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The Medlin News
MARCH 2024
PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY LEGAL LUCK: THE PRIMER FOR JUSTICE
Luck, both the good and the bad, is an elusive force shaping our lives’ outcomes. It often seems like an out-of-control entity people attribute success or failure to whenever it fits their story. I believe luck is not a random phenomenon but a complex relationship between preparation and opportunity. At first glance, luck strikes randomly and without any warning, but really, our preparation for different events led to this new element. Preparation serves as the groundwork for luck to manifest. It involves honing one’s skills, acquiring knowledge, and developing a mindset conducive to seizing opportunities you can take advantage of. Think of a farm or garden. Planting seeds, nurturing the soil, and adjusting treatment establish a ready bed for the potential growth of fruits, flowers, and anything else that can take root. A fruitful tree cannot grow without this care, just as a lucky opportunity won’t help you grow if you’re unprepared. From the perspective of a personal injury lawyer, we can dissect the concept of luck into a delicate balance of preparation, opportunity, and chance, which can influence the trajectory of a case. We dedicate extensive time and resources to ensure we’re best equipped with knowledge and experience to navigate the complexities of the legal system. This foundation involves staying abreast of evolving laws, precedents, and nuances specific to our clients and the profession. If built correctly, a case should withstand the challenges of opposing counsel, an insurance company’s unfair treatment, and the intricate web of legal proceedings. If the opposing counsel hasn’t prepared as well or the insurance company is flippant, their lack of preparation leads to misfortune and becomes our “good luck.”
The human element of a lawyer-client relationship is also intricately tied to this concept. We establish genuine
connections, fostering trust and understanding with all of our clients. The opportunity to represent you in your time of distress arises unexpectedly, and it’s our job to be legally prepared and emotionally attuned. Empathy is a powerful catalyst that can expand our partnership into an equally powerful tool to fight for justice in the courtroom. The intersection of preparation, opportunity, and genuine human connection defines our luck. Success is not merely a stroke of fortune but the result of intentional practices. Luck doesn’t negate a lawyer’s hard work or a client’s adversity in dealing with a personal injury. Instead, it underscores the dynamic nature of our world, where a combination of factors influences outcomes, some we can and cannot control. As we diligently build a foundation that works alongside your unique circumstances, we await the opportunity to apply our skills to your service. Everyone should remember that “luck” is about how prepared they are to take advantage of opportunity when the right moment arises. As always, we’ll continue to dedicate our expertise to seeking justice for everyone dealing with the misfortune of a personal injury. We’ll work together to change your luck. – Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Some of History’s Quirkiest Moments Grab your time travel hats! We are peeling back the layers of the past to reveal a few stories you won’t find in the history books, though history class would have been much more fun if they were! bearings on train car wheels responded to their axles. In 1879, Mary Elizabeth Walton held two patents for reducing smokestack emissions.
Tale of the Tallest Buildings The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and last remaining of the original seven wonders of the world. For 4,000 years, this architectural marvel was the tallest building in the world. But all reigns must end, and in 1311, the Lincoln Cathedral in England claimed the crown. It was the tallest building for 237 years until its spire collapsed in 1548. However, it was still the tallest building ever built until the Ulm Minster in Germany set a new record in 1890 — it’s still the tallest church in the world.
When Stillness Created History Imagine a bustling Parisian street filled with life and activity. A photographer is there, about to take the first known photograph of a person. But the only person still enough to photograph was a man getting his shoes shined — the exposure time then was several hours, almost a whole day’s work! So, the shoe-shining duo became unexpected celebrities in history as the first known photograph of humans in 1838.
Shorts Shook the World In the sizzling summer of 1937, something extraordinary happened on the streets of Toronto that changed fashion forever. Two daring women went out in public wearing shorts. Yes, shorts! The sight was so unusual that it drew overwhelming attention and even caused a car wreck! While this moment caused quite a stir, it wasn’t until after World War II that shorts gained popularity.
A Whistle Stop for Women’s Contributions When trains first thundered across the American landscape, some women wouldn’t ride them — a bizarre myth emerged claiming that traveling at speeds of 50 mph would cause their uteruses to fly out of their bodies! Thankfully, at least two women saw past the strange mythology to propose genuine improvements in the iron horses. In 1870, Eliza Murfey held 16 patents for her inventions to improve how
Providing Temporary Relief, Not a Permanent Solution DEMYSTIFYING DACA
Is DACA a citizenship solution? While DACA does protect many from removal for a period of time, it doesn’t provide a pathway to citizenship. DACA is temporary relief. It’s a crucial support system for many to pursue education and employment and otherwise contribute to their communities without the constant fear of deportation. DACA recipients include people from all walks of life: doctors, teachers, business owners, police officers, nurses, and others. Dreamers also have a small pool of options for health insurance coverage since they are not eligible for most federal programs, including coverage through Medicaid. A parent can initiate the process of their child becoming a dreamer, and we’re familiar with intricate familial situations where one parent is still in another country or not involved in the process at all. Understand that the process occurs within family and immigration courts, so our dedicated knowledge of these systems is critical for success. Call us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your unique case further. This program is life-changing, and we want to help to get this relief for you and your family.
At Medlin Law Firm, we specialize in immigration, and we’ve worked alongside many of our clients to achieve DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status for some relief in their journey. Enacted in 2012 by the Obama Administration, the DACA program provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for certain undocumented individuals who arrived in the United States as children. It’s been the focal point of ongoing debate around immigration policies. Let’s explore this program, how a person can qualify, and how it has affected roughly 580,000 people. What is DACA, and who qualifies? DACA’s primary goal is to offer a lifeline to young undocumented immigrants, often called “Dreamers,” who have grown up in the United States and consider it their home. To qualify for this program, applicants must meet specific criteria, including being under 31 as of June 15, 2012, having arrived in the U.S. before turning 16, and continuously residing here since June 15, 2007. Applicants must either be enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, obtained a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the military. However, criminal convictions can disqualify individuals from the program.
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Get a Good Night’s Rest And Say Goodbye to Stress
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, stress can become a barrier to achieving a restful night’s sleep. This is why Sleep Awareness Week is a timely reminder of sleep’s essential role in our well-being. Here are three tips to sleep better and alleviate stress. Limit screen time before bed. The blue light emitted by most electronic devices interferes with your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone necessary for sleep. Aim to minimize screen time at least an hour before bedtime. Glasses and settings on your phone, tablet, or other device offer ways to cut out blue light. Try to engage in activities that promote relaxation within your body and mind; listening to calming music, gentle stretches, or reading a book are great starts. Create and stick to a bedtime routine. Establishing a consistent sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can make a huge difference. Create a calming pre-sleep ritual, like taking a warm bath or shower, to signal to your body it’s time to wind down. Ensure your sleep environment is comfortable, cool, dark, and free of distractions that can interfere with your rest. Put
your phone on silent or in another room. If you continue this pattern, your circadian rhythm will begin to attune itself automatically. Eventually, this routine will be comforting but ultimately unnecessary. Be mindful of eating habits. What you eat and drink can impact your sleep. Avoid any caffeine or large meals close to bedtime. Eat a big breakfast, and if you’re hungry close to bedtime, opt for a light snack. Remember to stay hydrated, too. Throughout the day, drink at least three glasses of water and keep one next to your bed so you won’t have to get up if you wake up thirsty. Also, don’t chug the three glasses right before bed because you’ll inevitably be interrupted by nighttime bathroom visits. Use this Sleep Awareness Week as an opportunity to prioritize your sleep, which will lead to reduced stress. You can create an environment for rest and relaxation, paving the way for restful, restorative sleep and improved daily functioning.
Directions Classic Cheesecake Ingredients
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. 3. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. 4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended. 5. Add vanilla extract, flour, and sour cream; mix until blended. 6. Pour into prepared pan. 7. Bake for 45 minutes or until the center is almost set. 8. Cool completely before serving.
• 24 graham
crackers, crushed
• 1/4 cup butter, melted • 3 8-oz packages of cream cheese, softened • 1 cup granulated sugar • 3 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 cup sour cream
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Lady Luck’s Role in Personal Injury Law
2. A Few of History’s Hilarious Quirks
Understanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program
3. Celebrating Sleep Awareness Week
Classic Cheesecake
4. Exploring Sintra, Portugal
This Beautiful City Is Straight Out of a Fairy Tale ADD SINTRA, PORTUGAL, TO YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!
As spring break nears, you might already have plans to travel to Punta Cana, London, Key West, Paris, or a similar destination
and you’ll have a great time as you take in the extravagance. Some rooms are painted as an optical illusion, with doors and hallways looking three-dimensional when they’re just flat. Once you head back outside, the rest of the grounds are just as lovely. The enormous gardens have many trails, marked and unmarked. You can get lost in the beautiful oasis, and we encourage you to put aside at least half a day to explore the gardens. Quinta da Regaleira Quinta da Regaleira is the city’s second significant castle boasting beautiful gardens, but its main draw is the initiation well. This 80-foot-deep well is a wonder as it sinks into the earth with mossy walls. We suggest you go early, as this is another big attraction for those visiting the city, and officials try to keep people moving as they arrive, mainly as it’s one-way traffic on the steps themselves. Once on the grounds, you can explore many grottos by following their main paths. The castle itself isn’t as opulent as Pena Palace, but it’s still a lovely location to visit. Sintra is perfect for any vacation, and though these are the main draws for the city, by no means are they the only ones. We encourage you to check out this city and see if it fits your travel plans.
city. One more to add to your travel checklist is Sintra, Portugal. This beautiful town rests on the hills of Serra de Sintra, just outside the capital, Lisbon. The two castles
within the city are the main draws, and it’s easy to see why.
Pena Palace and Gardens The National Pena Palace and Gardens are absolutely stunning. The palace is adorned in primary colors, with intricately carved yellow, red, and blue buildings. It’ll cost you 10 euros to explore the grounds and a couple of extra euros to go inside, but it’s worth it! The carvings include many styles, including Neo-Islamic and Neo-Renaissance. Everything is opulent,
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