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JoelThrift.com 404-618-4816
May 2024
Showing My Appreciation THE IMPORTANCE OF REFERRALS
As an attorney, much of my business relies on referrals from former clients and fellow attorneys. It means a great deal to me when I receive business in large part due to your advocating for the quality of the service I provide. However, there are some details about legal referrals in the state of Georgia that you should be aware of. Can I receive a referral fee? This is a question I get often, and the answer is no , lawyers are not allowed to pay referral fees to those who send us clients. Georgia has strict rules about compensating people for referrals. According to Georgia State Bar’s Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3(c), lawyers cannot compensate or give anything of value to a person or organization to recommend or secure the lawyer’s employment by a client, or as a reward for having made a recommendation resulting in the lawyer’s employment by a client. Likewise, I cannot offer employment to those who send me business or make arrangements on their behalf. The exception to this rule are lawyer referral services, which can be compensated for their work; however, by and large, referral fees from lawyers are not a legal means of giving back to those who send you business.
Although I cannot promise compensation in return, that does not mean that I cannot show appreciation for your referrals in other ways. I will always do my utmost to legally, and meaningfully, show my thanks for your recommendations. If you are kind enough to refer me to a client, you deserve to get some credit — I would love to catch up with you and talk! The truth is, the attorney-client relationship does not have to end after a settlement is reached; I care about those I serve, and we spend a lot of time — sometimes years — and effort on these cases to provide you with the best legal outcome possible for your case. To Referrers: Let Me Know! Referrals are the lifeblood of any law office, and mine is no exception: We rely on our clients and fellow attorneys to put in a good word on our behalf. If you have found value in the service I have provided and want to show your thanks, then recommend my firm to those in need of my counsel. I can’t tell you how many times people tell me they were referred to me by a friend, family member, or even their attorney, but don’t remember the name of the person who sent them my way. For all of you who continue to voice your support and recommend me to your friends, family, and clients, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your continued advocacy and support are not forgotten! If you are kind enough to send me a referral, please do not be bashful: send me an email and let me know who you referred! Or, if you’re an attorney, feel free to give me a call and let me know you’ve recommended a client come and see me. If there is anything at all we can do for you, please let us know. We’re here to help! Please give me a call at 404-924-6948, or send me an email at jthrift@joelthriftlaw.com.
–Joel Thrift
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How Oklahoma Claimed Its Panhandle
The shape of Oklahoma is quite unusual. It is an uneven square with a
shaky legal status. Bootleggers in the region operated with impunity. They founded Beer City, a sanctuary of brothels and saloons. Finally, in 1890, Oklahoma Territory incorporated the Panhandle, and this rectangle became part of Oklahoma in 1907. Settlers could now claim their land under the Homestead
rectangular parcel of land jutting from the map’s left side, giving the state a saucepan- like shape. This parcel of land is thus called the Panhandle. Despite its unassuming landscape, it has one of the most fascinating histories of any region in America.
It was owned or occupied by Native tribes, Spain, and Mexico until the Republic of Texas claimed it in 1845, when Texas became a state. Even though Texas was a slave state, the Panhandle was above the line created by the Missouri Compromise, meaning states below 36 degrees 30 minutes north latitude were “slave states,” whereas those above weren’t. So, Texas relinquished its claim on the Panhandle. It was no longer part of any state. The federal government designated the nascent Panhandle as the Public Land Strip, subject to squatter’s rights. Settlers built towns and defended their own communities. These towns were rife with outlaws who took advantage of the
Act, allowing them to mortgage their property to invest in farming equipment. Land developers built railroads, and the area’s population grew. Unfortunately, the Panhandle was the epicenter of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Agriculture crumbled, and people left. The Panhandle’s population still hasn’t recovered: Less than 1% of the state’s population lives there. Today, ghost towns populate the Panhandle’s expansive horizon. Beer City has since become a wheat field, but some brave tourists still visit this narrow patch of land, keen on seeing its many abandoned places.
HOW FREDERIC J. BAUR MADE PRINGLES A HOUSEHOLD NAME
The Pringles can is both iconic and comedic. Its distinctive long cylindrical shape protects the stackable chips and gets many a hand almost stuck. But did you know this packaging has a rich history that goes back half a century? In 1966, Procter and Gamble tasked a food storage technician, Frederic J. Baur, with developing a revolutionary container for a new potato chip. Baur, who held a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, set out to create a packaging solution that would protect these new, uniquely shaped chips, Pringles. According to Baur’s son, Larry, his dad was determined to design a container that not only served a practical purpose but also stood out on the shelves of supermarkets. In an interview with NPR,
Larry shares what his dad told him, “‘I can’t stand greasy, broken chips.’” This desire fueled him to create packaging that has still not been replicated. Baur said of his father, “He was just so enthusiastic about making something that would be on the cutting edge of science and technology.” He certainly succeeded. The cylindrical shape of the tube carefully protects the saddle-shaped chips from breaking. The resealable lid was another key innovation, allowing consumers to enjoy portions and save the rest for later without compromising any freshness. This innovation took only two short years, debuting on shelves in 1968. The can turned Pringles into a household name. In 2023, the chips generated
$2.76 billion of annual net sales worldwide. Baur was so proud of his creation that when he died in 2008, he requested that some of his ashes be buried in a Pringles can. As we continue to enjoy the crunch of these fresh chips, it’s worth taking a moment to marvel at this history of creativity behind the can that has become a snacking phenomenon worldwide. Thanks, Frederic J. Baur!
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TAKE A BREAK
The brain is like a command center for our bodies; it processes everything, from memories to emotions. Our happiness, cleverness, and general well-being require us to take good care of that gray matter. If we give it what it needs, it will serve us well. Here are a few tips anyone can incorporate into their routine to give their brain some TLC. Keep the phone out of bed. When you transition from asleep to awake in the morning, your brain waves steadily transition from alpha to theta to beta. So, don’t reach for your phone when you open your eyes first thing. Doing so interrupts your brain’s essential waking process, resulting in a slew of adverse effects throughout the day, including making it harder for you to think creatively, among other things. Stop negative self-talk. We’re our own worst critics. Doubting and discouraging ourselves is easy, but pushing away negative self-talk is imperative. It leads to stress and overwhelming perfectionism while harming relationships. It undermines positive self-esteem, confidence, and body image. The cyclical nature of negative self-talk makes it hard to get rid of, often requiring therapy, but cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a standard and effective treatment. Avoid ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods aren’t just bad for your heart; Using These 3 Simple Steps SAFEGUARD YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY EMERALD GEMINI GRADUATION LILY MEMORIAL MOTHER
RENEWAL VETERANS
Citrus BBQ Chicken
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• 8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup • 2 tbsp brown sugar
they also harm your brain. Hot dogs, sugary sodas, and TV dinners — just a few culprits — harm emotional and cognitive health. One study found that people who eat these things are more
• Juice and zest of 1 orange • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Directions 1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes. 5. Serve with remaining sauce.
likely to have depression and anxiety. Another study correlated high ultra-processed food consumption with an intelligence
decline, especially with aging. It’s unclear why ultra- processed foods are so bad for brains, but the leading theory connects it to gut health. Regardless, abstaining from or reducing your intake of these foods is vital to protecting your mental and physical health.
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404-618-4816 JoelThrift.com 2860 Piedmont Road NE, Ste. 115 Atlanta, GA 30308
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How Referrals Drive Success
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The Oklahoma Panhandle: A Historical Gem
The Scientist Behind the Pringles Can
Citrus BBQ Chicken
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Essential Steps to Ensure Your Mental Well-Being
3 Lifestyle Changes to Slow the Aging Process 3 PROVEN WAYS TO SLOW DOWN THE CLOCK
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Age happens naturally, but that doesn’t mean we enjoy the process. Most people don’t want to look older than they feel. If you count yourself among them, you can do a few things to slow down the process.
aging. If telomeres get too short, they can’t divide, so they start dying. This happens naturally over time, but alcohol consumption hastens the process.
No. 3: Lather on the Sunscreen The sun gives us life, but it also gives us UV rays. They break down collagen, causing wrinkles while increasing the risk of
No. 1: Stop Eating Sugar It’s time to finally master that sweet tooth — sugar ages you. It reacts to protein and causes “glycation,” which leads skin to wrinkle and cells to harden. Sugar also hardens collagen, stiffening skin. The more you consume, the more likely you are to suffer these adverse effects. No. 2: Quit Drinking Alcohol While most Americans drink alcohol, these intoxicating imbibements accelerate aging significantly. The substance damages telomeres, the part of a cell associated with
skin cancer. Even if you’re just running errands, put on sunscreen. Light gets in through windshields and windows.
How aging progresses depends on lifestyle choices. While it’s inevitable, making the right changes can support a healthier body in the transition. So, if you avoid sweets, alcohol, and UV rays, you’re doing a great job protecting your body from the ravages of time.
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