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JANUARY 2025
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Passing the Torch The Role of Mentorship in Law and Beyond
None of us can do it alone. Whether professionally or personally, we all need people we can lean on, and one of the best ways to learn is from someone who’s walked the same path. Mentorship has shaped my life and career in ways I couldn’t imagine. From Mr. Douglass, my former law partner whose name still graces our office door, to my executive advisors, like my fractional CEO, COO, and CFO, mentorship has been a cornerstone of my success. This month is National Mentorship Month, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we can gain from others and paying it forward. The best mentors I’ve had have challenged me, helping me navigate tough situations and avoid unnecessary mistakes. Mentorship is about what you put into it; the more committed you are, the more you gain. Mentors provide the benefit of hindsight, helping you leverage their experiences to move forward more effectively. Sometimes, that means investing in a program or opportunity to gain the insights you need to reach the next level. It’s also important to mentor others. Teaching someone eager to grow can be incredibly fulfilling, and in watching them flourish, you can learn lessons for yourself. In the legal world, committed mentorship elevates not just individuals but the whole industry, making it better for the people we serve.
Lawyers, in particular, can benefit immensely from mentorship, as this role requires more than skills; it requires perspective. In law school, we were trained to solve problems when, in reality, we need guidance on how to find solutions for our clients’ real-world problems. I’m co-authoring a book on mentorship for lawyers with attorney Jeremy Richter that explores the importance of finding the right teachers for your specific needs. For example, if you want to learn about growing your firm, you need a business mentor or coach, not a trial lawyer. In 2014, I founded Attorney Mentors, a company that provided consulting and training for solo lawyers across the United States who wished to start, grow, or scale their solo law practices. The signature program I offered through Attorney Mentors was called the Solo Practice Master Class. This program featured over 16 hours of training videos, as well as monthly group and individual coaching sessions. At the time, I felt burnt out on practicing law and I was looking for a change. Mentoring attorneys online gave me a fresh purpose and ultimately led me to refocus on training lawyers right in my own firm. This has shaped my career’s entire second half, with a heightened focus on training within. Today, I spend a lot of time training our attorneys, even those with more experience than me. Mentorship is about exposing people to new concepts and ideas. One of
the ways we encourage our team to think about different perspectives is through the Book Club we started two years ago that focuses on books about personal and professional development and team building. We also have plans develop a complete mentorship program for brand-new attorneys who may join our firm so these lawyers receive foundational training in not only substantive law, but also professionalism and accountability at the outset of their careers. Our commitment to mentorship also extends beyond the firm, and several of our lawyers have worked with law students at the University of Memphis. Mentorship is more than just guidance; it’s a shared journey of growth and support. Whether you are seeking a mentor or looking to become one, those lessons can leave a lasting impact and shape your career. By embracing mentorship, we can create a ripple effect of positive change in our industry and beyond.
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Shining the Light on Lighthouse Parenting
• Checking in Regularly: Ensuring open lines of communication. • Encouraging Autonomy: Allowing kids the freedom to make decisions and learn from the outcomes. • Promoting Resilience: Supporting children as they navigate challenges, helping them to develop coping skills and independence. PARENTS SET BOUNDARIES AND OFFER SUPPORT. Unlike authoritarian parenting, which might stifle a child’s sense of independence, lighthouse parenting encourages self-reliance through trust and minimal but firm boundaries. Parents provide the framework, trusting the kids to make good decisions. This method helps to build a robust support system where children know they have the safety net of their parents’ guidance when needed. KEEP THE LIGHT ON Adopting the lighthouse method involves unconditional love paired with expectations and boundaries. It’s about guiding children through the complexities of growing up without removing the essential experiences that teach them about life. Of course, no single parenting style is perfect for every child. How you reinforce lighthouse parenting depends entirely on your child’s needs and developmental trajectory. Ultimately, lighthouse parenting aims to prepare children to thrive independently, ensuring they know the way back to shore, no matter how far away they sail.
Among the countless parenting styles out there, an approach called “lighthouse parenting” is a beacon for guiding children through life’s turbulent waters while giving them the space to navigate on their own. While it may sound ideal, is it the right parenting style for your kids? WHAT IS LIGHTHOUSE PARENTING? Coined by Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, lighthouse parenting is a philosophy detailed in his book “Raising Kids to Thrive.” This approach emphasizes a balance of nurturing and communicating with children while allowing them the freedom to grow independently. Just as a lighthouse guides without steering the ship itself, lighthouse parents offer direction and ensure safety without overly controlling their children’s lives. IT ADVOCATES FOR A BALANCED APPROACH. Lighthouse parenting positions itself in the sweet spot on the parenting spectrum — not as overbearing as helicopter parenting nor as detached as free-range parenting. It focuses on being emotionally present and available, providing a safe space for children to bring up issues and learn from their experiences. This method involves:
Keep Your LLC on Track
Why Your Operating Agreement Should Evolve With Your Business
• Changes in Membership: If your organization gains or loses members, you’ll need to ensure the agreement reflects any new or adjusted responsibilities or financial shares. • Management Shifts: Leadership changes also warrant a revision. If you replace or hire a new manager, you need to update your agreement. • Financial Structure: Your financial information is a key element of the agreement, so any time there is a change to the economic contributions of members or what they receive, updating your plan will help prevent disputes.
An Operating Agreement is like a road map for your LLC, providing a framework for how the company will function. This crucial document outlines the ownership structure, company procedures, and decision- making processes that will determine how your business runs. As your business changes, it’s essential to revisit your company’s Operating Agreement to ensure the document accurately documents the changes. WHY UPDATE? Keeping your Operating Agreement updated doesn’t just keep you up to date; it can protect your company from a number of problems. If the laws governing LLCs change, you may need to update your agreement to remain compliant, preventing legal challenges down the road. You can also prevent financial disputes by ensuring your agreement is in tune with your members’ current financial contributions. Hopefully, over time, your company will grow, and your Operating Agreement should evolve with it, having provisions in place for expansion or changes in ownership or other company protocols. REASONS TO MAKE CHANGES Think of your Operating Agreement as a living document that should be revised whenever a significant change in the company occurs. Here are some of the main reasons you must review your agreement.
• Business Operations: If your business’s purpose or operation changes significantly, it’s essential to change your agreement.
Review your company’s Operating Agreement on at least an annual basis to keep it updated and to protect your company and its members. An outdated Operating Agreement can cost you, potentially leaving you and the other owners in your company subject to the state’s default laws governing limited liability companies. Contact us at Douglass & Runger for expert guidance to ensure all your business documents are up to date and reflect your current structure and values.
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Suppliers and vendors are among the lifelines of any small business, providing the goods and services that keep operations moving smoothly. For every one of these crucial relationships, you must have a proper agreement with a well-written contract that will protect both parties. Whether you’re working with manufacturers, retailers, or service providers, your vendor contracts should clearly outline your expectations and the terms of the agreement. Here’s what every small business owner should know about navigating vendor and supply contracts. SCOPE Your vendor or supply contracts should address the scope of the agreement, laying out the products or services that will be provided and delivered. Make sure to define what each party expects so there are no questions or misunderstandings. You can add a “change order” provision that allows the scope to expand due to unanticipated circumstances. It should also clearly state a timeline for payments, deliveries of services and goods, and when the contract will end. PRICE AND PAYMENT The contract should also explain the financial obligations, such as how much the services or goods will cost and how the vendor will be paid. There are a few options for payments, including fixed-price contracts — which pay one price for products regardless of circumstances like delays — or options that factor in the time and the cost of goods. TERMINATION AND CONSEQUENCES It’s also important to include how a vendor or service agreement will end. By including a termination clause, you will give clear steps on how and when a party can end this business relationship early. Clarify what consequences would occur if the terms of the agreement are not met and how both parties can handle disagreements. Without clear explanations of termination terms, you may face challenges in the future, like cancellation fees or even lawsuits. Strong vendor relationships start with a firm contract clearly explaining the plans and expectations moving forward. If the vendors supply their own contracts, take the time to review the contracts, ask clarifying questions, or suggest proposed revisions. If you supply the contract, make sure all material terms are covered. Taking time to craft or review these agreements now will save you headaches in the future. Ready to take your business to new heights? Contact Douglass & Runger today for counsel on the laws, rules, and regulations that can impact your business. Vendor Relationships Done Right How to Nail Your Supplier Agreements
Inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com
Citrus Olive Oil Cake
Ingredients • • 3/4 cup sugar • 2/3 cup medium- grind cornmeal • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp sea salt • 3 eggs • 1 cup almond flour 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
•
1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract • Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tbsp juice • Zest of 1 orange, plus 2 tbsp juice • Powdered sugar, optional
Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides with cooking spray. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk almond flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until combined. 3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, olive oil, vanilla, almond extract, and lemon and orange zest and juice. Combine the wet ingredients with dry ingredients. 4. Pour batter into the springform pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes. 5. Run a knife gently around the edges of the cake, then remove the sides of the pan. If desired, dust cake with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh strainer. INSPIRATION “Our survival instinct is our greatest source
of inspiration.” —Interstellar
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1 The Keys to Learning, Leading, and Growing Together 2 Lighthouse Parenting: Illuminate the Path to Independence and Resilience INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Is Your Operating Agreement Up to Date?
3 Crafting Contracts for Success Citrus Olive Oil Cake 4 Guide for Finding a Lost Pet
Lost Your Pet? Tips to Find Your Animal Friend search every room and area of your house: your basement, crawl spaces, closets, cabinets, bedrooms, and garage. Failing that, check with your neighbors. In most cases, pets stay within a reasonable distance from home. CONTACT AUTHORITIES Your next step should be to call all relevant authorities in your area. If you are on vacation or traveling with your pets when they go missing, using Petfinder can help you locate local shelters. Call your local animal shelters, animal control officers, and veterinarian offices to report your animal missing. Program their numbers into your phone to make the back-and-forth easier and stress-free. LOST PET POSTER Lastly, you should create flyers and posters featuring a recent photo of your missing pet. These should feature the name, breed, and notable features of your missing pet and your contact information should anyone need to reach you concerning its whereabouts. If you are proactive, your chances of reuniting with your missing pet are high.
Our pets are one of the great constants in our lives. They are always ready to support us after a hard day with warm companionship and slobbery kisses. However, despite our best efforts to keep them corralled while we are away, they can go missing. Losing a pet is a stressful experience. However, not all is lost. After getting lost, over 90% of dogs are found alive, and nearly 20% return home of their own accord. And for cats, in about 90% of cases, they are lost an average of 5–7 days before being found or making their way home. Here are some simple steps you can take to help your animal companions return home safely. SEARCH YOUR LOCAL AREA It may seem obvious, but searching your immediate area is important when your pet goes missing. Make sure to thoroughly
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