JOSEPH F. EMMERTH A LOOK AT FAMILY LAW SULLIVAN, TAYLOR, GUMINA & PALMER, P.C.
SEPT 2018
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IT’S MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU THINK
Success for One Person Is Not Mirrored in Another
The definition of success varies from person to person. It depends on the point of view of the person who is experiencing success or failure. It doesn’t solely rely on winning or losing, or even the overall outcome, to determine how successful someone feels about a situation, case, decision, or conflict. Sometimes, there’s a case that goes really well, and the results are the best anyone could have hoped for. The outcome of the case is something you know that, as an attorney who does this every day, you wouldn’t usually get. But despite that success, the client is outraged. Conversely, something can go wrong in a case — maybe the judge misinterprets the law — and it turns into bitter work. However, even in that situation, the client might be happy and thankful that it’s finally over, and thankful for your efforts. When you define success from the divorce attorney perspective, it has a lot in common with the divorce client perspective. In my experience, it’s good practice for someone who is a divorce client to approach a case with careful expectations. If you base your happiness or sadness entirely on the outcome of this particular case, you could carry that on your shoulders for the rest of your life. Many people can never get past their divorce. They’ll go back to court year after year to tweak or change something in their paperwork. And then there are others who never look back after the case is over and continue with their lives.
If you’re a divorce client and are experiencing a loss, you can turn it into a success. As long as you know you did the best you could and did what you were supposed to do, you’ll experience a good win. If you act honorably and in good faith throughout the divorce process (even if you don’t receive exactly what you want) you can view it as successful. It can be dangerous to tie all your emotions, hopes, dreams, and state of mind to what some stranger sitting behind a bench and wearing a black robe says. It can really help if divorce clients focus on what’s going on in their lives right at that moment, rather than thinking too far ahead or behind. Control what you can control, and don’t allow things beyond that intervene with your mental state or pursuit of happiness. Give yourself the opportunity to fight for your success and for what you want to achieve. Sometimes it’s the fight itself, and not necessarily the outcome, that tells you if you’ve succeeded. Making sure that you’re the best parent you can be for them goes a long way. A spouse trying to use their kids as a weapon in the divorce as a way get what they want is selfish and appalling. Children should be kept out of the process. If you’re a client who has faced something like this, or if you’ve done your best in keeping your children out of the process, the important thing to keep in mind is that you were a good parent. As a divorce attorney, I have a lot of tools in my lawyer toolbox that I can use to fight for a great outcome for any of my clients. How I define success is whether or not, at the end of the day, I can look back and see if I helped people out in the best way that I could, regardless of the outcome. –Joseph Emmerth Especially when there are children involved, clients who focus only on getting the best outcome for themselves can be dangerous.
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SUMMONED TO COURT
Jury Duty Myths
THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost- effective and delicious. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love. NO VOTING, NO JURY DUTY According to another circulating myth, if you aren’t registered to vote, you don’t have to serve jury duty. Many people believe this myth because voting enters you into the jury duty pool, but there are other means by which citizens are chosen. Other ways you’re entered into the pool include buying a home, paying taxes, and getting a driver’s license. Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you’re still liable to be summoned. SERVING JURY DUTY WILL GET YOU FIRED If you’re worried about getting fired for serving jury duty, you can take a breather. Your employer cannot fire you once you’ve been selected for jury service. In fact, if your boss threatens to fire you for it, they will face the penalties, which include fines and even jail time. Many employers know and understand this, but if yours doesn’t, you can submit a file of complaint to the trial court administrator, and they will take care of the rest for you. The system to select jurors has been around for a while, and those involved know what they’re doing. It’s best to go in with an open mind and be completely honest. After all, it is your civic duty to do so. Try These 3 Tips Instead
There are so many rumors about jury duty that it can be difficult to know which ones are true. Here are three of the most popular speculations, debunked. ADMITTING BIAS WILL ENSURE YOUR DISMISSAL If you admit that you are biased when you serve jury duty, it does not guarantee your dismissal. In fact, a judge cannot dismiss you for being biased — but an attorney can. In addition, attempting to portray yourself as a biased person can put you in a troubling situation. Attorneys and judges have been selecting jurors for a long time and know when someone is lying to them. Your best bet will be to give honest answers to the questions they ask.
NEED A PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO MANAGE YOUR KIDS’ CRAZY SCHEDULES?
SET AN EARLY BEDTIME School has started. Youth sports are in full swing. Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment. All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep
their heads on straight; making it through the insanity sometimes feels more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. TAG TEAM There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom.
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THE PULLMAN STRIKE AND THE ORIGIN OF LABOR DAY
HOW A RAILROAD PROTEST LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Today, Labor Day mostly means a day off and the closure of public pools. But when it was first created, it was a president’s desperate attempt to curb the tension after one of the most violent strike breakups in American history. In the late 19th century, the workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured luxury train cars, all lived in a company-owned town. George Pullman, the owner, lived in a mansion overlooking houses, apartments, and crammed-together barracks, all of which were rented by the thousands of workers needed for the operation. For some time, the town operated without a hitch, providing decent wages for the workers while netting the higher-ups millions of dollars. But after the economic depression of the 1890s brought the country to its knees, everything changed. George Pullman slashed his workers’ wages by nearly 30 percent, but he neglected to adjust the rent on the company-owned buildings in turn. As a result, life became untenable in the town, with workers struggling to maintain the barest standards of living for themselves and their families. In response, the workers began a strike on May 11, 1894. As the event ramped up, it gained the support of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU). But Pullman, stubborn as he was, barely acknowledged the strike was happening, and he refused to meet with the organizers.
The tension increased when Eugene Debs, the president of the American Railway Union, organized a boycott of all trains that included Pullman cars. The strike continued to escalate until workers and Pullman community members managed to stop the trains from running. Eventually, President Grover Cleveland sent in soldiers to break up the strike. Violence ensued, with soldiers making a great effort to quell the strike at its core. By the time the violence ended, 30 people had lost their lives and an estimated $80 million in damages had been caused throughout the town.
A few months later, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a federal holiday. Many experts believe that this act was an effort to build rapport among his pro-labor constituents after handling the incident so poorly. This month, as you fire up the barbecue and enjoy your day off, take a moment to remember the workers who fought for labor rights in our country.
HAVE A LAUGH!
Inspired by Food Network
LATE-SUMMER PANZANELLA
Panzanella, a Tuscan favorite, is a salad that features hearty chunks of bread instead of leafy greens as its base. What could be better for a late-summer cookout?
INGREDIENTS
• 1 small loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups) • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 2 large tomatoes, cubed • 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cubed • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced • 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds
• 20 basil leaves, chopped • Salt, to taste • Vinaigrette
DIRECTIONS
3. Serve immediately or let sit 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
1. Place a large sauté pan over medium- low heat and add olive oil. Add bread and 1 teaspoon salt, and toss often for 10 minutes or until toasted. 2. In a large bowl, mix vegetables and herbs. Toss in bread and your favorite vinaigrette and mix again.
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JOSEPH F. EMMERTH SULLIVAN, TAYLOR, GUMINA & PALMER, P.C.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
630-665-7676 | www.stglawfirm.com Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1250 E. Diehl Rd., Suite 400 Naperville, IL 60563
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Defining Success PAGE 1
Falsehoods You’ve Been Told About Jury Duty PAGE 2
3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life PAGE 2
Why Labor Day Is Indebted to the Pullman Strike PAGE 3
Late-Summer Panzanella PAGE 3
Fall Fun for the Whole Family PAGE 4
MAKE LIKE A TREE
THE BEST FALL-THEMED LEAF CRAFTS
Directions
Summer is over, and when there’s a chill in the air, it’s tempting to stay inside all day. Don’t let your family hibernate in front of a screen for the next six months. Get active with these fun crafts, using the most abundant resource of the season: leaves! A CRAFT FOR KIDS: LEAF CRITTERS With this fun project, the leaves in your backyard transform into works of art featuring your kids’ favorite animals.
2. It helps to arrange all the leaves on a piece of paper first, then glue them down once your child knows how they want to piece their creation together. Cover the whole side of each leaf with glue and press it firmly onto the paper so that it lies flat. Repeat until all the leaves are glued down. Place the critter somewhere safe to dry before hanging it up for all to see.
1. Roll your clay out to a 1/4-inch thickness and place each leaf, vein side down, onto the clay. Run your roller over the leaf, pressing it into the clay and making your clay thinner at the same time. 2. Cut the excess clay from around the leaf to produce the desired shape. 3. Create a small bowl out of aluminum foil to cradle the clay leaf while it dries into a bowl shape. Remove the tree leaf and let the clay dry overnight. Be sure to flip the clay over at some point so the underside dries too. 4. Once the clay is dry, you can paint your bowls or coat them in a clear varnish to enjoy a minimalist look. Who says the fun has to end with summer? With a little imagination and a whole lot of leaves, your family can create amazing works of art together!
A CRAFT FOR GROWN-UPS: CLAY LEAF BOWLS
Materials
These simple little bowls bring an elegant touch of fall to the indoors and can be used to hold candles, keys — or pretty much anything!
• Paper • Glue
• Lots of leaves
Directions
Materials
1. This project works best with leaves of different shapes and sizes. Does that big, round leaf look like a squirrel tail? Is there a long, skinny leaf that would be perfect for a butterfly’s body? Let your kids go through the leaves and think of what masterpiece they can create.
• Air-dry clay • Leaves • Clay roller
• Clay scissors or craft scalpel • Aluminum foil
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