Winston & Damman June 2018

Winston & Damman's online newsletter for June 2018

On Your Side (810) 966-WINS (9467)

June 2018

The Two Most Important Men in My Life Celebrating My Dad and Husband This Father’s Day

W ith Father’s Day fast supportive men in my life. Between my own dad and my husband Shawn, I couldn’t ask for two more generous, kind, and amazing people to have by my side throughout my life. First there’s my father, a retired computer programmer who used to be in the Air Force. Growing up, he worked at LAX in California and was forced to travel a lot for his job, but I never felt like that harmed our relationship. He was a total provider for our family, constantly working as hard as possible to ensure we never went without. Ever since working in my grandparents’ Niagara Falls gas station as a little kid, work was just part of who he was. Even now, relaxing in his retirement on the San Juan Islands, I’m pretty sure he’s still contracting out computer work to keep busy. I don’t get to see him too often, probably meeting up once or twice a year to catch up and have a few laughs, but he’s left an indelible influence on my own work ethic and the way I do things. In many ways, he was the perfect example for a young woman looking to achieve independence as I got older, and he encouraged me at every step to do great things. Then there’s my husband, Shawn, whom I’ve written about in the newsletter before, but whose importance to me just can’t be overstated. I honestly can’t imagine a better father to our children, or a man more eager to be present in approaching, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the

their lives and provide the guidance they need to live happy, fulfilled lives. I was at one of the kid’s baseball games the other day, with Shawn coaching, and I suddenly thought to myself, “This guy doesn’t have to coach these kids at all — he could be doing anything else!” But it just speaks to his devotion that he spends hundreds of hours every month running drills and providing vital life lessons to these young kids. He’s close with all of our kids, each in a way that meshes with their personalities. Whether he’s talking politics with my oldest, Hannah, or watching baseball with Zach, he meets them exactly where they are. Occasionally, though, we’ll roll our eyes at him: In our family, he’s known as “The Explainer,” answering every simple question with an elaborate, drawn-out, encyclopedic response. But really, I appreciate his wide breadth of knowledge and curiosity about the world, and I’m sure it serves him well as a teacher of U.S. history, political junkie that he is. This Father’s Day, we’ll be where we always are during the summer: at a baseball tournament. But the kids will write him a nice card and maybe give him a gift or two, and we always give him the choice of dinner after the games are over. Meanwhile, I’ll give my own dad a call and hopefully let him know just how much he’s meant to me throughout the years. This Father’s Day might be a little bittersweet, as it’s only the second year Shawn’s had to celebrate the holiday since

Shawn with our beautiful children

his own father passed, but I’ll definitely make sure the two most important men in my life feel as valued as they truly are.

–Nicole Winston

(810) 966-9467 • 1

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A NOSE FOR TROUBLE

Ringo the Tabby Saves His Family

Ray and Carol Steiner found Ringo, a red tabby Manx, living in a shed when he was 10 days old. Despite already having three cats, the couple decided to open their hearts to the friendly feline — a decision that would one day save their lives. Years after adopting Ringo, Ray and Carol began to oversleep and experience high blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches. The couple attributed these troubling symptoms to their recent health problems —Ray had just undergone heart surgery, and Carol was recovering from a car accident with her leg in a cast. But Ringo realized something was amiss. One blistering day in August, the usually mellow cat caused a ruckus. He meowed loudly and banged his body against the front door. Carol let him dart outside, but the moment she closed the door, Ringo began to aggressively meow again. This was unusual behavior, and Carol realized Ringo wanted her to follow him. The red tabby brought Carol around to the side of the house, where large bushes hid the air conditioner and gas After you’ve been injured in a car accident or other catastrophe, you’ll almost certainly want an experienced, compassionate, and skilled attorney in your corner to ensure you get every cent you need to address your injuries and get back to your normal life. But it can be difficult to know just where to turn. How do you pick the right lawyer when so many “experts” are clamoring for your attention? Don’t just look at a billboard and dial the first number you see. All over the country, there are “big box” attorneys banking on you seeing their name on the side of a bus or in a TV ad and hiring them on the spot. The problem is, these firms often operate by grinding through as many cases as possible each day. They’re not actually invested in you as a person, and you’ll likely find yourself frustrated when you can’t get ahold of your lawyer for an update on your case. Sure, you may achieve a settlement, but without the attorney keeping a close eye on the proceedings, it’ll likely be much smaller than if you had gone with a more intimate, attentive firm. Make sure to do your research. With so many online lawyer review sites and even Google, there’s no excuse for skipping this vital step. But don’t just pick a random firm with 4.5 stars and assume they’re perfect for your particular case. Instead, sit down

and water meters. Ringo started to dig in the jagged lava-rock landscaping, cutting his paws on the sharp stones. When Carol leaned over to get a better look, she was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of natural gas. The gas company discovered an old steel coupler had broken open, leaking dangerous levels of gas into the Steiners’ house. A single spark outdoors could have set off an explosion that would have consumed six other houses, potentially killing 22 people. Ray and Carol’s doctor told them that even if they avoided an explosion, they would have died from methane poisoning if they’d been exposed much longer. The gas meter did not register the leak, but Ringo did. Once they aired out their home, the Steiners’ health improved immensely. Because of his dedication to his family, Ringo became the 11th cat in history to be awarded the American Humane Association’s national William O. Stillman Award for bravery.

What You Need to Know Before Hiring Your Lawyer 2 Keys to Choosing the Right Attorney

with your prospective attorney — not a case manager — in person and ask them direct questions about how they’ll approach your case. Ask them how long they’ve been in the field and how many cases they’ve handled similar to your own. One key inquiry that most clients don’t consider is asking your potential attorney if you can speak to a few of their former clients. Many individuals may be cagey about talking to you on the phone, but there are certainly at least a few who will happily vouch for their previous lawyer — assuming they’re a good match. If the attorney refuses to let you speak to former clients or is shady about the question, it’s best to steer clear.

At Winston & Damman, we’re always happy to meet with a potential client and outline our expertise and approach. Give us a call at ( 810) 966-WINS to schedule a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case honestly and determine whether (or not!) we’re a good fit moving forward.

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ON THE CASE

Fictional Lawyers We Wish We Could Hire

Last month, we looked at fictional attorneys who should go back to law school. While most lawyers in movies and TV shows wouldn’t be able to hold their own in a real courtroom, there are some who could make their alma mater proud. Here are a few fictional lawyers we wouldn’t mind having around our firm. Atticus Finch (“To Kill a Mockingbird”) Of course Atticus Finch kicks off this list. In

intelligent attorney, Walters has been defender and prosecutor for superheroes, supervillains, and regular Joes alike. With experience in cases involving everything from slander to sexual assault and a great track record, Jennifer Walters is the gold star of superhero lawyers. Jack McCoy (“Law & Order”) An attorney who truly doesn’t let emotions get in the way of facts, Jack McCoy was a fan favorite of the TV show “Law &

the classic novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and the 1962 movie of the same name, Finch is assigned to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who has been falsely accused of rape. Finch is able to prove his client’s innocence, and at one point, puts himself in danger to protect Robinson from a lynch mob. Though the biased jury ultimately convicts Robinson anyway, Finch’s strong intellect and unwavering moral compass have inspired countless real-life attorneys. Jennifer Walters (Marvel Comics) Cousin of the “big guy” Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, Jennifer Walters’ superhero work as She-Hulk doesn’t get in the way of her job. A highly

Order.” You would really want to have him on your side, because McCoy was a ruthless prosecutor who aimed to get defendants the hardest sentence possible. Master of closing arguments, McCoy didn’t care if he was going after a common crook or a beloved senator — everyone is the same in the eyes of the law. Your average attorney might not be a superhero or literary icon, but at Winston & Damman, you’ll find smart, dedicated attorneys who know what it takes to see justice brought about. Give them a call at (810) 966-WINS (9467) and hire an attorney you can count on.

Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings This Father’s Day, spice up your wings with this zesty recipe that’s sure to please the whole family.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 pounds chicken wings • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened • 1 1/4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste • 1/4 cup honey • 1/4 cup soy sauce DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse wings under cold water and pat dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet for 25 minutes or until skin becomes crisp and brown.

• 1 lime, halved • Extra-virgin olive oil • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • Chopped cilantro for garnish

3. Blend butter, red curry paste, honey, and soy sauce in a large mixing bowl. 4. Toss wings in butter mixture.

CAMPING FLIPFLOPS HAMBURGER JUNE

LEMONADE PICNIC POOL SMORES

SUNSCREEN SUNSHINE SWIMMING VACATION

Squeeze lime juice on top, transfer to serving plate, and garnish with cilantro.

(810) 966-9467 • 3

[Inspired by foodnetwork.com]

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this edition INSIDE

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Nicole Winston Celebrates Father’s Day Ringo to the Rescue! 2 Steps to Choosing the Right Attorney Fictional Lawyers Who Get It Right Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings 3 Fathers Who Risked It All for Their Kids

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3 Awesome Dads

Fathers Who Put Their Lives on the Line for Their Kids

This Father’s Day, thousands of dads will receive a “No. 1 Dad” mug to sip coffee out of at the office. But the following dads took that “No. 1” to a new level. Brian Munn gave his son a liver transplant. When doctors discovered that baby Caleb Munn had a rare disease called biliary atresia, they told his parents that he was unlikely to survive past age 2 without a liver transplant. Luckily, his father was a perfect match, and he eagerly donated part of his liver in March of 2015 to save his son’s life. Greg Alexander battled a bear for his son’s life. While camping in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Greg Alexander was startled awake at dawn by the

screams of his 16-year-old son, Gabriel. He rushed out of his hammock to see a black bear dragging his son away by the head. Without hesitation, he kicked the beast in the side, and when that didn’t work, he leapt onto its back and started punching it in the face. When the bear finally released Gabriel, Greg threw rocks until it fled. His son was hurt but made a full recovery in the hospital over the coming weeks. Artur Magomedov saved his daughters from ISIS. Artur Magomedov was devastated to discover that his wife had taken his 3- and 10-year- old daughters from their home in Dagestan under the cover of night, flown to Turkey, and crossed into Syria to join ISIS. But he resolved to get his kids back. After a long, hazardous journey, he arrived in Tabqa to embrace his

two daughters. To leave the caliphate — under penalty of death — they hitched a ride to the border one night and crawled along a railway line until they were within 70 meters of the border. Then they ran under fire from Turkish border guards until they could scramble into tall grasses. After some help from the Russian consulate in Istanbul, they made it back home, together again and safe.

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