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The Law Office of John M. Zenir
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July 2020
A New World of Possibility Remote Work Brings Positive Changes to Law
Fromwhere I sit behind my desk every day, I see big changes coming to the world of providing legal services. But I’m not talking about laws or protocols like some might guess; I’m talking about how technology is changing the way we’re able to do the work we do and how it’s changing it for the better. The changes sparked by the pandemic are far-reaching, and they’ve extended to the practice of law. We’ve had to work remotely, just like people in other industries, and that’s created concern about case progression. For a practice steeped in the tradition of people gathering in a room to reach conclusions for often troublesome scenarios, how can we expect the practice to survive when people cannot gather? Well, technology has stepped up to the challenge. With open minds — and a little bit of luck and a solid internet connection— virtual appearances are starting to reshape the practice of law. When we can hop into an important meeting or visit a courtroom from our desk at home, we save time and money without sacrificing progress. If we no longer have to commute to an office or courthouse, sit around and wait for the judge, commute back, and do it all again multiple times until the case is resolved, I can guarantee that everyone involved will be happier and more productive. This scenario rebuilds respect too. People tend to get frustrated with a system that makes themwait around so much. Waiting our turn and holding out for the judge has always been a part of what we do and has always cost us valuable time and money. If clients and their lawyers don’t have to waste time and money sitting around, the process will intrude less on their lives, and they’ll feel more respect for the way the system operates. If more and more cases can be carried out without lengthy downtime, more in-depth conferences could potentially occur, simply because the court will be able to allocate more time to a case than they would have under the previous system. So, videoconferencing brings benefits to those at the courthouse and to the litigants. And finally, the emotional impact these new changes bring is already evident. Less waiting, fewer fees, and operating from the comfort of your home inevitably decrease the stress you feel as you make your way through “With open minds — and a little bit of luck and a solid internet connection — virtual appearances are starting to reshape the practice of law.”
any legal matter. If we can bring a little less reactive emotion to what we do, we leave more room to make thoughtful decisions. It’s a win all around.
Though it happened because our hands were forced, we quickly appreciated working remotely. We’ve had great experiences connecting with our clients via video, and although there’s never a substitute for in-person interaction, we’ve found that both our clients and our team members still light up when we see each other’s faces and work together to get things done. Modern technology even makes it possible to share our screens — and thereby important documents — at the click of a button. There’s almost nothing we can’t do. The new possibilities these technological changes bring add additional value to our clients, and for everyone in our office, that’s an incredibly exciting prospect. There are still a lot of scenarios to figure out to implement a fully digital legal system, but this is the first step down an intriguing path. We’ll be embracing change every step of the way because it only spells good things for our service to our clients.
-John M. Zenir
Joke of the Month
A man took an airline to court after his luggage didn’t show up.
He lost his case.
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THE CASE THAT WAS FROZEN ON ARRIVAL THE WOMAN WHO SUED DISNEY FOR COPYING HER LIFE IN ‘FROZEN’
violated copyright law. She cited 18 “similarities” to bolster her massive claim. For instance, Tanikumi claimed that both her book and the movie had stories of intense sisterly love, scenes under the moon, and talk about cold hearts. The tenuousness of the similarities alone would cause most people to dismiss Tanikumi’s claim like they would the ramblings of a red yarn- loving conspiracy theorist. And that’s just what the judge who oversaw the case did, granting Disney’s motion to dismiss. The judge stated that copyright law protects expressions but not ideas. The themes that Tanikumi believed Disney had stolen from her story were under public domain, usable by anyone without permission. Only Tanikumi herself knows for sure why she went through all that trouble. Everyone else will just have to speculate what gave her the gall to take on a media juggernaut like Disney in court with next to no viable case. That said, several reviews of her memoir on Amazon mention ties to “Frozen,” so make of that what you will.
This is the story of a woman who just couldn’t let it go. It was the fall of 2014 — Dennis Rodman became friends with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Ellen DeGeneres’ selfie with Oscar winners at the Academy Awards became the most retweeted image of all time. And an author sued Disney for $250 million after she claimed that the company stole major elements of her published memoir to craft the movie “Frozen.” “Frozen”was released in November 2013 and saw massive box office success and critical acclaim. It seemed like Walt Disney Animation Studios was finally hitting their stride and catching up to Pixar movies’ quality animation and storytelling. Unfortunately, high-profile movie projects and financiers with deep pockets tend to attract all sorts of hullabaloo in the form of frivolous lawsuits. Author Isabella Tanikumi, whose only notable work to date is her 2011 memoir “Yearnings of the Heart,” sued Disney for an egregious $250 million after claiming that the winter wonderland adventures of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf were stolen straight from her memoir and her life and
BEWARE OF THESE CORONAVIRUS EMAIL SCAMS They’re Still Around!
legitimate. Scammers use links to spread malware on computers, which helps them get your personal information.
While it seems like the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic might be behind us, that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down completely — especially when it comes to internet scams designed to prey on the fear and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. It’s no surprise that scammers have found ways to use the coronavirus scare as an opportunity to steal personal information from the vulnerable. Fortunately, you can spot coronavirus scammers using the same techniques that help identify otherwise run-of-the-mill phishing scams. REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION When the federal government started distributing relief checks, several scammers sent out unsolicited emails, disguised as legitimate instructions, asking for personal information from people in order to receive their $1,200. Since many people have now received their checks, this particular scam may become less common, but always be suspicious of emails that ask for personal information, no matter the circumstances. SUSPICIOUS LINKS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES During the past few months, people’s email inboxes have been littered with advertisements for fake coronavirus tests and cures, fake alerts from government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and fake coronavirus updates. If you get an email containing an unusual link in your inbox, do not click on it — even if the email address looks
SPELLING AND GRAMMAR MISTAKES This is usually a dead giveaway. While genuine, official updates about the coronavirus will be meticulously checked for spelling and grammar, scammers aren’t as careful. Missing periods,
misspelled words, and wacky syntax errors are all hallmarks of scam emails. Make sure you carefully read any email you’re not sure about. If you can
spot spelling and grammar mistakes, delete the email.
Much like the coronavirus will remain in the American psyche long after cases and deaths have peaked, scammers will continue using it as a means to steal from honest, hardworking Americans. But, if we keep our guard up, we can make sure they get absolutely nothing from their efforts.
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TAKE A BREAK
KNOCK KNOCK! WHO’S THERE?
The Wacky Evolution of the Knock-Knock Joke
Knock knock! Who’s there? Theresa. Theresa who? Theresa crowd!
Unless you’re living under a rock, odds are you’ve laughed, grumbled, or groaned in response to a knock-knock joke. You may have even told a few yourself before you realized knock-knock jokes had gone out of style in favor of sarcasm and memes. That’s because at their core, knock-knock jokes are a quintessential American experience — and the perfect homegrown fodder for International Joke Day, which falls on July 1. But where did they come from, and why do so many people knock the knock-knock joke today? Well, according to NPR, knock-knock jokes have had a roller coaster of a history. Near as we can tell, they actually evolved from another kind of joke: the “Do You Know” joke. This style of joke was popular in the early 1900s, and according to an Oakland Tribune article NPR dug up, this was a typical one:
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Not very funny, is it? Well, over the years this style of back-and- forth jesting evolved into knock-knock jokes. The popularity of the “knock knock” bit of the joke could harken back to Shakespeare, who BestLife credits with “the first-known occurrence of a knock knock, who’s-there dialogue” in Act 2 of “Macbeth” (though it likely wasn’t intended to be funny), or it could be a reference to 1936 vice presidential hopeful Frank Knox, whose name made “knock knock” irresistible wordplay for the radio. Whatever the reason, knock knocks were all the rage in the 1930s, to the extent that people formed knock-knock clubs, businesses held knock-knock contests, and orchestras set them to music. However, the heyday was short-lived. In the following years, people started getting sick of knock knocks, and even psychologists turned against them. According to NPR, “people who loved knock- knock jokes were said to have social problems.” Today, knock-knock jokes are still around, but they’re mostly considered a game for kids or demoted to the realm of “bad dad jokes.”Maybe you think that’s warranted, maybe you think it’s tragic — either way, odds are the format will continue to evolve and probably outlive us all!
red onion, red bell peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill)
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1 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp pepper
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1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
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5 tbsp olive oil
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1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus, mushrooms,
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1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
Directions
1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic. 2. Brush vegetables with olive oil and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours. 3. Prepare the grill at medium-high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.
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The Law Office of John M. Zenir
516-746-0180 JMZEsq.com
585 Stewart Ave., Ste. 306 Garden City, NY 11530
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
How Videoconferencing Is Improving the Practice of Law
The Case That Was Frozen on Arrival How to Spot a Coronavirus Scam Email
2
The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies The Wacky Evolution of the Knock-Knock Joke
3
4
What Does the Constitution Mean to You?
WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION MEAN TO YOU? Debating the Document That’s Shaped Our Country
15-year-old Heidi (played by Schreck in the original production) as she gives her speech and talks about the Constitution. At other times,
Most teenagers are more interested in hanging out with their friends and listening to the next cool band than diving into the United States Constitution. But that’s exactly how some students have been spending their mornings, afternoons, and evenings: studying and preparing to debate their peers all over the nation about the contents of the 200-year-old document. Their motivation? Prestige, honor, and thousands of dollars of scholarship money. Sponsored by the American Legion, these constitutional debates were started in 1938 with the intent to “develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students,” according to the Legion’s website. In the process of writing the speeches they’ll debate, students under 20 learn the history of U.S. laws and develop a better understanding of the rights and privileges of American citizenship. The legion offers up over $188,000 annually in scholarship money to debate winners. For one of those winners, in addition to helping pay her way through college, the debate experience also provided fodder for a Broadway play. In “What the Constitution Means to Me,” playwright and actor Heidi Schreck recounts her experience of debating the Constitution in American Legion halls all over the U.S. In the largely autobiographical play, theatergoers get to see the experience through the eyes of
viewers see the grown-up Schreck reflect on the evolution of the Constitution’s meaning over the years and how her debate experiences shaped her understanding of what it means to live under the rules of this governing document.
For Heidi Schreck, as well as for hundreds of other debaters, developing a
close relationship with the Constitution helped pay her way through college and gave her a better understanding of the principles our country was built on. This month is a great time to take a look at the document that shaped our country’s past
and continues to shape its future.
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