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My Journey From a Venezuelan Boy to an American Attorney
job where I could earn more. That was a catering job where I earned $6 per hour and was given another lesson in hard work. It was there, at 15 years old, that I learned it wasn’t enough to work hard when you were on the job; you have to show up on time! My boss once said to me, “Louis, if you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, don’t even bother to show up.” From that point on, I was diligent in arriving to work on time and slowly worked my way up to a management position within the company. Eventually, I approached the owner about giving me an ownership stake in the business and when he disagreed, I knew I had to consider other options. I grew professionally while managing catering events and helping to grow the company’s sales to over $1 million. To this day, I have a great relationship with my former boss and value the countless lessons that both he and the business taught me. After 10 years in catering, I was 25 years old and had to consider my other options. The cousin I grew up sharing a bedroom with was a lawyer, and for years, I had thought about that path as well. I wasn’t sure if I was ready, but I knew I had to take the plunge, just like my family had done when I was 9 years old. In 2011, I moved to Orlando and began law school at Florida A&M. The following summer, I was fortunate enough to intern at a small law firm. I learned a lot during my time there. I learned about the grit and determination it takes to fight for clients, and I took that with me to a larger firm for four years. At this firm, I oversaw thousands of client files and recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims. My eyes were opened to the world of personal injury, and I gained
I will never forget immigrating to the U.S. in 1994. I was 9 years old, and my family packed up that July, saying goodbye to our small Jewish community in Caracas, Venezuela. We sold everything, fit our entire lives into seven suitcases, and moved in with my aunt and cousins in Florida. We were 1,700 miles away from our home and in a country where I didn’t speak the primary language. But the worst part? I didn’t have a summer break! My school in Venezuela finished in July, but school in the U.S. started the first week of August. Even as an adult, I still feel like I’m owed that missing summer break! In all seriousness, moving to the U.S. was a huge adjustment for me at 9 years old. My family of four moved into a three-bedroom home with my aunt, two cousins, and my grandma. I had to completely learn English, and I was suddenly sharing a room with my cousin and my sister. Yet, having experienced all of that, I believe this major transition shaped the entire course of my life; without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. After we immigrated, my father began his own vending machine business and picked up multiple jobs on the side. I watched as my dad spent countless hours working, sacrificing time with the family so we could have better lives. He taught me the value of hard work, and he also showed me what it meant to be an entrepreneur. (Plus, we always had snacks and soda around the house. What kid wouldn’t want that?) I took Dad’s work ethic to heart, and by age 14, I was bagging groceries at the local Winn- Dixie for minimum wage. I found that I loved earning money on my own and being able to contribute to my family, so I found a different
invaluable experience during my time there. I also realized that I could have a bigger impact on my community if I went off on my own. I founded Abogado Louis because I wanted to fight for the little guy. I love my Latin community, but I believe in offering my legal guidance and leadership to all communities. I strive to give back both in and out of the courtroom, which is why I volunteer and support local nonprofits. It’s because of your trust and support that I have been able to make it this far. In this pandemic year where many people I love and care about have lost their jobs, my commitment is to continue fighting for the little guy and providing for this community that has given so much to me. From witnessing my father’s work ethic to learning from the professional mentors who molded me into the leader I am today, I carry all of these lessons with me to help fight for you and your family.
www.LouisBerkLaw.com | 1 -Louis Bernardo Berk
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Is the Hot Toddy Indian or Irish? A Closer Look at Our Favorite Winter Warmer
The Irish Account: Dr. Todd’s Boozy Cure‑All
way, the results are delicious and easy to replicate in your own kitchen. If you could use a pick-me-up, try this recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.
Jan. 11 is National Hot Toddy Day, but how much do you really know about this popular winter drink? Though the word “toddy” sounds British to American ears, it actually has a contested history split between two entirely different countries: India and Ireland.
The Indians and the British aren’t the only ones who’ve claimed the toddy: The Irish have a stake, too. As the story goes, once upon a time in Ireland, there lived a doctor named Robert Bentley Todd. His signature cure-all was a combination of hot brandy, cinnamon, and sugar water, and it was so well-known (and tasty) that eventually, his patients named the drink in his honor.
Ingredients
The Indian Affair: How the British Stole the ‘Taddy’
• 3/4 cup water • 1 1/2 oz whiskey • 2 tsp honey (or agave nectar for a vegan version) • 2 tsp lemon juice • 1 lemon round • 1 cinnamon stick
Today’s hot toddy is a steaming blend of whiskey, tea, honey, and lemon. But back in the early 1600s, it may have had different ingredients. According to VinePair.com, around that time, a popular drink called the “taddy” existed in British-controlled India. Originally, the Hindi word “taddy” described a beverage made with fermented palm sap, but a written account from 1786 revealed that the ingredients had evolved to include alcohol, hot water, sugar, and spices. The British swiped the idea of a “taddy” and brought it home to England. Legend has it that in northern England’s cozy pubs, the “taddy” became the “toddy.”
How to Make a Modern Hot Toddy
Directions
We may never know the true origin story of the hot toddy,
1. Heat the water in a teapot or the microwave. Pour it into a mug. 2. Add the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice and stir until the honey is dissolved. 3. Garnish with the lemon round and cinnamon stick and enjoy!
but VinePair.com speculates that it’s somewhere in the middle of the two accounts. Either
... continued from Page 4
This judge-to-be was named William Marbury, and he took his case straight to the U.S. Supreme Court. After hearing the case, Marshall had two options. He could side with Jefferson, even though he believed he was legally wrong, or he could side with Marbury and risk the wrath of the president, who he feared would dissolve the court. In a historic twist, he chose door No. 3. Digging through the Constitution, Marshall discovered a line that required cases to go through a lower court before coming to the Supreme Court. That made Marbury v. Madison , which had come to the Supreme Court directly, out of Marshall’s jurisdiction. It also made the law Marbury had operated under unconstitutional. When Marshall pointed this out, it was the first time the Supreme Court had ever ruled on constitutionality, which set the precedent for its power today. If Marshall hadn’t cared so much about opposing his second cousin in 1803, it’s possible that Judge Barrett’s nomination in 2020 would have been much less contentious. To learn more about this crazy piece of history, check out “Kitten Kick the Giggly Blue Robot All Summer,” an episode of the podcast “Radiolab.”
Chief Justice John Marshall
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TAKE A BREAK
The reality TV show “The Bachelorette” is known for being packed with drama, but last year there was just as much scandal among its contestants off-screen as there was while the cameras were rolling. Late in 2020, not one but two past “Bachelorette” contestants ended up in court. ‘THE BACHELORETTE’ CONTESTANTS GO TO COURT Judge, Will You Accept This Rose? One of them was Chad Johnson, hailing from the group of hunks who competed for Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher’s attention in season 12. That season aired in 2016, but it wasn’t until two years later that Johnson sued Sunset Studios Entertainment and one of its executives, Cristina Cimino, for sexual harassment, failure to prevent harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud by intentional misrepresentation, and wrongful failure to hire in violation of public policy. According to Deadline, Cimino told Johnson she would help him get movie roles with her studio, but that never happened. Instead, she allegedly lured him into in-person meetings and bombarded him with inappropriate calls and text messages. After years of back-and-forth, the case is finally moving forward. In July 2020, a judge ruled that all of Johnson’s accusations were proven except failure to hire. Upping the drama, Deadline reported that “no attorneys for Cimino or the studio participated in the hearing.” Meanwhile, another “Bachelorette” contestant, Luke Parker, has been ordered by the court to pay $100,000 for breach of contract. Parker, who vied for the affection of Hannah Brown in the 2019 season, has allegedly been making media appearances without the consent of the show’s production company, NZK Productions Inc. Each appearance was a breach of contract, and now he owes the company a pretty penny: $25,000 per appearance. According to Page Six, Parker might also be on the hook for bad-mouthing the show and/or sharing information about what happened on set — both things his contract forbids. Hopefully, the 2021 season of “The Bachelorette,” which should air later this year following the postponed 2020 season, will feature less drama than these real-life legal battles.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
• 8 chicken thighs or Ingredients
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced • 14 oz chicken stock • 1 sprig rosemary • Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
drumsticks, lightly salted
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 onion, finely sliced • 2 celery sticks, thickly sliced • 2 carrots, thickly sliced • 1 leek, thickly sliced • 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks
Directions
1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds. 4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How a 9-Year-Old Immigrant Became a Lawyer Helping His Community
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2
Is the Hot Toddy Indian or Irish?
Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole ‘The Bachelorette’ Contestants Go to Court
3
The Cousin Rivalry That Gave the Supreme Court Its Power
4
A COUSIN RIVALRY GAVE THE SUPREME COURT ITS POWER (YES, REALLY)
When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away and Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to take her place, the eyes of the country turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s no secret that the court has a lot of power. Its decisions, like Loving v. Virginia , Brown v. Board of Education , and Roe v. Wade , have reshaped America. But how did just nine people come to hold so much sway? Well, the answer lies with two rival second cousins: Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall. Back in 1803, the Supreme Court was the laughingstock of Washington. It was a collection of misfits (including a man nicknamed “Red Old Bacon Face”) and met in Congress’ basement. When Marshall was chief justice of the court and Jefferson was president, the cousin controversy reared its head. Marshall and Jefferson were in rival political parties and, to add insult to injury, Marshall’s mother-in-law had once spurned Jefferson’s romantic advances, according to Washington legend. In 1803, Jefferson (a Republican) was upset because a judge whom his predecessor, President John Adams (a Federalist), had tried to appoint was suing Jefferson’s secretary of state over failing to actually appoint him.
The Supreme Court met in these windowless chambers from 1819 to 1860.
Continued on Page 2 ...
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www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 January 2021
Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death
Mi Viaje De Niño Venezolano a Abogado Americano
a cambio del salario mínimo. Descubrí que me encantaba ganar dinero por mi cuenta y poder contribuir a mi familia, así que encontré un trabajo diferente en el que podía ganar más. Era un trabajo de hostelería en el que ganaba 6 dólares por hora y me daban otra lección de trabajo duro. Fue allí, a los 15 años, donde aprendí que no bastaba con trabajar duro cuando se estaba en el trabajo; ¡hay que llegar a tiempo! Mi patrón me dijo una vez: “Louis, si llegas temprano, llegas a tiempo. Si llegas a tiempo, llegas tarde. Si llegas tarde, no te molestes en aparecer”. A partir de ese momento, fui diligente en llegar al trabajo a tiempo y lentamente fui ascendiendo a un puesto de dirección dentro de la empresa. Finalmente, me dirigí al propietario para que me diera una participación en la empresa y como no estaba de acuerdo, supe que tenía que considerar otras opciones. Crecí profesionalmente mientras administraba eventos de restauración y ayudaba a aumentar las ventas de la compañía a más de un millón de dólares. Hasta el día de hoy, tengo una gran relación con mi antiguo patrón y valoro las innumerables lecciones que tanto él como la empresa me enseñaron. Después de 10 años en la restauración, tenía 25 años y tuve que considerar mis otras opciones. El primo con el que crecí compartiendo habitación era abogado, y durante años, también había pensado en ese camino. No estaba seguro de estar preparado, pero sabía que tenía que dar el paso, como había hecho mi familia cuando tenía 9 años. En 2011, me mudé a Orlando y me inscribí en la escuela de leyes de Florida A&M. El verano siguiente, tuve la suerte de hacer una pasantía en un pequeño bufete de
Nunca olvidaré que inmigré a los Estados Unidos en 1994. Tenía 9 años, y mi familia hizo las maletas ese Julio, despidiéndose de nuestra pequeña comunidad Judía en Caracas, Venezuela. Vendimos todo, metimos toda nuestra vida en siete maletas, y nos mudamos con mi tía y mis primos a la Florida. Estábamos a 1700 millas de nuestra casa y en un país donde no hablaba el idioma principal. ¿Pero qué era lo peor? ¡No tuve vacaciones de verano! Mi escuela en Venezuela terminó en julio, pero la escuela en los EE. UU. comenzó la primera semana de Agosto. ¡Incluso de adulto, todavía siento que me deben esas vacaciones de verano perdidas! Hablando en serio, mudarme a los Estados Unidos fue un gran cambio para mí a los 9 años. Mi familia de cuatro miembros se mudó a una casa de tres habitaciones con mi tía, mis dos primos y mi abuela. Tuve que aprender completamente el Inglés, y de repente compartía una habitación con mi primo y mi hermana. Sin embargo, después de haber vivido todo eso, creo que esta gran transición marcó todo el curso de mi vida; sin ella, no estaría donde estoy hoy. Después de inmigrar, mi padre emprendió su propio negocio de máquinas expendedoras y consiguió muchos otros trabajos. Vi cómo mi padre pasaba infinidad de horas trabajando, sacrificando tiempo con la familia, para que pudiéramos tener una vida mejor. Me enseñó el valor del trabajo duro, y también me mostró lo que significaba ser empresario. (Además, siempre teníamos tentempiés y refrescos en la casa. ¿Qué niño no querría eso?) Me tomé muy en serio la ética de trabajo de Papá, y a los 14 años, estaba embolsando productos alimenticios en el Winn-Dixie local
abogados. Aprendí mucho durante el tiempo que estuve allí. Aprendí sobre el valor y la determinación que se necesita para luchar por los clientes, y lo llevé conmigo a un bufete más grande durante cuatro años. En este bufete, supervisé miles de casos de clientes y recuperé millones de dólares para las víctimas de lesiones personales. Mis ojos se abrieron al mundo de las lesiones personales, y adquirí una experiencia inestimable durante mi tiempo allí. También me di cuenta de que podría tener un mayor peso en mi comunidad si me iba por mi cuenta. Fundé Abogado Louis porque quería luchar por la gente común. Amo a mi comunidad Latina, pero creo en ofrecer mi asesoramiento legal y liderazgo a todas las comunidades. Me esfuerzo por retribuir tanto dentro como fuera del tribunal, por lo que soy voluntario y apoyo a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro locales. Es gracias a su confianza y apoyo que he podido llegar hasta aquí. En este año de pandemia en el que muchas personas que quiero y me importan han perdido sus trabajos, mi compromiso es seguir luchando
por la gente común y ayudar a esta comunidad que tanto me ha dado.
Desde ser testigo de la ética de trabajo de mi padre hasta aprender de los mentores profesionales que me convirtieron en el líder que soy hoy, llevo todas estas lecciones conmigo para ayudar a luchar por usted y su familia.
www.LouisBerkLaw.com | 1 -Louis Bernardo Berk
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¿El Hot Toddy es Indio o Irlandés? Una mirada más cercana a nuestra bebida caliente favorita de invierno
VinePair.com especula que está en algún lugar en medio de las dos versiones. De cualquier manera, los resultados son deliciosos y fáciles de replicar en su propia cocina. Si le vendría bien un estimulante, pruebe esta receta inspirada en CookieAndKate.com.
del norte de Inglaterra, el “taddy” se convirtió en “toddy”.
El 11 de enero es el día nacional del hot toddy, pero ¿cuánto sabes realmente sobre esta popular bebida invernal? Aunque la palabra “toddy” suena Británica para los oídos Estadounidenses, en realidad tiene una historia controvertida dividida entre dos países completamente distintos: India e Irlanda.
La versión Irlandesa: El curalotodo del Dr. Todd para el alcoholismo
Los Indios y los Británicos no son los únicos que han reclamado el toddy: los Irlandeses también tienen una apuesta. Según la historia, hace tiempo en Irlanda, vivía un médico llamado Robert Bentley Todd. Su famoso “curalotodo” era una combinación de brandy caliente, canela y agua azucarada, y era tan conocido (y sabroso) que eventualmente sus pacientes le pusieron su nombre a la bebida en su honor.
Ingredientes
El asunto de la India: Cómo los Británicos robaron el “taddy”
• 3/4 de taza de agua • 1 1/2 oz whisky • 2 cdtas. de miel (o néctar de agave para la versión vegana) • 2 cdtas. de jugo de limón
El hot toddy de hoy es una mezcla humeante de whisky, té, miel y limón. Pero a principios de 1600, puede haber tenido diferentes ingredientes. Según VinePair.com, en aquella época, una bebida popular llamada “taddy” existía en la India controlada por los Británicos. Originalmente, la palabra Hindú “taddy” describía una bebida hecha con savia de palma fermentada, pero un relato escrito de 1786 reveló que los ingredientes habían evolucionado para incluir alcohol, agua caliente, azúcar y especias. Los Británicos se apropiaron de la idea de un “taddy” y lo trajeron a Inglaterra. La leyenda dice que en los acogedores pubs
• 1 rodaja de limón • 1 palito de canela
Instrucciones
Cómo hacer un hot toddy moderno
1. Caliente el agua en una tetera o en el microondas. Viértala en una taza. 2. Añada el whisky, la miel y el jugo de limón y revuelva hasta que la miel se disuelva. 3. ¡Decore con la rodaja de limón y el palito de canela y disfrute!
Puede que nunca sepamos el verdadero origen de la historia del hot toddy, pero
Ingredientes
• 1 libra de papas, peladas y cortadas en trozos grandes • 2 dientes de ajo, en láminas • 14 onzas de caldo de pollo • 1 ramita de romero • Jugo y cáscara, finamente rallada, de 1/2 limón • 1/4 de taza de perejil fresco, finamente picado 4. Pase los vegetales a la olla de cocción lenta y agregue el caldo, el romero y la cáscara de limón. 5. Cocine a fuego alto durante 2 1/2 a 3 horas o hasta que el pollo esté tierno. 6. Revise la sazón y agregue jugo de limón al gusto. Espolvoree perejil antes de servir.
• 8 muslos o piernas de pollo, con un poco de sal
• 1 cda. de aceite de oliva • 1 cda. de harina de trigo
• 1 cebolla, cortada en rodajas finas • 2 palitos de apio, cortados en rodajas gruesas • 2 zanahorias, cortadas en rodajas gruesas • 1 puerro, cortado en rodajas gruesas
Instrucciones
1. En una sartén grande, caliente aceite y fría el pollo con sal a fuego alto hasta quedar dorado. 2. Pase el pollo a la olla de cocción lenta. Agregue harina y revuelva. 3. En la sartén a fuego alto, fría la cebolla, el apio, las zanahorias, el puerro y las papas hasta que estén ligeramente dorados. Agregue ajo y fría durante 30 segundos.
Cazuela de Pollo en olla de Cocción Lenta
Inspirado por GoodHouseKeeping.com
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