Take a look at our newsletter this month.
THE DEFENSE REPORT
JUNE 2019
AtlantaDUILawyer.com 404-467-1747
WHAT A LIFELONG PILOT CAN TEACH A LAWYER LESSONS FROM MY FATHER
My father started flying when he was just 15 years old. Growing up in Rome, Georgia, he had a conviction that he belonged in the clouds. So, his mother secretly got him flying lessons because his father did not want him to be a pilot. I know mothers are supposed to help their kids chase their dreams, but I can’t fathom the amount of trust it takes to put your teenager in the cockpit of an aircraft. I’m glad my grandmother gave him this chance. Her act of parental bravery helped shape who my father is today. My father’s passion for flying made the military a natural choice, and pretty soon he was flying missions in the skies above Vietnam. After his service, he became an airline pilot for Southern Airlines and would stick with the job though multiple buyouts and shakeups in the airline industry. During the strikes of the early 1980s, his paycheck was cut ridiculously low, but he stuck with it. At the end of the day, he was still doing what he loved. Flying was in his blood. My father medically retired when I was 16, which meant I got to see him a lot more. I didn’t inherit his passion for flight, but that didn’t matter as much to him. My father cared more that I learned the discipline, self-respect, and accountability that he’d learned during his service. To this day, I remember him telling me “You have one name in this world, protect it.” He taught me to be straight with people from a young age and instilled in me the idea that how I present myself makes a difference. I never quite picked up his eye for detail though — at least when it comes to clothes. Years of keeping his dress uniform immaculate gave my father an eye for small details, especially poorly polished shoes. His old fashioned spit-shine can give even the most scuffed pair of formal loafers a mirror finish. Try as I might to achieve that level of perfection with my own shoes, I can never get them to the point of seeing my own reflection. Beyond just his rejection of store-bought shoe polish, my father has taught me the value of doing things the old-fashioned way. He was a navigator during the war, using rudimentary equipment and landmarks to guide his flight crew. Now he likes to joke that he’s been replaced by a hand-held
Photo courtesy of RuthAS [CC BY 3.0]
device. Still, he’s taught me there’s value in using your own eyes to find your way, of knowing how to do things for yourself.
This lesson has directly impacted my work as a lawyer. Some of my biggest cases have been won thanks to small, rudimentary details that may have been overlooked if I didn’t take the time to look for them with my own eyes. It may be old fashioned, but my father has shown me there’s still value in that approach. It’s often the straightforward fundamentals that can win you the day. At 6 feet 4 inches with a strong, quiet demeanor, you might mistake my father for being stern at first. The truth is he’s got a great sense of humor and is actually quite approachable. People compare us all the time, telling me I’m the spitting image of him. While I don’t personally see the resemblance, I don’t mind. I couldn’t think of a better man to be compared to.
Happy Father’s Day,
–Jim Yeargan
1
404-467-1747
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
THE 3 CARDINAL RULES OF EFFECTIVE EMAIL COMMUNICATION
DON’ T BE ‘ THAT GUY’
The average businessperson reads and composes more than 120 emails every day, but there’s an overwhelming amount of business emails that seem to be written with no apparent regard for the reader. A massive chunk of people’s workdays is wasted wading through irrelevant, unclear, or incomprehensible messages. To remedy this issue, it’s vital to understand the keys to effective online communication, both to stem the tide of annoying and unnecessary emails and to protect your reputation as a professional. Here are three rules for effective email communication. 1. TIGHTEN IT UP. When your message is sitting in an inbox packed with dozens of others, it’s essential to respect your reader’s time. Make the contents of the message clear from a glance at the subject line. Your subject line is what will draw the attention of the recipient — or lead them to skip over it altogether — so be specific and relevant. In the body of the email, your reason for emailing, as well as all the important points, should be immediately clear. Keep it as concise and as transparent as possible. 2. WRITE LIKE A HUMAN BEING. Many professionals assume that the need for brevity means they can get away with short, robotic
missives. Managers are especially guilty of this, sending out single- sentence messages in all lowercase letters with nary an emotion.
We get it; you’re busy. But it’s worth taking an extra moment of your time to craft an email that carries the human element as well. It’s important to take a professional tone and to keep communication brief, but you can still write, to some degree, like you talk. This will show recipients that you take communicating with them seriously. 3. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, REPLY TO THE EMAILS YOU RECEIVE. Again, you’re busy, and you’ve got to prioritize your work, but consistently ignoring emails is a clear sign of negligence and will make you unpopular among your coworkers. If you don’t have time to think of a clear answer, a simple confirmation that you received the message goes a long way. While you can safely ignore all those companywide filler emails you receive each week, you need to show your coworkers and contacts that you’re willing to put in a little effort and that you’re on top of your responsibilities.
RandomDrug Testing For Cops:
ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST?
AN OLD QUESTION The recent policy shift of the Atlanta PD certainly brought this question to the forefront of social media, but it’s actually a question the whole nation has been grappling with. There is no unified drug testing policy for law enforcement officers in the United States, and departments vary wildly in their approach. Some require as many as four random screenings a year, while others don’t drug test at all after the initial job interview. Here’s a look at where both sides are coming from. enforcement officers should be held to the same standard as pilots, bus drivers, and other professions where drug use could put lives at risk. When officers need to respond to a dangerous situation or de-escalate a conflict, people want to know their heads are clear. This side also points to a potential FOR Those in favor of randomized drug testing for police argue that law
conflict of interest: An officer may not bust their own drug dealer, let alone themselves.
AGAINST Most people who are against testing don’t argue that police should be given special privileges, but rather disagree with screening for drugs without any probable cause. They point out that arbitrary drug testing, in any profession, is a violation of one’s Fourth Amendment rights. Others go further by pointing out this scrutiny may not be very random in practice. Personal and institutional biases could be a factor in how often individual officers get selected for testing, making the policy a new avenue for workplace discrimination and harassment. We’ll continue to watch this debate as it develops. As a law firm, we enjoy seeing so many people engaging actively in such a nuanced conversation!
Further marijuana decriminalization efforts in Atlanta have sparked an important conversation about the standards we hold our police officers to and their rights as citizens under the law. This March, the city’s police department announced it would no longer be asking candidates about past marijuana use — something that previously kept potential officers from being recruited. Regardless of what you think of this policy shift, it raises a divisive question: Should officers be randomly tested for current drug use?
2
ATLANTADUILAWYER.COM
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
LAUGH IT OFF
Atlanta’s Most Dangerous Time THE SUNDOWN HOUR
Last month, Georgia’s local CBS affiliate reported a disturbing, but important, statistic. The most dangerous time to be out on the streets of Atlanta isn’t in the dead of night, but rather just as the day is coming to a close. This “sundown hour,” according to analysts, is when crime spikes across the board. Why is this, and how can you stay safe during this otherwise busy, beautiful time in the city?
ZUCCHINI SALAD WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
WHY SUNDOWN?
Most of us think of crime happening in the late hours, in dark alleyways or under flickering street lights. But as Atlanta transitions from bustling commercial hub to hip night scene, plenty of opportunistic and desperate individuals take advantage of the shifting crowds. Office workers and students call it a day, while concert attendees, sports fans, and partiers struggle to find parking. In this window created by downtown briefly emptying and being refilled, muggers, purse thieves, and other unsavory types find it easy to target lone, unprepared victims. The most important thing to remember is to not let your guard down. Just because there’s still daylight left in the sky, doesn’t mean you should loosen your hold on your belongings or take a shortcut down a sketchy looking ally. Criminals are counting on you being oblivious to them. Keep your head on a swivel and don’t take unnecessary risks. Second, whether you’re going out for a night on the town, or just walking to your car after a long shift, travel in a group whenever possible. Part of what makes sunset crimes work in Atlanta is that transition period when downtown empties of cars — and potential witnesses. So when you can’t be guaranteed a crowd to deter would-be criminals, it’s best to make your own. Come downtown with friends you’d otherwise meet at the bar, or plan on leaving for the parking garage alongside your fellow coworkers. The best way to stop a crime is to dissuade someone from committing it in the first place. HOW TO STAY SAFE
With raw zucchini, toasted hazelnuts, and a robust Parmigiano-Reggiano, this early summer salad is a delight of different textures and flavors that will make a great side at your next cookout.
INGREDIENTS • 3 small zucchini (3/4 lb.) • 1/2 tsp lemon zest, grated • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
• Mint leaves, for garnish • Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice zucchini lengthwise into extremely thin, wide ribbons. 2. Arrange zucchini ribbons on a plate, sprinkle with lemon zest, and drizzle with juice. 3. Drizzle oil over zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and toss. 4. Scatter hazelnuts over the top, garnish with mint and cheese, and serve.
3
404-467-1747
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Yeargan Barber & Kert, LLC 1170 Peachtree Street Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30309 404-467-1747 AtlantaDUILawyer.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
What a Lifelong Pilot Can Teach a Lawyer
The 3 Cardinal Rules of Effective Email Communication Should Cops Be Drug Tested?
Atlanta’s Most Dangerous Time Zucchini Salad With Toasted Hazelnuts
Wizards, Superheroes, and Detectives
ROLL THE DICE ON FUN
TURN FAMILY GAME NIGHT INTO A REAL ADVENTURE
Has Monopoly caused one too many fights? Are you tired of stockpiling resources in Settlers of Catan? Maybe it’s time to introduce your family to a new kind of game, one where you control the story, and a single roll of the dice can change everything. This is the world of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), where players embark on epic adventures under the supervision of a central Game Master. There are a lot of RPGs out there to choose from; here are a few your whole family can get into. GO ON A QUEST: DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS The first. The biggest. The king of tabletop RPGs. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) has been around since 1974, though shows like “Community” and “Stranger Things” have only recently helped the fantasy game gain mainstream acclaim. There are a lot of rules involved in the gameplay, so D&D can seem overwhelming to new players. But once you become familiar with the game, there are limitless options for characters and quests: How will a human fighter, an elf wizard, and a dwarf cleric save the world? Roll the dice and find out. BECOME SUPER: MASKS If your family has ever had a long conversation about who would win in a fight between the Hulk and Superman? Then Masks is the RPG for you. Fly into Halcyon City where your family can take on the role
of a team of young superheroes. Create your own hero and work together to make the world a better place. Fight supervillains, rescue citizens, and ultimately determine who has the best superpower. SOLVE A MYSTERY: BUBBLEGUMSHOE
Did you grow up reading “Nancy Drew”? Are your kids all about BBC’s “Sherlock”? Then Bubblegumshoe is the game for you. This teen sleuth adventure is geared toward younger players, so it’s easier to start than other games on this list. Don’t worry if you’re not a mystery writer; the game comes with prewritten stories for your brilliant characters to solve. The villain might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for your meddling kids!
What are you waiting for? Grab some dice and get the party started!
4
ATLANTADUILAWYER.COM
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com Published by The Newsl tter Pro • w.TheNewsletterPr .c
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online