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OUR WONDER WOMAN (AND WOMEN) CELEBRATING DENMON PEARLMAN’S NEWEST ADS AND THE WOMEN WHO MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MAR 2022
watching them, our goal is to remind viewers that we are driven to support our community. We strive to convey that message with this very newsletter, too, highlighting businesses and clients who show us what the very best in Pinellas County looks like. And we can humbly brag that our offices are home to someone else who is chief among these great Pinellas County residents: our Wonder Woman herself, Nicole Denmon. This Women’s History Month, we’re proud to feature a woman-centric advertisement and boast a team composed mostly of women. Every member of our team adds valuable insight and collaboration needed to ensure we offer the very best to our clients, but the diversity and strength provided by women on our team continually make us proud. We are better because of every woman in this office, and we have seen the ways in which they continually improve our community, too. From volunteering to client-commitment and civic engagement, we know the women who work at Denmon Pearlman would make Wonder Woman very proud. Every day, we strive to create an environment that doesn’t just encompass the ways in which we can help people through the court system.
that mission, too. As our new advertisements explain, our community is our top priority.
We hope you enjoy our new line-up of advertisements this spring! We’re excited to make TV commercials a little more enjoyable. In fact, this February, we were even recognized for doing so! Denmon Pearlman was awarded the Golden Gavel Award for our 15-second commercial, featuring Christian Denmon spoofing Liam Neeson in the “Taken” series! (If you haven’t seen it yet, you can find the commercial on YouTube!) Every year at the Trial Lawyer Summit, the Golden Gavel Awards honor the top legal advertisements within numerous categories.
Look up at your TV! It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! No, it’s Denmon Pearlman’s own Wonder Woman, Nicole Denmon! Have you seen “your friendly neighborhood trial attorneys” on your cable network channels yet? The Denmon Pearlman team recently collaborated on a series of new TV advertisements that feature our partners, Nicole Denmon, Christian Denmon, and Lee Pearlman, and highlight the ways in which they fight for their clients and justice within our community. We’re excited to say these commercials are running on cable networks now! Among one of our favorite commercials is the one that features Nicole Denmon — rightfully donning Wonder Woman’s arm bands. In the commercial, Nicole saves the day by preventing every day accidents in the streets of Pinellas County. As she reminds viewers, accidents happen every day and
While it was an honor to be nominated, we could not have won without the help of our creative team, including TRIF3ECTA Pictures, Nicholas Denmon, Steven Quach, Thomas J. Humphreys, Max Timco, and Randy Nordstrom and Ryan Biever of Focus DMG. Thank you to everyone who made this honor possible!
when we “least expect them.” Her goal, much like Wonder Woman’s, is to provide assistance to those who need it most. In Nicole’s case, that’s helping citizens who deserve compensation after these unexpected accidents. Beyond the fun we had off camera filming these advertisements, and the fun we hope our viewers have while
Denmon Pearlman was established on the belief that attorneys and law practices can do so much more for their communities, and we’re honored to join other businesses who follow
Now if you excuse us, we have justice to serve.
—The Denmon Pearlman Team
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I DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE
WHY ONE MAN SUED MICHAEL JORDAN FOR $832 MILLION
Many people have been told they have a passing resemblance to a celebrity, and they usually have a funny story or two. To Allen Ray Heckard, his celebrity look-alike was no laughing matter. In 2006, he sued Michael Jordan for looking too much like him and ruining his life. The amount of the lawsuit was $832 million, and Heckard not only sued Jordan but also Nike, reasoning that the company helped Jordan achieve his incredible fame. The complaint argued that the resemblance to Jordan “has troubled Heckard’s nerves” and being stopped by fans caused him emotional distress for over 15 years. He requested damages for defamation, permanent injury, and pain and suffering.
When asked how he arrived at the astronomical $832 million lawsuit figure, he gave this much-shared
One question reporters did not appear to ask was why Heckard felt that Jordan should be held personally liable for hundreds of millions of dollars simply for his natural appearance. Sadly, we will probably never know the answer because the case ended rather unceremoniously. After a few weeks, Heckard
(yet difficult to parse) answer: “Well, you figure with my age, and you multiply that by seven and, ah, then I turn around and, ah, I figure that’s what it all boils down to.” When asked why he felt the resemblance to Jordan had affected his life so negatively, he could only answer, “I want to be recognized as me, just like Michael’s recognized as Michael.” Funnily enough, most people didn’t think Heckard and Jordan looked alike at all. While each had a bald head, mustache, and a gold earring, the similarities seemed to end there. Many news stories noted that, compared to Jordan, Heckard is 8 years older and 6 inches shorter.
dropped the lawsuit. He never publicly shared why, but a Nike spokesperson was glad to speculate that Heckard “finally realized he would end up paying our court costs if the lawsuit went to trial.” In the end, many ‘90s kids would argue that Heckard was most guilty of looking a gift horse in the mouth. After all, there is no higher achievement than to “be like Mike.”
For someone tired of being “recognized,” Heckard didn’t shy away from media coverage.
4 WAYS TO CELEBRATE FLORIDA Happy Birthday to the Sunshine State!
Happy birthday, Florida! On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state in the U.S., making its official age of statehood at 177 years old. Florida has a rich history centuries prior to its “birthday,” and it continues to enrich the lives of those who call it home.
In honor of this momentous occasion, we encourage you to celebrate Florida in a way that would make the Sunshine State proud. Check out these local ideas!
Visit a Museum Peruse the stories that comprise Florida’s history at a local museum. Start with the St. Petersburg Museum of History, which has cataloged the history of our city from its founding to some of its quirkier moments. The Dali Museum is another must-see. With unusual works and breathtaking illusions, you will find something new around every corner at this spot, which celebrates the art of Salvador Dali. You can find other great historical spots at PinellasCounty.org! Read Like a Floridian Florida is and was home to some of the most prolific authors, including Ernest Hemingway, Shel Silverstein, and Carl Hiaasen. So, why not celebrate Florida’s birthday by reading some of the works of our greatest authors? You can find a comprehensive list, complete with options to visit the homes of some of our great writers, online at VisitFlorida.com. Get Outside They don’t call us the Sunshine State for nothing! Spend your early March day outside enjoying the beautiful landscape we call home. You could bike to Dunedin along the Pinellas Trail, paddle along Weedon Island, explore the vast wonder of Caladesi Island State Park, go fishing at Fort De Soto Park, or visit one of our many beaches! Plan your outdoor adventure at VisitStPeteClearwater.com. Dine Florida-Style From Disney World favorites to fresh citrus and seafood, there’s no shortage of tasty treats here in Florida. Celebrate our state by making some of your favorites at home, or dine at one of our premier restaurants in Pinellas County. Among the top favorites, according to our team and Google Reviews, are Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino, Bascom’s Chop House. Visit local tourism websites for more restaurant options.
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A WOMAN TO BE RECKONED WITH
Krista with her husband, Attorney Andrew Plagge
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
8 oz tempeh
CAPT. PLAGGE TAKES FISHING, REAL ESTATE INTO HER OWN HANDS
1/2 cup vegetable broth 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
Twelve years ago, Capt. Krista Plagge moved from her “sleepy hometown” to Tampa to follow her dream into the fishing industry. She had already completed Sea School with the hopes of becoming a fishing guide, earning herself a rank not held by many women. After her move, she started a job in hospitality and used her background to enter fishing tournaments. Soon, bartending wasn’t her only gig. Krista landed her first professional fishing sponsorship with WingHouse, and later, she would have sponsorships with Under Armour, G. Loomis, Daiwa, Traeger, and more. Regular anglers may recognize her from numerous TV shows, spokesmodeling, worldly travels, and countless fishing accolades.
1 tsp liquid smoke 1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp olive oil
Bread of choice, toasted
1/2 cup sauerkraut
Vegan Swiss cheese (optional) 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing
DIRECTIONS
After years climbing the ranks of the fishing world, Krista’s influence inspired her to journey into a career in real estate — thanks to her mom!
1. Cut tempeh into 4 thin slices. 2. In a shallow bowl, combine broth, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Marinate tempeh in mixture for 30 minutes. 3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Cook tempeh in the oil for 5 minutes per side. 4. Between toasted bread, layer tempeh, sauerkraut, cheese (optional), and dressing. Enjoy immediately.
“Combining this reach with the knowledge from frequently traveling to and fishing in many of our coastal communities, getting my real estate license was a decision that just made sense,” Krista says, later adding, “The most enjoyable part of my job is getting to work with my mom! She was licensed a few years before me, and eventually it just made sense to team up.” As a real estate team, the duo cover Citrus and Hillsborough counties, including areas in between the two. Together, they guide prospective buyers and interested sellers through the red-hot, high-stakes real estate market in Tampa, proudly advocating for their clients as if they were their own family. In her experience — both personally and professionally — anyone who has considered dipping into the real estate market shouldn’t wait any longer. While there are no guarantees, the prices are unlikely to change, Krista explains. “The market can seem very intimidating right now for buyers feeling like they’re going to fail before they even get started and sellers not knowing where they’re going to go even if they are ready,” Krista says. “Finding a good deal is still possible, and selling and purchasing can be seamless with the right strategy and a dynamic real estate team.” We’re proud to feature a resilient, determined woman like Krista this month. If you would like to learn more about Krista’s expertise, please visit HomeGuideTampa.com or email Krista@HomeGuideTampa.com.
Inspired by MyDarlingVegan.com
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INSIDE 1 Introducing Our Award-Winning Commercials!
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Someone Sued Michael Jordan? Celebrate Florida’s Birthday!
Professional Angler Turned Real Estate Expert Vegan Reuben
Create a Keepsake for Good Luck Year Round
MAKE A 4-LEAF CLOVER KEEPSAKE BUT FIND THE ELUSIVE GOOD-LUCK CHARM FIRST
Clover Craft Once you find your clover, preserve the luck in it all year by placing it in a picture frame. First, gently press the clover leaves between the pages of a large book for several days to flatten them out. After pressing, you can add green food coloring to your clover to enhance its color. Once it’s dry, clean it and let it sit overnight. Then, place your clover onto acid-free paper, cut to fit the size of a picture frame of your choice. Next, use acid-free glue to keep your clover in place, and finally, seal your frame shut. You now have your personal good luck charm!
One of St. Patrick’s Day’s most popular symbols is a four-leaf clover. In Ireland, these clovers represent luck and good fortune. Each leaf on the clover has a different meaning — faith, hope, love, and success. It’s a tradition to find a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day and do activities involving this lucky leaf. So, how do you find these good-luck charms, and what can you do with them?
How to Find a 4-Leaf Clover Although it may seem difficult, it’s easier than you might think. First, find a dense patch of white clover — near it is where four-leaf clovers reside. They are different from the rest and are often smaller, so keep that in mind when you look for the lucky green clovers.
Instead of staring at the patch in close detail and counting leaves, search the patch without focusing on the tiny details. This increases the odds of eyeing a four-leaf clover because the different patterns, shapes, and sizes of these clovers will jump out at you. If you find one, keep looking! There’s a chance another one might be nearby.
Searching for a four-leaf clover and creating a keepsake will be a great bonding experience for you and your family. We wish you luck! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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