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Justice MONTHLY
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JANUARY 2023
Picking up the Dos and Don’ts HOW EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE GO A LONG WAY
As we step into a new career path, it’s not unusual to encounter a few roadblocks. We tend to look to others for wisdom to help overcome obstacles, and their experience makes a powerful difference in our choices. Mentoring isn’t limited to one single style, it can take place in academics or the workplace, but the transfer of knowledge from one person to the next can be significantly beneficial. I’ve definitely had some mentors since I’ve been in practice. Starting out, it seemed miraculous to see someone file a motion or easily dictate a direct examination. But I guess it's just super simple when you’ve been doing something for so long. I’d ask my dad questions, and he’d always say, “Well, I’ve done it a hundred times. It’s not rocket science.” Once you do it a hundred times over, you get used to it. It’s kind of like, hitting the easy button on things, and it reminds me that I’ve actually learned something over the years. But, If I’m mentoring anyone, it’s definitely informally. I’ve provided some guidance to Ben, and it’s kind of funny because he’s always so impressed. I guess when you find the shortcuts here and there, it just becomes a natural instinct. I remember my first day at the DA’s office, Greg Edwards — the DA here now — would just draft motions like it was nothing! He would literally just start typing out exactly what we needed. When it comes to your comfort levels, the more comfortable you are with your experience, the more comfortable you can be with what you can and can’t get away with in court.
Having seen mentors like Greg and Ken Hodges — the DA before Greg — I got some good experience from people who have a wealth of knowledge. And it wasn’t just the DAs or the chief assistants; it was everybody who worked in the office. They were always good about helping the rookies get started. There were people like Lashunda Jackson, Dick Hand, and Heather Lanier — just to name a few — and even the judges who worked
there, like John Salter. Though John was tough, I definitely learned a lot from him! But you learn a lot as you go along, and eventually, you pick up the do's and don’ts. In my private practice, my dad and cousins, Tommy and Adam Malone, were great mentors. Adam is actually the president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA), and when my dad first passed away, the GTLA was an invaluable resource. I had only been in practice for three and a half years, and I was on the cusp of getting by on my own or going in with somebody else. But for any questions I had, the GTLA list had it all! I could reach over 1,000 different lawyers throughout the state and ask them about their thoughts on particular situations.
before I got on my own feet. Al Corriere and Ken Hardison were a great help to me when I started too. So, I’ve never truly had one single mentor. I just found a lot throughout my career. In my first few years, I focused strictly on being a good lawyer and learning as much as possible. But once you hammer that down for so long, you realize your business still has a life of its own aside from the lawyer part. Sometimes I wish I had one or two people I could count on. But, fortunately, I think as you gain experience, you don’t need to call on people as much. I certainly don’t think I was shy about it back then! But having all the resources and the network of my dad’s friends was truly invaluable.
After my dad passed, his former partner, Billy Mathis, let me share a space with him
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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4 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WINTER PICNIC IT’S COZY SEASON!
Watching your teen get their license can be a terrifying experience for you as a parent. You're right to be cautious, considering the accident statistics. Teen drivers are almost three times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than other drivers. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should take away your teen’s keys. You have more influence than you think, and for Teen Driving Awareness Month, we’re sharing several ways you can influence your child’s driving habits. Set a good example. As in other areas of life, the best way to pass your values to your children is to model them in your own life. If you speed, drive distracted, or run red lights, these behaviors will seem normal to your child, and they’re This time of year, we all enjoy nestling up by a fire, cuddling under a blanket on the couch, or enjoying a warm cup of joe at the local coffee shop. If someone were to propose a winter picnic at the local park, you’d probably think they were crazy. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. With these four tips for hosting a winter picnic, you'll be up for having lunch outside in January any time. Keep Warm Maintaining heat in winter is at the forefront of all concerns, and your winter picnic is no different. Be sure to pack hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, socks, and an extra set of clothing for unexpected changes in the weather. Believe it or not, a large beach umbrella is extremely helpful in protecting LAYING DOWN THE RULES OF THE ROAD Parents Can Improve Teen Driving Safety
you from the winter elements. You can even plan some active picnic games to keep your body moving and the heat flowing! Light a Bonfire If the location of your picnic permits, light a fire to cozy up next to. Some beaches and campgrounds have designated firepit areas to start a fire while enjoying a warm winter meal. You can even cook your food over the fire! Remember to be careful when building a fire in the wilderness and take proper safety precautions. Pack Hot Meals Picnics are all about ease and relaxation! Here are some toasty and hearty winter picnic meal ideas to help warm you up:
• Warm brownies • Baked mac and cheese • Loaded baked
potatoes
• Quiche • Chili
Keep It Simple Remember, it doesn’t need to be complicated! Even just a thermos of hot chocolate; some warm, freshly baked cookies; a bunch of blankets; and hats and gloves are plenty for a winter picnic — ultimately, it’s all about soaking up the beauty of the most wonderful time of the year!
• Soup • Stew • Pot pie
• Toasted
sandwich or panini
more likely to emulate them once they get behind the wheel themselves. Drive the way you want your child to drive someday. And while it doesn’t work for every family, many parents prefer to help teach their children how to drive so they learn good habits from day one. Create ground rules. The circumstances surrounding teen crashes are all too similar. In part, teens have more accidents because they have less experience behind the wheel. But distracted driving, speeding, other people in the car, and night driving are more likely to end in tragedy. It’s wise not to allow your teen to have passengers in their car or drive at night until they’ve proven themselves responsible drivers. There should also be a strict policy against phone use while driving, and seat belts are always mandatory. Enforce consequences. Unfortunately, you won’t always know whether your teen is wearing a seat belt or texting while driving. Letting your teen operate a motor vehicle means placing a fair amount of trust in them. (If you can’t
do that, it’s probably best for your teen to wait on securing that license.) But if you catch them breaking one of your rules, the consequences should be laid out in advance and enforced consistently. A teen who learns it’s okay to text “just once” is more likely to text a second, third, and fourth time. The appropriate consequences are up to every parent, but don’t ease up on the safety rules you’ve established. The stakes are too high — and correctly handling your teen’s driving might be a lifesaver.
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YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE!
UNDERSTANDING THE DANGERS OF DROWSY DRIVING
Most drivers know the dangers of distracted or impaired driving, but many underestimate the risks of drowsy driving. If you fall asleep at the wheel while operating a vehicle, you are putting yourself and the other drivers around you at risk. It is one of the contributing factors to motor vehicle accidents and can result in serious injuries and even death. It's important to know the signs. There are various reasons why someone may be driving drowsy — lack of sleep, medications, or even job stress. But it’s essential to know the warning signs, which include the following: • Yawning or blinking frequently • Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven • Missing your exit • Drifting from your lane • Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road
If you spot these signs while driving, pull over and let someone else take the wheel. If you’re alone, pull over in a safe location and take a moment — rest, stretch, or get some fresh air — until you feel alert enough to drive. You should be alert when you drive. The best way to avoid drowsy driving is to prevent it before starting the ignition! We all must do what we can to drive safely for ourselves and those around us. The best ways to avoid drowsy driving include: • Get a total of 7–8 hours of sleep before driving • Develop good sleeping habits, like setting a sleep schedule • Speak with your doctor about any side effects of your medications • If you have sleep disorders or symptoms, look into treatment options • Plan ahead to limit total driving hours • Bring a travel companion
While there are always risks when we slip into the driver's seat, we are still responsible for traveling safely. Driving a vehicle while fatigued or exhausted breaches that duty of care, and if someone causes an accident that results in injury, damage, or death, they are being negligent. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact us today at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood III P.C. at 229-999-4476, so we can put you first.
Ingredients • 4 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed • 6 cups chicken broth • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 cup sliced carrots • 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary • 1 4-oz Parmesan cheese rind • 2 1-lb bone-in chicken breasts SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WHITE BEAN STEW
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our October newsletter:
• 4 cups chopped kale • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1/4 cup parsley leaves
—Danielle Hatten
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations so they can find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
Directions 1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine beans, broth, onion, carrots, rosemary, and Parmesan rind. Top with chicken. Cover and cook on low until the beans and vegetables are tender, about 7–8 hours. 2. Remove chicken from slow cooker. On a clean cutting board, let the chicken rest until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken and discard bones. 3. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in kale. Cover and cook on high until kale is tender, 20–30 minutes. 4. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Discard the Parmesan rind. Serve the stew drizzled with oil and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by EatingWell.com
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The Invaluable Resource of Mentors PAGE 1
Tips for a Cozy Winter Picnic
How Parents Can Make Teens Safer Drivers PAGE 2
Avoid Falling Asleep at the Wheel
Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Stew PAGE 3 The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace PAGE 4
THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT AND CONSIDERATION SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE WORKPLACE
Tangible Gifts A nice, personalized gift can be a display that you acknowledge your employee’s or coworker’s passions and preferences. The more you converse with them and learn about their personal lives, the easier it'll be to choose a more meaningful gift and bring a smile to their face. Appropriate Physical Touch This language can be tricky, but it’s about respecting boundaries. A high-five, fist bump, pat on the shoulder, and a handshake are generally acceptable, but it is best not to assume. Everyone’s level of comfort differs, so always ask before initiating any type of appropriate physical touch. If you take the time to understand your employees’ preferred language of appreciation, you can communicate more meaningfully and positively.
Have you ever heard of “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman? It’s an incredibly popular book that identifies different ways individuals prefer to give and receive love. You can communicate more effectively with your partners, friends, and family by considering their personal needs and using the language that speaks to them best. But did you know you can apply these same principles to show appreciation and encouragement at work? When you understand and use your employees’ preferred language of appreciation, your workplace culture will significantly improve. Words of Affirmation A “thank you” note or shout-out from a colleague is quite powerful, but it’s even more effective when it’s specific to an act or moment because it shows that you are paying attention to what matters. For your
message to be clear, consider describing the situation you’re referring to, discussing the behavior you are looking to celebrate, and highlighting the impact of the behavior on you, the team, and the organization. Quality Time This language is all about receiving complete and focused attention. This means taking the time for mentorships, checking in meaningfully, and creating moments for teams to connect. For employees who value quality time, having dedicated time to connect and learn from their employers and coworkers can be significantly impactful as they feel seen and heard. Acts of Service Simply picking up an extra coffee for a team member, or alleviating a work task off someone’s plate, shows that you care about their overall well-being and brings them joy.
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WERE YOU AFFECTED BY THE CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION? Compensation may be available for you! For over 30 years, between 1953 and 1987, drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated and was the direct cause of countless life-altering medical conditions and deaths. Those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible to file a claim. Additionally, the descendants of the impacted person may qualify for a claim if the affected person is deceased. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one suffered from any of these conditions, including, but not limited to:
• Kidney cancer • Breast cancer • Adult leukemia • Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma • Renal toxicity • Hepatic steatosis • Female infertility or miscarriages
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You Fought for Us, Let Us Fight for You!
After decades of being denied justice, new legislation is poised to allow people who were exposed to contaminated water to seek compensation for injuries and other damages. We are accepting clients for the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit and continuously monitoring the legislative process related to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act so that we can quickly pivot to achieve justice for those harmed at the military base. If you or a loved one was harmed by contaminated water at the North Carolina Marine Base, please contact The Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C. attorneys at (229) 888-0888, so we can finally get you the justice you deserve and put you first.
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