Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
March 2024
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR UNPLUG AND CONNECT Drop the Tech and Create a Conversation
Technology is both a blessing and a curse. It saves a lot of time, especially for lawyers, and makes us much more efficient in almost every aspect of our professional lives. However, it has many downsides. But ironically, the more you rely on technology, the worse it can be for your mental and social health. When Nick and I were young defense attorneys, we used to have to drive all over the state to take short depositions or even just to pick up records. These excursions took hours and days from our schedule that we could’ve spent elsewhere. Then, the internet and remote work software transformed the legal profession in many ways, especially since the pandemic. Zoom and other software allow us to do most things remotely, making it all much easier. For example, we used to park, walk, and wait at the courthouse for a two- minute hearing. It would take half a day. Now, most of these hearings are on Zoom, so we don’t even have to leave the office. Most of our firm’s processes are paperless, making records easier to organize, read, and keep track of. It’s better for the environment, too. But all of these conveniences have come at a cost, especially in our personal lives — technology makes us constantly accessible. In the past, you left work when you left the office. Now, the only boundaries between work and home are the ones we
You can see the results of this everywhere you look, from restaurants to college campuses. People don’t interact and talk, opting to look at their phones instead — and it’s not good. The personal, human connection is essential. If you take the time to actually look at another person, you can help them vent, learn how their life is going, and build a genuine relationship. Everyone needs that personal connection.
The Norden Family
We can reap the benefits of technology while avoiding its downsides. We just have to make a concerted effort to unplug whenever possible. Put yourself in situations where using the internet is impossible, like on cruises or hikes. Leave your phone at home or in a different room you can’t easily get to. You may even have to schedule time to disconnect from tech and work, including those with whom you do business. Nick’s recently seen how effective this can be. He took his 7-year-old son camping through Cub Scouts. While they played outside, Nick saw a complete change in his son. He became more aware of his surroundings. Usually, he wants to play games and use his tablet, but he didn’t ask for electronics for the entire trip. He wanted to see and explore the world. We should all explore the world and appreciate our surroundings. One way is to make space between yourself, work, and social media. Our families deserve our full attention, so consider putting the phone down and setting aside the time to be present. NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1 – Zac Leacox &Nick Norden
set ourselves. People can text, email, or call you wherever you are. How can we make time for ourselves when work is always present? Phones are designed to be addictive and hard to pull away from. The unending accessibility becomes that pervasive voice in the back of our minds telling us to check our phones or respond to that message. This is especially true if you’re a business owner and have people who rely on you to respond quickly.
The Leacox Family
WHEN MINORS ARE ALLOWED TO IMBIBE How Someone Under 21 Can Legally Consume Alcohol
When it comes to drinking age requirements, the U.S. is strict for a Western country. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act was enacted in 1984, which raised the minimum age for alcohol consumption from 18 to 21. It also set a precedent for the age requirement for other substances. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned tobacco purchase for anyone under 21, and recreational cannabis is similarly age-restricted. While the law dictates that people under 21 can’t consume alcohol, that’s not the whole story. There are many exemptions nationwide, with every state having unique age requirement laws. Even counties can have special restrictions. American Indian reservations have independent sovereignty, so they don’t follow American laws at all. Religious Ceremonies and Services Currently, 26 states allow for religious exemptions for underage alcohol consumption. Alcohol is commonly used in many religious services; for example, Christian communion often involves a sip of wine. These legal loopholes are why priests aren’t arrested every Sunday. States that don’t have laws for religious exemptions never generally enforce the alcohol requirement on religious organizations, so they are practically legal. Medicinal Purposes People use alcohol for more than just recreation: It’s often used for medicinal purposes, too. For example, cough syrup uses it to break down ingredients. It is thus legal for medicinal purposes in 16 states, including Wyoming and Utah. Isopropyl and rubbing alcohol are distinct from the ethyl alcohol used in spirits, so they aren’t regulated similarly. Drinking for Education Alcohol is a culinary mainstay for many cultures, and many dishes include alcohol as an essential component — tiramisu, coq au vin, and flambé, to name a few. For minors interested in pursuing a culinary career, preventing them from accessing alcohol can be detrimental to their education. So, many states allow students enrolled in the culinary arts — including brewing, enology (the study of wines), and hospitality — to consume alcohol for educational purposes. For example, in Florida, students can drink as much as they want as long they’re on campus and have specific curriculums. Undercover Imbibing Minors can work for law enforcement. If they’re going undercover to expose illegal activities, there’s a good chance they’ll be offered alcohol or put into situations where drinking is advisable. In Hawaii and Michigan, undercover
agents are allowed to purchase or consume alcohol so long as it pertains to their assignment. “The bottom line is that the U.S. has so much variety because it allows the states to set their own guidelines, and the differing cultures within states and counties affect their drinking laws.” ” With Family Some parents prefer that their children drink at home for various reasons. A few argue it discourages drunk driving and other risky behavior. Others just like to share a beverage with their children at dinner. Regardless of the reasons, several states allow underage drinking in the presence of a family member or guardian. The details of this exception vary widely. For example, some stipulate that a family member must provide the alcohol, like in New Mexico. Many states restrict alcohol to home use only, such as in Nebraska. Texas and other states allow the exemption in any location, such as restaurants. Drinking is distinct from possession, in case things weren’t complicated enough. In 19 states, minors can possess alcohol with parental consent. Other states, like Utah, prohibit alcohol possession at all times. Other Complexities The law is always nuanced, but few are as complex as the tangled web of alcohol restrictions. States like Pennsylvania restrict the drinking age and require sellers to fulfill strict requirements, like only selling beer and wine under 5.7% alcohol. Meanwhile, Louisianians sell daiquiris from drive-thrus (so long as they don’t have straws). The bottom line is that the U.S. has so much variety because it allows the states to set their own guidelines, and the differing cultures within states and counties affect their drinking laws.
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
BIGFOOT IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES!? A Washington County’s Unique Hunting Ban
Most people don’t consider the legality of Bigfoot hunting, but in Washington state, it’s part of the law. In Skamania County, it’s illegal to kill the mythological ape. Should someone murder the creature, they’d face a stiff penalty. Bigfoot — sometimes called Sasquatch — is an elusive ape-like cryptid said to roam the forests of North America. It allegedly has reddish-brown fur, a gorilla-like body, and its namesake big feet. Some claim Bigfoot is the “missing link” between walking apes and our ancestors, who walked on all fours. Most scientists dispute the claim, saying that any ancestor this old likely would’ve adapted or gone extinct. Bigfoot was first spotted in California in 1958, and most sightings since occur in Washington state. Per every 100,000 people, 9.12 sightings are in the Evergreen State. That’s a third more often than its neighbor Oregon, the runner-up at 6.06. If there were a Bigfoot capital of the world, it’d be in Washington. On April 1, 1969, the Skamania County legislature enacted Ordinance 1969-01, the first law prohibiting the killing of Bigfoot. Anyone convicted of murdering the cryptid would be classified as a felon and imprisoned for five years. While modified decades later, it set an important precedent: Bigfoot is a protected species. Tourism picked up shortly after that. Bigfoot mania officially hit the U.S. in the 1970s as directors released films like “Sasquatch, the Legend of Bigfoot.” New Bigfoot enthusiasts started to visit Washington in droves, hoping to be the first to find proof of its existence. While locals appreciated the influx of cash from tourism, they didn’t appreciate the influx of guns from Bigfoot hunters.
County legislatures enacted a new ordinance in 1984. It further clarified the regulations on Bigfoot and designated the ape as an endangered species. As such, hunting Bigfoot with the intent to kill is illegal. However, the ordinance softened the penalty for hunting Bigfoot, lowering the penalty for poachers to a year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000. Every law has some logic; no matter how frivolous it may seem, there’s a reason why lawmakers went through the trouble. While this law may seem unnecessary, it protects “Bigfoot” and the Skamania County citizens alike.
Have a
Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl Inspired by EasyChickenRecipes.com
Laugh
Ingredients
• 2 boneless
• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce • 1 cup canned corn • 1 cup canned black beans • 1 avocado, cubed • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup shredded cheese
For Salsa • 1 tbsp
chicken breasts • 2 tbsp olive oil
chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp chili pepper • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped • 2 tbsp white vinegar • 4 tbsp lime juice • Salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 cup white or
brown rice, cooked
Directions
1. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. In a medium-size bowl, add chicken, olive oil, paprika, cumin, chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until chicken is evenly coated. 2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chicken for 7 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside on a plate. 3. In a large bowl, layer the rice, lettuce, corn, beans, and cooked chicken. 4. In a separate bowl, mix together salsa ingredients, then pour over the chicken mixture. 5. Top with avocado, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
3
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
407-801-3000 NordenLeacox.com 964 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32814
Inside This Edition
3 2 1 Avoid the Blurry Boundary Between Work, Tech, and Home When Minors Can Drink
Why Bigfoot Is a Protected Species in Washington
Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl
4
The Marketing Campaign That Cost Red Bull Over $6 Million
MARKETING CAMPAIGN DISPROVED IN COURT Red Bull Doesn’t Give You Wings
For decades, Red Bull has run the marketing campaign that its energy drink gives people wings. Most assume it’s a joke, an exaggeration of the beverage’s stimulating effects. The courts disagreed. A group of Red Bull drinkers in 2014 filed a class action lawsuit against the Austrian company, accusing them of false advertising. Despite the company’s claims, they alleged that the drink does not give you wings. To be more specific, the suit alleged that the ad campaign uses flying imagery to convey that the beverage is better than other caffeinated drinks. While the brand’s messaging claims it improves response times and concentration, the suit alleges the beverage isn’t much more effective than a cup of coffee. Red Bull settled for over $6 million. They also agreed to compensate customers who were disappointed about the drink’s wingless results. Such claimants could receive $10 or a voucher
for $15 of Red Bull products. But before you go writing a letter to Red Bull for your voucher, know that customers are no longer eligible for this compensation. In Red Bull’s words, they settled to “avoid the cost and distraction of litigation,” noting that their ad campaigns and can labels “have always been truthful and accurate.” Red Bull denied any wrongdoing. What Red Bull did was tread the line between false advertising and “puffery,” the legal term for extravagant claims about a product. The law allows for some lofty claims — such as “World’s Best Coffee” — so long as they are opinions. “Red Bull gives you wings” sounds like a factual statement, so it doesn’t fall under puffery. The energy drink company has continued using the slogan in its marketing in event sponsorship and TV ads. So, while Red Bull may not actually give you wings, it did pay out a lot of money in a court settlement over the claim.
4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator