January 2019
365 Canal Street, Suite 1680, New Orleans, LA 70130 • 504-894-9653 • www.SmileyFirm.com
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
LESSONS FROM 2018
If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. New Orleans has two new years. While our calendars may say 2019, in my experience, this town doesn’t truly get rolling again until after Mardi Gras. Why start that new diet when you know king cakes are just around the corner, right? But with my favorite Tuesday landing all the way in March this year, we here at the firm have decided to hit the ground running early. Looking back, 2018 was an insightful year for us. Not only did we grow, but we learned how we want to keep growing. Our unique blend of construction and personal injury law has formed a very specialized niche for us. Many members of our team are connected to those worlds in more ways than just legal training, myself included. We’ve found that this personal experience complements our professional expertise and makes the difference in the courtroom. People like having a representative who has been in their shoes and knows, on a personal level, what they and their loved ones are going through.
rap, and we’ll readily admit that there are some practitioners who do live up to the myths. But speaking as someone who saw firsthand the difference a lawyer was able to make for my own family, I know the good that attorneys can do in this world. You’ll find more on my personal experience inside this issue, but speaking on behalf of my entire team here at the Smiley Law Firm, I can say we all believe in changing the face of this profession. We are humbled to have grown largely from referrals, we are proud that we treat people like family, and we are grateful that we get to help people overcome some of the most challenging situations they may ever face in their lives. To us, that’s what being a lawyer is all about. Looking over the ways we’ve grown since our inception, I can say with certainty that our commitment to these values has been more than validated. Thank you for being a part of this mission with us. This firm would not be possible without the trust that led you to seek us out in the first place. We hope that 2019 proves a bright and fruitful year for you and yours, with plenty of king cake to go around.
“Speaking as someone who saw firsthand the difference a lawyer was able to make for my own family, I know the good that attorneys can do in this world.”
We also learned to stick to this wheelhouse. While we’d love to be legal superheroes, swooping in to handle every case brought to us, this simply isn’t realistic. We’ve learned it works far better for everyone if we refer matters that are outside our areas of expertise to specialized attorneys we respect. That way, we can focus on what we do best while helping you find the specialized representation you deserve. This dedication to what we do best fits the larger ethos of our firm. From the time of our founding, we’ve wanted to do our part to change the public’s perception of lawyers. Our industry gets a bad
Cheers,
–Seth Smiley
504-894-9653 • 1
A Boutique New Orleans Law Firm Resolving Your Legal Matters
MOM REALLY DOES KNOW BEST
3 WIVES’ TALES PROVEN TRUE
“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives’ tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. Garlic Cures Colds For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. Heartburn Means a Hairy Baby It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that
sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. Joint Pain Predicts the Weather Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.
REFLECTIONS ON 2018
AND MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR
We’ve left 2018 behind us as we move into this exciting new year. People are busy using this time to create goals for themselves in 2019. As a firm, Smiley Law has made it our goal to dedicate even more of our time and effort to helping our clients. Creating goals is a great way to set yourself up for success in the new year, especially when you have the means and encouragement to accomplish them. Throughout 2018, we came to the aid of countless people who were in dire need of our help, and we’d gladly do so again. We at Smiley Law Firm give our all for our clients and their cases, and we’ve had the pleasure of working with many wonderful people. Every person who comes through our doors deserves the very best service they could ever receive, and we deliver. As Seth mentions on the cover, we want to take this time at the start of the year to reflect on the past in order to improve ourselves. We want to look at our successes to learn what we
can do to grow and at our missteps to see what we could have done better. Taking the time to learn from accomplishments and mistakes is crucial when moving forward. We aim to be a better firm than we were last year and continue to grow throughout 2019 and the years to come. With your help, we’re achieving that goal. Every time you tell your family or friends about us, we can help more and more people when they find themselves in stressful situations. No one wants to be injured, but it can happen when you’re least expecting it. Knowing that there’s someone out there ready to fight for you and your rights will help ease your worries. It’s thanks to your referrals throughout 2018 and your continued support that we can help people who need guidance and comfort in situations that cause them great distress. Letting us know how we’re doing allows us to better ourselves, and we’d love to hear from you. Visit our website and let us know your thoughts today.
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DO YOU HAVE ‘FULL COVERAGE’? The Benefits of UM Insurance
If you aren’t an insurance professional or in the legal field, you might not be familiar with uninsured motorist (UM) insurance coverage and how beneficial it can be for you and your family. A large portion of the population claims to have “full coverage,” assuming that that includes UM insurance. But in most cases, those who believe they have full coverage only have the minimum liability coverage required by the state in which they live. What’s even worse is that there are many drivers out there who intentionally operate a vehicle without any type of insurance at all. In Louisiana, for example, current law requires drivers to maintain insurance coverage for bodily injury liability. The minimum amount is $15,000 per injured party, $30,000 per accident (when more than one person is injured in the accident), and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums may be referred to as “full coverage” even though they are clearly not always capable of covering all bills. This means that the insurance belonging to the negligent driver can’t compensate the injured party for all of their medical treatments, lost wages, or pain and suffering. The negligent driver is then tasked with coming up with the money out of pocket, a responsibility that often can’t be met. For this reason, our team here at Smiley Law Firm encourages all Louisiana drivers to invest in UM insurance to be as prepared as possible while on the road. It is estimated that approximately 13 percent of motorists on Louisiana highways are uninsured, which
presents a major threat to all drivers. UM insurance can offer you peace of mind knowing that if you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, your own insurance can help foot the bill if the other driver’s policy is insufficient. Additionally, UM insurance can help with hit-and-run accidents when the responsible party flees the scene, and it provides protection for covered drivers even if they are struck by a car as a pedestrian. While many people don’t have UM insurance as part of their plans, its benefits make it a necessity. If you have any other questions about these benefits or the protection UM insurance can provide, don’t hesitate to give our office a call!
CITRUS AND AVOCADO SALAD
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
• 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil,
season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
504-894-9653 • 3
A Boutique New Orleans Law Firm Resolving Your Legal Matters
365 Canal Street, Suite 1680 New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504-894-9653 Fax: 866-761-8934 www.SmileyFirm.com OPEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3
Lessons From 2018
3 Wives’ Tales That Are True
Your Referrals Matter
The Importance of UM Insurance
Citrus and Avocado Salad
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The Best Skiing Destinations in the World
3 OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST WINTER SPORT DESTINATIONS WHO’S READY FOR SOME POWDER? The sound of the first carve through fresh powder is the anthem of all winter sports enthusiasts. Here are three of the world’s best places to experience that powder you’ve been craving all year. Breckenridge, Colorado John Denver’s anthem “Rocky Mountain High” is about the freedom he felt here. Where there are great mountains, there’s even better snow. The ski resort boasts five peaks, 187 trails, 34 lifts, four terrain parks, and a renowned cross-country trail. After a day on the slopes, head into the town of Breckenridge for dining and activities that ditch the glitz and glamour of Vail or Aspen and take you straight to the heart of fun. Whistler, British Columbia, Canada A destination that looks like a cross between Nordic paradise and Olympic-level runs, Whistler is filled with true magic, winter activities, and a town that captivates the senses. When you see the mountains
of British Columbia, you’ll understand why they hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The location’s beauty is only part of your stimulating experience, because every curve of fresh powder makes your pupils dilate. Once you’re done flying down the hill where Bode Miller took the bronze, head over to the winter wonderland of the old Olympic Village for a cozy night in a picturesque town. St. Anton, Austria If you want a great location for next year’s Christmas card photo, there’s no better place than the Tyrolean Alps. Nestled in a valley between perfectly molded mountains, the Austrian landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for your winter excursions. The densely wooded areas and the bright reflection of the snow frame the vibrant town that’s just waiting to be explored. When you’re ready for world-class runs, hop in one of the 11 gondolas and zip down the hills that hosted the 2001 Alpine World Ski Championships.
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