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December 2024
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR THE GIFT OF FAMILY TIME
What Christmas Means to Us
Christmas has always been about family, tradition, and those little moments that make the season magical for both of us. From the excitement of opening presents in childhood to fatherhood, where we blend our past traditions with new ones, we love this time of year and the togetherness it brings. Zac: As a child, our festivities usually started on Christmas Eve with a trip to this nice French restaurant in Denver that my parents’ friends owned. The food was delicious, and it kicked off a fun time for everyone in the family. When we went home, we were treated to Christmas books and then would go to bed to wait for the big celebration on Christmas Day. My mom would cook breakfast as everyone convened at our house, and we would open our stockings. Friends and family would come over, and at the end of the day, all of us kids would play with new toys while the adults caught up. It wasn’t complete without a big holiday dinner.
Nick: When I was little, we typically started Christmas Eve by going to dinner and attending midnight Mass. Then, we would sleep, excited to have the family over to our house in the morning. We would open our presents, cheer on a football game, and have a traditional meal with ham or turkey. It was always an exciting day, focusing on family time.
Nick and family
Today, my traditions mirror those of my youth, except now I’m playing Santa and stepping into my parents’ festive shoes. We usually enjoy a good meal at home on Christmas Eve, and then Christmas Day is all about the kids. The kids wake up excited to open their stockings and presents, and we spend the rest of the day relaxing and spending time together as the kids try out their new toys. It’s a time that feels comforting, familiar, and warm, the same kind of holiday magic my parents created for me.
Nowadays, my family and I do about the same, starting with a steak dinner on Christmas Eve and a late afternoon Mass. When we get home, we have to prepare for Santa’s arrival. The kids put out carrots and food for the reindeer and make cookies and milk for Santa. Every year, the elves bring us all new PJs on Christmas Eve. We get cozy, and I read some classic Christmas stories before we doze off and wait for the big event. We have a tradition with the presents, where the kids pass out everyone’s gifts, and we all open them together. This way, not everyone rips open presents and misses what everyone else receives. As everyone enjoys their gifts, we sit back for a nice, home-cooked meal and football. It’s wonderful to provide and give my children things we didn’t necessarily have growing up. But the coolest thing is seeing them get more excited about giving than receiving. They light up when they watch someone open their present, beaming with pride over their thoughtful choice. The spirit of the season is not lost in the shiny new toys; it’s about giving to others and ensuring their holiday is fun and memorable.
Zac and family
The best part of the holidays isn’t the tasty food, goodies under the tree, or sweet Christmas stories; it’s the time you spend with your family. As trial lawyers, our work is usually fast-paced and demanding, so this is a welcomed chance to slow down and spend quality time with our loved ones. Of course, the excitement of the kids when they unwrap their gifts and get caught up in the whole Christmas spirit is a close second. Giving a thoughtful gift to people you care for, like our kids, spouses, and employees, is a great feeling.
From all of us at Norden Leacox, Happy Holidays!
– Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
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CANINE COUNSELORS THE ROLE OF COURTHOUSE DOGS
operations, treatment of clients, safety, cleanliness, and compliance with legal regulations, they also greatly emphasize how schools treat their puppy pupils. To become accredited, a school must also employ humane training methods, have a valid health care regimen, and employ well-trained and evaluated trainers. The accreditation process is essential because courthouse dogs are only assigned to a handler after at least two years of training. If you think in dog years, that’s the equivalent of a Ph.D. in being a fluffy, adorable companion. Handling Business Once a dog has graduated from an accredited dog school, it is ready to be assigned a handler. The handler essentially adopts the dog and is responsible for housing, feeding, and caring for the professional pup. The handler is typically a victim advocate, forensic interviewer, police officer, or attorney, as they most often interact with people needing the dog’s expert care. Handlers also can’t have other dogs in the home who are overly aggressive, and most handlers provide support to the courthouse dog during off-hours. A secondary handler is typically necessary, as they can accompany the dog when the primary handler is required elsewhere. The Drawbacks Issues can arise if court employees or participants are allergic to dogs. Dog dander, a common allergen, can be on handlers’ clothing, making them a hazard to those with strong allergies. Care must be taken to avoid contact between handlers, their dogs, and those allergic to the animals. Similarly, some people have intense phobias of dogs; in this case, similar measures should be taken to avoid contact between the dogs and these individuals. The Benefits Courthouse dogs can seem alien in the stuffy courtroom environment, but their benefits greatly outweigh any breach in tradition or hindrance allergies or phobias may cause. They can help vulnerable witnesses regain the confidence to share their stories, no matter how difficult, and persevere through a challenging situation.
The courtroom can be an intimidating place. The formality, seriousness, and importance of our legal system — paired with potential trauma — can make it a challenging environment for those called to testify. Scared witnesses, victims of crime, and experts who are just having a down day can all have trouble when taking the stand. However, recalling a traumatic event can be easier with the help of a well-trained dog snuggled up against you on the witness stand, providing the mental nourishment to get through it. Courthouse dogs are used throughout the United States, providing an invaluable service often overlooked or unknown despite their noble purpose. They are professionally trained animals chosen from the most friendly and compassionate pool of dogs to provide reassurance in high-stress situations. Here is what you should know about these unsung heroes. Accredited Companions Not just any dog can become a successful courthouse dog. First, it needs to meet the professional standards. Only the friendliest and most adaptable dogs can cut it in an accredited assistance dog school. These hallowed nonprofit institutions are accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the world’s leading authority in the industry. ADI has been an integral part of the process since 1986 and only awards accreditation to organizations that meet its rigorous standards. While the ADI evaluates a dog school’s organizational “Courthouse dogs are used throughout the United States, providing an invaluable service often overlooked or unknown despite their noble purpose.”
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No matter where you go in the world, most kids are picky eaters. According to a study published in Frontier, about 54% of kids are reluctant to try new foods. In the U.S., many kids will scoff at anything but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In France, it’s probably peanut butter and creme fraiche. And good luck getting Scandinavian kids to eat anything that doesn’t taste like black licorice or pickled herring! In all seriousness, parents everywhere have a similar problem. So, what’s the solution? Small Steps Kids go through many different dietary phases as they grow up. While frustrating, it is common for young kids to go through their “picky eater” phase. Some common tactics parents employ to counter this, however, are counterproductive . For instance, making kids eat everything on their plates can be stressful and make them even pickier than before. Instead, serving smaller portions is more helpful, especially when the foods are unfamiliar. Role Models When it comes to food, parents should lead by example. Eating together as a family and demonstrating how you enjoy the foods you are trying to introduce to your kids can go a long way to getting them to try new cuisine. While you’re PICKY EATERS How to Help Kids Enjoy More Foods
at it, describing what you’re serving is a good idea so the textures and flavors don’t catch them off-guard.
Introducing New Foods Building on the previous tips, introducing new foods, even in very small amounts, can help expand a child’s culinary boundaries over time. Even if the child does not eat the food the first time you put it on their plate, or even the fifth time, they will naturally become more familiar and comfortable with it. Studies show that you may need to feature new foods on their plates up to 15 times before kids are willing to try them!
Have a
Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Laugh
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup almond butter • 3 cups diced carrots • 3 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes • Salt and pepper to taste • Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil • 2 cups chopped yellow onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger • 2 tbsp red curry paste • 4 cups vegetable broth, divided
Directions
1. Melt coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5–6 minutes. Stir in curry paste. 2. In a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup broth with the almond butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot, along with the carrots, sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, and remaining vegetable broth. Stir to combine. 3. Bring soup to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. 4. Blend with an immersion blender until the soup is smooth. 5. Season with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice if desired.
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Inside This Edition
3 2 1 Cherishing Family Traditions and New Beginnings How Canines Bring Comfort to the Courtroom Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup Conquer Picky Eating
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Hospital Loses Part of Patient’s Skull
ANYONE SEEN A SKULL? Hospital Misplaces Patient’s Body Part
the procedure to repair Fernando’s skull for November 2022, issues arose that made it impossible for the hospital to fulfill its end of the bargain. The hospital made errors when identifying the bone flaps and had no idea which
All of us have had to search underneath the couch cushions for a missing wallet or TV remote, or we’ve had to scour the mall parking lot in search of our somehow misplaced car keys. I would almost certainly lose my head if it were not attached to my body. Which, as it turns out, is why I definitely should not work at one particular Atlanta hospital. In September 2022, the Emory University Hospital Midtown staff allegedly misplaced something more important than the contents of a patient’s pants pocket. Following his brain surgery, Fernando Cluster was horrified to discover that the hospital had misplaced part of his skull . What a Headache Fernando underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a stroke and subsequent cranial bleeding. As part of the surgery, surgeons removed a portion of Fernando’s skull, known as a bone flap, with plans to reattach that portion of his skull after he healed from his surgery. While the hospital scheduled 4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
skull fragments belonged to Fernando. Eventually, hospital staff informed the patient they could not find his bone flap and, as a result, they would be unable to put the missing pieces back in his skull.
Suing Over a Skull Consequently, Fernando and Melinda Cluster have filed a civil lawsuit against the hospital. The Clusters claim the hospital’s failure to find his bone flap led to an extended hospital stay, increased medical debt, and undue pain and suffering. Not to mention, of course, the alleged negligence in misplacing a patient’s skull . If nothing else, the Clusters have a remarkable story to tell and, most probably, a large settlement headed their way instead of a fully functional brain cage.
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