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New Orleans Covington Injury & Estate Lawyers
June 2026
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Practice, Patience, and the Myth of Perfection
There was something special about playing youth sports. Not only did it allow us to establish incredible friendships and improve our fitness, but it also imparted some incredible life lessons that we carry for the rest of our lives. From the value of teamwork and determination to the constant pursuit of perfection and greatness, every experience left us stronger than we were before. This month, we get a special opportunity to reflect on our early sports experiences when we recognize National Little League Week. I loved playing sports when I was younger, and baseball had a special place in my heart. I played at a pretty competitive level up until high school, when I pivoted my focus to football. I was a great hitter and loved trying to improve my game. I would go regularly to the batting cages with my dad, and my mom found a local coach who provided lessons that really upped my skills. I always felt better whenever I noticed my swing becoming stronger or more consistent. I vividly remember the pursuit of the perfect Tony Gwynn swing. It was fun to work on my swing and knock out any imperfections, but it was also challenging. When you watch professional baseball, you don’t always realize the skills involved. The players make it look so effortless, but in reality, they are keeping their bodies in stable motion while balancing their weight. If you’ve played golf, you know how difficult it can be to
establish a consistent swing, and baseball is not much different. When you have a good swing and make great contact, that feeling sticks with you. One of the biggest challenges I faced in my baseball career was the idea of trying to be perfect while knowing I never could be. This is something that I still experience in my current role in the legal field. There is always something to learn, but as a lawyer, you want to manage every case perfectly and get the ideal outcome for your clients. This is a near-impossible task. Even if you do everything extremely well, one small slip-up can introduce additional challenges. It drives me crazy, but I’m still stuck in my pursuit of perfection!
“Even if you do everything extremely well, one small slip-up can introduce additional challenges.”
Although I don’t play baseball anymore, I’m still finding new athletic pursuits to help me grow. Recently, I’ve been trying to get better and better at skiing. Balance has been one of the biggest obstacles, but I’m constantly doing new workouts and exercises to get more nimble and improve my balance. It all starts with effort and making attempts to better myself, which transitions into every other aspect of life. When you first start a new endeavor, you have to put time and effort into it if you want to learn the ropes and improve your skills. Through perfect effort, work ethic, and discipline, you won’t become perfect at a sport or new career, but you will grow and get better. Before long, you become good, and when you look back at your journey, you can see just how far you’ve come. It doesn’t matter if it’s a job, sport, or a relationship; striving for perfection and pushing ourselves will lead to better outcomes.
–David Vicknair
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If you think today’s celebrity gossip is crazy, these tales of tantrums from the famous make our current news feeds seem tame by comparison! Mark Twain’s Mailroom Meltdown In 2011, late literary giant Mark Twain received the posthumous honor of being the subject of a commemorative postage stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. While Twain’s legendary status in American culture made him an ideal candidate for the tribute, these events likely would have made him turn in his grave. You see, Twain absolutely despised the Postal Service. For decades, he railed against the institution publicly in newspaper columns, criticizing it for everything, from high costs to consumers to what he perceived as outrageously egregious regulations. He once even expressed his indignation over the Postal Service’s decision to require a street address and state on outgoing mail in addition to the previously required name and city. Why? He thought adding these words was a waste of time and ink! As he wrote in a letter to the Hartford Courant in 1897, “Isn’t it odd that we should take a spasm, every now and then, and go spinning back into the dark ages once more, after having put in a world of time and money and work toiling up into the high lights of modern progress?” Beautifully written? Unquestionably. A tad overdramatic as a response to a minor rule change for mailing letters? Perhaps, but what else could one expect when earning the ire of one of history’s most celebrated wordsmiths? Ruthless Glamour Girls Few celebrity feuds have ever been as intense as the fiery conflict between screen legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The two women were savage competitors for decades, sparring over everything from public attention to lovers. Just as a massive press campaign launched in support of Davis’ 1933 film “Ex-Lady,” Crawford made headlines by announcing her divorce from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The focus on Crawford’s failed marriage tanked Davis’ film, which received minuscule media attention compared to Crawford’s gossip-generating announcement. Two years later, Davis fell in love with actor Franchot Tone on the set of the film “Dangerous.” Unfortunately, Tone soon directed his affection toward another famous lady. Any guess as to whom? “She took him from me,” Davis reportedly said in an interview more than 50 years later. “She did it coldly, deliberately, and with complete ruthlessness.” In the end, the only thing longer than these ladies’ on-screen highlights was their off-screen resentment. Stamp Scandal and Starlet Strife Inside Fierce Celebrity Feuds
From Broadway stages to New Orleans celebrations, David sits down with Vanessa Van Vrancken , who runs one of New Orleans’ most beloved wedding venues, The Balcony Ballroom. She shares her unique career path and what it takes to create a truly memorable wedding, along with some classic local debates on king cakes, pizza, and the food traditions that define great hospitality. David and Brad also break down a major federal case involving an alleged staged-accident scheme in New Orleans, unpacking the key players, testimony, and what it could mean for the legal community and beyond. The episode explores how the case developed and the broader impact on trust in the system. In a more personal conversation, David speaks with Cindy LeBeouf , our second annual High Seas ABCs cruise winner, as she reflects on 33 years of teaching and the relationships that shaped her career. They celebrate her retirement and the meaningful moment that marked the end of her time in the classroom. FROM FOOTLIGHTS TO (ALLEGED) FRAUD TO FAREWELLS
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PROJECT BACKPACK Project Backpack is back, and we are excited to officially announce that this year’s event will take place on July 25. The Scott Vicknair Project Backpack continues to be a meaningful way we support local students as they head into a new school year. Students who register will receive brand-new backpacks filled with essential supplies to help them start the year feeling prepared,
confident, and ready to learn. We believe education is one of the strongest foundations a community can build, and we are proud to stand behind the students, families, and educators who shape the future every day. More information about registration and ways to get involved will be shared soon, so stay tuned for updates.
We work hard in our careers for decades, only planning to rest when we finally reach the milestone of retirement. But what if we could push pause sooner and experience the freedom and benefits of a break in our 50s, instead of hustling until we burn out? A sabbatical is like a mini-retirement that lets you travel or pursue your personal interests without fully leaving the workforce. These temporary getaways allow you to take a much-needed mental break, recharge, and evaluate what you want next from your career or the golden years ahead. This time off not only helps people explore a different side of themselves but also leaves them energized and ready to return to work with fresh skills and renewed enthusiasm. For many, a sabbatical is a practice run for retirement, letting you visit a new location you may want to move to after your working years are through. Having that time away from the office can help you pinpoint areas of your job that no longer make you happy, without the financial pressures that come with stepping away full time. It can be so rewarding that it becomes the final push you need to retire or find a renewed passion for your work. More and more employers are offering paid sabbatical leave. But, if your company doesn’t, plan to save at least 3–6 months of expenses to take your own and cover your time away from work. You don’t have to wait until the end of your career to take that dream trip or give yourself an extended break. A sabbatical can be the pause that changes everything. RECHARGE BEFORE YOU RETIRE TAKE A SABBATICAL AND REIGNITE YOUR PASSION
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This month, we’d like to thank Carlos P., Darrington A., Vanessa D., Desiree S., Theresa K., William C., Felicia G., and Kenneth J. for believing we are the right firm to help their friends and family. Your continued support gives us the ability to reach more individuals and make a positive difference in their lives.
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Injury & Estate Lawyers
(504) 384-7978 ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 1225 New Orleans, LA 70112
Inside This Issue
1
Little League Lessons That Still Show Up to Work Every Day
2
Famous Spats That Shook History What’s New on OVERRULED Podcast
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Project Backpack A Midlife Sabbatical Can Transform Your Next Chapter
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A Petite Panther’s Silent Supremacy
SAND CATS’ DECEPTIVELY CUTE MENACE SANDY SWEETHEART, STEALTHY STALKER
Big threats can come in little (and deceptively sweet) packages. Case in point: the sand cat, a feline species you’ll likely (or at least hopefully) never encounter. At first glance, they’re among the most adorable animals imaginable. Considerably smaller than typical domestic cats (weighing 3–7 pounds), these bewitching balls of kitty cuteness have notably wide eyes and larger-than-normal
night out for one of these tan terrors includes stealthily catching and devouring large numbers of fellow desert inhabitants to maintain their constant need for food and energy. Unlike most living beings, they can survive without drinking water, instead meeting their requisite fluid intake by feeding on the blood of unlucky rats and reptiles that cross their path.
ears to better detect their surroundings. As their name suggests, sand cats are commonly found in deserts across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central and Southwest Asia. So, how are these tiny cats able to thrive in such dry and inhospitable environments? By being among the most skilled predators in their sandy communities. Described by CNN as “lethal killers,”
Although largely solitary animals, sand cats drop their antisocial ways long enough to mingle and reproduce. Instead of offering a potential mate a charming meow, they enthrall their potential conquests with a mating call that sounds a bit like a small dog’s bark. Yes, these cats bark in addition to making snacks of vipers. So, the next time you get annoyed at your cat for knocking something off your countertop, consider yourself fortunate that you don’t have to contend with a 3-pound pet that will snatch a gerbil and drink its blood before you even realize what’s happened!
sand cats survive on a diet of rodents, snakes (even venomous ones!), and other unsuspecting prey. A typical
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