Wade Law Group May 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

MAY 2018

WADE LAW GROUP

THE LEGAL ISSUE 408-842-1688

www.WadeLitigation.com

LOSING IS NOT AN OPTION

It was a strange case. My client was a brilliant Stanford grad with a bright future ahead of him. That changed in an instant when he was run over by a driver intending to take someone out. The driver had been seeing a doctor for psychological problems, and a few weeks before the accident occurred, the driver told his doctor that he felt like he wanted to run someone over. I argued that the doctor had a duty to report this to the DMV, but he failed to do so. The doctor and his attorneys of course denied that he had such an obligation. In his negligence, the driver carried out his intentions, and the Stanford grad’s life was taken out from under him. He became a quadriplegic, and he came to me to find out how he could get compensation for this awful event. The driver had no money, so the case was taken against the doctor. It turned into a three-week jury trial. I didn’t sleep. I spent all day in court, grabbed some food, and spent every night preparing for next day’s session. In the end, the jury awarded my client over $11 million. Nothing would be enough to cover the turmoil of his experience, but it was the closest to a victory you could get given the circumstances. My client couldn’t sit through a trial for three weeks in his condition, so we delivered the news that we’d won. As you can imagine, he was very emotional. This was closure and, at least, some compensation for the hell he’d been through. He had a great attitude, and that’s what got him through. He just wanted to pick up the pieces, move on, and let go of what he could no longer do by focusing on what he could do. I prepare in the way I do for people like this client. It can be exhausting, but it is the only option to find justice and live with the outcomes I get. Winning is the only option. Last month, I got the news that I was among several other attorneys in the state of California to be awarded the Lawyers of Distinction award. Only 10 percent of attorneys in the state receive this honor, and I am humbled and excited by the recognition from this prestigious group. It’s an honor to be recognized among the other elite attorneys in our state.

When I’m taking a case to court, it becomes the center of my universe. I’m in a vortex: I spend my day from 8 to 5 in court, I get something to eat, and then I spend the night preparing for the next day. Then I wake up and do it all over again. When I’m in this vortex, I don’t even need coffee. I’m fueled by the need to win this case for my client.

When the trial is over, the preparation for my next case begins.

I’ve been asked before how I find the energy for a life like this. My answer is straightforward: Losing is not an option. It’s that simple. This is the career I chose, and it’s the life of a litigator. The excitement of the case keeps me going. I want to win so badly for my client, and to win, I need to do that much more preparation than the other team. My clients are the reason I prepare endlessly. You don’t want to be the reason that someone doesn’t recover from an injury, or loses their business, home, or family. That’s what fuels me. At the end of the day, the only option is to do the best that I can, and that best has to be perfect. It’s the only way I can live with the results I get.

There is no room for error. I have to be at the top of my game to win cases like one in particular that I had a few years ago.

Amiel Wade

“At the end of the day, the only option is to do the best that I can, and that best has to be perfect.”

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A little customer appreciation can go a long way — after all, everyone likes to be treated well by the people they do business with. But if your appreciation stops at holiday cards and birthday offers, you might be missing the mark. Summer tends to be the slow season, so take the extra time to plan a new way to show customers you care. HOST A SUMMER EVENT There’s no need to plan a black-tie gala. Summer is the season of relaxation, so keep it low-key, and let your clients know they are welcome to bring their friends and family. Here are a few fun ideas to consider: • Host a barbecue at the office or local park. Make sure you have the proper permits first. • Book a movie theater, and show the latest blockbuster. (We hear “Avengers: Infinity War” is pretty awesome.) • Plan an adults-only scavenger hunt. Include local landmarks, offer prizes, and provide grown-up beverages afterward to make the event really memorable. • Throw a block party. This one requires some planning, but if you pull it off, your clients will talk about it until next summer! DELIVER ONE BIG ‘WOW’ Social media makes it pretty easy to keep up with everyone’s lives, so look for an opportunity to make a great impression on one customer. Maybe a client CUSTOMER APPRECIATION ISN’T SEASONAL HEAT UP THE SLOW MONTHS WITH A ‘WOW!’ Earlier this year, Amiel Wade was welcomed as a member of the Lawyers of Distinction. He has also been elected as a top California Law lawyer by several impartial attorney rating services and was recognized as one of the top ten attorneys in the state regarding client satisfaction These are only a few examples of the respect and esteem with which Mr. Wade is regarded in the legal community, and on May 19, he’s graciously offering to share his knowledge with you for free. The first opportunity is an amazing, free seminar for San Jose-area business owners to learn from attorney Amiel Wade about the legalities of protecting yourself and your business. Free Business Seminar: How to Use the Law to Protect and Operate Your Business. Date: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Blvd., San Jose

is expecting their first grandchild. Could they use a new stroller? Is a wedding anniversary coming up? Who wouldn’t love a limo ride and dinner at the nicest restaurant in the city? Go a bit over the top! People love to share stories on social media about the cool, unexpected things businesses do. Wouldn’t you like to go viral for a good reason? SEND CARDS FOR STRANGE HOLIDAYS Sure, you mail cards during the winter holidays, but so does everyone else. Why not mail a card for National Doughnut Day on June 1? You can even include a coupon to a local doughnut shop. Or you can send a funny card with a picture of your office dog for National Mutt Day to announce that, thanks to your client’s support, your company is donating to a local animal shelter. These ideas may work great for your clients, or you might need to brainstorm a bit. Your clients are as unique as your company, so don’t hesitate to find a special way to show them you care.

2 FREE SEMINARS PRESENTED BY WADE LAW Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Learn About the Law and Your Rights

• What you need to do to comply with corporate laws so your corporation or LLC will be protected.

• The agreements your company needs to have in place to protect the shareholders and founders and why they are needed.

• The agreements and plans your company should have in place to issue stock options, stock warrants, etc.

Free Family Seminar: Learning the Divorce Process, Your Rights, and How to Proceed. Date: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 2:30–5:30 p.m. Location: Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Blvd., San Jose

The afternoon seminar shifts focus to cover the divorce process. Among additional topics, you will learn:

• How to arm yourself with knowledge you need to start your divorce.

Topics will include:

How to try settlement first and why.

• Which type of entity you should choose to operate your business — sole proprietorship, S-corporation, C-corporation, LLC, etc. There are certain advantages and disadvantages that are associated with each one. Learn the difference.

The timetable for finalizing your divorce.

• What your rights are and how to protect them in a divorce.

• What you need to incorporate or form an LLC and the process. Learn the process and protect yourself personally from the liability of your company.

• Child custody and the rights associated with child custody.

Child support — who pays, how much, and why?

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In a recent case, a business owner came to our firm in distress. Their company was being sued, and the worst part was that it wasn’t just their business that was at stake; they were being held personally liable for a business issue. All of their assets were put at risk because of one small error. On top of the threat to their business, they had to undergo the stress of wondering if they were going to lose everything. The excitement of opening your business shouldn’t be ruined by a lawsuit, but, unfortunately, we’ve seen too many businesses experience this reality. We often see lawsuits arise when business owners don’t properly protect their personal assets from their connection to the company. E X P O S E D ? ARE YOU LEAVING YOURSELF

There are usually two reasons this happens: One, the business failed to incorporate or form an LLC, or two, they did it improperly.

When you’re held personally liable for legal action against your business, you can lose everything — not just your business, but any personal assets you have. For clients, it’s an awful realization to find out that they’ve exposed their home and family to liability because of a business mistake they made. Because incorporating or forming an LLC can be more complex than you think, having an attorney on your side whom you can trust is key. Making sure you have the right attorney is the difference between business security and personal turmoil.

Fortunately, there are attorneys who can equip you with the knowledge and resources to properly protect your business and yourself. This month, Wade Law is offering a free seminar for business owners to learn about properly filing for an LLC, among many other topics.

See page 2 of this newsletter for more details. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

SUDOKU

Asparagus and steak is a classic pairing. Skirt steak packs a ton of flavor without the high price point of other cuts, and this is the best time of year to buy asparagus. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get grilling! GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH ASPARAGUS

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

1 1/2 pounds skirt steak

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons canola oil

Grated pecorino Romano cheese

1 pound asparagus

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat grill to high. Season room-temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil. Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work. 2. Trim bottom inch of asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. 3. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. 4. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. 5. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak.

Recipe inspired by Food and Food Network

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408-842-1688 www.WadeLitigation.com

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WADE LAW GROUP

84 West Santa Clara Street, Ste 750 San Jose, CA 95113

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Inside the Life of a Litigator

The Most Unique Customer Appreciation Ideas Ever

Don’t Miss This Free Seminar

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Don’t Make This Huge Business Mistake

Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus

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The Radical Transparency of Ray Dalio’s ‘Principles’

BOOK REVIEW

The Radical Transparency of Ray Dalio’s ‘Principles’

RECOGNIZE HOW TO GET BEYOND DISAGREEMENTS.

Dalio’s transparency extends to creating an open forum for disagreement. In an earlier 2011 draft of Dalio’s “Principles,” he wrote of the importance of “creat[ing] an environment in which everyone has the right to understand what makes sense and no one has the right to hold a critical opinion without speaking up about it.” From the outside, it might seem that such an uncompromisingly honest vision would create problems. After all, Bridgewater employees describe “public hangings” of those who don’t rigorously follow Dalio’s rules and meetings that sometimes stretch for hours due to disagreements about a single item on the agenda. But Dalio argues that creating this fluid back-and-forth is a vital component of a healthy organization.

If you grew up in an ordinary, middle-class neighborhood on Long Island, proceeded to found an investment firm out of your apartment in NYC, and went on to make more money for your clients than any other hedge fund in the history of the industry, you would assume there was something uniquely special about you, right? Not according to Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the most successful — and influential, as 2012’s Time magazine attests — men in the world. He’ll be the first to tell you that there’s no secret to his genius. Just open his book and memorize the 200-plus “Principles” he honed over his career. Dalio believes these are the real reason he stands in such a prominent position today.

TRUST IN RADICAL TRUTH AND RADICAL TRANSPARENCY.

SYSTEMATIZE THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.

Since its publication last year, Dalio’s book has risen to No. 5 on Amazon’s charts, become a No. 1 New York Times best seller, and been touted as revolutionary by some of the most successful businesspeople of our time. It’s a thick volume of just under 600 pages but nonetheless compelling. Dalio’s dedication to the idea of openness in all things is evident through the organization of his life’s work into a detailed and actionable program.

Aside from his trademark transparency and sometimes brutal honesty, “Principles” has one thread that runs through the whole book: Everything can and should be boiled down and understood with a simple system. By acknowledging how reality operates, you can transform your business and achieve clarity in every aspect of your life.

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