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FEBRUARY 2025
WHEN LIFE KNOCKS YOU DOWN … RISE STRONGER
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
Feb. 1 was National Get Up Day, a day dedicated to perseverance, resilience, and, quite literally, getting back up when life knocks you down. The day offers a profound message: We all stumble, but it’s how we get back up that defines us. We’ve all had those moments that feel like a gut punch. Whether it’s a career setback, a personal disappointment, or just waking up on the wrong side of the bed, life sometimes feels like it’s determined to just knock us on our butts. I can vividly recall losing trials I thought I should win. The hours of preparation, emotional investment, and stress of waiting for a jury’s verdict — it all builds to that one defining moment. And when the outcome doesn’t go your way? It feels like the universe has sucker-punched you right in the gut.
BUT HERE’S THE THING: THOSE MOMENTS, AS PAINFUL AS THEY ARE, DON’T DEFINE YOU.
remember that everything changes. Life is in constant flux, and the bad moments eventually pass.
I’m grateful for the people in my life who’ve reminded me of this when I’ve needed it most. They’ve taught me that setbacks are part of the growth process — painful but necessary. Over time, I’ve gotten better at respecting that truth. The hurt doesn’t last as long, and I can move forward faster while taking the lessons learned with me. As a parent, I’ve gained a new perspective on resilience. I work to focus not only on how I handle life’s blows but also how I model perseverance for my kids. I want them to understand that falling is inevitable, but staying down isn’t an option. Life will throw challenges their way, and it will hurt. But I want them to see that growth often comes from those tough moments. When they scrape their knees, literally or figuratively, I want them to know it’s okay to feel the pain, but they need to get back up. Sometimes, resilience is about more than bouncing back from major setbacks. It’s all about the little things, like pushing through a bad morning. Have you ever woken up feeling like the day is already ruined before it’s even started? That was me today. Some days, nothing
specific happens to make things better — it just gradually does. Those moments remind me that sometimes, all you need to do is keep moving forward, one small step at a time.
But here’s the thing: Those moments, as painful as they are, don’t define you. They’re just part of the journey, even if it’s hard to see that when you’re in the middle of it. One of the hardest lessons to learn is that pain. But, no matter how overwhelming it may feel, it’s temporary. In those moments, it’s easy to think the hurt will never go away, and it’s important to
–Case Barnett
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The Future of Productivity Is Here AI THAT HELPS YOU PLAN, CREATE, AND THRIVE
Have you ever wished you had a personal assistant to help you stay on track and organize your life? Thanks to the latest in AI, you can have a sidekick in your pocket who knows all your long-term goals. Voice Notes AI is a handy app that allows you to record notes on anything from your stray thoughts, to-do lists, or ideas. It’s not just about giving you reminders — it’s a powerhouse for organizing your day, managing tasks, and even helping you brainstorm ideas. Pencil in your perfect day. Voice Notes AI is an intelligent way to plan your day and the tasks you need to complete. It will ensure you’re always in alignment with your long-term goals. Record your priorities, what you want to
accomplish, and details about your life. Then, start your morning by asking your AI assistant to provide a plan for the day and give tips on what would help you get closer to your goals. The app then pulls information from your recordings and cross-references it with your calendar to create customized daily lists. Turn philosophies into productivity. To get even more personalized suggestions, you can teach your AI assistant about the philosophies, beliefs, and books that drive and inspire you. Next time you pick up a book or think about a mantra that moves you, record your thoughts using the app. Your digital assistant will consider that information and provide specific insights when you ask for daily to-dos or check in on your progress. Upgrade to You 2.0. Your AI assistant can teach you about yourself and help you develop better habits. Once you have added several recordings to the app, ask it for a personality analysis as a fun way to learn how you think. You can also ask it to help you create an effective wind-down routine at the end of the day to help you for the rest of the week. Try making a “worry box” where you record concerns and ask your assistant to give suggestions on overcoming them.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST "They went beyond being just lawyers; they set up and scheduled Ubers for my different appointments. Ryan, one of the lawyers, bought and delivered a cellphone charger to me at the hospital after I came out of surgery. They sent their paralegals to my home to deliver forms and picked up my mail and threw out my garbage because I couldn’t physically walk to the mailbox or trash. "These are caring people who happen to be very good at what they do. Case Barnett Law took very good care of me, not just legally, which they did, but also on a personal, human level. I literally put my life in the hands of strangers when I was literally broken with no chance of going back to my job. They came through for me. My life from here on out has a fresh new beginning thanks to the people as Case Barnett. I mean that 100%. I have no doubt they will do the same for you." –John F. This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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PAGE 3
FABULOUS FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE Inspired by EasyDessertRecipes.com
TURNING SETBACKS INTO STRENGTHS
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup almond flour
The Power of Owning Bad Facts in Court
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
In civil cases, opening statements are your first opportunity to set the stage and establish credibility with the jury. While it’s tempting to focus solely on the strengths of your case, ignoring the bad facts is a risky move. If you don’t address them upfront, the defense team can potentially seize the opportunity to use them against you and leave jurors feeling like you’ve been hiding something. Why Owning the Bad Facts Matters Juries are made up of real people, and like all of us, they value honesty. If they sense you’re avoiding uncomfortable truths, they may start to distrust your entire narrative. By addressing the bad facts early, you control the story and show the jury you’re transparent and confident in your case. It’s about turning those bad facts into manageable ones and framing them in a way that supports your overall argument. Turning Negative Facts Into Positive Facts Owning bad facts means admitting them and then reframing them. For example, if your client missed a deadline or made a questionable decision, you can explain the context or the challenges they faced. Instead of making excuses, it’s important to provide a complete picture that humanizes your client and builds empathy. This approach allows you to steer the narrative. Instead of letting the defense blindside the jury with a “gotcha” moment, you demonstrate control and preparedness. The Role of Mock Trials and Focus Groups Developing this skill doesn’t happen overnight. At our firm, we invest significant time in mock trials and focus groups to fine-tune how we address bad facts. These sessions give us invaluable feedback on how jurors perceive challenging aspects of our case and help us craft responses that resonate. We test different ways of presenting the bad facts and asking ourselves: "How do we explain this? How do we respond?" By the time we’re in the courtroom, we’ve rehearsed our strategy to ensure the jury remains engaged and open to our narrative, even when confronted with difficult truths. Opening statements aren’t just a summary of the case. In fact, they’re an opportunity to build credibility and trust. By owning the bad facts and presenting them with transparency and confidence, you maintain control over the narrative and set the tone for a compelling case. In the end, honesty isn’t just the best policy — it’s the winning strategy.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a
springform pan with butter or nonstick spray. 2. Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Pour warm, melted butter over it, wait for 2 minutes, then stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. 3. Add sugar, almond flour, and walnuts and stir to incorporate. Stir in the egg yolks and set mixture aside. 4. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites on medium until stiff peaks form. 5. Fold 1/4 of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate batter. Repeat, 1/4 at a time, until egg whites are incorporated. 6. Pour batter into springform pan and bake for 30–35 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before removing from the pan. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.
LAUGH LAWS
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1968 S. Coast Hwy. #2680 Laguna Beach, CA 92651
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 Turning Setbacks Into Stepping Stones Page 2 Your Personal Assistant — Anytime, Anywhere
Our Clients Say It Best
Page 3 Owning Bad Facts Can Sway a Jury
Fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake
Page 4 Celebrating Valentine’s Day as a Family
Heart-Shaped Pizzas, Scavenger Hunts, and Candy, Oh My! FUN VALENTINE’S DAY ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Have a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts are fun at any age. Purchase different items to hide, like a pink teddy bear, purple hearts, candy, and other love-themed trinkets for everyone to find around the house. Be sure to set a time limit, and don’t forget to have a prize for the winner! Create a themed photo shoot. Have everyone get dressed up and take really nice photos. You can even buy fun props for everyone, like heart-shaped sunglasses or feather boas, or make fun cardboard picture frames to hold up for the photos. Say “Cheese!”
Of all the people in the world, whom do we love the most? Our families. So, why not spend the one day of the year centered on love with them? That’s not to say a romantic evening with your significant other or a lovely Galentine’s Day is out of the picture. This is a great opportunity to have fun with your kids — before they reach that age when eye-rolling is a thing. So, parents, it’s time to make the most of your kids’ love and affection. Take a look at these family-friendly Valentine’s Day activities everyone will enjoy! Make heart-shaped pizzas. Everyone loves pizza, so this year, give it a Valentine’s Day twist. Gather all the ingredients your family enjoys. Then, shape the dough into a gigantic heart, spread the pizza sauce, and add the toppings. Once it’s done, slice it up and eat while watching everyone’s favorite movie! Hand out cards to local nursing home residents. Valentine’s Day is all about love, right? Well, show your kids how it feels to spread that love and kindness to others by handing out cards to the seniors. If you have a particular senior community you’d like to visit, call to arrange a time. This allows you and the kids to get creative and craft personalized cards to hand out and make someone’s day special.
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