Check out our July newsletter!
July 2026 The Constable and the Fluffball Meet Our Office Mascots Making Life Better for Injured People. WeatherbyLawFirm.com 404-689-1287
Every office has its personalities … ours just happen to have four legs. If you’ve ever visited our firm, there’s a good chance you’ve been greeted by Pollock and Frida before you made it to the conference room. They spread love around the office, making rounds,
through social media. They have a robust Instagram page where they regularly post photos of animals available for adoption, and that’s how we found Pollock. We adopted Pollock five years ago. He’s a mix of Yorkie, Chihuahua, poodle, and probably a bunch of other breeds. At the time, we almost adopted two dogs at once. But our daughters were 7 and 5 years old, and we figured that might be a little much for us. We really wanted to add another dog eventually, though, so we decided to wait until Pollock was mature enough to handle a sibling. When Pollock turned 4, we started looking again. We had such a great experience with Furkids the first time that we went right
saying hello, and keeping everyone on their toes. Clients love them, staff look forward to seeing them, and they’ve earned a reputation as the firm’s mascots. What many people don’t know is that both dogs are rescue pups (worth mentioning as July 31 is National Mutt Day). Both Pollock and Frida came from Furkids, a no-kill animal shelter in Alpharetta, Georgia. It’s the largest no-kill animal shelter in the state and specializes in helping dogs and cats find forever homes. We first learned about Furkids OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST “I can’t say enough good things about Weatherby Law Firm. From the very first interaction, everyone was incredibly kind, welcoming, and professional. It was clear that they genuinely care about their clients and take the time to listen and understand your situation.” - Samantha
back. That’s when we found Frida. She’s also a mutt, primarily a poodle, Chihuahua, and Pomeranian mix. In addition to those three types, Frida is a combination of 15 different breeds, which makes her just as unique as her brother. The names Pollock and Frida aren’t random. We have an “artist theme” going on. Our last dog, who passed away, was named Matisse, after Henri Matisse. Pollock is named after Jackson Pollock, the famous splatter painter, and Frida is named after Frida Kahlo. The theme has become such a part of their identity that we recently commissioned a local artist, Kelly Sharp of Decatur, to paint portraits of Pollock and Frida as a lawyer and a judge. Those paintings proudly hang in our office, right where they belong. After all, they’re always there! Pollock and Frida come to the office with us every day. They run around, greet people, and make themselves at home. They’re sweet and have become an integral part of what makes our office feel welcoming. They calm clients before depositions, keep our staff excited about being in the office, and generally make every day more enjoyable. Their personalities couldn’t be more different. Pollock has earned the nickname “the constable” because he’s constantly checking everything. He walks up to a door and scratches until somebody
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404-689-1287 · WeatherbyLawFirm.com · 1
The Digital Evidence You Never Expected
AI, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND LAWSUITS
AI Chatbots The newest concern involves conversations with AI tools. Many people now turn to chatbots for advice on everything from medical questions to legal issues. Some even provide detailed accounts of accidents, injuries, timelines, and personal circumstances. Unlike conversations with an attorney, those exchanges aren’t protected by attorney-client privilege. Defense attorneys have already begun requesting chatbot conversations during discovery. Courts have not yet provided clear guidance on how those requests will ultimately be handled, making this a rapidly evolving area of law. One Rule to Follow AI can be a useful source of general information, but it shouldn’t replace professional legal advice. If you’re involved in a legal matter, the safest approach is straightforward: discuss your case with your lawyer, not your chatbot. What feels like a private conversation today could be evidence tomorrow.
Most people know that what they post on social media can come back to haunt them. Fewer realize that private text messages, emails, and even conversations with AI chatbots may also become part of a legal battle. As AI becomes a daily tool for millions of people, a new legal question is taking shape: What happens when someone shares sensitive details about their case with an AI assistant? While the courts are still sorting out the answer, attorneys are warning clients to be careful. The Risk of Written Communications When discussing a legal case, attorneys often give simple advice: don’t put it in writing unless you’re communicating with your lawyer. Emails and text messages containing information relevant to a lawsuit can be discoverable and may be reviewed during litigation. Many people assume casual conversations are private, but courts frequently view them as valuable
evidence when they relate to the facts of a case. Social Media Privacy July 17 is National Emoji Day, a fitting reminder of how much communication now happens online. Social media posts, comments, reactions, and messages have become a permanent part of many people’s daily lives. Courts often treat social media accounts much like personal diaries or photo albums. Public posts are easily discoverable, while private content may receive greater protection. Privacy settings don’t always eliminate risk. Investigators and opposing parties may search for publicly available information or use lawful methods to uncover relevant content. A post that seems harmless can quickly become significant. Someone claiming a serious knee injury, for example, could face difficult questions if photos later appear showing them skiing or participating in physically demanding activities.
REACHABLE AND RESTLESS Is Your Accessibility Causing Your Anxiety?
A Break From Constant Connection Despite the barrage of content we seemingly encounter every minute of the day, it is possible to hit the brakes and give yourself more moments of peace. You can start by switching off non-essential notifications when you’re off the clock or need time to quiet your mind. To give yourself a digital detox, you can also give close friends, relatives, and other high- priority people a way to contact you outside of email or social media. Better yet, set specific times during the day to respond to messages, and try not to stray from that commitment . While these steps may seem small, you may be surprised by the significant impact they will have on your physical health and mental clarity. And when you want to tell a friend, loved one, or coworker all about it, be sure to do so only when they want to be contacted!
It may be hard to believe now, but there was a time when taking a flight meant you didn’t need to answer dozens of emails, and customers and colleagues waited until working hours to contact you! In 2026, technology has made it possible for us to be on the clock all the time. While consistent accessibility has its advantages (such as when we need to be contacted
in an emergency), there are considerable drawbacks as well, especially for our mental health. Here is why being available to everyone at all times may be harming you more than you realize, and how you can set healthy boundaries and step away when necessary. The Pressures of Being Present In a world where accessibility equates dependability, there is pressure to respond quickly to every email, text, and phone call we receive. This rush to respond is particularly common among people with jobs with fluid hours or that require “on- call” availability. Constantly anticipating being contacted can prevent us from fully disengaging from our responsibilities and relaxing our nervous systems. Before long, this tension (however subtle) can lead us to feeling drained, anxious, or overwhelmed by our sense of obligation to others.
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Catching a pop fly at a Major League game is a dream for many fans. Every season, thousands of people lean over railings, wave their arms, and call out to players, hoping to take home a souvenir. Most people never stop to think about what happens if that moment goes wrong. That exact situation plays out in MLB games often. Here’s an example of one. A fan asked a player to throw them a baseball. The player tosses the ball into the stands; the fan misses the catch, and it strikes them in the face, causing injuries. The injuries are serious, but the legal question is: Can the fan successfully sue? A Painful Moment in the Stands According to the facts of the case, the fan allegedly called to the player and asked for the ball. The player threw it toward them. The fan missed the catch, and the ball hit them in the face, causing facial injuries. The fan later pursued a legal claim, arguing the ball had been thrown too hard. When analyzing a case like this, one key question is whether the risk was one the fan could have reasonably anticipated. Understanding Assumption of Risk A legal issue in situations like this is the doctrine of assumption of risk. Generally speaking, when people participate in activities that involve known and foreseeable dangers, they may be considered to have accepted those risks. Sporting events are one of the common examples. The argument goes: Fans know foul balls can enter the stands during baseball games, or basketball players may dive into seating areas while chasing loose balls. Injuries can happen as a result. Courts often evaluate whether the injury was reasonably foreseeable to someone in the injured person’s position. If the answer is yes, establishing liability becomes much more difficult. Why the Claim May Fall Short Every case has to be examined in detail to determine who is at fault. For example, if the fan asked the baseball player to throw the ball, then arguably their claim is more challenging because they assumed the risk of the ball being thrown. If a fan did not ask for the ball to be thrown or if the player threw a fastball at their head, then you may be able to get around assumption of risk defense. It is a fact intensive inquiry! He Called for the Ball, Missed the Catch, and Broke His Nose. WAS ANYONE LIABLE?
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MAY NEWSLETTER GIVEAWAY WINNER!
We’re excited to announce the May newsletter winner of our $100 gas card giveaway!
A big congratulations to Emanda Grace! Thank you to everyone who participated! We appreciate your support and love giving back to our community. Keep an eye out for more chances to win in the future, and stay tuned next month for our June winner!
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opens it. Then he strolls into the room to inspect what’s going on. He’s a classic Yorkie in that sense. He’s always walking the perimeter, making sure he knows exactly what’s happening everywhere. Nothing seems to get past him. Frida is a goofball. She’s still got a lot of puppy energy and loves to run around and play. She’s known to get moving so fast that she’ll practically fall face-forward in the middle of the action. She’s also a bit of a scaredy-cat. (Don’t tell her I said that.) While Pollock is busy protecting the property’s borders, Frida usually hangs back and lets her brother handle security. She’s perfectly content letting him take the lead while she watches from a safe distance. Together, they make a pretty entertaining team. They’ve also helped bring a little more peace to our household. Before Frida came along, our two daughters would regularly argue about who got to hold Pollock and for how long. Once we added a second dog to the family, each daughter had a companion of her own. Having two dogs has meant one less sister fight for us to deal with, which is always a win! National Mutt Day celebrates the mixed-breed dogs that bring so much joy to families across the country, and Pollock and Frida certainly fit that description. They’re rescue dogs, loyal companions, office
greeters, and sweet little members of our family. Around the firm, though, they’re known for something else entirely. They’re definitely the firm’s mascots.
- Alex Weatherby
404-689-1287 · WeatherbyLawFirm.com · 3
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. The 4-Legged Faces of Our Firm 2. Your Texts, Posts, and AI Conversations May Not Be as Private as You Think The Costs of Constant Contact 3. The Hidden Legal Risk of Asking a Player to Throw You a Baseball May Newsletter Giveaway Winner Announced! 4. The Rescue Was Real. The Dog? Still a Mystery
The Stray That Cracked the Case and Vanished A Hero With No Name Many individuals don’t want the fame that often accompanies courage and heroic actions. Some disappear before they can ever get the credit they deserve, but their actions remain in the headlines long after the event has passed.
“It would bark at me to tell me to hurry up,” exclaimed Officer Josh Thompson. “It led me all the way to the backyard. At this point, I’m thinking, okay, this kid’s in the backyard.” The dog quickly led law enforcement to a car off the property, then sat near its back bumper. Within moments, the officers saw the boy in the passenger seat and instructed him to unlock the door. He quickly jumped out of the vehicle and bear-hugged his rescuers. When they turned their attention back to the proud pup, it was nowhere to be found. The story broke a month after the event, when police officers released the bodycam footage, but no one has been able to confirm where the dog came from or who it belonged to. Some people claim that the dog was the boy’s guardian angel, while others theorize it belonged to the owner of the vehicle the boy was found inside. Regardless of the dog’s origin, one thing is for certain: It will forever remain a hero in that boy’s eyes.
At the beginning of the year, Louisville police responded en masse to reports of a missing 3-year-old boy. They searched far and wide, using drones and helicopters to locate the child, but were unsuccessful. As they continued searching the area, an unfamiliar dog caught the attention of one of the officers.
It started barking, which prompted the officer to follow the dog and investigate further.
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