Check out our April newsletter!
April 2025
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR Go Fly a Kite (or Find a Hobby That Brings You Joy!)
How Our Pastimes Keep Us Sharp
Nick: Like Zac, I love a wide variety of sports, and my hobbies keep me active. CrossFit is definitely a favorite pastime of mine, and (unfortunately) I also enjoy running … sometimes. Whether it’s skiing or attending a great sporting event, I love any sport-based activity I can enjoy with my kids. I’ve been participating in sports as far back as I can remember. My dad got me started when I was a little kid. I love the idea of constantly practicing something to keep getting better and better. My dad
Something about flying a kite gives you a sense of freedom — like the worries of the day were carried off in the wind. There’s a feeling of letting go as you watch it soar, and it’s a nice little reminder of what it feels like to be present and at peace. Hobbies, whether it’s flying a kite, collecting something, or playing sports, are more important than they seem. They are chances to feel joy, explore passions, and unwind from our busy lives. April 20 is Go Fly a Kite Day, and while you may not catch us out there with a kite, we both treasure our pastimes and the benefits they bring.
Zac: My hobbies all gravitate around sports, everything from tennis to surfing. My love of physical activities started when I was very young. Growing up in Colorado, I was practically born with ski poles in my hands, starting to hit the slopes when I was around 2 years old. Once I hit middle school, I started exploring other winter sports like snowboarding. Almost every weekend, my friends and I went to the mountains for hours of skiing and snowboarding.
is behind that, instilling the competitive spirit of sports I still value today. Whether it’s a CrossFit competition where you’re up against other people or just up against yourself, it pushes you to be your best. My wife makes me run, and I aim to improve my time by just three or five seconds. I just like the challenge; more often than not, it’s mental over physical. When you run a business and have a family, finding the limited time to do everything you want is hard. If you can find a hobby that is both healthy and allows you a little peace, you kill two birds with one stone. I might have a big case on my mind, and a few hours of golf can bring me that peace of mind. Likewise, when I run, it clears my head about everything. Sometimes, I use that mental space and time to write openings or closings for trials in my head or put together a strategy for a case. It’s just a freeing time to focus on something important without all the other distractions.
I also started playing tennis at a young age and eventually picked up singles golf. When I moved to sunny Florida, I discovered all the fun beach activities on the water. I live right on the ocean, so I have easy access to recreation in the waves. Since my hobbies are athletic, I get the benefits of exercise every time I indulge in one of my favorite sports. Getting the proper amount of physical activity is essential for everyone to live a healthy life, and I think it’s essential for people in busy careers like lawyers. With everything on our plates, it’s easy to get out of shape, tired, and burned out. Not only do my hobbies keep me physically healthy, but they’re mentally relaxing, too. The right hobbies, whatever they may be, bring you joy, happiness, and peace. They’re like a special treat you get to look forward to after a long, perhaps stressful day.
– Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
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SCIENTISTS’ SURPRISE: STUDENTS SERVED RADIOACTIVE OATMEAL GOING DANGEROUSLY ROGUE
School for the Feeble-Minded, was led by an MIT professor of nutrition. No one raised objections at the time. At the dawn of the Atomic Age, most Americans saw science as a powerful force for progress — the Atomic Energy Commission approved dozens of human experiments with radioactivity. The importance of ethics review boards and informed consent of research subjects was nowhere on scientists’ radar at the time. Not until 1972, when the Associated Press reported on a Tuskegee Institute study in which Black men with syphilis were promised treatment they never received, did Congress finally pass legislation protecting people from unethical research. Scientists later determined the boys at Fernald didn’t suffer serious health effects; one said the exposure was about the same as 30 chest X-rays. For students like Boyce, however, the injuries ran deep. Thirty former Fernald students later sued Quaker Oats and MIT and were awarded $1.85 million in a 1998 settlement.
A student named Fred Boyce and about 70 other boys ages 10–17 were eager to join the Science Club mainly for the perks enjoyed by members. Boyce, who was sent to the school after his parents abandoned him, also hoped the scientists might intervene on the students’ behalf and report dismal conditions at Fernald, where students, many of whom were mentally disabled, were abused and treated brutally. Boyce and others received no help from the scientists, however, and weren’t even
Students at a state special-needs school in Massachusetts decades ago flocked to join the school’s Science Club, lured by gifts, promises of field trips, and hopes of emotional support from the scientists in charge. What they received instead was a daily dose of radioactive oatmeal. As part of a secret experiment by the Quaker Oats Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), dozens of
informed they were subjects of a scientific experiment until more than 40 years later.
boys at Fernald State School during the late 1940s and
early 1950s were fed oatmeal laced with radioactive tracers. The goal was to study their bodies’ absorption of iron and calcium and prove the cereal’s nutritional benefits. Some boys also were injected with radioactive calcium.
“We didn’t know anything at the time,” Boyce told Smithsonian magazine. “We just thought we were special.”
The study at Fernald, originally
named the Massachusetts State
Please Don’t Be Used Against Me in Court Dear Diary,
a law enforcement officer allegedly found her diary. He flipped through the pages, looking for any information that would catch his eye, when he stumbled upon an entry from Aug. 12, the same day a 2004 Ford Freestar van was stolen and resold at an auto salvage business. “Totally stole a car today! Something I never thought of doing,” Guerra allegedly wrote in her diary. Guerra was charged with receiving stolen property and theft, although she claims she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. However, workers at the auto salvage business informed law enforcement they recognized Guerra as the seller of the stolen vehicle.
Many of us have fond memories of writing in diaries or journals throughout our youth. We would share our thoughts and feelings in a book we would keep hidden from friends, family members, and others. It was our sanctuary where we could be ourselves without worrying about judgment or embarrassment. You may even remember the feeling of rage or hopelessness when you spotted your brother or sister holding your diary. Thankfully, there usually wasn’t anything too incriminating in our teenage diaries, and some of us have continued the practice well into adulthood. However, a recent news story proves we should be cautious about the information we share in our private journals. Last year, a Minnesota woman was arrested for auto theft. While investigating the incident and looking into Vanessa Guerra, a suspect in the case,
they are currently unsolved. This case reminds us to be just as cautious about what we write in private journals. While your diary may be your safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, your entries could come back to haunt you if you’re involved in a criminal case, especially if you blatantly admit to the crime.
Most people will probably not blab to others about crimes they have committed, especially if
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UNPACK PARENTING’S ‘MENTAL LOAD’ Finding Peace in Modern Parenting
Parenting is a labor of love, but let’s face it — sometimes, it just feels like labor. The mental load of raising kids and running a household creates a constant to-do list in your head: planning parent-teacher conferences, organizing meals, managing schedules, and worrying about everything in between. With nearly half of parents saying their stress is overwhelming, it’s clear that we’re carrying more than we can handle. But the good news is that you don’t have to carry it alone. Forget the Instagram Fantasy We’ve all been there — scrolling through picture-perfect family photos on social media and wondering how everyone else makes parenting look so effortless. But let’s get real. No one’s life is as polished as their posts. Instead of measuring yourself against unrealistic standards, focus on what makes your family happy and healthy. Spoiler alert: It’s not homemade Pinterest lunches or spotless playrooms. Find Your Village (and Use It!) Parenting wasn’t meant to be a solo sport. Whether it’s friends, family, or other parents, building a strong support system can make all the difference. And if you have a partner, open conversations about sharing the workload can lighten the load for everyone. Remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a superpower. Perfect Is Boring — Be Real Instead Let go of the idea that you need to be the perfect parent. Perfection is overrated and impossible. Life throws curveballs, and part of raising resilient kids is showing them how to handle challenges without losing your cool. Be kind to
yourself, and embrace the “good enough” mindset. You don’t need to do it all, and your kids don’t need you to be flawless — they need you to be present. From Overwhelmed to Empowered The mental load of parenting will never disappear entirely, but it doesn’t have to weigh you down. When you ditch unrealistic expectations, lean on your village, and embrace imperfection, you can find more balance and joy in the chaos. Parenting is messy, exhausting, and sometimes downright hard — but it’s also beautiful, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments. So, take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: You’re doing a great job. You’ve got this.
Have a
Laugh
Classic Fish Fry
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• • • • •
Vegetable oil 2 lbs fresh cod
• • • • •
2 tbsp water
2 cups plain bread crumbs 1/2 tsp mustard powder 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
2 large eggs
Lemon wedges
Directions
1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
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Inside This Edition
2 1 CrossFit, Sports, and the Joy of Letting Go A Chilling Tale From the Annals of Science When Your Diary Becomes Evidence
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Classic Fish Fry
The Mental Load of Parenting: You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
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A Pizza Delivery Nightmare in Florida
When Delivery Disputes Go Too Far A $2 TIP TURNS VIOLENT
group’s belongings. Irizarry turned to shield her daughter and reached for the motel phone when Alvelo allegedly began attacking her with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her legs, arms, chest, and abdomen. The attackers fled the scene, and Irizarry was taken to a local hospital. In addition to 14 stab wounds, Irizarry suffered a ruptured lung during the attack. While receiving treatment, she also discovered she was pregnant. Alvelo was later arrested and charged with multiple counts, including attempted murder, kidnapping, and home invasion with a firearm. Her accomplice remains at large. Unusual Nature of the Case This case stands out not only for its brutality but also because it flips the typical narrative involving delivery drivers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, delivery drivers are
What started as a birthday celebration for a 5-year-old girl quickly took a dark turn when a Florida delivery driver stabbed a woman multiple times over a bad tip. According to court documents, the December 2024 incident occurred at a Central Florida motel where the victim, her boyfriend, and daughter were staying. The Incident After placing a $33 delivery order from Marco’s Pizza, the victim, Melinda Irizarry, tipped the delivery driver $2. Dissatisfied with the tip, the driver, 22-year-old Brianna Alvelo, reportedly returned to the motel with an unidentified male. Alvelo and her accomplice allegedly forced themselves into Irizarry’s motel room, brandishing a revolver. The attackers forced Irizarry’s boyfriend into the bathroom, and Alvelo produced a pocketknife before rummaging through the
more at risk of assaults than other professions. While disputes over tips are not unheard of, they rarely lead to violence. However, reports of assaults among delivery workers, particularly in the gig economy, are surprisingly common. Studies show that 1 in 5 food app workers are assaulted on the job, and over one-third of delivery drivers feel unsafe. Regardless of who is on the receiving end, cases like these underscore how everyday activities can lead to life-altering events with serious consequences for all involved. Always be vigilant.
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