Check out our latest edition!
THE KONECKY
JOURNAL
SEPT 2022
561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 | www.matthewkoneckypa.com 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 4440 PGA Blvd., Suite 204, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Since I Began Practicing Law Celebrating 20 Years
It’s hard to believe that Sept. 17 marks 20 years since I began practicing law. Looking back, I can’t believe it has been this long. Sometimes it even feels like it was just yesterday when I was sworn in. To get where I am today, I had to dedicate myself to the pursuit of education. There are always new areas of law to understand and explore. Laws are constantly changing and updating, and new laws are regularly introduced. Some of these laws are complex, so as a practicing attorney, I must commit myself to education to better understand the rules and regulations that are currently in place. The most important thing I’ve learned thus far is that no matter how many years of experience you have in law, you will never know it all because of the ever-changing nature of the profession. I learned this lesson early in my career, and the sentiment strengthens daily. During my second year of law school, I was fortunate enough to gain some experience in the courtroom before I got sworn in. Although this knowledge helped me as I started out, I quickly learned that I will always be a student of law. To serve my clients with the best quality of service, I must continue to learn and expand my knowledge. But other things have stuck with me since I embarked on this journey. First, preparation is key. You always want to have all of your documents in order, ensure you and your clients are on the same page, and take those extra steps to prepare for the unexpected. Second, you are fine-tuning your skills every time you step inside the courtroom, take on more cases, and learn about each client’s situation. Finally, I’ve learned that patience plays a role in everything I do. From preparing for a case to engaging with my clients and officials, I need to have patience and not rush any part of the process. One of my favorite things about this journey is helping clients during some of their toughest moments. Listening to their stories, finding avenues where I can help with their cases, and
developing relationships with them is very rewarding. Knowing that my clients not only like the outcome of their hearing but that they also trusted me and enjoyed their experience at the firm is imperative. This is why I aim to improve every area of my practice to ensure my clients get the service they deserve. Over the past 20 years, there have been so many memories that I cherish — the feeling of being sworn in by the Honorable Scott Silverman in 2002, putting my shingle outside of my first office when I started my firm in 2004, and moving the main office to Palm Beach County in 2009. Today, I’m continuing to improve my office by streamlining the process to ensure my clients are satisfied with all aspects of their experience here and adding new attorneys to assist them.
10.0
It has been a great 20 years, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Here’s to another amazing 20 years!
1
www.matthewkoneckypa.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Preserving the Balance of Work and Family Life Life Can Be Unpredictable
When can I use FMLA leave? An eligible employee can be granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job- protected leave in a 12-month period for the following reason(s):
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Matthew Konecky. His professionalism and character are second to none. I highly recommend Mr. Konecky for his legal services, you will not be disappointed!” –Brandon W. “Matthew and his team are amongst the elite in West Palm Beach when it comes to fighting cases. I was arrested on the 18th of the month and my case was dismissed on the 28th of that same month! No charges filed, and he waived the remaining fee without me even mentioning it! Honesty and integrity is hard to find in criminal law, but Matt and his A MESSAGE FROM THE FAITHFUL Employees can be eligible for FMLA if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location that employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Workers shouldn’t have to choose between the job they need and the family members they love. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to allow employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for a particular family or medical reason so they can maintain a work/life balance. What does it provide? The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave a year with the requirement of group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees were continuing to work. They are also entitled to resume their same or equivalent job at the end of their FMLA leave. Who is eligible for FMLA? FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees.
•
Birth of and/or bonding with a newborn child
Download These Books Today ! When it comes to the legal process, you may have a lot of questions. Well, I have answers! Right now, I am offering my two resource books for free. YOUR LEGAL RESOURCE The FMLA exists so employees can tend to their families without worrying about their job, allowing them to provide the best care for their loved ones. For more information regarding whether or not your company is eligible for FMLA, check out your local government agency for more details. • The placement of a child for adoption or foster care with the employee • To care for an immediate family member with a serious condition (child, spouse, or parent, but does not include parent in-laws) • To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work due to a serious health condition • For qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, child, or parent is on covered active duty or call to covered active-duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces
‘My Loved One Has Been Arrested’ The second edition of my first book is now available for download. Inside the second edition, you will find out what happens after your case, how to remove mugshots, and what to do if you were the one arrested. If you want a physical copy, please contact our office today. ‘What You Must Know About Your DUI Case’ Being convicted of a DUI charge can drastically change your life. Learn what goes into a DUI case and what your first step should be. Head over to MatthewKoneckyPA.com today for your FREE downloads!
team effortlessly showed how much they care about their clients and their situation. I hope I never get in trouble again, but if I do, I know who to call! I am forever grateful to Matt, Sam and Nyssa for being there every time I called or needed them.” –Stizzy R.
2
WHERE I ANSWER YOUR FAQS Hi, newsletter friends! It’s Matthew here again, and I wanted to remind you that I have a YouTube channel where I provide a vast amount of information. Visit My YouTube Channel As an attorney, I get a lot of questions covering a wide range of legal topics. While I answer these questions with clients or people who call for a consultation, there are many questions (and answers) I want to bring directly to the public. So, five years ago, I began thinking of ways I could connect with all of you on a larger scale and ease your concerns. I hoped to create something straightforward, understandable, and short enough to engage with it quickly — even if you only had a few minutes to spare! So, I decided to make a YouTube channel and create videos about some of the main questions I receive from my clients. These videos range from 30 seconds to almost five minutes in length, so you won’t have to sit through a long video to have your burning questions answered. I cover topics ranging from personal injury and auto accidents to criminal and DUI law. Check it out and scroll through my videos to see if any of your questions or concerns are discussed!
I like having a little fun on my YouTube channel in between answering frequently asked questions and addressing serious issues. So occasionally I will lighten things up with videos addressing current stories and topics like the epic Zoom court hearing fails, the Tiger King, cop surveillance footage and others. You can find more videos with questions and answers at MatthewKoneckyPA.com under the “Helpful Info” tab or go to YouTube. com/TheLawOfficeofMatthewKoneckyPAPalmBeachGardens for more content. My website’s videos, blogs, and books are 100% free. Simply click on the topic or questions that interest you and go from there. If you have a question that I haven’t answered on YouTube or in a blog, don’t hesitate to call our office. I’m here to answer your questions and ensure you’re informed about your rights and legal options. Also, please contact me today if you find yourself in legal trouble. I will be happy to look at your case and help you reach your desired outcome!
Cooking With Ashley
MEME CORNER
No-Fuss Chicken & Rice Soup
Fall is almost here, so it’s time to break out the soup! Your family is sure to love this recipe — it’s a classic.
Directions
Ingredients
1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, then sauté for 1 more minute. 2. Add the bouillon, parsley, pepper, chicken broth, and water. Stir, then add the chicken thighs. 3. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes, then add the rice. Stir, cover, and simmer for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the
• • • • • • • • • • •
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 carrots, sliced
3 celery ribs, sliced
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water
1 1/4 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs 1 cup uncooked white rice
chicken to a large bowl. Shred the meat and add it back to the soup. Discard the bones.
• •
5. Stir, salt, and serve!
Salt, to taste
Inspired by RecipeTinEats.com
3
www.matthewkoneckypa.com
24/7 emergency services
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 www.matthewkoneckypa.com 4440 PGA Blvd., Suite 402 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
INSIDE
page 1
I Will Always Be a Student of Law
page 2 page 2
Your Guide to Family and Medical Leave Our Clients Say It Best!
page 3 page 3 page 4
No-Fuss Chicken & Rice Soup Subscribe to My YouTube Channel!
A Dog’s Loyalty Has No Limit
EVA’S STAND-OFF WITH A MOUNTAIN LION
A commonly uttered phrase among dog lovers is that we don’t deserve them. This comes from the fact that dogs often give their all to protect their owners, even if that means putting their own lives at risk. Dogs seem to be
lion attacks. However, recent drought conditions have made food scarce in some areas. Their preferred prey is deer, but these conditions probably made the sudden appearance of a slender woman look like an attractive option. The mountain lion growled and took a swipe at Wilson’s left shoulder. As it lunged at her, Wilson screamed and shouted for Eva. At the distressed call of her owner, the dog came running back to Wilson’s aid. Without hesitation, Eva leapt between Wilson and tackled the wild cat. During the short tussle, the mountain lion managed to get its jaws around Eva’s head, but Wilson fought to free her dog by throwing rocks in an attempt to break its hold. When that didn’t work, she ran back to her truck and managed to wave down a passing motorist. With their combined efforts — a crowbar and lots of pepper spray — they were able to scare the mountain lion away. Wilson, though wounded, managed to carry Eva back to her truck and raced her to an animal hospital. Unfortunately, while Eva survived the initial attack, she passed away due to her injuries on June 8, 2022.
instinctively wired to protect their humans — and it’s more proof they really are our best friends. In May 2022, Erin Wilson pulled off at a roadside picnic area and headed down a path toward the Trinity River in California with her Belgian Malinois, Eva. As Wilson walked down the slope, the dog ran ahead. Suddenly, Wilson turned around and realized she was being cornered by a mountain lion. These attacks are incredibly rare due to the mountain lion’s reclusive and shy nature. In fact, since 1890, California has recorded only six fatal mountain
Wilson said she would do anything for her dog, and that day, Eva proved she had done the same for Wilson.
4
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator