Eversole Law Firm October 2018

Eversole Monthly

October 2018

The Value of a Good Mentor How I Found My Mentor Our senator Lindsey Graham said in a television interview that the recently deceased Senator John McCain was a valuable mentor to him when he first went to Washington D.C. as a congressman. Without that mentorship, his early experience in the hallowed halls of our government would have undoubtedly been more challenging. Good mentors, in any occupation or endeavor, are priceless. They help guide you through uncharted waters until you can sail on your own. It is no different in the practice of law. I started my legal career as an assistant public defender, representing people charged with breaking the law. My mentor then was Richard Jourandby, the elected Public Defender in West Palm Beach, Florida. His mentoring gave me guidance in protecting the rights of the accused and the strength to persevere in difficult, high-stakes cases. When I moved to Beaufort, I left criminal law behind and headed in a new direction. That is when I met my next mentor, Sherwood N. Fender, who sparked my interest in real property law, where the clientele is generally a happier crowd. I remember my interview with Sherwood when I was first looking for a job here in Beaufort. He was sitting behind his large desk with a solitaire game displayed on his big clunky computer screen. I think it was the only thing he used his computer for. It was sometime in 1997, just about the time when computer software was being developed for real estate closings. Sherwood asked me what salary I would need. I don’t recall exactly what I told him, but he replied in his robust southern drawl, “Well,” while shaking his head, “I can’t afford you.” I learned later that salaries in West Palm Beach were much more generous than what was available here in Beaufort. Time went on, and about a year later my husband and I went to Seamers to have dinner, and Sherwood was there. He was surrounded by a number of people near the bar. We said our hellos and chatted for a bit, and then he asked what I was doing for work. At that time, I was working for a workers’ compensation/personal injury law firm,

which was not really my cup of tea. He then said to me, “I may have an offer you can’t refuse. Come see me.” I did, and he made me an offer I could not refuse. It was an opportunity to eventually have my own practice after he retired. He was my mentor in real property law for the next five years. Over those years, I discovered that real estate law is not only complex, but also an area of practice that requires guidance from a person with experience in the field. The textbook law learned in law school does not equate to having sufficient knowledge and competence in real- life real estate circumstances. Believe me, I would not be where I am today if it was not for my friend and mentor Sherwood Fender. Having a good mentor is priceless. It lessens the risk of making mistakes and helps you build confidence in doing your work. I recommend that anyone in any career or profession seek the guidance of a good mentor. -Alysoun Eversole www.eversolelaw.com 1

Cooking Oils Declassified

Are You Using Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Wrong?

cooking, but like EVOO it doesn’t play well with high temperatures. Keep it at 350 degrees or below and use it as a butter substitute. Canola Oil/Vegetable Oil A good option for high-heat cooking, baking, and frying, these utilitarian oils are completely neutral in flavor, but they’re not heart-healthy. Vegetable oil is a generic mix of oils, including soybean, canola (rapeseed), and palm oils, making it the most inexpensive cooking oil. Peanut Oil Great for high-heat cooking, frying, and deep-frying, peanut oil has a neutral flavor, so you can easily use it in just about any dish that needs a cooking oil. It’s also a more heart-healthy option than canola and vegetable oils. Avocado Oil When you need an oil to withstand high temps, this is your oil. It has a smoke point of 510 degrees, making it perfect for grilling and stir-frying. What makes avocado oil particularly unique is it can also be used as a finishing oil, like EVOO. It’s light yet resilient.

Not all cooking oils are created equal. Some cooking oils have distinct flavors, while others are

suited for high temperatures. Every oil is unique. Here are six common oils and their best uses.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil An often misused oil, extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) should not be used for cooking or frying. It’s simply too delicate and cannot withstand high temperatures, which can damage the flavor, ruining dishes. Instead, use it as a finishing oil — drizzle it over pasta, salad, or bread. Olive Oil Unlike EVOO, standard olive oil can be used for cooking and frying. It can withstand temps up to about 460 degrees. In many cases, you can use it in place of other cooking oils — just be sure you’re using plain olive oil and not EVOO. Coconut Oil Better for baking than cooking, coconut oil is generally solid at room temperature. It can be used for some

Employee Spotlight Introducing Catherine Swanson Since 2013, Catherine “Cat”

who come in are the friendliest I’ve ever met.” Cat also enjoys working with Eversole Law Firm’s owner, Alysoun Eversole. “Alysoun is wonderful. Besides being a friend at this point, she’s smart and well-rounded. She’s been involved with all sides of the law, and it makes her very objective, which I appreciate.” In her free time, Cat enjoys spending time with her family. “I have three daughters — Grace, Faith, and Hope — and I’m recently engaged. So I’m pretty busy when I’m not working at the office,” Cat admits. They enjoy spending their time outdoors when they can, and even though summer is over, they’re eager for the fall. “Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year,” Cat says excitedly. “Every year we try to do a family theme — one year we were all mermaids, another we were Scooby’s Gang. It’s gotten harder to think of a theme everyone is okay with now that they’re getting older. This year has been especially tricky as we’re now incorporating my fiancé. I’ve told the girls, though, that they have to make up their minds soon, or we’re all going to be unicorns.”

Swanson has been our fantastic bookkeeper and staff support. Every office has financial obligations to worry about, but with Cat, Eversole Law Firm rests easy.

Before she began a career in bookkeeping, Cat worked for many years as a paralegal. “It just morphed into bookkeeping because I ended up working with finances most of the time,” she shares. Cat says she still dabbles in the paralegal side, but most of her work revolves around the financials of the business. “I always default to that line of work, and I thoroughly enjoy it. Every business has a financial side, and I enjoy learning about how it runs.” For the past five years, Cat has worked with us diligently. “It’s been wonderful,” she says. “I love working here. Everybody is friendly, nice, and polite, and they all get along with everyone else. We have a great team.” Cat cherishes the work environment here and all of our clients who have walked through our doors. “The clients are really nice. The people

Thanks for all the work you do, Cat. We’re proud to have you as part of the team at Eversole Law Firm.

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Summoned to Court

Jury Duty Myths

No Voting, No Jury Duty According to another circulating myth, if you aren’t registered to vote, you don’t have to serve jury duty. Many people believe this myth because voting enters you into the jury duty pool, but there are other means by which citizens are chosen. Other ways you’re entered into the pool include buying a home, paying taxes, and getting a driver’s license. Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you’re still liable to be summoned. Serving Jury Duty Will Get You Fired If you’re worried about getting fired for serving jury duty, you can breathe easy. Your employer cannot fire you once you’ve been selected for jury service. In fact, if your boss threatens to fire you for it, they will face the penalties, which include fines and even jail time. Many employers know and understand this, but if yours doesn’t, you can submit a file of complaint to the trial court administrator, and they will take care of the rest for you. The system to select jurors has been around for a while, and those involved know what they’re doing. It’s best to go in with an open mind and be completely honest. After all, it is your civic duty to do so.

There are

so many rumors about jury duty that it can be difficult to know which ones are

true. Here are three of the most popular speculations, debunked.

Admitting Bias Will Ensure Your Dismissal

If you admit that you are biased when you serve jury duty, it does not guarantee your dismissal. In fact, a judge cannot dismiss you for being biased — but an attorney can. In addition, attempting to portray yourself as a biased person can put you in a troubling situation. Attorneys and judges have been selecting jurors for a long time and know when someone is lying to them. Your best bet will be to give honest answers to the questions they ask.

Be

INSPIRED Paleo Pumpkin

Coconut Smoothie

Inspired by cookeatpaleo.com

Ingredients

• 1 frozen banana, sliced • 1 cup ice

• 1 cup coconut milk • 1/4 cup organic pumpkin purée • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or substitute with cinnamon and ginger)

Directions

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients. 2. Blend on high or on smoothie setting until smooth. 3. Transfer to a cold glass, garnish with pumpkin pie spice, and serve.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Eversole Law Firm, P.C. 1509 King Street Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 379-3333 www.eversolelaw.com

Disclaimer: The content of this publication has been prepared by Eversole Law Firm, P.C. for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with its readers and may not be used by you, the reader, as legal advice. You are encouraged to consult with us or another attorney about your circumstances to which the information in this document may apply.

What’s Inside

1. Finding the Right Mentor 2. Understanding Cooking Oils and Their Uses Employee Spotlight 3. Falsities You’ve Been Told About Jury Duty Paleo Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie 4. Trick-or-Treating Safety!

Have a Fun and Safe Halloween! Even the Most Frightening Ghouls Need to Be Careful

and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right- sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large, they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly. Make a Plan Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family. This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins.

Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with sugary treasures, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night. Practice Street Safety Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.” Before heading out for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run across the street. Making eye contact with drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there. Choose Smart Costumes Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes

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