august 2018
of Compassion and Backbone The Winning Combination
As you know, our team is very family-oriented. All of us have young kids and we value our time with them. In the serious cases we deal with, our families help us keep what’s important in perspective. Our kiddos range from toddlers to kindergarteners, and our newest attorney has added another little one to the team. I shared with you a couple months ago how our workload was steadily growing at the firm. It’s a blessing to see it grow, but it also meant neither Rosalie nor I were spending as much time with our families as we needed to.
It got to the point where we needed to add an attorney experienced in family law to our team — so next came the challenge of finding one.
Because marital and family law is so complex, I knew they would have to be the right fit. We work with our clients with a combination of compassion, patience, and tenacity, and I wanted someone who exemplified these traits. I was looking for an attorney to bring the same compassion and determination to win a client’s case that Rosalie and I do. In a divorce case, you want an attorney who has compassion for your situation, but you also need someone who will have the backbone to fight for it, if the case goes to court. When I met attorney Charlie Thompson, I knew I’d found the winning combination. Charlie has been practicing family law for 13 years — even longer than I have. He’s respected in the legal community, and his experience in the field is a an outstanding asset to our clients. He’s getting along well with everyone he’s worked with, and we’re very happy to have him. In addition to introducing Charlie, I have one more bit of exciting news to share with you. I reached an exciting milestone in my legal career recently — I became board certified in marital and family law, which is a prestigious achievement not given lightly. I’m not one to draw attention to my accomplishments, but I do feel proud because of how hard I worked for this achievement. In the legal community, board certification is a top distinction given by the Florida Bar to attorneys who meet an extensive list of criteria. You have to qualify to even take the certification exam, and it’s very challenging. Only after practicing for a number of years, having documented experience in trials, passing a difficult exam, and going through an extensive peer review process are you awarded certification in a specific area. I recognize it would not be possible for me to become a board certified marital and family law attorney at such a relatively early point in my legal career without the encouragement of my family and firm, or the mentoring I have received from both inside and outside of my profession from many people. Now as I end this personal bragging session, I wanted to give a big THANK-YOU to everyone who helped make this possible for me!
New attorney Charles and his family
– Chris Bruce
(561) 810-0170 • 1
How to Choose an Attorney
THE BENEFITS OF BOARD CERTIFICATION
It can be overwhelming to know where to begin when choosing an attorney. With billboard signs and pop-up ads everywhere, how can you find the right fit?
Start by asking family, friends, or coworkers for suggestions. Begin to make a list of qualified attorneys who specialize in the area of law your case falls under. The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service can help you find an attorney and give you access to reduced consultation fees.
Before you schedule an appointment with an attorney, asking a few questions of a potential firm can help you find the right fit. Here are some examples.
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY TIPS
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Do you have experience in the type of law my case involves?
• How much does an initial review cost? What do these fees cover?
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Is this attorney board certified?
PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN DURING THEIR COMMUTE
When you’re considering who is qualified to handle your divorce case, it’s worth hiring an attorney who’s a legal expert in their field. In the state of Florida, only 7 percent of Florida Bar members are board certified, and attorneys go through a rigorous process to attain this status. In addition to practicing for a minimum number of years, they are subject to a peer review process and difficult testing and must satisfy continuing legal education requirements. In short, attorneys who are board certified have reached a depth of knowledge that allows them to practice at an elite level. Board certified lawyers are experts who have dedicated themselves to their practice area. When it comes to your case, these attorneys have a wealth of knowledge to pull from. Because of the peer review component, it’s guaranteed that board certified attorneys are ethical and well-regarded by the legal community. These attorneys have met the Florida Bar’s highest standards for practice. Family and marital law is nuanced and complex. That’s why it’s so important to have a lawyer who has expert status in this area. When you’re looking for an expert attorney, turn to the Bruce Law Firm, where among the excellent team, Chris Bruce is board certified in family and marital law.
With the school year fast approaching, families are in preparation mode. Parents are busy buying new clothes and school supplies and thinking about the best way to get their kids safely to school. Keeping your child safe on their commute starts with knowing the transportation method that works best for you and the rules that accompany that method. TAKING THE SCHOOL BUS According to the United States Department of Transportation, the school bus is the safest means of transportation to and from school. Buses are built to withstand a hit and distribute the damage throughout the vehicle, keeping its passengers safe and sound. Knowing basic bus safety will help kids be mindful when taking the bus. Before the school year starts, take your children to the bus stop and show them where they should stand when the bus approaches — a minimum of three large steps or 6 feet from the street. Tell your kids about the importance of sitting still and not standing in the bus while it’s in motion. YOUNG PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD Whether your child is biking, walking, or even skateboarding, it’s vital that they know and follow the rules of the road. All children should practice road safety behavior, such as riding on the right side of the road, wearing helmets, stopping at stop signs, and watching out for cars. Internalizing these habits will help them stay aware of their surroundings when traveling to and from school. SHARING THE ROAD When school starts, the roads become even more cluttered than usual. On top of people heading to work, there are large buses making frequent stops, parents rushing to drop their kids off, and young kids biking or walking to school. With the added tension on the road, it’s important to be alert and move cautiously. Slowing down in school zones or around young pedestrians will keep you vigilant and could potentially save lives.
Is your friend or client in need of a guide as they prepare for divorce? our divorce strategy book can help!
The book can be downloaded for FREE at GetOrganizedForDivorce.com.
If your friend or client lives in the South Florida area, we will mail them a hard copy of the book upon request.
Teach your kids to be prepared and safe on the road to ensure that they have a healthy and safe school year.
2 • BrucePA.com
Attorney Charles Thompson Joins the Team
Charles is appreciative of the unique perspective that the Guardian Ad Litem Program gave him. “Adoption is rare, but we had an adoption of a child from Haiti who was disabled. It was an amazing story,” Charles says. “He has a rare disease that only 100 people in the world have. He has only one working hand, he’s lost all his siblings, and he’s an artist. He’s just an incredible person. Despite all he’s been through, he is so full of life. It was great to be part of that.” Charles joins the Bruce Law Firm with experiences like these (and nine years of marital and family law experience at another Palm Beach County law firm) to our firm. After meeting attorney Christopher Bruce, Charles says it was Chris’ personality and reputation that made it clear this was the right fit. “Chris has a good reputation, and he has a good personality. He’s humble, organized, intelligent, and on top of things. There’s a lot to like about him as someone to work with, and for,” Charles says. When he’s not working on a case, Charles spends time with his wife and their 2-year- old. “Any spare time goes to that,” Charles says. Of his daughter, Charles says, “She’s amazing. It’s wonderful to get to spend time with her.” He is appreciative of his new coworkers’ shared experience of raising little ones. “It’s nice to understand that’s a priority in all our lives,” says Charles.
Prior to joining Bruce Law Firm this summer, attorney Charles Thompson was busy building his expertise in family and marital law. After finishing law school, Charles worked in the Guardian Ad Litem Program, which is a department that looks out for the best interests of children who are part of the dependency court system. “It’s a realm of law that deals with making sure kids are okay when they’re in the system,” Charles explains.
We’re so happy to welcome this compassionate and experienced attorney to our team. Welcome, Charles!
have a LAUGH
Summer Grilled Halibut
ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• • • •
2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced 1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained
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Basil leaves, for garnish
1 lemon
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
1.
Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium.
2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.
Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine.
(561) 810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Two New Additions to Bruce Law page 1
Keep Your Kids Safe on the Way to School
Choose an Expert for Your Case page 2
Meet Our Newest Attorney page 3
Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season page 4
Book a Caribbean Cruise SAFE SAILING THIS HURRICANE SEASON
After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. SAFETY AND SAVINGS Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated
weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather.
FLEXIBILITY IS A MUST The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!
4 • BrucePA.com
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