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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404.994.6218 | SEPTEMBER 2018
WHAT AMERICAN WOMEN’S BUSINESS DAY MEANS TO US THE REALITY OF LADY LAWYERS
W ith September 22 being what it’s like being a woman in modern society. I take great pride in operating a female-owned law firm. It’s not common in our industry to see women running their own practice, and for Teri and me, we view that as a tremendous strength. Certain cases require a specific connection that we believe we can provide. In addition to filling a much-needed niche, it also gives us an autonomy that we thrive off of. When you spend every day of your life looking over your shoulder wondering when the American Women’s Business Day, I want to reflect on
a home in the simplest of assumptions. I’m a mother of three beautiful children, and for many of the parents like me, there’s an idea that we can’t work
a desire to fight for them. However, there are cases where gender is important, and that’s where our strengths as women come into play. The #MeToo movement has cast a light onto the dark realities of thousands of women’s experiences. We help many employees in sexual harassment claims and see some of the worst displays of character that humanity can present. In cases like these, it helps to understand the mistreatment women endure. In instances of harassment or sexual trauma, clients will often want a lawyer who is the same gender. Our clients need that passion that comes with the ability to relate, and we strive to provide that in every moment of their case. There’s a bright future for women in all aspects. As long as we continue to grow as a society and work to find equality, the lives of our kids will be full of opportunities. I’m excited about the direction of our firm and the future for Teri and me.
as many hours or that our significant others are taking care of the income. As a woman, I see these generalizations made frequently, and in some cases, they happen subconsciously, which can be just as much of a threat. While there may be a subtle bias, I don’t see disadvantages to being a female attorney. The
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next hammer is going to drop, it creates an uncertain environment where doubt can flourish. This doubt can impede your career, relationships, and future. Branching out to start our practice was a way to free ourselves from these hindrances and find a lifestyle we could be proud of.
MY PRACTICE IS BUILT ON THE
FOUNDATION OF MY AMBITION AND HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH MY GENDER.
We cover a lot of these topics in our Lady Lawyer Podcast, which you
freedoms this country provides open doors to choose the life we want, and I think that’s pivotal. My practice is built on the foundation of my ambition and has little to do with my gender. When I enter a courtroom, the judge, the opposing party, and my team don’t see a man or woman. They see a client who needs our support and
can learn more about on Page 3, but one issue I feel is essential to cover here is gender bias. There are a lot of assumptions made on this topic, but little is understood about how it is perpetuated. It’s not as if gender bias is an overt action on the part of an industry or a person. It’s subtle and finds
–Danielle Obiorah
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THE WORLD’S OLDEST WORKERS AGE IS JUST A NUMBER FOR THESE 3 PROFESSIONALS
SUMMONED TO COURT JURY DUTY MYTHS
There are so many rumors about jury duty that it can be difficult to know which ones are true. Here are three of the most popular speculations, debunked.
Adolescents are often frustrated by age restrictions that force them to wait before they can drive a car, get a job, purchase tobacco, or order
a drink. More often than not, they are in such a hurry to grow up that they don’t appreciate all the benefits they experience
ADMITTING BIAS WILL ENSURE YOUR DISMISSAL
If you admit that you are biased when you serve jury duty, it does not guarantee your dismissal. In fact, a judge cannot dismiss you for being biased — but an attorney can. In addition, attempting to portray yourself as a biased person can put you in a troubling situation. Attorneys and judges have been selecting jurors for a long time and know when someone is lying to them. Your best bet will be to give honest answers to the questions they ask. According to another circulating myth, if you aren’t registered to vote, you don’t have to serve jury duty. Many people believe this myth because voting enters you into the jury duty pool, but there are other means by which citizens are chosen. Other ways you’re entered into the pool include buying a home, paying taxes, and getting a driver’s license. Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you’re still liable to be summoned. If you’re worried about getting fired for serving jury duty, you can breathe easy. Your employer cannot fire you once you’ve been selected for jury service. In fact, if your boss threatens to fire you for it, they will face the penalties, which include fines and even jail time. Many employers know and understand this, but if yours doesn’t, you can submit a file of complaint to the trial court administrator, and they will take care of the rest for you. SERVING JURY DUTY WILL GET YOU FIRED NO VOTING, NO JURY DUTY
because of their youth. Once they move past adolescence, age can play an even bigger role in their lives, sometimes in negative ways. Here at Obiorah Fields, LLC, our attorneys advocate for workers who have been discriminated against on account of their age. According to AARP, 64 percent of workers report seeing or experiencing age discrimination in the workplace. Because we work to ensure that employees from all vocations have equal opportunities in the workplace, we wanted to spend some time this month highlighting the three oldest workers in the world. Last year, the 103-year-old won a battle to keep working on campus at Western Australia’s Edith Cowan University in Perth. Dr. Goodall had been ordered to work from home in 2017 amid concerns about his safety, but the university later found a more ideal office space closer to the scientist’s home. Dr. Goodall, who is now an honorary research associate at the university, has produced more than 100 research papers for an ecology career that has spanned 70 years. The 106-year-old from Orange County, New York, was officially awarded the title of “Oldest Barber” by the Guinness Book of World Records back in 2012. But Mr. Mancinelli, who has been cutting hair for more than nine decades, continues to work. He still fondly remembers his early days working in a shop, where barbers would also perform pain-relieving services and even use leeches for high blood pressure therapy. DAVID GOODALL: AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST WORKING SCIENTIST ANTHONY MANCINELLI: WORLD’S OLDEST BARBER
The system to select jurors has been around for a while, and those involved know what they’re doing. It’s best to go in with an open mind and be completely honest. After all, it is your civic duty to do so.
GRANNY MASTANAMMA: YOUTUBE SENSATION FROM INDIA
The 106-year-old regularly attracts huge numbers of hits on her Country Foods channel. Using simple cooking techniques, which she describes as “village style,” she creates delicious traditional Indian dishes. The idea of creating her own channel came after her great- grandson published videos of her cooking with fresh ingredients, and the videos gained momentum shortly after.
2 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
HAVE YOU TRIED PODCASTS? 3 REASONS THIS TREND COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE
ADD VARIETY
Podcasting is all the rage lately — for a good reason. With a melting pot of different opinions and the ability to give an insight into personal expertise, the medium has the potential to make a significant impact. When you factor in the capabilities of mobile technology, the opportunity to learn best practices becomes more accessible than ever. That’s just the beginning. Here are three reasons why you should add a podcast to your daily regimen.
The best part about podcasts is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to learn about business or just be entertained by the next murder mystery, each production offers its own unique experience. But the variety expands beyond the type of podcast. There are almost as many podcast apps as there are genres, each one with its exclusive content.
EASY TO USE
If you’re looking for your first or the next best podcast, check out our new one, “The Lady Lawyer Podcast,” at theladylawyerpodcast. net. We cover topics pertinent to being a lawyer in modern society and provide solutions for current topics. Check it out and tell us what you think!
Listening to a podcast is as simple as running any mobile app on your phone. From there, it’s as easy as deciding how you want to listen. Whether you’re out working in the yard or on your daily commute, the ability to stream your favorite topics is as easy as pushing a button.
A NEWWAY TO LEARN
How long is your drive to work? People scour radio stations hoping to stumble upon a song they moderately enjoy, wasting an opportunity to learn something new. While most podcasts run about 30 minutes, your commute can turn from a hassle to the highlight of your day as you learn new, exciting, or purely amusing information.
THANK YOU FOR THE REFERRALS They are the highest professional compliment we can receive.
THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE GUIDE TO THE EEO PROCESS
Attorney Obiorah has written a book for federal employees who are grappling with the EEO process. The Federal Employee Guide to the EEO Process, was written exclusively for federal employees and takes you step by step through the EEO process. If you would like a copy for yourself or a friend send an email to info@obiorahfields to request a copy.
Lisa Fontaine Lynne Lofton Mary Williams Marcos B. Patricia Scott Renee S. Shelly McLuster Beverly Lucas Monique Clark Harvey Orr Laura Tarrah
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
American Women’s Business Day
1 2
Falsities You’ve Been Told About Jury Duty
Meet the World’s Oldest Workers
3 Awesome Benefits of Podcasts
3
Book Highlight
Get a Head Start on Next Spring’s Garden
4
PREPARE YOUR GARDEN
AUTUMN STEPS FOR A BETTER SPRING GARDEN
With fall just ahead, it’s a good time to think about your spring garden. For a beautiful garden next year, begin preparing this fall. Here are a few ways to get a head start!
from digging them up and allows the plants to grow through the gaps in the wire.
KEEP YOUR GARDEN TIDY
PLANTING BULBS
Once you’ve harvested your best fruits and vegetables, go back through and harvest the rest, even if you don’t plan to eat them. Make sure your garden is clear of old vegetables, fallen leaves, and weeds. Leaving decaying plants in or on top of the ground can spread diseases into the soil and attract unwanted pests to your garden.
If you want beautiful flowers in April, you should start planting bulbs now. Many flower bulbs need to be in the ground before winter settles in; this helps activate the bulbs’ biochemical process that allows them to bloom. Getting the bulbs into the ground before it freezes allows their roots to grow deep enough to protect them from the biting winter weather. Among the flower bulbs you should plant soon are tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths.
HEALTHY SOIL
Pulling up weeds and all of your vegetables can help keep the earth free from rotting plants, but there are other steps you can take to ensure that your soil stays full of nutrients. Pick up a kit to test the pH levels of your soil. Most gardens thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. Add compost to your soil supply now to give it time to break down during the winter months.
CHICKEN WIRE
After you’ve planted your bulbs, there’s a risk that uninvited guests will dig them up. There are a few ways you can ensure that your bulbs remain undisturbed throughout the fall. One way is to place chicken wire over your bulbs after they’ve been planted. This keeps rodents
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