Law Office of Elliott Kanter APC - May 2019

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May 2019

TATTOOS, HIP HOP, AND RUTH BADER GINSBURG READING ‘NOTORIOUS RBG’

If working in criminal defense for over three decades has taught me anything, it’s that the judicial system can feel inaccessible to regular people. The impact that judges and their rulings can have on our lives is significant, but parsing these often dryly written decisions rarely makes for a good read. “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” sets out to change that. Part biography, part pop culture collage, “Notorious RBG” is a strangely wonderful balancing act. The authors, journalist Irin Carmon and federal court clerk Shana Knizhnik, tell the inspiring story of Justice Ginsburg’s career through memes, hip- hop, and a healthy dose of “#millennial” irreverence. To understand how such an unlikely blend of media came to be, you have to know a bit about the Supreme Court and internet history.

dissenting opinions on several landmark cases from the bench. This act of defiance quickly won the hearts and minds of many young law students, including Knizhnik, who began circulating memes that celebrated the unassuming Supreme Court Justice as an out-and-out warrior, captioning her stoic expression with phrases like “fear the frill.” Knizhnik began curating the works of this new fandom on her blog, which she named “Notorious RBG” — a reference to rap icon Biggie Smalls. The book by the same name carries on the spirit of Knizhnik’s blog, featuring many pictures, memes, illustrations, and even tattoos of the unflappable justice. The difference is that the images in “Notorious” provide a backdrop for Carmon’s writing. A contributor to the Washington Post and MSNBC, Carmon has interviewed Justice Ginsburg in the past and called on many of the justice’s friends and family to flesh out her image. From Ginsburg’s early work as a litigator for the American Civil Liberties Union to her current workout routine, Carmon manages to humanize Ginsburg without detracting from her accomplishments. “Notorious” isn’t for everyone. Those looking for an in-depth analysis of Justice Ginsburg’s underlying philosophy or judicial history will find the book lacking in substance. Furthermore, those who aren’t exactly hip to

internet culture won’t get as much mileage out of this work. And, of course, those who strongly disagree with Justice Ginsburg’s voting history probably won’t touch this biography with a 10-foot pole. But, if you are at all interested in Ginsburg’s inspiring story or want a breezy, easy to understand introduction to the inner workings of the highest court in the land, “Notorious” belongs on your reading list. Despite its bold departure from traditional biographies, “Notorious” reads as an incredibly sincere tribute to one of our nation’s most consequential figures. The authors’ unique approach speaks to the importance of making the judicial system more understandable to the general public. As an attorney who always strives to educate clients on the dry, complex workings of the law, I found “Notorious RBG” to be a refreshing step in the right direction.

“DESPITE ITS BOLD DEPARTURE FROM TRADITIONAL BIOGRAPHIES, ‘NOTORIOUS’ READS AS AN INCREDIBLY SINCERE TRIBUTE TO ONE OF OUR NATION’S MOST CONSEQUENTIAL FIGURES.”

You see, in 2013 Justice Ginsburg broke with court tradition, reading strongly worded

-Elliott Kanter

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

BLACK GOLD FOR YOUR GARDEN SOIL NATIONAL LEARN ABOUT COMPOSTING DAY!

WHAT IS COMPOST? Compost is decomposed organic matter, which is especially good for people who have gardens or aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle. People put coffee grounds; vegetable scraps; paper products, including receipts, paper towels, and tissues; and wood chips, leaves, and other types of waste that are not categorized as processed food, meats, or fish products in their compost bin. Compost can stabilize gardening soil, keep the soil from contracting diseases, and help the ground retain moisture. WHY DO WE COMPOST? Besides giving gardens and lawns significant nutrients, composting also reduces landfills. According to the United States EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away.” Organic material often takes longer to decompose in

Most people have heard of composting one way or another. Your mom might have kept a bin in the backyard for overripe Halloween pumpkins, yard clippings, and egg shells. You might even have a coworker who boasts about the giant compost pile they use to fertilize their garden and lawn. Whatever your level of composting knowledge may be, there is always more to learn about this popular and extremely beneficial method for handling organic food waste. Luckily, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! This day provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself to and begin the conversation about composting if you haven’t already. Below are a few answers to your basic composting questions to get you started.

a landfill due to being wrapped in plastic. The more organic material that is composted, the quicker it can deteriorate. LEARN ABOUT COMPOSTING DAY The best way to recognize this holiday is to learn as much as you can about composting. When you dive in, you’ll discover you can compost materials you never knew you could, including latex balloons and cardboard egg cartons. Once you do your research, you can start your very own compost by dedicating a part of your backyard to disposing of organic matter or by purchasing a compost bin. This article covers the basics of composting, but there’s still plenty more to learn! Head to your local farmers market or botanical garden and talk to the experts about any questions you have — they’ll be sure to give you some great tips.

THE 3 KINDS OF DUIS KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIVING DRUNK There is never a reason to drive under the influence of alcohol. From using designated drivers to calling on ride-share services like Lyft, there are plenty of alternatives to getting behind the wheel after having had one too many. The risk that driving drunk poses to your life and the lives of others always outweighs any inconvenience caused by choosing not to drive. Even if you avoid causing an accident, if you’re pulled over, you’ll face serious legal ramifications — a DUI infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony. DUI INFRACTION This is the least severe penalty one can face where DUIs are concerned. Infractions are almost exclusively reserved for people under the age of 21 whose Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is below .05 percent. While this charge won’t land you in jail or even go on your criminal record, it still carries a hefty price. If found guilty of a DUI infraction, you could face a large fine on top of possibly having your car impounded or losing your license. DUI MISDEMEANOR Misdemeanors are the most common charge faced by adults caught driving under the influence. They occur when your BAC is over .08 percent, provided that injuries resulting from any accidents were minimal. A DUI misdemeanor is a very serious charge that can land you in jail for up to a year or saddle you with a hefty fine. Thankfully,

alternative sentencing options exist in the forms of probation, treatment programs, and community service. An experienced DUI defense attorney can help you navigate these options when deciding whether or not to fight a misdemeanor charge. DUI FELONY Being the most severe form of DUI charge, a felony carries life-altering penalties. A felony results from one of two scenarios: Either you seriously injure or kill someone as a result of driving with a BAC over .08 percent or you’ve had four DUI charges within the last 10 years. Being found guilty of this felony could subject you to over a year of jail time and restrict many of your civil liberties, including your right to vote, adopt a child, or hold a professional license. All three of these charges carry serious consequences. If you are facing a DUI charge, a talented DUI attorney may be able to reduce either the charge or the punishment mandated by it. Contact the Law Offices of Elliott Kanter for a free consultation.

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

‘I’LL JUST ORDER AN UBER’

While ride-share options like Uber and Lyft are far and away the safest way to prevent drunken driving accidents from happening on Cinco de Mayo, just because you aren’t behind the wheel doesn’t mean accidents won’t occur. Ride-share drivers are human too, which means they can make mistakes just like the rest of us. If you’re injured while taking an Uber or Lyft, here are some questions you’ll likely ponder. CAN I SUE UBER OR LYFT FOR DAMAGES? Drivers are not technically employees of Uber or Lyft. Instead, they’re considered independent contractors, which means that the companies are technically not legally responsible for negligence on the part of their drivers. While an experienced attorney can argue that the ride- sharing company should be to blame for the crash and the resulting damages, in all likelihood you will not find success suing Uber or Lyft. DOES THE DRIVER’S CAR INSURANCE COVER MY DAMAGES? If the driver has commercial car insurance or a special provision that allows for ride-sharing, then his or her insurance will cover your damages. However, you’ll rarely find Uber or Lyft drivers with this type of insurance. WILL LYFT OR UBER HAVE THE NECESSARY INSURANCE TO COVER MY DAMAGES? If the ride-share driver has assumed responsibility but doesn’t have the insurance that covers these types of accidents, then Lyft’s or Uber’s insurance will cover up to $1 million. This might sound straightforward; however, if the accident is the fault of another driver, the situation gets tricky. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you will have to request coverage from the ride-sharing company’s uninsured or underinsured coverage policy. With Uber and Lyft offering passengers over 5 million rides every day, the possibility of accidents involving ride-share vehicles becomes far more likely. With multiple parties involved, determining fault can quickly grow complicated. Having a dedicated personal injury lawyer to help you navigate these murky waters can make all the difference. To schedule your free consultation, give our office a call today.

SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS

Inspired by PaleoLeap.com

These shrimp skewers are a quick way to add some surf and turf to your cookout. Pair them with a vinaigrette salad for a side dish that complements without overwhelming the main event.

INGREDIENTS

Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder • 1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder • 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano • 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme

1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

• • •

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC 2445 Fifth Ave. #350 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 231-1883

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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TATTOOS, HIP HOP, AND RUTH BADER GINSBURG

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BLACK GOLD

THE 3 KINDS OF DUIS

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SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS

WHAT TO DO AFTER A RIDE-SHARE ACCIDENT

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HOW TO TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY

GO GREEN

Vacations can come with great expense, and not just for your bank account. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change, travel accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cut through the greenwashing and do your part to lessen these emissions by traveling sustainably. TRAVEL GREEN When possible, trains, hybrid buses, and carpooling are great alternatives to larger, more environmentally intrusive travel methods. Large cruise liners are detrimental to oceans, and airplanes emit large amounts of toxins into the air. However, you can cruise and fly with the earth in mind. Some cruise lines are working to reduce their impact by installing more eco-friendly lighting and materials, and flight experts recommend using “green” airports, choosing fuel-efficient airlines, staying longer, and traveling less.

DO GREEN Man-made attractions like the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picchu are some of the world’s greatest wonders, but Earth itself is pretty breathtaking. Check out natural attractions while hiking or camping in preserved forests, or soak up all the Caribbean has to offer by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. When you’re mindful of your surroundings and remain unobtrusive, there are endless outdoor activities you can explore. Some locations even partner with environmentally conscious organizations you can donate to or volunteer with.

If anything, it’s an excuse to extend your European vacation!

STAY GREEN Where you stay impacts the environment as much as how you get there. Hotels use copious amounts of water for bathing and laundry, and they struggle to reduce energy because guests leave their lights and televisions on. However, many luxury resorts, woodsy cabins, and even entire countries have opted to make eco- tourism easier. If you’re looking for a region of the world committed to preserving nature, look no further than Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, which are ranked the three most environmentally friendly places in the world.

Opt for a green vacation and know that while you relax, the earth is getting a little relief too.

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

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