign attorneys.” She also adds, “No one else does the level of Hague work we do at The Manely Firm. There are Spanish- speaking attorneys at other firms, but none are like Michael Manely or the other attorneys we work under.” Karen especially loves interacting with the firm’s clients, many of whom have had difficulty hiring an attorney. “It’s rewarding to get Spanish-speaking calls,” she explains. “These clients have been trying to find someone who understands them, and they’re relieved when we can help. It’s so satisfying to get those cases.” She is most excited to begin law school later this year — a path she never saw herself taking before joining The Manely Firm. “I came here looking for a job, and now I have this career in front of me,” Karen says. “It’s really humbling to reflect on the past five years. The way the firm has molded and encouraged me is really quite special.”
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