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TRIALS & THEIR TALES
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12444 POWERSCOURT DR., SUITE 300 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63131 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // AUGUST 2025
grown here and just dropped off the truck, with the dirt still on it after being freshly pulled from the ground. Well, it isn’t. I found this out when I asked where the cantaloupes come from. South Carolina, I was told. And the watermelons? The kid working the stand didn’t know, but not Michigan, he said. Please tell me the tomatoes or onions are from Michigan, I asked? Nope. Those were not local, either. For whatever reason, I’ve been stewing on this for a few days. It bothers me. It is manufactured authenticity. It is fake. And worse, it is designed to look real. The tent, the folding tables, the roadside location — it is all a façade. This is no different than Walmart, when you think about it. This is what we try to avoid at trial — manufactured authenticity. It never works. Jurors can sniff it out. It is fake, played, tired, and cheap. How do I know? Because I have done it. It is the easy way, and it shows — like fake accents, fake stories, and anything else. Our goal is to discover and tell the true story of the client, not one that we wish were there or read about. We aren’t designing some roadside stand in the Midwest to sell melons from South Carolina. We are here to uncover the authentic version of our client. The problem most people run into with this idea is that it takes a lot of time. It is a lot easier to read about some cheap advocacy technique than to go meet your client, listen, and learn. And no one teaches this in law school. There is not one class on getting to know your client and their story for trial presentation. This is the stuff you learn on your own or after you graduate. You have to find it — or maybe it finds you. To our clients, it may seem as if we have forgotten about them sometimes. I hate leaving that impression. I assure you, that is not the case. We are at work learning stories, and we will learn yours
CHASING TRUTH
THE NEVER-ENDING QUEST FOR THE GENUINE STORY
I am late writing my column. I hate being late on it — but I always am. I am on vacation in Michigan with my family, and it seems impossible to get away to get this done. So, here I am at 5:54 a.m. on a Sunday, typing away as the big lake sounds in the background. There are worse places to be. July is a hot month in St. Louis. To escape the stifling heat, many people head north to Michigan to enjoy the weather and the small towns along the lake, and my family and I are no exception. Obviously, as time passes, this will change. My kids will grow older and develop different interests. I am aware of this but not prepared for it. Parenting and running the law firm are kind of the same for me. I have no clue what I am doing. I have no long-term plans. I am just doing what I know. Many times it is wrong, and sometimes it is right. But we keep moving forward regardless. There is a produce stand up here on the corner as you get off the highway — a tent that sells all types of fruits and vegetables and some jams. You would think it’s local stuff
soon as well. As I said, most of the time, I have no idea what I am doing, but we will keep moving forward. For those of you along for the ride with us, thank you. We will not let you down.
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A Taste of Home CREATE A FAMILY COOKBOOK FULL OF LOVE AND FLAVOR
In most families, holidays, special occasions, and Sunday dinners usually revolve around laughter and food — lots of food. Whether it’s Grandma’s famous biscuits or that secret chili recipe your uncle swears he’ll take to the grave, these dishes are part of what makes your family your family. So, why not gather all those delicious memories into one place by creating a family cookbook? KNOW YOUR WHY. Before you dive in, decide what your cookbook is for. Is it a holiday gift? A legacy project? A fun way to organize weeknight favorites? Knowing your purpose will guide the tone, design, and care you put into it.
media post asking for their go- to dishes. Encourage everyone to include personal stories, tips, or funny kitchen mishaps. That’s the good stuff that makes your cookbook meaningful. CHOOSE AN ORGANIZATIONAL STYLE. You could go the traditional route with categories like appetizers, mains, and desserts, or get creative with sections like “Grandma’s Greatest Hits,” “Cousin Potluck Favorites,” or “Holiday Classics.” Just pick a format that feels natural and easy to follow. TEST AND TWEAK AS YOU GO. Some family recipes live in the land of vague directions — “a dash of this”
ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH. Photos can take a cookbook from good to unforgettable. Include pictures of the dishes, handwritten recipe cards, or candid family cooking moments. Even simple design details — like using someone’s handwriting or a family saying — can make it feel special. PICK A FORMAT. You don’t need to be a professional designer to pull this off. Tools like Canva, Shutterfly, or even Microsoft Word can help you create a layout. Decide whether you want to print physical copies, go digital, or do both.
DON’T FORGET TO EMBRACE IMPERFECTION.
GATHER THE GOODS. Now comes the fun (and sometimes chaotic) part — tracking down recipes from relatives. Send a group text, email, or social Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect! A little mess here and there adds charm. What matters is preserving the joy, tradition, and flavor of your family’s kitchen. Carpool Chaos HOW PARENTAL MULTITASKING ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS or “cook until it smells right,” etc. If needed, test the recipes and jot down more precise measurements or instructions. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
As children of all ages return to school, sports, and other activities this fall, parents commuting and carpooling will be on the rise. Along with juggling all those activities comes a major temptation for multitaskers: using their cellphones behind the wheel. Now that cellphones are a primary mode of family communication with students starting as early as elementary school, parents watch and use their phones more than ever. As a result, watching out for distracted drivers on the highway is crucial. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds or more. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed. Federal highway officials blamed distracted drivers for 3,275 highway deaths in 2023. Missouri law bans the use of cellphones behind the wheel, including holding a phone, texting, or making calls without using a hands-free or voice-operated device. Simply handling your cellphone while driving also can be hazardous.
• Swerving in and out of a lane. • Erratic changes in speed. • A downward tilt in the driver’s gaze. • Delayed reaction to a green or red light. • Failure to keep pace with surrounding traffic.
If you are involved in a crash with another driver you believe was texting, proving it will likely be difficult. Distracted driving is challenging to prove without on-the-scene eyewitness testimony. To ensure the best chances of receiving fair compensation, contact an experienced traffic attorney as soon as possible after the incident. This will give your attorney an opportunity to collect evidence in support of your claim, including eyewitness statements, videos, and written reports. The more information your attorney has, the more likely they are to deliver the compensation you deserve. If you are involved in a car accident, meet with us to assess the details of your crash and determine whether you have a viable case. We will be glad to assist you in mounting the strongest claim possible.
Here are a few telltale behaviors that suggest the driver of a nearby vehicle is distracted:
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Vacation Detour HOW TO HANDLE A CAR CRASH FAR FROM HOME It can happen in a heartbeat:
more complicated. Usually, victims sue the driver at fault in the state where the accident took place, or in the state where the at-fault driver lives. If a commercial truck is involved, victims
YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them call us at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law. requirements in the states you will be visiting so you’ll be better prepared should an accident occur. Your trusted personal injury lawyer may not be able to represent you in an out-of-state car accident case if they are not licensed to practice law in the state where you filed the lawsuit. But you can ask your lawyer for advice on finding trustworthy counsel. Also, your attorney can still perform legal research, help investigate your case, give you sound advice, and sometimes serve as co-counsel. If you are involved in an accident outside of Missouri or Illinois, where we are licensed to practice, contact us immediately for a free consultation. We will be glad to assist you in seeking the compensation you deserve.
Vacationers are driving through a pleasant tourist town, enjoying the view, when suddenly, a speeding vehicle causes a multicar crash and sends several vacationers to the hospital. More than half of Americans are planning a road trip of more than 100 miles this summer, according to the Ipsos Consumer Tracker. Unfortunately, a few will experience something similar to the accident described above. What should a driver do when involved in a vehicle accident out of state? Does an innocent motorist far from home have any hopes of receiving compensation? The answer is yes. You have legal rights regardless of where the accident takes place. Exercising those rights away from your home state is just a little
sometimes seek damages in the corporate owner’s home state.
The auto insurance you purchased in Missouri will apply anywhere in the nation. Although a different state may require different minimum coverage, your policy will still be legal. Eighteen states require “no-fault” insurance, which requires insurers to pay for their customers’ damages and injuries no matter who was at fault. In the remaining states, the at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay.
If you’re planning an out-of-state trip, take a quick look at the insurance
BARBECUE CHICKEN FRENCH BREAD PIZZA
Inspired by FromValeriesKitchen.com
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 boneless, skinless
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking sheet with foil. 2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. 3. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp barbecue sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, remove skillet from heat, and set aside. 4. In a small bowl, combine remaining barbecue sauce and marinara sauce. 5. Cut French bread in half and place on prepared baking sheet. Coat with the sauce mixture, top with chicken and red onions, then add shredded cheeses. 6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 7. Remove from oven and top with chopped cilantro. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before serving!
chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt • Fresh ground pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp barbecue sauce, divided • 1/2 cup marinara sauce • 1 loaf French bread • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
12444 POWERSCOURT DR., SUITE 300 ST. LOUIS, MO 63131
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Always Digging, Always Real: The Art of Honest Storytelling
2
Cook Up a Legacy
2
When Parental Distractions Become a Highway Hazard
3
What to Do After an Out-of-State Car Accident
4 3
Barbecue Chicken French Bread Pizza
How New Technology Is Transforming the Practice of Law
The choice of a lawyer is an important one and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
ALEX REFLECTS ON AI-DRIVEN INNOVATIONS IN LAW FROM BRIEFS TO BOTS
To help our clients, our firm this year has embraced much of the latest technology trickling down into the practice of law.
Finally, I mentioned in last month’s column my borderline obsession with a software program called LitSoftware. This is an iPad-based program with three key applications I use daily. The first, TrialPad, is a powerful, user-friendly repository for documents and audio and video files we intend to present at trial. It can call up portions of documents on the fly or compare exhibits side-by-side. A second application, TranscriptPad, is a tool for reviewing depositions. Trials these days are often based on video depositions, and TranscriptPad can turn a three-hour deposition into a 20-minute video clip to play for a jury. Finally, the third application, DocReviewPad, enables us to review and mark up documents produced by the other side in discovery. It is a useful tool in preparing for depositions. It has been fun to follow each new technology wave as we adopt it in our practice, and I look forward to testing new ones as they hit the market. I am excited for what is to come!
I have written in the past about our Bosch Crash Data Retrieval system for accessing vehicles’ “black box” data. While data collection on each case is one important component of what we do, we still have all the “legal stuff” to do as well. Litigation typically results in one thing: extensive and lengthy documents. Medical records often are the bulk of them. In the last few years, AI has revolutionized how lawyers practice law, and we are using some helpful tools powered by that technology. First, we utilize an AI-based system to help us create event timelines and organize medical treatment dates. For example, I might prompt it by typing, “When did Mr. Smith get diagnosed with headaches?” A second AI-based system helps us conduct legal research on case law, an anchor for our efforts in the courtroom.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
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