Travis G. Black August 2019

AUGUST 2019

916.962.2896 | TRAVISBLACKLAW.COM

HOW STUDENTS CAN PREPARE WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN ENTERING LAW SCHOOL

School is starting back up again this month, and it reminds me a lot of my time spent in law school. I remember that season as some of the more challenging years of my life; law school wasn’t what I expected. There are probably very few young people who are prepared enough to understand law school and what it requires, and there are even less who know what to do once they have that law degree. For those determined to go to law school, the most important thing to keep in mind is how different the schooling will be from anything they’ve experienced before. Both in high school and college, the assignments, tests, and projects assigned were largely straightforward. Students went to class, learned about the subject, studied, and put their new knowledge into practice. In law school, students are tasked with learning concepts and laws to near perfection on their own. “For those determined to go to law school, the most important thing to keep in mind is how different the schooling will be from anything they’ve experienced before.”

Law school has a very Socratic method of teaching. This means that students will need to form their own understanding about the subjects presented to them based on continual questioning from their professors — who provide very few answers, if any. I remember when I learned about burglary and the five different elements that go into it. In common law, burglary is the breaking and entering of a dwelling in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony therein. When broken down, we have the first element, the breaking; the second element, entering; the third, the dwelling; the fourth, during the night; and the fifth, the attempted felony. A student might be presented with a hypothetical case where a person broke into a garage that is unattached to a house and where nobody lives. It’s up to the student to determine if the garage counts as a “dwelling.” Here’s the problem: The professor isn’t going to give a lecture about the different elements that are required for a structure to be classified as a dwelling. The students have to learn this information themselves by researching the multitude of different cases in which juries and judges have decided what a dwelling is — and repeat this process with the other four elements required in a burglary. It’s this form of mental exercise that makes law school challenging and requires careful study of every subject. Once a student accomplishes their goal and finishes law school with a degree, they’re then faced with taking the bar exam. In

order to pass, most people will have to take additional courses that can last eight hours a day, five days a week, for anywhere between 8–12 weeks. If they pass, they are faced with finding a job in their field. Many new lawyers cannot start their own practice right away, so they must work with or for another attorney who is in the field they studied. When students tell me they’re planning on going to law school, I always counsel them as best I can. I encourage them to study a subset of law that is unique or to follow a field they have plenty of knowledge in already. If a student plans on going into an area of law where there are already many, many attorneys practicing, it may be extremely difficult for them to get the job, and it won’t be financially rewarding. By pursuing a career in a field that is unique or less common, students will give themselves a better chance to succeed. The most essential element for anyone who is planning to enroll in law school, and one which I highly recommend, is to speak to a practicing lawyer in the field they are interested in. By doing so, they will gain confidence and direction, whether that is their initial choice or if they change their mind. An experienced lawyer can not only help prepare students for working in the field, but they can also help them decide which school is best. –Travis Black

CALL NOW! 916.962.2896 • 1

YOU’RE GETTING VERY SLEEPY ...

ESTABLISHING A BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

it back to 9:30 p.m. one week later. Slowly work your way back to an appropriate time, and bedtime will be easier when school starts.

MAKE IT EASY Though the days may be getting shorter, it’s still relatively light out at night, making it nearly impossible for your kids to doze off when they should. Sleep experts recommend creating a sleeping space that mimics a cave: dark, cool, and quiet. This means sunlight shouldn’t sneak into the room, and the home should be a quiet zone after bedtime. No one wants to sleep while everyone else is having fun, so it’s important that everyone in the home is quiet at bedtime. JUST RELAX This is a rule your family should follow year-round, not just when you want to reestablish a routine. At a certain time each night, begin the nightly wind-down. For example, at 8 p.m. shut off your screens, put on pajamas, and engage in a relaxing activity, like reading a book or doing some yoga. Signaling to your body and your family that it’s time for bed will help your kiddos, and you, fall asleep at an appropriate time.

I’m a retired police officer. We’ve all heard an officer advise a suspect of his legal rights: “You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you.” This can apply to accidents too. By talking to the other driver’s insurance adjuster, there is a good chance you are mucking up your own case. That insurance company will try to use whatever you say against you later in the claim, whether it was your fault or not. Insurance adjusters are very well trained to turn the case against you, and under no circumstance should you ever allow them to record your statement. While you do need to call your own car insurance company to report the accident, you are under no obligation to talk to the other driver’s insurance carrier. The best way to deal with the other insurance carrier in most serious car accidents is to consult with a personal injury attorney and let the attorney deal with them. THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE ANOTHER PERSON’S INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT Between vacations, bonfires, and sporting tournaments, your children’s sleep schedule probably went on break when they did this summer. With school fast approaching, it’s vital to get your kids back on a proper sleep schedule. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, getting enough sleep can significantly improve a child’s growth and cognitive function. But getting a restful night’s sleep is easier said than done when kids have had almost complete freedom for three months. Try these tips to get your kids snoozing through August and prepared for school. START EARLY AND GO SLOWLY When practicing this tip, think of the old adage: “It takes 21 days to break a habit.” If your kids have been going to bed late this summer, set a time when they must go to bed, but don’t make it too far off the time they have been regularly hitting the hay. If they shuffle off to bed around 10 p.m., push their bedtime to 9:45 p.m., and then push

companies always have a financial interest in protecting their clients, and they are greatly interested in protecting their financial interests. The best ways for them to do this are to: • Deny outright the maximum number of car accident claims possible. • Negotiate the lowest possible settlement on all other car accident claims. Individuals who have been injured in automotive accident cases should consult a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will explain how you should proceed in the process and will handle communications with the insurance company, so that you do not make a mistake that negatively affects your case. The attorney can also handle negotiations with the insurance company in order to pursue just compensation. LEGAL ASSISTANCE

The other driver’s insurance company is not your friend; they are not “like a good neighbor,” and you’re not “in good hands.” Insurance

2 • WWW.TRAVISBLACKLAW.COM • PROUDLY SERVING CALIFORNIA’S PEOPLE

DOG MOVIES FOR DOG DAYS

BEAT THE HEAT WITH A CANINE MOVIE MARATHON

‘LADY AND THE TRAMP’ “Lady and the Tramp” is the classic story of two dogs who come from different worlds: the refined, loyal Lady and the rogue with a heart of gold, Tramp. This movie has music, laughs, and a spaghetti scene that rivals the balcony monologues from “Romeo and Juliet.” One of the few animated Disney classics about animals that won’t have you in tears, this is a movie the whole family can enjoy together. ‘HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY’ Looking for a bit more action in your animal movies? “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” delivers! After three beloved pets are left behind when their family goes on vacation, they trek across the Sierra Nevada wilderness to be reunited with the humans they love. Their adventure has thrills, close calls, and a heartwarming ending that will make you want to hug your pets close. When it’s too hot to go outside, make some popcorn and enjoy these great movies with your family. Don’t worry, none of the dogs die at the end.

We’re well into the dog days of summer, the hottest, most humid days of the year. These weeks have nothing to do with real dogs; they were nicknamed after the “dog star” Sirius by the Greeks to reflect the hottest time of the year following the star’s heliacal rise. Still, it’s a pretty good excuse to escape the heat with a dog movie marathon. Here are the films we recommend. ‘AIR BUD’ Most people remember “Air Bud” for the wild loophole, “Ain’t no rule says a dog can’t play basketball,” but this movie is about much more than a dog playing ball. After the death of his father, 12-year- old Josh Framm feels depressed and distant from his family. Enter a stray golden retriever named Buddy, who teaches Josh how to open his heart again. The two bond and learn lessons in overcoming loss, fighting for what you love, and, yes, playing basketball. “Air Bud” spawned a number of sequels and spin-off movies, but this first film is a true classic.

INSPIRED BY NATURE

SUMMERTIME GAZPACHO

INGREDIENTS • 2 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes; cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 small cucumber; peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 red bell pepper; cored, seeded, and sliced into ribbons

• 1 small Vidalia onion, peeled and cubed

• 1/4 cup basil leaves • 1 clove garlic, peeled • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS 1. Place a blender and medium mixing bowl on your workstation. 2. Divide the tomato chunks, cucumber pieces, and bell pepper slices evenly between blender and bowl. Place entire onion in blender. 3. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to blender. Blend on low, gradually raising speed to high until smooth, about 2 minutes. 4. Add blender contents to bowl and mix until just broken up, about 10–20 seconds. 5. Let mixture sit in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours. Transfer to bowls and serve.

CALL NOW! 916.962.2896 • 3

Inspired by CookieAndKate.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1839 Iron Point Rd. #160, Folsom, CA 95630 Phone: 916.962.2896 travisblacklaw.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Unlike Any Schooling You’ve Ever Received PAGE 1 Get Your Kids Back on a Sleep Schedule PAGE 2 How to Handle Another Person’s Insurance Company After a Car Accident PAGE 2 The Best Movies About Dogs PAGE 3 Summertime Gazpacho PAGE 3

GET THE MOST OUT OF AUGUST WITH THESE EVENTS!

KARAOKE AT ART’S WHERE: Art’s Craft Beer Palace

Whether you decide to bring the whole family, go out with a couple friends, or get some “you” time, these events ensure you’ll have a wonderful month! THE CHINESE LEGACY IN FOLSOM EXHIBIT WHERE: The Folsom History Museum WHEN: May 4 through Sept. 1, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. ADMISSION: $4–$10 WEBSITE: FolsomHistoricalSociety.org FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET WHERE: Westfield Galleria at Roseville WHEN: Friday, Aug. 16, 6–9 p.m. ADMISSION: $10 WEBSITE: Westfield.com/galleriaatroseville

WHEN: Every Saturday, 8–11:30 p.m. ADMISSION: Free! (Beverages and food will cost.) WEBSITE: Untappd.com/v/arts-craft-beer- palace/8454713 Love singing? Love beer? Then you’ll love this recurring weekend event! With over 20 craft beers and wines to choose from, Art’s Craft Beer Palace offers you a variety of drinks you won’t experience anywhere else in Roseville. Guests who are looking to sing can enjoy all the karaoke classics in addition to a few new editions provided by the pub. Don’t miss out on having a fun- filled weekend with karaoke at Art’s!

Attending farmers markets is a great way to wake up early, purchase fresh produce, browse through local artists’ and crafters’ trinkets, and taste delicious baked goods. If you’re more of a night owl but don’t want to miss out on the experience a farmers market brings, this event is just for you! The night market features everything the Raley’s Farmers Market offers but happens in the evening. Enjoy some live music, grab yourself something to eat, and have some fun.

The most current exhibit at the Folsom History Museum features the legacy of Folsom’s Chinese history. Attendees can explore how this unique and exotic culture impacted Folsom and continues to do so today. The exhibit runs through Sept. 1, so don’t wait to learn more about what makes up the Folsom culture and community!

4 • WWW.TRAVISBLACKLAW.COM • PROUDLY SERVING CALIFORNIA’S PEOPLE

MY PERSONAL PROMISE TO YOU

As a valued client, I want you to be 100% SATISFIED with your decision to hire me as your lawyer. You should know within 90 days whether or not I am the right lawyer for you. So I offer you a RISK-FREE PROMISE, NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED GUARANTEE!

If you are NOT 100% SATISFIED with my services, you can fire me and NOT OWE ME ONE PENNY!

CALL NOW! 916.962.2896 -Travis Black

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5

www.travisblacklaw.com

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs