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For The Ambitious Advocate BRIEF RECESS
SEPTEMBER 2024
FROM THE LAW OFFICES OF J. PRICE MCNAMARA
FIRST-TIME SUCCESS TASTES SO SWEET HONEY HARVEST AT THE FARM
It worked! We’re new at this, but after buying an established beehive back in February, we’ve harvested our first honey. You harvest only once a year, and we only had one hive, but we got about 4 gallons by imitating the process we watched on a bunch of YouTube videos. It was actually a great indoor activity for the day once we got all the honeycomb panels inside. The process begins with cutting off the “caps” of the comb panels using an oversized serrated knife. This allows the honey to flow. The panels are then placed in the large cylindrical stainless steel “spinner.” Cranking the spinner handle for several minutes slings all the honey with some bits of bees wax onto its inside walls, where it oozes down and pools in the cone-shaped spinner bottom fitted with a spigot.
Next, you open the spigot to drain all the honey with bees wax into a five- gallon bucket fitted with its own spigot that empties into a fine-mesh strainer to clear the wax. From that bucket it goes into the 16-ounce bottles you get from Amazon and give to all the friends you’ve been promising honey to. We actually overpromised. You live and learn.
One last lesson we learned is that when you’re done, don’t leave your honey-covered spinner just outside the back door before washing
it out. We did, and the next morning thousands (seriously thousands) of our bees were swarming it and the house. Apparently, if one bee finds a nice source of pure honey, it returns to the hive and tells the others where to go by doing a little dance!
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The Story of Jim’s Battle Again
THE STRESS, FEAR, AND ADRENALINE OF OWNING MY OWN FIRM What Keeps You Up at Night?
For me, and I guess like many law firm owners, it’s “How can I be confident in a reliable, sustainable caseload this year? Next Year? What actions can I take now and build upon to ease the nagging fear?”
But with a “natural” organic network in place, it always worked out. Cases appeared.
Hurricane Katrina Changed Everything On the personal side of life, in 1992, while still practicing with the insurance defense firm, Susan agreed to marry me after I proposed during a trout and red-fishing trip, which is how we did lots of our dating. We had met two years earlier in line at a Wendy’s in Metairie. Susan was from Baton Rouge and going to school in New Orleans. Fast forward to 2005, we had a daughter and two sons, 9, 8, and 4 years old. We were halfway through building what we thought would be our final home in Metairie after making what seemed then like a huge decision — whether to move to Baton Rouge or continue living in Metairie. Susan gracefully agreed to Metairie for the sake of my law practice. God had other plans. For Hurricane Katrina, we thought we were doing our normal hurricane routine — we went to visit Susan‘s parents in Baton Rouge. We would let the storm pass, then go back home to Metairie once we knew we would have power. But it didn’t turn out that way. The house we were living in flooded, along with all furniture, clothing, and two cars. The roof of my office collapsed, soaking all files and destroying furniture and computers. They were all paper files back then. As we watched the flooding and chaos on TV, we got the kids enrolled in a new school and decided we would move to Baton Rouge. ‘The Competition Is Tough Out There! Where Will I Get Cases?’ I was now far-removed from my natural network. And scared. Not of going broke, but of having to work in someone else’s firm if my client base dried up after being answerable to nobody but myself for so long. That motivated me. While Googling for books on marketing for attorneys and law firms, I came upon a website called Great Legal Marketing, and that led to a journey of learning and implementing that continues to fascinate me today. Stay tuned! In the next issue, I’ll share some valuable takeaways for attorneys who want to improve marketing and profitability without trying to go head-to-head with the 5,000-pound gorilla firms that seem to have “all the business.” It’s really simple but still takes a lot of hard work.
Hurricane Katrina forced me to take action.
The First 10 Years of Law Court schedules and deadlines are stressful enough, no doubt, and just come with the territory. And that’s true whether you work as an associate attorney for a salary or run your own show. Since passing the bar in 1990, I’ve done both but finally traded the security of a salary at a large insurance defense firm for the more fulfilling idea (for me anyway) of representing people instead of insurance companies. It wasn’t just the legal work and clients I enjoyed representing more that made it exciting. It was largely the adrenaline rush of going “out on my own.” I’ve heard it called the “entrepreneurial seizure.” And the money can be better going it on your own too if all goes well. But the adrenaline rush also comes with the feeling that you’ve jumped off a cliff hoping you can master the hang glider you’ve just strapped on for the first time on your way down. For the first 10 years after my entrepreneurial seizure, I had a plaintiff PI and ERISA long-term disability practice. I lived in Metairie where I grew up, so I knew lots of people and got referrals from friends, insurance defense lawyers I had worked with in the past, and criminal defense lawyers I had met during a two-year stint as an assistant district attorney for Jefferson Parish where a side civil practice was allowed. Enough clients came with no active effort on my part. Those 10 years came with the usual stresses of handling cases and running the office while trying to strike the right work-life balance. These were under my direct control. But two overriding notions I thought were beyond my control are what kept me up at night. 1. Uncertainty about whether I would always have enough business to sustain my family; and 2. Work-life balance and the struggle to not let the practice consume me to the detriment of my family.
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THE PAWSITIVE EFFECTS The Integral Role of Pets in Enhancing Childhood Development We all know a family pet can bring a world of fun, but animal companions are actually proven to do much more than that! Pets are more than just your kids’ companions; they play a significant role in child development. Here’s how every child can benefit from growing up with a furry (or not-so-furry) friend. Social Skills and Empathy Pets often serve as a child’s first friend and confidant. Interacting with a pet requires a child to read nonverbal cues and respond appropriately, which can enhance their empathy and understanding of emotional states. When a child learns to care for the needs of their beloved pet, they learn that other people also have needs and emotions that must be cared for. nst Unjust Benefit Termination Health Benefits Numerous studies have shown that children with pets are less likely to develop common allergies and asthma. Surprisingly enough, it didn’t matter whether these kids grew up with cats or dogs; both were equally likely to help prevent asthma and certain allergies. Of course, children who have already been diagnosed can have their symptoms triggered by their furry friends. That’s why parents should consider introducing a pet as early as possible! Emotional Support Pets provide a unique comfort that can sometimes elude even the closest family members. During challenging or stressful times, a pet can comfort a child. A pet’s presence can be incredibly soothing and reassuring, providing a silent strength without the complication of human emotions.
Perfect Peach Cobbler
Ingredients • 6 cups sliced fresh peaches • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces • 1/2 cup milk • 2 tbsp butter, melted
Does your office turn away calls about “long-term disability insurance” claim denials because you don’t handle administrative appeals or “ERISA litigation” in federal court? We want to hear from you! We happily share fees on referred ERISA long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death insurance denial cases. Send us an email at BriefRecess@jpricemcnamara.com or call (225) 201-8311 to start the referral process! WE VALUE YOUR REFERRALS! and nutmeg; mix until blended, then spoon into prepared dish. 3. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. 4. Cut in butter with forks or pastry knife until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 5. Add milk and stir until just blended. 6. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto peach mixture and drizzle melted butter on top. 7. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until top is golden brown. Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugar, 2 tbsp flour, cinnamon,
Fun and Adventure Let’s not forget that pets are fun! They bring laughter and joy to a household. Kids’ adventures with their pets — from exploring the backyard jungles with a trusty dog to hosting a tea party with a patient feline — can foster creativity and imagination. Pets truly make a home more vibrant and livelier. They teach lessons in love, life, and the joy of simple things. So, if you’re contemplating adding a pet to your family, know that the pitter-patter of little paws (or hooves!) can benefit your child’s development. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want an extra dose of unconditional love around the house?
This little one will have no shortage of animal companions!
ERISA is all we do!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
ERISA INSURANCE J. PRICE MCNAMARA Claim Attorney
10455 Jefferson Hwy. Suite 130 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 201-8311 WinMyBenefits.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Our First Honey Harvest
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Taking Care of Business: Not Easy
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Explore the Positive Benefits of Pets for Kids
Perfect Peach Cobbler
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Family Fun at the Tailgate
Plan a few different activities. Your kids will get bored if there’s nothing to do at the tailgate besides listening to pregame coverage and talking to others. Invest in cornhole boards or other games, and see if someone in your group is comfortable with face painting. It doesn’t have to be extensive, but having a few kid-friendly activities prepared will keep boredom at bay. Encourage your kids to show support for their team. Whether you’re a fan of the home or away team, you and your kids should wear the right colors to show your support. Let your kids pick out a shirt, jersey, hat, or other team-affiliated apparel to help them get involved. Finally, don’t forget about your child’s need for a nap. Be sure to bring pillows and a blanket for them, and set up a comfortable spot for them to rest when needed. Doing so will allow everyone to enjoy the upcoming game to the fullest.
Football season is underway, and many Americans will start spending their Saturdays and Sundays tailgating in stadium parking lots. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to an NFL or college game; tailgating is a great way to spend time with your friends and family before the big game. While many tailgates consist of adult activities like drinking alcohol and blasting loud music, many prefer to make it a family affair. If you plan to have kids at your tailgate, you need to ensure they have everything they need to have fun. Here are a few ways you can help your kids make the most of their day at the tailgate! Bring kid-friendly snacks and drinks. The average tailgate lasts a few hours, and most people enjoy at least one meal during that time frame. While most tailgate foods are simple appetizers and easy-to-make dishes, ask your kids or any kids attending if they want anything specific. Fill one of your coolers with sliced fruit and juice boxes to ensure your kids have a healthy food option and child-friendly drinks.
Score Big With Kid-Friendly Tailgates
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