Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
LEGAL BRIEF
AUGUST 2023 FriedmanSimon.com 516-800-8000
THE LONG CLIMB TO THE TOP HOW SUCCESS IS LIKE SCALING A MOUNTAIN
old trials. We handle our own cases simultaneously and do our best until, suddenly, one day, younger attorneys look to us for guidance.
After several years of experience, Eddie and I decided we were ready to start Friedman & Simon. We had much to learn as business owners. Law school doesn’t teach you how to run a successful practice or prepare you for the many uphill battles along the way. Any business must maintain proper capital and cash flow to survive. But you must also have a marketing program to get clients in the door. Employees are just as important. Entrepreneurs must learn to recruit and retain good talent by creating a healthy work culture. People who genuinely care about their work and have compassion for clients don’t magically appear — you have to earn them. Building a business requires a lot of drive and hunger to succeed, plus a strong tolerance for failure. I remember attending a continuing education event where a prominent lawyer got up to speak. “Please pay very close attention,” he said, “because I’ve had 30 years of making mistakes.” It reminded me that even the most successful among us have struggles we never see, and we’re often our own worst critics. I didn’t do any of this alone; I’ve been extremely fortunate to have outstanding mentors to help me. Meanwhile, joining a mastermind group was one of my best decisions. It’s a peer-to-peer mentoring network of attorneys who gather several times a year to share their experience with management and marketing. The knowledge and encouragement I’ve received over the years have been invaluable.
Becoming an attorney is an incredible achievement, but the reality of the work often isn’t what you imagined. I worked for a small law firm out of law school, and during my very first week, a partner told me to go to the court and “make an application.” I had no idea what that meant and was too embarrassed to ask. I nervously ventured out and found a court officer at his desk reading the newspaper. “Excuse me,” I said. “May I please ask you a question?” He looked up at me and sharply replied, “I’m busy,” before returning to his paper. It was quite an introduction to the litigation process. But it was also a fitting start to my career. Practicing law has a steep learning curve, as does running your own firm. I believe in Malcolm Gladwell’s assertion that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in anything, and my career has felt like climbing a mountain — sometimes, without the proper equipment. It took years to become a skilled trial lawyer. I was given the opportunity to argue cases and appeals at a young age, and I’m very grateful there’s no video evidence. I can only imagine it would be painful to watch. Working for an experienced attorney as a “second chair” is the ideal way to learn how to argue cases, but few of us have that opportunity. Instead, we pick up tips and tricks as we go. Over the years, we do our best to watch outstanding attorneys in action and read transcripts of
Many metaphorical mountains seem insurmountable, but you can conquer them with determination and support. The path to success
is rocky, and everyone occasionally loses their grip and takes a tumble. The key is to learn how to get back up, start reclimbing, and enjoy the unpredictable journey.
- Roger Simon
516-800-8000 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
We like to think we’re protected against the damage reckless drivers do, but New Yorkers are permitted to get on the road with as little as $25,000 in insurance coverage. Meanwhile, HealthCare.gov reports that a three-day hospital stay costs an average of $30,000. The insurance many drivers hold is grossly inadequate to compensate someone with significant injuries, and it can leave victims in a pinch. Fortunately, you can buy additional insurance to protect yourself and your family from these situations. Friedman & Simon recently resolved a case for $500,000, and the outcome was only possible because our client took steps to shield herself from the worst consequences. A driver following the 57-year-old victim too closely rear-ended her but only had $25,000 in insurance coverage. It was not nearly enough to pay for her multiple injuries, including one that required a cervical spine fusion. Fortunately, our client had purchased $500,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UI/UIM) coverage. UI/UIM protects motorists when an at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance to pay for the injuries. It helps many people in cases where they’re the victim of a hit-and-run driver, a driver who is driving illegally without insurance, or one who has too little coverage to pay for the full damages. Our team successfully had our client’s UI/UIM policy tender her the total $500,000 worth of coverage. If she did not have the foresight to purchase it, she would have received only $25,000 and been left with exorbitant medical bills in her name. Ultimately, it may have been the most valuable purchase she ever made. If you don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, call your broker today and add it to your auto insurance policy. Most experts recommend you buy at least $100,000 worth of protection, but the more you can afford, the better off you’ll be. This insurance is relatively inexpensive compared with other insurance costs and can provide much peace of mind. After all, you already spend money on insurance to protect people you’ve never met. Why not also protect yourself? THE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE EVERY DRIVER SHOULD HAVE Protect Yourself Against Reckless Motorists
Summer Isn’t Over Yet!
As much as many of us wish we could have an endless summer, all good things must come to an end. But why let the season close with a whimper when you can go out with a bang? Strive for a memorable last few days of the season with one of these family-friendly ideas. TAKE A FAMILY ROAD TRIP. What says “summer” more than piling in the car and driving somewhere? You don’t necessarily have to go far. A new town a few hours away can still be an adventure. Check out a local state park or nearby museum you’ve always meant to visit and let your children enjoy the novelty of sleeping in a hotel room or camper. Even a weekend away will feel like an occasion and stick out in everyone’s memories. SPEND A DAY ON THE WATER. Enjoying the water is one of the summer’s greatest pleasures, so make the most of it one last time. Depending on where you live, you might incorporate this idea into your road trip. Head to the nearest beach, lake, or river and pack in as much summer fun as possible with a favorite summer activity or something new! You could help your kids build a sandcastle, rent a kayak or paddleboat, or try water skiing. You might even surf or snorkel. HAVE A LATE NIGHT. Bedtime routines are about to make a return for school kids, much to their possible dismay, but you can indulge them with one last hurrah. Plan a special late night the family can enjoy together. You might go to a drive- in theater or host a movie marathon at home with plenty of popcorn. Camping on your lawn will also allow staying up late together doing something exciting. No tent? No problem — build a pillow fort in the living room instead! Summer only comes once a year, so don’t let its final days go to waste. A special celebration to mark the season’s end will leave you with lasting memories and even more reasons to look forward to next year. 3 Memorable Ways to Close the Season
2
FriedmanSimon.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Leave Only Footprints and Take Only Pictures WITH THE EVERY KID OUTDOORS PROGRAM
What if your child could hike through the Redwoods in California, chase waterfalls in Yosemite, get up close and personal with bison in Yellowstone, and go whale watching in Olympic National Park — all for free ? In 2019, President Trump signed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act into law, which supplied funding for the Every Kid Outdoors program (formerly known as Every Kid in a Park) for the following seven years. With one special pass, all fourth graders in the U.S. can explore spectacular areas in our nation while creating unforgettable experiences and lifelong connections to nature.
The Every Kid Outdoors program is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It ensures every child, along with their siblings and up to three adults (or a car full of people who want to tag along), has the opportunity to explore some of America’s most beautiful landscapes and wildlife. To sign up and get traveling, all a fourth grader needs to do is complete an adventure diary at EveryKidOutdoors.gov and download a voucher. A teacher may also get passes for their entire class. A
pass is good for multiple uses in different national parks around the U.S. for an entire year and must be printed and presented in person, as electronic copies are not accepted. The pass expires on Aug. 31, 2023, but you can sign up for the 2023- 2024 pass starting Sept. 1, 2023! Not only does nature make a fantastic classroom, but exploring and gaining an appreciation for our national parks is also fascinating. Kindle your fourth grader’s love for nature and help them get out and explore today with an Every Kid Outdoors voucher. Geysers, canyons, waterfalls, forests, and deserts await!
SUDOKU
Raspberry and Fig Oat Bars Inspired by Delicious.com.au
Raspberries and figs make these oat bars a scrumptious dessert or a delectable morning treat.
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup cornstarch • 1 tsp baking powder • 1 cup and 1 tbsp rolled oats, divided • 2 sticks chilled unsalted butter, diced Ingredients
• 2/3 cup caster sugar (superfine granulated) • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 cup raspberry jam • 1 1/3 cups raspberries • 3 figs, quartered • 1 tbsp turbinado or brown sugar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line an 8x12-inch pan with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1 cup oats. Using your fingertips, rub in butter until crumbly. Stir in caster sugar, then add egg and vanilla. Stir until clumpy. 3. In the pan, smooth three-quarters of the mixture evenly. Spread jam over the top, then add fruit. Mix leftover oat mixture with turbinado sugar and remaining oats, then sprinkle over the fruit. 4. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
516-800-8000 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
516-800-8000 FriedmanSimon.com
390 N. Broadway, #210 Jericho, NY 11753
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Roger’s Long Climb to Success INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 End Summer on a High Note
Are You Properly Insured?
3
Get Your 4th Grader a Free National Park Pass
Raspberry and Fig Oat Bars
4
Unleash Your Child’s Full Potential
UNLOCK A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES HOW EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BENEFIT YOUR KIDS
As children return to school in August, they’ll likely be interested in one or more extracurricular activities. Opportunities both in school and in the community are numerous, such as participating in a local play, joining a school club or sports team, and many others. Extracurricular activities are perfect for getting kids out of the house, but these ventures will also help them gain valuable experiences along with these three benefits. IMPROVES SOCIAL SKILLS One of the biggest concerns parents have had since we experienced lockdowns during the pandemic is that their children struggle to communicate with others. Most of these kids were away from their peers for a year or more, which weakened their social skills. Participating in an extracurricular activity gives your kids a chance to communicate with others outside of a school setting.
They’ll learn how other people think and how to best respond to certain situations.
love to see students who participate in extracurricular activities because it shows they are involved in their community and possess leadership and teamwork skills. While extracurriculars are not as important as other factors for college admissions, they still play a decisive role in the college’s choice to accept your child. HELPS THEM DISCOVER THEIR PASSIONS There are countless examples of kids discovering their true passion through participating in extracurricular activities. Your child might not become a professional athlete, but they might discover an alternate career path, like becoming a physical therapist or personal trainer by playing a sport. If your kid likes animals, they might find a prospective career path by volunteering at the zoo. If one activity doesn’t appeal to them, try another. Before long, you’ll find the perfect interest for your child.
BOLSTERS COLLEGE APPLICATIONS If your child wants to attend college after high school, joining a club, team, or organization will give them a leg up on other candidates. College admissions officers
4
FriedmanSimon.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator