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Serious Injuries. Strong Lawyer. 214-932-1288 | ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM | SEPTEMBER 2024
The Real Boss Behind the Scenes MEET THE PARALEGAL WHO KEEPS US ON TRACK
When I was about to open my firm, Melissa was one of the earliest people I reached out to. After working with her in the past, I knew she had the skill sets, organization, and kind personality to help establish a new firm and create a supportive and efficient environment for our clients and team. Melissa was instrumental in launching Armstrong Law. In those early days, she wore several different hats, handling many of the essential elements and tasks of starting a business. Going into our third year, she’s become my right-hand woman. Along with primary responsibilities as a paralegal, she takes care of anything I can’t get to if I’m out of the office or busy working on other things. She puts out many fires and does a good job keeping me in line. As a paralegal, Melissa handles all our litigation and helps us prepare for trial, depositions, or arbitration. Paralegals generally let the lawyer know where and when they are supposed to be somewhere. Attorneys have so much going on in any given day, so paralegals ensure cases flow smoothly and that we don’t miss out on anything important to push our case forward. At smaller firms like mine, paralegals like Melissa also manage administrative tasks. She helps generate business and is often the other voice on the line with clients. Melissa is the first person to jump on the call and provide caring guidance if clients have questions or concerns. A great paralegal
is invaluable to a firm, and a bad one can hinder your operations. Melissa is a strong, invaluable resource to the firm, helping us to continue to grow and win for our clients. Beyond her professional skills and the ease she brings to daily operations, Melissa is just a wonderful person. She’s incredibly caring with clients and gives them her full attention when she listens to them explain their situations, frustrations, triumphs, and struggles. One of her innate personality traits is her drive to help put people at ease. Melissa has younger children and understands the importance of empathy and patience, which she extends to everyone she interacts with at work. She’s a go-getter with a great sense of humor. As we celebrate Labor Day this month, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Melissa for her unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to Armstrong Law. Her expertise, dedication, and warm personality make her an irreplaceable part of our team. Melissa, your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed, and I am truly grateful for everything you do to keep our firm running smoothly and our clients well cared for. Here’s to you and all your incredible work — thank you for being such a vital part of our success! –Warren Armstrong
Most of us in the lawyer world have a little joke about who’s really the boss of a firm — it’s the paralegal. These hardworking law professionals handle everything from tracking deadlines and other administrative tasks to assisting attorneys on their cases. Their contributions go far beyond the office’s daily operations; they ensure our clients receive the best representation. Without these powerhouse employees, we couldn’t do our important work as effectively. My paralegal, Melissa Estrello, has been with me since day one of starting Armstrong Law. She’s actually been by my side professionally even longer, as she was a legal assistant for about six years at another firm I worked for. I can’t imagine getting the firm off the ground without her; she is such a valuable team member. In honor of Labor Day this month, I wanted to highlight her unwavering commitment and the exceptional skills she brings to the office daily. From managing complex case details to providing quality support, Melissa embodies the qualities that make our team exceptional.
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Let’s Hurkle-Durkle
THE CATHARSIS OF LOUNGING ABOUT
After being subjected to the severely idiotic and overwhelmingly disappointing series finale of “Game of Thrones,” I hurkle-durkled. No, I did not just have a hairball. The word “hurkle-durkle” comes to us from the “Dictionaries of the Scots Language,” meaning “to lie in bed or lounge about when one should be up and about.” Despite being around for centuries, “hurkle-durkle” was propelled into the modern lexicon after a video pointing out its existence went viral on TikTok. That video has garnered millions of views, and the term quickly spread to countless other videos. But it’s not just a funny word that has captured the public’s imagination; it is the movement — or lack thereof — it represents. Emulating the Sloth Everyone is guilty of lazing in bed without any intention of actually sleeping. Beds are comfortable, and the warm embrace of silky sheets helps whisk away the day’s worries. When people on TikTok heard “hurkle-durkle,” they immediately saw the opportunity to co- opt the word and incorporate it into their vocabulary and routines.
People have begun hurkle- durkling in the morning or on the weekend to de-stress and recuperate. But is lounging about in bed good for your health, or should hurkle-durkle have remained in the pages of a distant and dusty dictionary? Test Your Hurkle-Durkle
The only way to find out if hurkle-durkling is for you is to hurkle-durkle yourself. If you set aside time in your schedule to hurkle-durkle and find that languishing in bed is cathartic, then yes, you should hurkle- durkle more often. But you should be wary that spending too much time hurkle-durkling may cause you to feel depressed. Usually, the more inactive we are, the more depressed we feel. If you are lounging in bed more often and feel worse than usual, that’s a sign you should be more physically active. Hurkle-durkle responsibly, everyone.
No Scrolling While Strolling MASTERING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN A BUSY WORLD
Pedestrians usually have the right of way, but nowadays, it’s more critical than ever that people walking are hyper-aware of their surroundings. With drivers distracted by phones, rush-hour traffic, and unexpected obstacles, staying focused and conscious of what’s happening around you is crucial. Whether walking to work or crossing the street, your safety depends on your vigilance. Get your walking shoes because we are strolling through tips to stay safe on your feet. Crosswalks While you should always use a crosswalk to cross a busy street, don’t assume a car can or will stop. A driver may not see you there due to traffic or other distractions. Before you cross, ensure no vehicles are coming and watch for turning cars. As you cross the street, remain attentive, watching every lane you must cross. Remember to always use the pedestrian button to activate the walk signal. You can give yourself more visibility at night by wearing reflective clothing. Jaywalking Many pedestrian accidents occur when people jaywalk or cross the road in an unregulated area. Avoid jaywalking because it disrupts
traffic flow, and drivers may not see you on the road despite how much of a hurry you may be in. In some states, including Texas, jaywalking is illegal, and you may be cited. Additionally, if you are hit by a car while jaywalking, you may be considered at fault for the accident and receive no or less compensation if you file a claim. Distracted Walking Just like drivers should remain off their phones while commuting, you should also avoid scrolling while strolling. One study found that people looking at their cellphones while walking are 61% more likely to veer off course or outside a crosswalk. If you are walking distracted, you may not see hazards in front of you, and you could injure yourself. Additionally, drivers may not see you in time to slow down or stop. If you were to walk into the street because you were not paying attention, your injuries would be considered your fault. By prioritizing awareness and adhering to these essential safety tips, you can help make every step you take safer. Contact us if you have been in an accident. We can advise you if you’ve ever been hit by a vehicle.
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AUTUMN ADVENTURES AWAIT Celebrate the Season With Tailgating, Pumpkins, and More!
Fall is a little different in Texas. The weather starts to cool down, making it the perfect time for biking, running, and spending time with the family outdoors. This season is one of my favorites, with my birthday in October, my anniversary in September, and my kids’ birthdays falling in the autumn months. This time of year, it’s easy to find many great family activities to do. From pumpkin patches to tailgating, there’s no shortage of fun to enjoy in the fall. Tailgating We love football season in Texas, from high school teams to the Cowboys. One of the best ways to enjoy the Friday night lights is tailgating with your family and friends. Throw on your team’s colors or favorite football hat, spark up the grill, and play a round of cornhole. While you can make tailgating as simple or complex as you want, I say go big and make your parking spot a crowd-pleaser. Have the family help decorate the car or truck, and ensure you have plenty of game and cooking supplies. For more tailgating tips, check out Page 4. Pumpkin Picking Nothing says fall quite like visiting the local pumpkin patch. From sweet photo ops to the joys of selecting the perfect pumpkin to transform into a jack-o’-lantern, this autumn activity is fun for
everyone in the family. North Texas is home to many entertaining pumpkin patches, and a local favorite is the Autumn at the Arboretum
event at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. It’s even earned the title of one of America’s best pumpkin festivals. Hiking With the cooler weather, it’s a great time to go hiking in one of the state parks or wildland
areas. You can get a front-row seat to the colorful fall foliage in the Lost Maples Natural Area near Vanderpool, which has abundant maple trees. Cedar Hill
State Park is just 20 minutes outside of Dallas. This park offers expansive prairie and limestone bluffs alongside
a lake. Make sure to bring plenty of water wherever you hike.
Perfect Peach Cobbler
Armstrong Law specializes in workplace accident cases for employees of businesses in Texas that do not have workers’ comp insurance. We understand the nuances of these cases and have the resources to take on large “nonsubscriber” employers. To refer an injury case involving a nonsubscriber employer to our practice, call us at 214-932-1288 . WE VALUE YOUR REFERRALS
INGREDIENTS •
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugar, 2 tbsp flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix until blended, then spoon into prepared dish. 3. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. 4. Cut in butter with forks or pastry knife until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 5. Add milk and stir until just blended. 6. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto peach mixture and drizzle melted butter on top. 7. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until top is golden brown.
6 cups sliced fresh peaches
• • • • • • • • •
1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
• •
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp butter, melted
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12720 HILLCREST RD. STE. 615 | DALLAS, TX 75230 214-932-1288 | ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM
INSIDE
1 Why Every Firm Needs a Melissa 2 Old Scots Word Goes Viral on TikTok
How to Protect Yourself While Walking
3 Your Texas Fall Bucket List
We Value Your Referrals
Perfect Peach Cobbler 4 Family Fun at the Tailgate
Score Big With Kid-Friendly Tailgates
Plan a few different activities. Your kids will get bored if there’s nothing to do at the tailgate besides listening to pregame coverage and talking to others. Invest in cornhole boards or other games, and see if someone in your group is comfortable with face painting. It doesn’t have to be extensive, but having a few kid-friendly activities prepared will keep boredom at bay. Encourage your kids to show support for their team.
Football season is underway, and many Americans will start spending their Saturdays and Sundays tailgating in stadium parking lots. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to an NFL or college game; tailgating is a great way to spend time with your friends and family before the big game. While many tailgates consist of adult activities like drinking alcohol and blasting loud music, many prefer to make it a family affair.
If you plan to have kids at your tailgate, you need to ensure they have everything they need to have fun. Here are a few ways you can help your kids make the most of their day at the tailgate!
Whether you’re a fan of the home or away team, you and your kids should wear the right colors to show your support. Let your kids pick out a shirt, jersey, hat, or other team-affiliated apparel to help them get involved.
Bring kid-friendly snacks and drinks. The average tailgate lasts a few hours, and most people enjoy at least one meal during that time frame. While most tailgate foods are simple
Finally, don’t forget about your child’s need for a nap. Be sure to bring pillows and a blanket for them, and set up a comfortable spot for them to rest when needed. Doing so will allow everyone to enjoy the upcoming game to the fullest.
appetizers and easy-to-make dishes, ask your kids or any kids attending if they want anything specific. Fill one of your coolers with sliced fruit and juice boxes to ensure your kids have a healthy food option and child-friendly drinks.
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