Clients and Community The Two Best Aspects of Kevin Patrick Law Legal Brief with Kevin
www.kevinpatrick.law 305-704-7266
October 2018
Atticus Finch, who is one of the most famous fictional American lawyers of all time, remarked: “There is one way in this country in which all men are created equal — there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution is a court.”We are beginning this newsletter with a quote from Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird because this quote is emblematic of our passion for the work that we do every day. We truly believe that the American judicial system is the finest in the world given its ability to foster ultimate equality for all of people: Everyone has a voice. The impetus for my overall interest in law began at the Walker School when I participated in the High School Mock Trial Program. The enthusiasm of teachers like Mrs. Strickland and Fr. Jim laid the early foundation for a legal career. They inspired us to pursue our dreams. After high school, I studied the Classics at the University of Georgia with the hope of going on to law school. In fact, my senior thesis focused on the Roman advocate and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero. He was an inspiration along with Professor Anderson and others. To paraphrase the words of Cicero, “Our special duty is that if anyone specially needs our help, we should give him such help to the utmost of our power.” I took this advice and listened to my heart. The decision to start a firm has been one of the most rewarding professional journeys in my life. Before I embarked on this endeavor, I had the pleasure of practicing for several years at a well-respected firm basically defending insurance companies. While some people leave previous positions on unpleasant terms, I genuinely enjoyed my time at the firm and
Advocacy. They make such a difference in the lives of abused children. We also enjoyed volunteering at Clyde’s Kitchen. This wonderful organization serves meals to homeless individuals in Atlanta. These organizations have inspired us and helped us grow in the community. While our firm’s overarching goal is obtaining the best possible result for each and every case, we work hard to accomplish another important mission: We hope to uphold the state of Georgia’s ingrained tradition of providing equal legal footing and genuine care for all of its citizens. We are truly grateful for the trust that our clients have placed in us and our judicial system.
still hold them in the highest of esteem. This practice setting allowed me to gain useful knowledge pertaining to insurance claims, but I missed the human element of working with individual people as clients. Now that I have my own firm, I strive to incorporate my knowledge of insurance practices and add a personal element for our clients. We always try to make ourselves accessible to them. It’s the little things too. We try to remember birthdays and other special occasions. Simply put, being able to work with each client on an individual basis creates a relationship based on trust, compassion, and mutual respect. Along with the relationships we forge with our clients, another rewarding aspect of having my firm is being able to engage in the community. We recently delivered coffee and doughnuts to the staff at the Georgia Center for Child
-Kevin
www.kevinpatrick.law | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Learn a New Language as a Family LET YOUR CHILDREN SPEAK TO THE WORLD
WHICH LANGUAGE SHOULD YOU LEARN?
As the weather cools down, finding ways to spend quality time as a family can become challenging. It’s too cold to camp or barbecue, and money may be tight with the holidays coming up. So why not turn learning a new skill into a bonding experience this fall? You can do it inside, it’s free, and it will open doors around the world for the rest of your children’s lives.
Did you know that 40 million Americans currently speak Spanish at home? The U.S. is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, and we border the largest, so learning this language is a great way for children to communicate with more people in their community, and they’ll be more hirable as adults. Bonus : It’s commonly considered one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Mandarin is the most-spoken language on the planet, and China’s growth as an economic powerhouse has made this language even more useful around the world. German, Arabic, and Japanese speakers are also highly sought-after in the job market. Of course, you can always let your wanderlust or passions decide for you! Is your child obsessed with K-Pop? Have them learn Korean. Want to take them to Paris someday? Enroll in French classes.
WHY LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE?
Speaking multiple languages creates opportunities for your child. Being bilingual makes you more qualified for a variety of exciting careers and can improve your competitiveness in the job market. Knowing a second language can also allow you to travel with greater ease and become more culturally well-rounded. There are some studies that claim learning languages is even good for your health. Research shows that our language acquisition skills peak in childhood or adolescence, so starting young is the best way to become fluent. If your child is in school, they probably already know classmates who speak another language.
Going Beyond ‘Get Well Soon’ 3 MEANINGFUL WAYS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY
SUPPORT THEIR EMOTIONAL RECOVERY.
If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one suffer a debilitating injury, you know how powerless you can feel to help. You want to make a difference, but in the face of severe medical challenges, it can be hard to know how. It’s important to remember that, while you may not be able to have a direct impact on your loved one’s physical recovery, there are concrete actions you can take to support them in ways doctors can’t. Traumatic injuries can make many aspects of day-to-day life difficult or impossible. Simply making dinner or taking their kids to school may now be herculean tasks for your loved one. Offering to be a volunteer driver or preparing a home-cooked meal can give that person a much-needed breather. Taking the time to help your friend with everyday tasks is more than just a practical gesture — it lets them know they don’t have to bear the burden of their injury alone. SUPPORT THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE.
People faced with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses can feel emotionally isolated from their friends and loved ones. They may feel that others won’t understand their pain or that they should put on a brave face and not complain. You can’t force your friend to talk about their issues, but simply being there to listen to what your friend is going through makes a world of difference. Having someone who is willing to listen without judgment can provide a salve for emotional hardship. Sometimes an injury can leave your loved one tangled up in disputes with opportunistic insurance companies or individuals they feel are responsible for their injuries. While you may not be able to represent your friend’s legal interests in these situations, you can introduce them to someone who can. Referring your friend to a personal injury firm you trust can help them chart a path toward just compensation for their injuries. SUPPORT THEIR RIGHTS.
2 | 404 566-5880
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Do You or Someone You Love Need to Schedule a Mammogram? EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organized, in the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s words, to “honor those at every step of the breast cancer journey,” the annual observance has also served to educate the public and raise
funds for research. Learn more about this deadly but survivable disease, and find out how you can help.
THE LANGUAGES OF THE WORLD ARE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
Learning a new skill has never been easier! While there’s no substitute for a full-time class or moving to another country, there are countless ways to teach yourself a new language right at home, usually for free. YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and audiobooks let you rewind and listen to the lessons as many times as needed to master pronunciations. Can’t tear your child away from their cellphone? Download Duolingo, rated by PCMag.com as the best free language-learning app of 2018.
BREAST CANCER IS EXTREMELY COMMON. According to the NBCF, 1 in 8 American women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. It is the second leading cause of death in women (behind heart disease). A breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, however. Thanks to research and ongoing education, there are over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER? Breast cancer is caused by damage to cells’ DNA. It’s most common in women over the age of 40, though approximately 2,500 men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year as well. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most risk factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, research shows that exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and minimizing alcohol consumption may reduce your chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also place you at higher risk. ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS ARE FREE. Early detection is the biggest factor in breast cancer survival. There’s some debate among researchers and insurance companies over the “right” age to begin screening, but most sources agree that women should begin to get regular mammograms in their 40s (and earlier if they have a family history of the disease). The Affordable Care Act (ADA) requires all health insurance plans to cover the cost of annual mammograms for women age 40 and older , and there are many organizations devoted to providing free mammograms to uninsured individuals. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Visit Donate.nationalbreastcancer.org/ to learn how to help. The NBCF funds cancer research, works to provide free mammograms to low-income women, and serves as a resource for patients and their families. Many cities also have local organizations in need of donations and volunteers. Contrary to popular myths, breast cancer is not caused by milk, microwave ovens, cellphones, caffeine, plastic cutlery, or deodorants.
SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH
Ingredients
•
1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
•
1 large egg white
•
1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped
•
1 teaspoon light agave syrup
•
1/2 teaspoon garammasala or curry powder
•
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
•
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
•
1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
Directions
1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
www.kevinpatrick.law | 3
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(404) 566-5880 www.kevinpatrick.law 2860 Piedmont Road, NE, Suite 140 Atlanta, Georgia 30305
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3
Our Firm’s Early Days
Learn a New Language as a Family Ways to Support a Recovering Loved One Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
4
The Surprising Origins of Trick-or-Treating
Why There Are Kids on Your Porch Asking for Candy The History of Trick-or-Treating
angels, and the occasional demon instead of spirits. Eventually, costumed children started tearing through town begging for food and money and singing a song or prayer in return— a practice called“souling.” But when did they start dressing up as Minions? Starting in the 19th century, souling turned to “guising,”which gave way to trick-or-treating in mid-20th century America, and the costumes diversified. So put on some clown makeup and a big smile, scoop up a handful of sweets, and scare the living daylights out of ‘em— ‘tis the season!
As Halloween looms and you load up your grocery cart with candy, youmay ask yourself,“Why do I provide these spooky gremlins with a sugar high every Oct. 31, anyway?”Well, when your doorbell starts ringing around 6 p.m. this All Hallows’Eve, you can thank the Celts for this tradition of candy and costumes.
in hand, the Celts believed that Samuin marked an overlapping of the realms of the living and the dead. To trick the spirits leaking into our world, young men donned flowing white costumes and black masks — a great disguise when ghosts were about. The Catholic Church was never a big fan of these pagan traditions, so they renamed it“All Saints’ Day”and gussied it up in religious garb. By the 11th century, people were dressing up as saints,
Halloween itself is a kind of mishmash of four different cultural festivals of old: two Roman fêtes, which commemorated the dead and the goddess of fruit and trees (not at the same time); the Celtic Samuin or Samhain, a new year’s party thrown at the end of our summer; and the Catholic All Saint’s Day, designed to replace Samuin and divorce it from its pagan origins.
Long before there were youngins on your porch dressed as Thanos with candy-filled pillowcases
4 | 404 566-5880
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online