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Bolton Bulletin The April 2024
The Woodlands 2441 High Timbers Dr., Suite 400 The Woodlands, TX 77380 BoltonLaw.com
Tomball 990 Village Square, Suite G1100 Tomball, TX 77375 (281) 351-7897
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS A Look Back at the Bonds Formed in Law School
Reflecting on my time in law school brings a flood of memories — some of the best, scariest, and most emotional moments of my life. As I prepared to attend my 30th law school class reunion on April 12 and 13, I found myself marveling at how swiftly the years have flown by. It feels like just yesterday that I started this journey, filled with anticipation and excitement. I had the privilege of attending the University of Texas School of Law. It was then, and remains today, one of the highest ranked law schools in the country. I still remember my first day of law school. It was so different from my college courses. There were 500 students who were accepted into UT Law School and started classes in the fall of 1991. We were divided into five sections of 100 each. I belonged to section 5, and the 99 other students in my section became my companions throughout the entire year. We attended all our classes together, rotating between different professors’ rooms, each with its own seating chart. As someone who has always struggled with remembering names and faces, I was delighted to see that the seating chart for each room was taped to the classroom. Before the first day, I took down the seating charts, Xeroxed them (there were no cellphone cameras in those days), and replaced them all on the walls where I had gotten them. Then I taped my copies of each seating chart into the binder where I took notes for each class. When class was going slowly, I would test my memory on all the names of the other 99 students in my section. By the end of the year, I knew all of them. The first year of law school was so unique. With a grading system that heavily relied on final exams, the pressure to perform was immense. There was one midterm exam, worth 10% of our grade.
The rest of your grade rode on a single final exam, accounting for 90% of our score. This competitive environment pushed me to my limits and surrounded me with brilliant minds who would go on to become some of the finest lawyers in Texas. Despite the differences and challenges, such as being addressed by my last name and the pressure to compete, I cherished my time in law school and embraced the opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills. I loved school in high school, college, and law school, and I think it’s crazy to think that when you graduate with your bachelor’s, you come out feeling like you may not have learned a lot, but when you get to law school, you find that you are more prepared than you thought. Then, when you graduate law school, you feel confident in all you learned, but when you open the doors to your own practice, on your first day, you discover that you still have so much more to learn. I am filled with nostalgia and gratitude as I attend my 30th reunion. Though three decades have passed since we first walked the halls of UT Law, the bonds forged during those formative years remain as strong as ever. I welcome the opportunity to reconnect with all of the familiar faces and celebrate the enduring legacy of our law school journey. -Ruby Bolton
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WHEN THE LAW MEETS ABSURDITY LEGALLY UNBELIEVABLE
Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal!
There are some outlandish laws in the U.S., but you can also get away with plenty of surprising things. Let’s dive into some of the crazy laws from around the country. Surprisingly Legal Flame On Owning a flamethrower is surprisingly legal and easy in 48 states. The only state where you can’t own one is Maryland. And if you want a flamethrower in California, you must get a license. The rest of the states say, fire away! Car Radar Another surprising law concerns radar detectors: In most states, utilizing a radar detector in your personal vehicle is completely legal. Do you want to check someone’s speed or look out for police officers? Unless you live in Mississippi,
Sleepy Surgery There are absolutely no laws that state surgeons must get a good night’s sleep before surgery. As dangerous as this sounds, at least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor.
Blindingly Obvious Driving blindfolded has never been a good idea, but that clearly didn’t stop adventurous residents in Alabama from testing their blind driving skills. Maybe that’s why the state passed a law making blindfolded driving illegal. Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals!
Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing
While in Maryland, you should be mindful of keeping your swear words to yourself (or whisper them softly) while driving through the small city of Rockville. It is considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle within earshot of other people. Your curse words could cost you up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail.
Joke’s on You!
THE HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish or a gullible person. Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele. It involved people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow citizens and magistrates and was said to be inspired by the Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris, and Seth. There’s also speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather. Regardless of its origin, April Fools’ Day has become a worldwide tradition with links from the past. Today, April Fools’ Day means playing pranks and tricks on friends and family. People have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations, and websites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims to fool their audiences.
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate April Fools’ Day every April 1 with silly pranks and whimsical tricks? April Fools’ originated in France during the 16th century when the country switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The change moved the new year from the end of March to Jan. 1. The shocking part is that not everyone was aware of the change. Those who continued celebrating New Year’s Day on April 1 were mocked, labeled as “April Fools,” and were subjected to pranks.
So, when someone pulls a nasty prank on you on April Fools’ Day, remember why and where it came from!
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TAKE A BREAK
To be proactive in life is to be successful! As a parent, planning ahead must become second nature if we want our children and families to stay strong in the face of adversity. While many good parenting tips are out there, the smartest is creating an emergency kit to help out in any scenario. An emergency kit will have everything you and your family may need during an emergency, such as having to stay inside for longer than usual or the electricity goes out. Each family’s kit will vary depending on their kids’ individual needs. It’s vital to have all these things collected before the trouble begins, stored in a container, and kept in a safe and easily accessible location in case of an emergency. Making a family emergency kit can also be fun for the family to do together. Be the Parents Who Are Prepared CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR ANY SITUATION
These are the necessary steps to create a toolkit:
1. You will need a large plastic bin or box to put things into.
2. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a list of key items to include in a kit: CDC.gov/childrenindisasters/checklists/ kids-and-families.html. 3. Go shopping for the appropriate items you need, then check them off the list as you put them into your emergency kit. 4. Place an updated copy of your checklist inside your large plastic bin or box once you put your kit together to know what is inside the kit and to find your checklist easily. Keeping your family safe should be a top priority at all times. It is so important to teach preparation skills to our children at a young age so they can be ready and thrive through life’s most turbulent moments.
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Savor the flavor with our mouthwatering grilled steak, paired perfectly with vibrant chimichurri sauce. Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs steak
(flank, sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
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(281) 351-7897 BoltonLaw.com 2441 High Timbers Dr., Suite 400 The Woodlands, TX 77380
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Back to UT Law School’s Class of 1994
1
Surprisingly Legal and Shockingly Illegal
2
The Origin of the Silliest Day of the Year
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
3
Equip Your Family With an Emergency Kit
The Lawsuit That Touched Hearts
4
Luke Combs Strikes a Chord FROM CONFLICT TO COMPASSION
containing funds from recent sales, was locked due to the lawsuit, leaving her in a dire financial situation. What sets this story apart is not the initial legal dispute; it’s the remarkable response from Combs himself. Upon learning of Harness’s situation, he recorded a heartfelt TikTok video where he apologized directly to Harness and extended his hand to help her during this challenging time. He gave her $11,000, twice the amount that had become inaccessible in her Amazon account due to the lawsuit. He emphasized that no fan should ever go through such an ordeal and expressed his sincere regret for the situation. Combs didn’t stop there; he decided to positively impact Harness’s life by selling similar tumblers on his own website. All proceeds from these sales were directed
Imagine waking up one December morning to the bizarre news that one of your favorite celebrities is suing you for a whopping $250,000. That’s what happened to Florida resident Nicol Harness, a devoted fan of country music sensation Luke Combs. The story began when Harness found herself in hot water for selling unofficial merchandise adorned with lyrics from Luke Combs’ songs. She had sold 18 tumblers at $20 each and had no clue this would lead to a legal battle that would wreak havoc on her life. Harness, who had been dealing with congestive heart failure, received an email from Combs’ legal team during her hospital stay. Unfortunately, due to her medical condition, she missed the 21-day response window, which resulted in further complications. Her Amazon account,
Photo by David Bergman
toward Harness’s family to support her medical care, further showcasing Combs’ commitment to making amends and righting the situation. This incredible turn of events reminds us that even in the face of legal battles and adversity, acts of kindness and empathy can prevail. Combs, a country music superstar, proved in words and actions that he values his fans, turning a potential lawsuit into a story of compassion and unity in the country music community.
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