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Remembering Icons Who Died Young lymanfirm.com The Lyman Firm Newsletter TELEGRAPH Amicus Curiae www.LymanFirm.com 404-267-1986 February 2019 2860 Piedmont Road, Suite 275, Atlanta, GA 30305 The Truth About Lyman Beginning a Journey Starts with Dedication to Transparency T: 404 267 1986 F: 470 745 0699 The Lyman Firm Newsletter FEBRUARY 2026 A Dad’s Love of Music Takes Root in a New Generation
G eorgia is a blue-collar state — a grassroots mix of farmland, mountains, and urban development representing ever-expanding opportunities. Being a native of North Atlanta, I have spent most of my life in this fair state, cultivating both my character and my profession as I grew up. Now, I have a distinct opportunity to help those around me in ways I hadn’t anticipated in my younger days. I lead The Lyman Firm as a proud curator of justice for the everyday person, somebody who might not have gotten a fair shake before they met me. I believe one person can be the face of a greater movement, and these are the everyday people — the heroes — I work for as I drive our cases forward to the fullest extent within our legal system, fighting for what’s right. My passions weren’t always for courtroom thrills, though. Growing up in Smyrna, I sought to chase a different kind of rush: the roar of the racetrack. I wasn’t half bad either, eventually taking my hobby for auto racing from amateur status in 2004 all the way to semi-pro in 2007. Unfortunately, like so many other things that went down along with the economy the following year, my racing career crashed in 2008. Shattered by the abrupt end to my racing journey due to a lack of financing, “I believe one person can be the face of a greater movement, and these are the everyday people — the heroes — I work for as I drive our cases forward to the fullest extent within our legal system, fighting for what’s right.”
I am into music, big-time. Visitors to my house sometimes ask, “Why is there always music on?” But when I visit them, I’m wondering, why is there no music on? Feb. 3 marks the anniversary of “the day the music died,” a time to reflect on the impact great musicians have on our lives. On that date in 1959, an airplane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed, killing everyone on board. I remember seeing the 1987 biopic, “La Bamba,” on Ritchie Valens’ pioneering music and premature death, and thinking how terrible it was that all those great artists had died. I streamed some of their songs on Spotify and loved the music. In fact, I love nearly all musical genres from Mariachi to classical, and even some country music, too! For many in my generation, The 27 Club has a sad resonance. The term refers to the many beloved musicians who all happened to die at the age of 27, including Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and more. It’s crazy. They were some of the most talented musicians of their generation.
Of course, many of the artists in The 27 Club were living on the fringes of society. These greats who died at 27 were immersed in a lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, and it eventually overwhelmed them. I vividly remember the moment when Kurt Cobain died in 1994. I was walking downstairs in our house, and my brother was watching TV. He was like, “Dude! Kurt Cobain died!” I was stunned. What happened? How could it have happened? Nirvana was one of my all-time favorite bands. I remember when their first album, “Bleach,” came out in 1989. I was probably in sixth grade, and I was blown away. I bought the tape and later the CD. I loved their music and the whole grunge genre. Another member of the club, Jimi Hendrix, is one of my favorite artists of all time. I’m a guitar player, but at a very amateur level. When I started listening to Jimi Hendrix, I could only think, “This is my stuff !” How amazing would those people have been if they had stuck around? The world missed out on so much potential music. I would have loved to see what they did next. I loved live concerts as a teenager and young adult. I was big into the band Phish and saw their concerts many times. But I never played in a band myself, so I was thrilled when my son told me recently, “I want to start a band!” I was like, “Do it! I’ll be your manager!” I’m so pumped! I love that he enjoys music! But if you think about the life of a performing musician, it can be grueling. The Beatles were great, but they sometimes played five hours a night, seven nights a week, for weeks and weeks at a time, over and over, playing the same music. And Jimi Hendrix slept with his guitar as a kid. He had it with him all the time. As much as I’d love to see my son start practicing the drums every day and immersing himself in music, I don’t want to pressure him into doing so. I just want him to have fun with it and enjoy it. That’s when I tell them that there are a million different lawyers out there doing a million different things, but when I take on your case for a serious injury or a wrongful death suit, you’ll remember me as a man who gave you the best possible chance while shooting you straight every step of the way. If that’s as deep as he goes with his music … that will be more than enough! James and three-year-old daughter Cleo — I am fully immersed in the fun-loving, homely, and exciting life of my family. They are my foundation, and without them nothing would be possible. But I also have a second family of sorts in my clients, whom I treat with the respect and attention a person is owed whenever they find they’re backed in a corner and need help. The pleasure I get from representing good, honest people in the courtroom is unrivaled when compared to the other fields of profession I’ve engaged in life. Oftentimes, I ask a client to share the names of the attorneys they’ve worked with on other cases. Almost none of them are able to muster an answer — the names of their lawyers completely lost in the tides of life’s trials.
I began to look for a new avenue to pour my passions into.
As we grow older and further away from our teens and 20s, we begin to realize that life isn’t always about going fast, both literally and metaphorically. It was during my post racing downtime that I realized I wanted to go back to school at Georgia State. After spending years as a writer and editor, I discovered and followed my newfound calling and began practicing law after graduating from law school. After years of unparalleled grit, drive, and success in the field of law, I was fortunate enough to be able to open my own practice in January of 2018. This new venture has even allowed me to work alongside my brother, a paralegal and case manager, in what has been one of the most exciting periods of my life. For now, our plans for the future include an imminent expansion of the firm and growing the company in ways that still allow us to keep our fundamental values and operations in check.
At home with my wife Lindsay beside me, and our two children — our five-year-old son
-Thomas Lyman -Thomas J. Lyman
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SECRETS OF THE SILENT FILM AGE Silver Screen Speed
Contrary to what the surviving films may suggest, people didn’t move faster during the earliest years of cinema. If you watch an old silent film from decades past, it may appear as though someone’s holding down the “fast- forward” button. Movements seem exaggerated and hyper-fast, bombarding our eyes with visuals that are as surreal as they are comical. However, nothing is wrong with your senses. These films were created this way, and the reasons behind their quicker momentum are an intriguing mix of technology, commerce, and the inventive minds of maverick film directors. Fleeting Frames of Fantasy Here’s a fun fact: Whether we watch a film from a century ago or one released last week, we’re not actually seeing real movement on screen. Instead, we’re viewing a succession of images presented rapidly enough to give us the impression that
someone (or something) is in motion. This technique is called frames per second (fps). One of the earliest pioneers in film, the legendary inventor Thomas Edison, determined that movies ideally needed to be shot at 46 fps or more to produce convincing on-screen movement. However, early filmmakers often faced financial restraints with film stock, causing them to shoot many movies at 12 or 16 fps. As technology advanced over the years, the speed of these primitive films increased considerably when played on more modern equipment. The Cinematic Cranking Craze While most view it today as a retired relic of a bygone era, the Bell and Howell 2709 movie camera was all the rage in the 1920s. Considered revolutionary at the time, the hand-cranked machine enabled users to shoot at varying speeds based on the number of cranks per minute. “Ben-Hur:
A Tale of the Christ” (1925) and Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” (1925) were among the movies shot with a 2709. The technology allowed directors to order camera operators to either slow down or speed up their cranking for dramatic effect. From there, the movies would hit theaters, where they’d often appear to move even faster . For example, something shot at 16 fps would appear sped up when shown through projectors running at a quicker pace. In fact, theaters loved to project films at very high speeds, as faster films meant quicker showings, enabling them to sell more tickets per day.
KEYS TO RAISING CRITICAL THINKERS PUZZLES AND PATIENCE
In a culture overwhelmed by algorithms and conflicting media sources, critical thinking is more important than ever. This is especially true of young children, many of whom will become our future CEOs, writers, and world leaders. Here are two simple ways parents can help their little ones develop the thinking skills they’ll need to thrive through life’s challenges. Questions kindle thoughtful truths. Whether you’re raising a young child for the first time or are a veteran grandparent who’s
done it all, you can surely recall moments when a little one hit you with a barrage of questions that tested your patience. Few people would fault you for rushing through your answers to satisfy your tiny inquisitor when stressed, but regularly questioning things is a sign of a critical thinker. Whenever possible, take the time to lean into your child’s questions. Instead of simply giving them an answer, ask them their thoughts about the information you’ve provided. Rather than asking them questions that could be answered with a simple yes or no, prompt them with open-ended ones that will strengthen their reasoning skills and prompt them to consider a topic more deeply. Small struggles make stronger minds. As parents, we want to answer our children’s questions and find solutions to all their problems. While some situations
will always require our intervention (such as a medical emergency), it’s sometimes best to allow kids to find their own path to solving dilemmas or discovering answers. Board games, puzzles, building blocks, and even role-playing games with friends can foster stronger thinking skills, so allow your children plenty of time to engage in activities that expand their minds while they’re having fun. When you see your child struggle to figure out how to complete a playtime task, pause before jumping in to help. Giving them room to sort out the issue instead of immediately coming to their aid will help them think and problem-solve more independently. When we practice patience and give children space to explore the world in their own way, we nurture curious, confident thinkers who are ready for whatever life brings.
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TAKE A BREAK
A Sweet Swindle? The Case of the Skimpy Snack
The concept of “shrinkflation” may be gaining ground in light of today’s economy, but it’s nothing new. In fact, nearly a decade ago, the thought of companies reducing the amount of product available in each sale while charging the same price hit one Midwestern man right in his sweet tooth. In 2017, Robert Bratton of Columbus, Missouri, sued the Hershey Co. for $5 million, claiming that the boxes of Reese’s Pieces and Whoppers he regularly purchased were not filled with enough candy. Citing violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, he alleged that 29% of the Reese’s Pieces boxes he purchased were empty, while only 59% of the Whoppers packaging contained actual product. His suit further alleged that the candy company unjustly enriched itself by knowingly selling boxed items containing considerable empty space. Aiming to avoid leaving a sour taste in court, Hershey’s contended that at least some empty space is common in most packaged goods to allow for “efficient manufacturing and distribution.” Additionally, the company claimed that consumers are made aware of this necessary space before purchasing its goods, as the contents of Whoppers and Reese’s Pieces boxes “audibly rattle.” Despite his multimillion-dollar complaint, Bratton continued to purchase Hershey products, a move that ultimately led to the unraveling of his lawsuit. In 2018, Judge Nanette K. Laughrey dismissed the case after it was revealed that the plaintiff had purchased Reese’s Pieces and Whopper boxes by the hundreds over several years, despite knowing the high likelihood that they would not be full. “Mr. Bratton testified that he initially expected the boxes to be full, but at some point … [he] realized that they’re not,” Laughrey said in her ruling. “Although Mr. Bratton claimed to have always clung to his hope that the boxes would be full, he acknowledged that he did not expect the box to be miraculously filled the next time he bought it.” While Bratton’s love for sugary treats is impossible to deny, his efforts to take down a chocolate giant for shortchanging his confectionery conquests were questionable at best.
MOUTHWATERING MINI CHEESECAKES
Ingredients
• 12 oz package vanilla wafers • 16 oz cream cheese, softened • 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 21 oz can cherry pie filling
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In two 24-cup miniature muffin pans, line each space with a paper liner. 3. Using a food processor or resealable plastic bag, crush vanilla wafers into a fine crumb. 4. Press 1/2 teaspoon of crumbs into each paper liner. 5. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 6. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top. 7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheesecakes are set. 8. Cool completely in the pan. 9. Top each mini cheesecake with about a teaspoon of cherry pie filling before serving. Enjoy!
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
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404-267-1986 www.LymanFirm.com 2860 Piedmont Rd Atlanta, GA 30335
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Rock Icons: Gone Too Soon, but Their Music Lives On
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My Life in the Courtroom, the Home, and the Racetrack
3 Wild Divorce Settlements Ways to Invest in Yourself After Retirement Bistecca Alla Fiorentina The Most Iconic Super Bowl in NFL History Mouthwatering Mini Cheesecakes The Fast Motion of Old-Time Movies The Future Belongs to Critical Thinkers
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Let’s Retire These Health Myths A Chocoholic’s Day in Court
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A Burglary Blown by Brightness
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The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick 3 Health Myths You Probably Believe Sunlit Stupidity Foils a Thief BRIGHT DAY, DIM IDEA
BOTTLED WATER IS SAFER THAN TAP WATER
The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle- cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-related myths. Here are three popular health “facts” that are total works of fiction.
THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE Most reasonable people accept the above facts as undeniable truths long before they reach 22. Unfortunately (or humorously, depending on your point of view), James Blankenship of Willoughby, Ohio, was unaware of that last fact despite being a legal adult for four years. One day during the summer of 2013, he broke into his mother’s house in the neighboring city of Eastlake by removing a window screen. on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant. Already on shaky ground with his parent for reasons not specified in media coverage of the incident, he had been banned from the Eastlake premises for at least three months before attempting to enter it without permission. According to statements his mother later gave to the police, her son had no possessions in the home at the time of the incident. Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent Santa Claus isn’t real. The world doesn’t disappear when you close your eyes. You can be arrested for burglary regardless of the time of day you commit the crime.
Because Blankenship chose to commit his crime in broad daylight , his mother spotted him and alerted the police. Rather than fleeing the neighborhood when he was discovered, he hid in a crawl space near his mother’s home. A witness reported seeing him run behind a nearby house, which allowed police to locate him easily. According to an official statement on the Eastlake Police’s Facebook page, Blankenship told the arresting officers, “I thought you could only be charged with burglary if you break in during the nighttime.” After pleading guilty to a lesser charge of breaking and entering, Blankenship served 60 days in prison (with 120 days out of his original 180-day sentence suspended) and was fined $100. Perhaps most significantly, he also learned a valuable lesson on how the sun helps people see things during the day.
Seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water.
CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS
The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false.
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