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LEGAL BRIEF
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JULY 2025 FriedmanSimon.com
SPEAKING UP WITH CONFIDENCE WHY PREPARATION MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
I’ve been speaking in front of people most of my life. It started early, just watching my mom. She was always standing in front of big crowds, leading meetings, and saying what needed to be said. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. That was just normal in our house. I guess I got used to the idea that standing in front of people and talking wasn’t some big, terrifying thing. That said, nerves still come with the job. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been doing it. Whether I’m in a hearing, a deposition, or talking through a tough issue with a client, I still feel a little flicker of tension. But I’ve learned it’s not something to run from. For me, nerves usually just mean I care about getting it right. I learned early that “winging it” doesn’t go well. I gave a short speech once at a company meeting years ago and didn’t prepare at all. I figured I’d talk off the cuff, and it showed. I wasn't awful, but I knew I could have done much better if I'd just taken the time necessary to jot down my thoughts.
Now, I always take the time to prepare before speaking in front of others. If it’s for a case, I first make sure I know it front to back. Then, I map out what I need to cover. I don’t script everything because I don’t want to sound like I’m reading, but I build a clean outline to know exactly what I’m there to say. Then, I practice it out loud. It sounds different when you hear it spoken instead of running it through your head. You notice where you stumble or where something feels off. I also bring my notes every time. I may not look at them, but they’re there. I don’t see that as a crutch. I see that as being smart. Another thing I’ve learned over the years is that telling a story works better than trying to remember a perfect script. Focusing on the why behind what I’m saying — like the client’s situation or the sequence of events — flows more naturally. It also keeps me grounded and helps people follow along. Of course, most of the public speaking I do isn’t on a stage. It’s in courtrooms or conference rooms. I might be standing at the bench, facing a judge with other lawyers behind me. Sometimes, it’s five people. Other times, it’s 40. Either way, I don’t know who’s listening or what they’ll pick up on, so I always come ready. If someone were to ask me how to improve their public speaking, I’d say start small. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just focus on being clear and honest. And take the time to prepare, even if it’s only for a five-minute talk. People assume confidence means you’re never nervous, but I think real confidence comes from knowing you’re ready to do the job. The more I’ve prepared, the more I can focus on what matters instead of
second-guessing myself. And that’s a good place to be — whether I’m standing in front of a courtroom or anywhere else.
-Michael J. Mills
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THE LIMITS OF SLIP-AND- FALL FOOTAGE Why Video Isn’t Always Enough
When a Colorado wildfire threatened one of Lockheed Martin’s plants last summer, the big defense contractor decided they needed better fire protection measures. Goats on the Job in Colorado Hooved Helpers Ward Off Wildfires
When someone slips and falls in a store, one of the first things asked is whether there’s footage of what happened. It’s an understandable question. After all, most businesses are outfitted with surveillance cameras, and it seems logical that if the incident is caught on tape, that should be enough to prove their case, right? Unfortunately, it’s rarely that simple. Video footage can certainly be helpful, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. In many cases, the camera angle doesn’t clearly show the hazard, or the image quality makes it hard to see spilled liquid on the floor. Sometimes, the footage is overwritten before the store is put on notice. And even when video captures the fall, it doesn’t always show when or how the hazard appeared. In New York slip-and-fall cases, the law doesn’t just ask if someone got hurt. To hold a store legally responsible, we must prove the store created the hazard and that it was known, or should have been known, based on how long it was there. In other words, the store must have had a reasonable chance to fix the problem before the accident happened. That’s why we go beyond video evidence. We look for cleanup logs, employee inspection records, and deposition testimony. We ask when the area was last checked and whether the store followed its own safety procedures. If a store can prove it inspected the area just before the fall and there’s no record of a hazard, they might escape liability even if the video shows the person fall. However, if they did no inspection or records are missing, that can strengthen your case significantly. The bottom line? Video can support a case, but it’s not the full picture. What matters most is the store's knowledge, or lack of it, about the danger. That’s where experienced legal work comes in. If you’ve been injured in a store or other business, don’t assume the video alone will carry your case. Contact us for a free consultation, and let’s make sure we ask and answer the right questions.
So, the company called in an unlikely emergency workforce — a battalion of 1,200 grazing goats.
Lockheed contracted Goat Green, a local Colorado company, to put its herd of hungry Cashmere goats to work clearing 98 acres of wilderness terrain near the company’s worksite, which includes a $350 million satellite-manufacturing facility. The terrain is too steep and hazardous for machine clearing or human crews, but it posed little challenge to the goats. Their mission: to eliminate fuel for future fires and clear paths for firefighters, if needed. The goats could mow down an acre of land dense with plants and underbrush in a day, eliminating invasive vegetation and reducing the terrain to a nearly level, trimmed surface. The goats’ work also prevents overgrowth near powerlines, where fires often start. Lockheed embraced this unusual fire-protection strategy after last year’s 580-acre Quarry Fire came within a mile of the company’s Waterton aerospace facility near Littleton. Five firefighters were injured battling the blaze, which forced the evacuation of 600 homes and put thousands of Colorado residents on edge. Goat Green has contracted with parks, government agencies, municipalities, farms, ranches, and private land owners across 15 states to provide low-tech clearing services. The company’s workforce consists of 1,500 Cashmere goats native to the Himalayas and comfortable in cold, dry temperatures. Unlike most domestic goats destined for the slaughterhouse early in life, Goat Green’s employees work for about 12 years for as many as 265 days a year. Kids are born on the worksites and learn to eat a wide range of weeds and forage as adolescents. These goats even have a retirement plan: After losing their teeth, they live out their final days in peace on a ranch. After a dozen wildfires in the last 10 years in the Littleton area, residents are bracing for another wildfire season. The area is a little bit safer this year, however, thanks to the goats. As one regional fire-protection official said on Facebook, “These goats are a wonderful partner to us.”
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CAPITALIZE ON FAMILY FOIBLES Think about traditions that evoke some quirk or twist unique to your family. If your kids love water balloons, a red, white, and blue water balloon fight can leave them laughing. Your family’s favorite films about patriotism or national identity may include fantasy tales, such as the animated 1986 immigrants’ story “An American Tail,” or darker stories, such as “Born on the Fourth of July,” the 1989 film on a Vietnam vet’s struggles after the war. Whatever your preference, watching a beloved movie together as a family can reinforce shared values. For maximum fun, ban cellphones and make lots of popcorn. MAKE IT MATTER Decorating your house and yard with flags, red-white-and-blue bunting, and patriotic pinwheels can help children get into the spirit. To create a tangible memoir, take photos of the fun and print them for an album or deposit them in a “Fourth of July Memory Jar.” When you pull them out next year, those images will spark plenty of laughs!
CREATE MEANINGFUL HOLIDAY MEMORIES WITH YOUR KIDS Traditions Start Here
Festive national holidays offer a great opportunity to strengthen family ties and traditions. While most people regard the end-of-year holidays as prime time for family get-togethers, you can make great memories in any season — including the Fourth of July! To foster traditions your loved ones will enjoy, start when your children are young. Repeat your chosen rituals year after year, but stay flexible enough to update them to suit your kids’ developmental stages. EMPHASIZE LIVE ACTION Activities that immerse your children in sights, sounds, smells, and live action can be the
most memorable. Community Fourth of July parades offer a great opportunity to socialize with neighbors and friends of all ages. To make memories, don’t just watch the parade — encourage your kids to join it! Midsummer is a great time to participate in light-hearted three-legged races, an egg toss, and sack races. As kids age, consider holding a Fourth of July Family Bowl for an annual game of soccer, softball, or touch football. At day’s end, fireworks offer a chance to gather in a lawn chair or on a blanket in the grass and enjoy some favorite snacks.
SUDOKU
Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
Ingredients • 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 cup basil pesto • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, divided • 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Chili flakes, to taste • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with reserved oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes. Directions
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Finding Confidence in Front of Others INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Company Enlists Goats to Reduce Risk of Wildfires
Caught on Camera Isn’t Case Closed
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Create Holiday Traditions That Last
Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken
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The Science Behind Frozen Food
cell structures. This helps to preserve the food’s texture, flavor, and nutritional content. Fast freezing processes like those used commercially minimize nutrient losses and help preserve food close to its original state. WHICH FOODS FREEZE BEST? Almost any food can be frozen, but some handle the process better than others. Fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon and lettuce, can become mushy when thawed because the large ice crystals rupture cells. However, berries, peas, corn, carrots, and greens like spinach freeze well. Meats and fish are also great options for freezing. ARE THERE ANY NUTRITIONAL DOWNSIDES? While freezing does an excellent job at preserving nutrients, water-soluble vitamins like B and C can be slightly reduced during the blanching process (a quick boil used primarily for vegetables before commercial freezing to inactivate enzymes that degrade quality). However, this loss is often minor compared to the losses during refrigeration over several days.
FROM FARM TO FREEZER FREEZING FOOD LOCKS IN FRESHNESS AND NUTRIENTS
Freezing food — what’s not to love about it? Not only does it save time and reduce food waste, it also retains nutrients and keeps your favorites on hand and ready to use. Let's dive into the many benefits of freezing your food and how it stacks up nutritionally. UNDERSTAND THE COLD, HARD FACTS OF NUTRIENT RETENTION. Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, freezing food doesn’t change its nutritional value? Instead, it’s like hitting the pause button, especially for fruits and vegetables. The moment these foods are picked, they start losing nutrients. However, freezing them shortly after harvest
(often done at the peak of ripeness) helps lock in vitamins and minerals.
According to a study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, and, in some cases, they might even retain nutrients better than fresh foods stored for several days.
WHAT HAPPENS TO FOOD IN THE FREEZING PROCESS?
When you freeze food, tiny ice crystals form. The quicker the freezing process, the smaller these crystals, which is important because smaller ice crystals cause less damage to
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