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G rowing up, I always wanted to be like my dad. He was the smart, friendly doctor and congressman that everyone knew in town, and I watched as he made big differences in the lives of his patients and constituents each day. I am so proud of my dad, and I was driven toward medicine because I wanted to be just like him. I learned pretty quickly that medicine was not my calling, but one trait that made my dad the great doctor and lawmaker he was is something I’m proud to have inherited: a desire to help people. I shifted gears, made my way to law school, and before graduation, I began my career as a lawyer being a prosecutor. As a public servant prosecuting crimes, I discovered I had a unique opportunity to help good people who made poor choices if I made the switch to defending those accused. Watching my dad help people in need for 30 years instilled in me a strong desire to help those who could not help themselves. As a former prosecutor, I was privy to what my clients could anticipate from the state. I use that knowledge every day, as my law firm now focuses on younger clients. I believe in a holistic approach to representing accused people. I work with each client to determine what decisions led to them being charged and how we can change that behavior going forward. Even with wrongfully accused clients, they can usually determine the poor choices that got them in that situation. My firm goes the extra mile to try and wipe the slate clean for our clients so that they can Those first days in the courtroom were overwhelming at times. Prosecutors have a tremendous responsibility as the representatives who bring charges against fellow citizens. You have to learn how to treat everyone with respect, honor the process, and do the best job you can.
go on to pursue all of their hopes and dreams for their future.
What My Father Taught Me Finding MyWay to a Law Career Devoted to Others
I’ve learned that a lot of the kids I’m working with have never been in trouble before, and this experience is embarrassing and terrifying for them. They have their whole lives ahead of them. Plenty of these teens and young adults have aspirations of working in the medical field and having families of their own. My team and I are there to make sure they still get those opportunities and come out of these situations inspired, happy, and healthy. We want to see our clients pursue their dreams, and that might require a reroute from the course they are currently on. Seven years ago, I was given another opportunity to use my expertise to help others. I became an associate judge in Marietta Municipal Court, and then, two years ago, I became a part-time chief judge in Smyrna Municipal Court. Being a judge is a completely different facet of the law field. You have to work as a mediator to diffuse hostility and help both sides come to a satisfying understanding. It takes a great deal of dedication, but it’s a service I’m proud to provide to my local community. It was so important to me to not lose my law practice when I became a judge, because I wanted to keep helping the community I’ve lived in my whole life. I wanted to maintain the legacy my dad had established, and I think I’ve been able to do that, even if it was done in a different way. We get put on the path we’re supposed to be on, and even though working in law wasn’t my original goal, I’ve been able to build a career to help others live happier, fuller lives on their correct path. I couldn’t have done it without the best doctor, congressman, and father I know. –Phyllis Gingrey Collins
One trait that made my dad the great doctor and lawmaker he was is something
I’m proud to have inherited: a desire to help people. ”
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Healthy Food Faux Pas
Misleading Ingredients You Should Avoid
Your teen is entitled to some privacy, but with so much change happening as they age, they still need your guidance and care. Warning signs that a child is heading down the wrong path can be hard for parents to pick up on, especially as trends rapidly change. Watch out for some of the following warning signs to help your kid stay on the right course. Juuls Long gone are the days of teens sneaking off to the restroom or under the bleachers to smoke cigarettes. Juuls are a new type of e-cigarette that look like a flash drive and can be charged in a USB port. Though most smokers turn to e-cig- arettes for the benefits of inhaling vapor over smoke, this myth is dangerous. Users inhale the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes when they smoke one Juul cartridge. Respect your kids’ privacy, but have an open conversation about all varieties of smoking and look for signs of addiction or suspicious “flash drives.” Personality One of the biggest warning signs for parents is when their perfectly happy and healthy Lettuce Liars Yes, even salads can be mislead- ing when it comes to dieting. Salad dressing is a yummyway to make a salad more exciting, but it should be doled out in limited quantities. Unfor- tunately, most prepackaged salads do not limit dressing portions. A pool of ranch dressing over let- tuce will limit the benefits you’ll get from the healthy greens. Additionally, nuts, cheeses, and seeds can be healthy and tasty on your salad, but they should also be eaten in moderation. into thinking they’re making smart choices simply because something is labeled “organic” or “low-fat.” Next time you’re shopping for a quick snack, be mindful when grabbing trail mix, yogurt, granola, microwave popcorn, or protein bars. These items are often falsely advertised as healthy options, and while they may contain some nutrients, most people don’t adhere to the listed serving size. When you eat more than recommended, you could be offsetting the nutritional benefits.
Instagrammodels and fitness specialists flood social media feeds with nutrition tips and tricks, but amid the blur of muscled selfies and misguided dieting advertisements, it’s hard to determine what is actually healthy. Arm your- self with the following knowledge about tricky food ingredients, and always question diet fads blasted on social media. Devious Drinks There’s actually no scientif- ic evidence to suggest “performance-enhanc- ing” drinks will make you a better athlete. If you drink sports drinks regularly, you’re actually filling your bodywith unnecessary sugars and additives. Furthermore, common fruit juices contain a lot of sugar, and skim or fat-free milk contains additives that eliminate the full feeling whole milk provides you.
teenager flips on a dime. Teenage changes are common, but when they quickly change friend groups, become increasingly lethargic, or are secretive about their friends, it’s time to step in. This may be the biggest warning sign that your child is doing drugs, alcohol, or other illegal activities. Let them know you are worried about their safety and need to know certain aspects of their lives, like who they hang out with, what they stash in their car or room, or why their hab- its have changed. Attendance School and activities are the biggest deterrents of illegal action, and boredom is one of the biggest contributors to it. If your kiddo suddenly begins skipping school or quitting their activities, this may be a signal for you to intervene. Once again, be open and honest. Ask them about their new interests, and see if there are activi- ties you can get them involved in to steer them away from bad habits. If your child finds themselves in legal trouble, Phyllis Gingery Collins, Attorney at Law, can help. Learn more at PhyllisLaw.com. While this information may send you into a panic about finding healthy foods, remember to stick to natural, low-additive foods, monitor your portion sizes, and create homemade alternatives to some of your favorites. You don’t have to compromise on taste to get the most nutrition out of your meals. Try cooking your favorite foods from scratch and avoid the consequences of misleading ingredients. Dinnertime Deception Your California roll may be hiding more than you think. Sushi is usually rolled in sugar-loaded and carbohydrate-heavywhite rice. Aside from the white rice, the more intricate rolls of- ten include toppings and condiments best savored in moderation. If you think you can avoid fried and greasy options by ordering a veggie burger, think again. These meat alternatives often contain another unhealthy dose of rice and are fried or baked in processed oils.
Sneaky Snacks Food marketing labels use the latest diet trends to twist consumers
Preventing Illegal Activity Warning Signs Your Teen Is in Danger
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SUDOKU BREAK Solution on pg. 4
Law and Order — and Confusion Why You Need to Hire a Lawyer for Your Kids As a parent or guardian, you onlywant what’s best for your child. That’s why you should give them the best fighting chance after they find themselves in legal trouble. Instead of trudging through a legal minefield on your own, take the following advice and hire a lawyer. EXPERTISE You have to be the expert on your kid, but don’t force yourself to become a legal analyst overnight, too. Lawyers can help you make decisions that will best suit your child by offer- ing advice and a layman’s interpretation of legal jargon. Your lawyer can provide information on plea stipulations, diversion programs, and possible case-dismissal grounds. Your job is to love your kid through this tough time. Let your lawyer give you the guidance to do so. ADVANTAGE It’s difficult when someone you love is facing legal trouble. Unfortunately, some parents and guardians direct that frustration onto judges and prosecutors, making the cases for their children more difficult than they need to be. Again, lawyers have been trained. They are the experts when it comes to talking to other legal experts, and theywill be able to prepare you for what to say and do. Plus, some powerful and great diversion programs are only avail- able to kids with lawyers. That “in” with the legal systemwill give your kiddo a better chance at getting through this tough time. WAKE-UP CALL Maybe you’ve struggled to get your kid to understand the severity of their situation, or may- be they are struggling with addiction. Lawyers can offer you a third-party, expert wake-up call for your child. They have to be honest and straightforward about options their clients are facing, and theywon’t sugarcoat ways your child will need to prepare for court. Specifically, at our law office, we emphasize finding the real, deeper reason why our clients decided to break the law. We specialize in providing that wake-up call and getting your child the help they need.
Holiday Roast Prime Rib
Inspired by Food Network
Looking for an easy holiday roast that still feels elegant enough for the occasion? Look no further than this delicious prime rib flavored with garlic, thyme, and red wine.
Ingredients
• • • • • •
1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds) 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 cups red wine 4 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
To get specialized legal help for your child, contact Phyllis Gingrey Collins, Attorney at Law, by visiting PhyllisLaw.com.
Directions
1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.
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www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397 278 N. Marietta Pkwy NE | Marietta, GA 30060
Solution from pg. 3
Inside This Issue
Why I’m a Lawyer 1
Misleading Foods to Avoid
Warning Signs for Parents 2
Hiring a Lawyer for Your Kids
Holiday Roast Prime Rib 3
The Biggest Black Friday Lawsuit in History 4
Fake Discounts and Angry Shoppers A Massive Black Friday Lawsuit
Shoppers flock to retailers every Black Friday in hopes of securing the best deals on the year’s hottest products. There are many nasty aspects of Black Friday — the long lines, the overzealous shoppers, the limited stock of items — but phony pricing and fake sales shouldn’t be among them. But that’s exactly what happened to folks in Los Angeles during the 2016 holiday season, leading to the biggest Black Friday lawsuit in history. In December of 2016, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office sued J.C. Penney, Sears, Macy’s, and Kohl’s for a practice called “false reference pricing,” a nefarious tactic whereby retailers lie about the original price of an item to make a discount appear bigger than it actually is. For example, Sears sold a Kenmore washing machine at a “sale price” of $999.99, compared to a “regular price” of $1,179.99. The problem was the so-called sale price was actually the price that product was offered at every day. Therefore, it wasn’t actually on sale. Duping your customers is a bad business practice, but what makes it illegal? Well, California law requires that retailers post a retail price no higher than what the product was sold at within three
months prior to the ad. “Families today … are striving to get the very most they can get from an extremely hard-earned holiday shopping dollar,” said LA City Attorney Mike Feuer. “They deserve to make an informed decision.” After the suit was brought against them, the retailers all quickly moved to settle, promising to never engage in false reference pricing again. Most retailers offer discounts around the holidays to encourage shoppers to come into their stores or visit their websites. Promotions and sales are great tools in any business’s arsenal, provided they aren’t out to mislead customers. Big-box stores may try to manipulate innocent people, and it’s up to aggrieved customers to hold those corporations accountable. Nearly every year, you’ll read about a class-action lawsuit that develops in response to the shady tactics of businesses eager to secure those holiday shopping dollars. Are there great bargains to be had on Black Friday? Of course. But if something sounds too good to be true, it very well might be. Keep your eyes peeled and don’t let retailers trick you into a purchase you wouldn’t make otherwise.
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