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THE KONECKY
SEPT 2017
JOURNAL
561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 | www.matthewkoneckypa.com 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1700Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 4440 PGA Blvd, Suite 600 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
THE POWER OF EDUCATION
To get to where I am today, I had to dedicate myself to the pursuit of education. This was something I realized when I was in college as an undergraduate student at Indiana University. I discovered I did better in school when I chose to be there and took my success into my own hands. As a practicing attorney, I continue to dedicate myself to education. There are always new areas of law to understand and explore. Laws are constantly changing or being updated. New laws are regularly introduced. And there are complex laws that I have to commit myself to understanding. It’s up to me to stay abreast of what’s going on in the legal world. It helps me stay ahead of the curve, and it helps me be able to better serve my clients. After all, people come to my law firm because they are seeking my expertise. They rely on me to get them the results they need to move on with their lives. That’s why I believe it’s so important to stay educated. For instance, I’m a member of the National College for DUI Defense. This organization regularly sends me updates on DUI cases from around the country. These updates give me insight into what other attorneys are doing to help their clients. While not everything I learn from the National College for DUI Defense updates can be applied to what I’m doing here in Florida, I might discover an issue I hadn’t previously considered. I might be inspired to read up on a law or a part of law that may have gone under my radar. One area of law that I’m following closely is the marijuana policy in Colorado. While Colorado is half a country away, the state is on the forefront of the legal marijuana industry, both recreational and medicinal. What lawmakers and legal experts are doing in Colorado right now may end up serving as a road map for Florida in the next few years. By staying updated on Colorado’s laws and related cases, I can stay one step ahead. That way, as laws change, I’m ready. Outside of keeping myself educated on law, I do what I can to keep my mind sharp all around. I love to read for pleasure. It’s something I try to do a little of every day. However, that wasn’t
always the case. Like with school, I didn’t really enjoy reading until it was something I did by my choice.
Growing up, there are so many books in school that teachers want you to read that you probably didn’t want to. I, for one, didn’t enjoy reading when I was told I had to read. Today, I love to read. Before I go to bed, I’ll spend some time with a book.
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I believe it’s all about finding books on subjects you are interested in. For example, sometimes I love to read a good biography or something focusing on a piece of history. I recently read a book about the mob in Cuba and how it related to Florida. By the time I finished, it left me with incredible insights about the history of south Florida where I live today. When it comes to learning new things, reading, or both, find things you love. I was truly blessed to go to college and law school, where I was able to follow my passion. And looking back at high school, I can see where the seed was planted. I had the opportunity to go to a high school that offered a cooperative education program. During my senior year, I spent part of my day at school and part of my day working, gaining valuable hands-on experience. At the time, I worked at a bank. I had friends who worked in an auto body shop, with the Army Corps of Engineers, and at law offices. Getting hands-on experience made a big difference in our lives. It forced us out of the standard school curriculum and gave us a chance to learn about ourselves and about what we did and didn’t want to do. COVER CONTINUED ... IFYOU HADAGREAT EXPERIENCEWITH OUR FIRMWEWOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROMYOU. HERE’SWHAT SOME OFOUR HAPPYCLIENTS HAD TO SAY. “This is Verna here. Matt is great! I would highly recommend him to anyone in south Florida. 1. We chose him because he provided more useful information in the mail, and he’s award-winning. 2. He spends time to LISTEN. He allowed us to cry out our emotions first. Then, when it’s time for action, he’s highly efficient! 3. He comforts when there are further missteps. 4. I asked him for immigration issues, and he ran the EXTRAMILES to sincerely help us! He is young and very professional. He deserves to have more business.” –Google reviewer “Yuh Jia Chen” “Matthew listened to my situation in detail and referred me to a highly qualified colleague who was equally as attentive to details and completely put me at ease on the path to resolution. Equally as important, neither Matthew nor his referred attorney seemed anxious to collect exorbitant fees, as is unfortunately so often the case. He was very professional and showed empathy in his demeanor. I highly recommend Matthew.” –Google reviewer “yspbob” One of my teachers, Tom Nicholson, encouraged us to go out and do our own thing, find our way, and find our passion. When I found my passion and
followed it through, it led me here, where I have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people who come to us for legal expertise each and every day. Download These 2 Books Today ! YOUR LEGALRESOURCE
When it comes to the legal process, you have a lot of questions. Well, I have answers! Right now, I am offering my two resource books for free. “My Loved One Has Been Arrested: What’s Next?” Get questions answered and find insight into the criminal defense process. “What the Heck Is My Personal Injury Case Worth? And Why Billboard Advertising Is So Deceptive” Learn what goes into a personal injury case and how those attorney billboard ads are designed to mislead. Head over to matthewkoneckypa. com today for your free downloads!
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A NEW DUI LAW ON THE HORIZON?
Since this past spring, the Florida Legislature has been contemplating a new law that would mandate an ignition interlock be placed in the vehicles of all first-time DUI offenders. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer device that can detect alcohol before the ignition of a vehicle. If alcohol is detected on the breath of the individual, the vehicle will not start. As it stands, it is not mandated by statute on a first offense, unless the offender registers a .15 or above (almost two times the legal limit). Proponents of the bill say it will save lives. They cite studies that say ignition interlocks cut down on recidivism or reoffending. The current Florida DUI laws are very strict and have severe penalties for first-time offenses, including ... • Mandatory conviction (stays on your record forever) • Mandatory probation • Mandatory DUI school • Vehicle immobilization • Community service hours • Minimum fine of $500 These penalties are on top of the penalties imposed by the DMV, which may include the loss of your driver’s license for six months to a year. By Cooking With Ashley 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. 2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in carrot, raisins, nuts, coconut, and apple. 3. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into the carrot/flour mixture, just until moistened. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups. 4. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. Easy Morning Glory Muffins These quick and tasty muffins are a glorious way to start any day! Ingredients • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 1/4 cups white sugar • 2 teaspoons baking soda • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2 cups shredded carrots • 1/2 cup raisins • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 1/2 cup unsweetened, flaked coconut • 1 apple peeled, cored, and shredded • 3 eggs • 1 cup vegetable oil (or use unsweetened applesauce if desired) • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com.) Instructions
the time someone has been convicted of their first DUI, they have already spent hours in court, on probation, in DUI school, serving community service, and more than likely have lost the ability to drive. These factors can put one’s job at risk. As far as the ignition interlock is concerned, the monthly expenses that come with it can be astronomical. Ideally, we should stop imposing more penalties and instead use resources to help those who make poor choices start making better ones. A DUI is a serious crime. There is no excuse for it. But, whether or not increasing the penalties on the first-time offense will significantly drop the recidivism rate is still yet to be determined.
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INSIDE 561.671.5995 | 954.272.6187 www.matthewkoneckypa.com 4440 PGA Blvd, Suite 600 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
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The Power of Education
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Cover Continued ...
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Testimonials
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Is There a New DUI Law Coming?
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Easy Morning Glory Muffins
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A Celebration of Hard Work
A CELEBRATION OF HARD WORK THE HISTORY OF LABOR DAY
Americans work hard, and on the first Monday of every September, we take a moment to acknowledge their efforts. Labor Day has a fascinating history and one that you might not expect. The roots of Labor Day stretch back to the Industrial Revolution, when jobs became plentiful, but not without a cost. As conditions worsened and work days grew longer, unions sprang up as a way to protect the rights of the common laborer. Workers in Canada didn’t fare quite so well because unions were
York City’s Central Labor Union in 1882. That same year, machinist Matthew Maguire proposed a national Labor Day after a public demonstration by the Central Labor Union. Labor Day didn’t become a federal holiday, though, until a few years later. In 1894, the American Railway Union went on strike against the Pullman Company in what is now known as the Pullman Strike. President Grover Cleveland called in the Army and U.S. Marshals in an attempt to break
illegal. In 1872, workers marched directly to the door of Canadian Prime Minister John Macdonald, demanding the right to organize. He relented, and the march became a Canadian tradition.
the strike, and several workers in Chicago lost their lives. In an effort to quell tensions and garner union
vote support, President Cleveland signed Labor Day into law just six days after the strike ended.
As for who brought the tradition to our country, there are two competing candidates. Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and member of the American Federation of Labor, witnessed the celebrations in Canada and proposed a similar parade to New
Our country would not be what it is today without the immense effort of laborers. As you enjoy the last long weekend before fall, take a moment to acknowledge just what a difference these hardworking people make.
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