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MAR 2026
Mistakes, Mercy, and Meaning The Day That Defined My Ethics
As a lawyer, I tend to focus on calendar dates in ways that differ from how most people do. As an example, March is National Ethics Awareness Month. It’s not a cause for a month’s worth of special national events, nor is it a reason to take any days off work, but it’s time that means the world to me … and for reasons I’m about to share with pride and, if I’m being honest, vulnerability. My ethics come from my dad. When I was young, I asked him why doing the right thing mattered. He replied, “Well, at the end of the day, it really only matters to you and how you feel inside if you don’t do the right thing.” That statement encouraged me to listen to the internal voice that tells me whether something I’m doing is moral or ethical. Of course, I didn’t always listen to that voice as intently as I should have. One day, while attending Santa Barbara City College, my friends and I thought it was a good idea to roll a joint in the middle of a park on a notorious party street in Isla Vista, California. Inevitably, the police approached us, and I was charged with possession of marijuana. Later, that charge was reduced to disturbing the peace. Without drawing out the details further, let’s just say that was one of three run-ins
with the law I’d ultimately have for drug- or alcohol-related offenses. That number carries meaning, as it almost put my entire future at great risk. When you apply to law school, you’re asked whether you’ve ever been arrested and/or convicted of a misdemeanor. The way I saw it, two infractions equaled a mistake, but three equaled a pattern. So, I decided to omit one and submit fraudulent applications. After being accepted at Chicago-Kent College of Law on a scholarship, I relocated to Chicago. At the start of the first semester, the dean announced, “If there are any incongruities between your law school application and your bar application, that’s going to be a problem.” It made sense; after all, law schools seek honest applicants. I decided to bite the bullet, admit my dishonesty, and accept whatever punishment I’d receive. My confession resulted in a formal ethical prosecution against me for violating the school’s code of conduct, with a teacher appointed as the prosecutor. Ultimately, I entered into a plea agreement that required me to perform 30 hours of community service and to write a letter of apology.
attorney and a stand-up guy, in his office and crying over how scared I was. The fear only grew as I saw all my colleagues receive their acceptance letters while my mailbox remained empty. Eventually, I received a letter requesting an additional in-person interview. When I arrived at the interview, the lady reviewing my application looked at me and asked a question that removed every bit of anxiety I had:
“So, what kind of lawyer do you want to be?”
As soon as she asked me that, I knew I wouldn’t be rejected. “I understand you made a mistake, and then you did the right thing and owned up to it,” she continued. “I have no question that you’re going to be an ethical attorney based on how you approached this.” I called my dad as soon as I left that interview … and broke down in tears while I told him the news. What did I learn from that experience? It’s much better to fall on your sword than to try to hide things and avoid responsibility. If you just face the music honestly and upfront, the outcome … as well as your
reputation and sense of self … will be better and stronger for it.
I got off light, but my decision haunted me. I spent the next two years nervously wondering whether my bar application would be rejected for poor character and fitness. I remember visiting my mentor, a criminal defense
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Bumper Betrayal
Inside Uber’s Racketeering Response
It’s a devious enough scam to make Tony Soprano blush.
Imagine orchestrating a series of intentional automobile collisions with the sole purpose of suing Uber for the recovery of car repair costs and medical expenses. This outrageous scenario is at the heart of the ride-share company’s 97-page lawsuit against a Florida attorney who it claims paid people to crash into each other to instigate fraudulent suits and attempt to rake in millions. Filed in Miami last June, Uber’s suit alleges that personal injury attorney Andy Loynaz, co-founder of the firm Law Group of South Florida, compensated drivers to stage accidents and later claim they were using the Uber app at the time. According to the complaint, these bogus bang-ups occurred near Hialeah, Florida, in 2023 and 2024, with Loynaz submitting $1 million insurance claims for each one and later suing Uber and its insurance carrier in four separate cases. Additionally, he allegedly coaxed representatives from Miami’s River Medical Center, area auto body shops, and other medical clinics to falsely claim the accident had caused injuries and property damage requiring care and repairs. Uber, which claims to have already spent millions defending itself against Loynaz’s suits, is suing the attorney under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations Act. If he loses the suit, Loynaz may be subject to treble damages and attorneys’ fees. Interestingly, the case of the potentially crooked lawyer and his band of allegedly corrupt cronies is far from the only litigation of its kind. Earlier in 2025, Uber filed a suit in New York, alleging that another group of lawyers, medical providers, and clinics was carrying out a similar scheme in the Empire State. No matter how successful Uber’s battle against this level of fraud may be, the amount of allegedly criminal conniving taking place in Florida and New York is enough to make the most hardened mobster raise an eyebrow … and perhaps demand a cut.
Spring-Clean Your Cash Flow
Financial Insight for the Newly One-Incomed
Divorce can cloud many things in your life, but your financial picture should never be one of them. If the end of your marriage has resulted in a drastic reduction in income, here are three tips to help you navigate the change without falling into an unforeseen trap. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND … AND WHERE YOU SLEEP. Having a firm grasp of your short- and long-term budget is wise at any time of your life, but the need increases exponentially once your income is potentially halved. It’s critical to have a clear picture of your complete financial situation, not just the monthly bills you need to pay. Did you know the details and current standing of any real estate, business interests, liquid assets, and retirement assets you may have? Will they help you in the long run, or would it be best to get out from under any of them? Are you now paying child support or alimony? Would seeking an additional revenue stream be beneficial? You can’t answer these questions unless you know exactly how and where you generate or lose your income. Speaking of real estate, carefully reviewing your finances as a newly single person may reveal that you can no longer afford the mortgage on the home you once shared with your spouse. While renting an
apartment may not give you the satisfaction of living somewhere that’s yours , it could be the most ideal short-term option until you have the opportunity to put a more feasible future plan in place. KNOW HOW (AND WHAT) TO SACRIFICE.
The need for self-care (or good old-fashioned escapism) is common for newly divorced people, but impulse buys and other indulgences can damage your ongoing economic strength once the dopamine wears off. If you see something you must have right now, give yourself 24 hours before you purchase it. Chances are, you didn’t need it after all. KNOW WHERE TO FIND HELP. While these tips will help ensure a smoother ride in many circumstances, your specific financial profile may require a more detailed, tailored plan of action. If you haven’t already done so, consult a professional financial planner to gain clearer insight into how to make your single income work to its fullest potential.
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Post-Divorce Peace A Guide to Being Good to Yourself
When you look in the mirror, do you see your strongest advocate or your worst adversary? If you’re still working through the process or aftermath of a divorce, the answer isn’t always clear. Separating from a spouse is rarely anything but traumatizing. As you work to get your life back on track and move forward, your feelings may lead you to engage in self-sabotage without realizing it. Here are two common ways you may be causing yourself more harm than good, and ways to be a better friend to yourself as you heal. YOU’RE RIDING AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER. As with most other deeply stressful life events, divorce can place us in a mental whirlwind that can change course seemingly out of nowhere. You may be angry one moment, depressed the next, and irritable a few minutes later. While these mood fluctuations are normal and
understandable, it is important not to let them become your new norm at the expense of your friendships, professional relationships, or even opportunities to spend time with a potential new partner. First, recognize these emotional ups and downs as temporary reactions, not permanent realities. Give yourself space to acknowledge them when they appear, and remind yourself that these thoughts will pass. If you struggle to rise above them when they bring you down, don’t shut out those around you who offer support and insights your present state of mind won’t allow through. YOU’RE PRETENDING TO BE A SUPERHERO. Although it’s reasonable for someone to want to lean into their independence following a divorce, convincing yourself that you can do everything on your own is a recipe for burnout. No one expects you to suddenly have all the answers or have
everything under control all the time, and there’s no shame in asking for help when life gets overwhelming. It’s great to feel empowered, but reaching out to others when we need them is perhaps the truest expression of inner strength.
TAKE A BREAK
Spinach Artichoke Pizza This deep-dish pizza recipe is fancy and easy to make, delivering all the flavor of a cheesy spinach-artichoke dip in a baked-pizza form!
Ingredients • 1 loaf frozen bread dough • 2 tbsp garlic herb spreadable cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• 7 oz artichoke
hearts, chopped • Several handfuls of fresh spinach • Pepper, to taste
Directions 1. Thaw dough according to package directions and let it rise for 2 hours. 2. Preheat oven to 450 F. 3. Coat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with non-stick spray, then gently stretch dough to fit. 4. Spread garlic herb cheese evenly across the entire dough layer. 5. Sprinkle mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses evenly over dough, reserving a small amount of each. 6. As the topping, scatter chopped artichoke hearts, followed by a layer of torn spinach leaves, and then the reserved cheeses. Add black pepper to taste. 7. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and crisp.
Inspired by BlueBowlRecipes.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
The Reward of Doing the Right Thing
2.
Fraudulent Fender-Benders
Financial Spring-Cleaning for One Income
3.
Self-Support Simplified
Spinach Artichoke Pizza
4.
Tiny Hands, Big Hazards: Home Safety Tips for Babies and Toddlers
Little Explorers, Big Risks
Top Tips to Baby-Proof Your Home
Part of the joy of welcoming a new baby is encouraging them to explore their surroundings. However, wise parents strike a balance between providing stimulation and ensuring protection for their little ones against the surprisingly large number of safety risks in a typical home. To protect your baby or toddler from everyday hazards, try these safety tips.
little one from falling onto sharp-edged furniture, cover corners and edges with L-shaped foam or silicone corner guards and strips. Also, bolt heavy standing furniture, such as bookcases, to your walls as needed to ensure tiny passersby don’t pull them down. REMOVE ALL SUFFOCATION HAZARDS. Suffocation is the leading cause of death overall for children at home, according to the University of Utah. Install hooks to raise dangling cords for blinds and drapes well out of your child’s reach. In the nursery, resist the temptation to fill the crib with stuffed animals and blankets. As innocent as these items may seem, babies can roll into and become lodged against a stuffed animal, rendering them unable to breathe. REMEMBER WATER SAFETY. While bathroom hazards are well-known, some warnings bear repeating: Never leave your child unattended in the tub for even a second. Drowning is the leading cause of death for 1- to 4-year-olds, and a bathtub with a few inches of water can be almost as risky for a toddler as a swimming pool. Meanwhile, to avoid burning your baby’s sensitive skin with steamy bath water, set your water heater to 120 F. And if you have a pool, fence it securely, place a child-proof lock on the gate, and consider installing a pool alarm to alert you to unexpected disturbances.
CHILD-PROOF YOUR KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS. Poisoning is one of the most common causes of pediatric injuries, and chemicals stored in the kitchen and bathroom are a common cause. Move cleaners and vitamins to high shelves, well beyond a toddler’s reach. Install childproof safety locks on cupboards and drawers to keep sharp objects, plastic bags, and other hazards beyond reach. GUARD, COVER, AND BOLT. Falls are another common cause of injuries in babies and toddlers. Guard all stairs in your home with sturdy baby gates. To protect your
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