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JANUARY 2023
The Pit Bull and The Bleeder 2 Attorneys Who Changed My Life (and Yours!)
If Hollywood decided to make a movie about the early years of my career, they could accurately call it “The Pit Bull and The Bleeder.” Those are my private nicknames for two trial lawyers who changed the course of my life. If it weren’t for them, I probably never would have opened Gibson Law Group — and you wouldn’t have the lawyer you do today. The Pit Bull was a collection lawyer with whom I often went to court. Like the dog he’s named for, the man was absolutely relentless! He wouldn’t give up in a hearing unless one of two things happened:
paper came back to me covered in scribbles of “Did you think about this?” and notes to “Change that.” He even rewrote my sentences and corrected my typos. At first, this made me angry. No one else was his level of picky. But I quickly realized all of the red ink was his way of teaching me that to be a good trial lawyer, you must do extensive preparation before every case. It’s not enough to go over things once: You must think about everything, then think about everything else, and then think about all of the other things you haven’t thought about yet! The Bleeder also taught me that as a lawyer, you should bring a certain level of detail and professionalism to every project. Nobody hires a lawyer because they want something slapped together, and no judge trusts a lawyer who tends to be sloppy. Your reputation is critical in the courthouse, and thanks to The Bleeder, I don’t have problems with mine. I owe The Pit Bull and The Bleeder a lot for everything they taught me over the years. On top of those other lessons, learning from them kept me humble. Today, I still have plenty of mentors, but they aren’t lawyers: They’re my clients. Many of the people I work with have been in business a lot longer than I have. I learn from them just as much as they learn from me.
1. He won.
2. The judge threatened to throw him in jail for contempt of court.
Many times, I found myself on the edge of my seat, thinking I would have to come up with bail money if he didn’t quit arguing. Still, he kept telling the judge that no, he didn’t care that the Texas statute of limitations on promissory notes was only four years — federally, it was six, and that’s all that mattered! He kept pushing every time, even if the judge wasn’t buying what he was selling. Obviously, this strategy didn’t always work, but it taught me you can’t give up on the first, second, third, or even fourth, fifth, or sixth try. If the battle is worth fighting, keep fighting. Thanks to The Pit Bull, I learned that when one argument doesn’t work, you should regroup and come back to the judge with a new perspective. (In legal circles, we call this alternate strategy “a motion to change your mind.”) I also learned that as a lawyer, you can’t live in fear of the wrath of the court. Judges are the kings and queens of their domains, but that doesn’t mean they’re always right. As a former judge, I know this all too well. Today, I pride myself on having the tenacity to stand toe-to-toe with a judge and take a tongue- lashing if needed to protect my client. The Bleeder was an entirely different kind of teacher. He did his best work outside the courtroom, writing legal documents and digging deep into court records and legal precedent. But whenever I handed him a piece of my written work, he bled all over it in red ink. Each
If you’re one of the people I’ve learned from, thank you for the tips and tricks! I’m here to repay the favor any time you need me.
–David Gibson
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Providing Rides and Saving Lives Meet an Uber Driver Turned Hometown Hero
We all like to imagine we would do whatever it takes to help others if we witnessed a tragedy, such as a house fire or car accident. We see it all the time when watching our favorite shows and movies, but these random heroic acts rarely happen in real life. When they do, they’re awe-inspiring. One New York City man was faced with one of these harrowing situations and showed tremendous courage when he helped save lives, all while on the clock.
the building and found a woman who was hesitant about leaving. He convinced her to go and brought her to safety, and then he returned to help another man get out of the building. Once he saw firefighters on the scene, Sam returned to his vehicle and proceeded to drop his passenger off at the airport. She still made her flight, even with their impromptu stop. In a statement to “TODAY,” Uber said, “We’re incredibly grateful to have such a heroic and thoughtful member of our community in Fritz. He went above and beyond to keep his neighbors in New York safe — and still managed to get his rider to the airport on time.”
Fritz Sam works as an Uber driver in New York City. He had just picked up a passenger and was taking her to LaGuardia Airport when he noticed a hectic scene in a Brooklyn neighborhood. He soon saw flames and dark smoke emerging from a second-story window of an apartment building. He asked his passenger if he could pull over to offer help.
When talking to “TODAY,” Sam stated, “You’d be surprised what little things we do that can be impactful. Because, trust me, those little things are going to make a big difference for somebody.” It’s safe to say that very few people consider Sam’s actions a “little thing.” He acted heroically and is an inspiration to many.
He approached a group of bystanders, yelling for people to get out of the residence. As people fled the building, Sam asked if everyone was out. Someone said there were
still people inside. Without hesitation, Sam ran through
Celebrity Lawsuit Calls TikTok ‘Breeding Ground for Scams’ Are the Ads You See Real or Fake?
Imagine you’re scrolling through your social media feed when an ad pops up starring one of your favorite celebrities. Maybe it’s quarterback Tom Brady talking about his favorite brand of beer or actress Julia Roberts showing off her new shoes. You’re intrigued enough to buy the product. But when it arrives, your jaw drops. This isn’t the hottest new luxury item! It’s just a cheap knockoff of Budweiser or Jimmy Choo. How would you feel about your celebrity “friend”? According to Page Six, this exact situation happened to fans of “Real Housewives of New York City” actress and Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel. A scam artist stole clips of her promoting a designer product and edited them, making it appear as if she were selling knockoff cardigans. Frankel posted her own video decrying the scammer, only to watch TikTok remove it for “abusive content.” In a last-ditch attempt to protect her reputation, she sued the platform for failing to protect her reputation and allowing users to post fake ads, calling it “a breeding ground for scams.” If you use TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, Frankel’s story should serve as a warning: The ads you see sliding by on your smartphone screen may not be legitimate. To protect yourself from scammers, take these three steps.
1. Go to the source for celebrity endorsements. Visit the celebrity’s official social media page and/or website. Any products they’re advertising should be visible there. 2. Avoid in-app purchases. It’s easy to buy products on Instagram with a single click — but should you? To avoid scams, leave the app and visit the company’s official website to ensure you’re purchasing the real thing. 3. Look for signs of photoshopping, editing, and manipulation. Does the celebrity’s face look tacked onto another person’s body, or does their phrasing sound broken and clipped together? Is the celebrity sponsoring the ad, or is the brand just using their name (perhaps misspelled) for cachet? Look for these signs before you buy. Ultimately, when buying online, just remember to think before you click. Skepticism is a TikTok user’s best friend.
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TAKE A BREAK
In 2021, 1 in 7 Americans participated in “Dry January” — a month without alcohol. The concept of Dry January is new, but since its conception in England in 2012, it has taken hold worldwide. If you’re one of the millions of people pouring out your booze after a holiday of overindulging, use these five tips to stay on track until Jan. 31 and beyond. 1. Download the ‘Try Dry’ app. Yes, there is an app for that! “Try Dry” is the official Dry January app, created by Alcohol Change UK. Users can map their Dry January successes on a calendar, watch their “dry streak” climb, and calculate the money and calories they’ve saved by avoiding alcohol. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. 2. Look for a kava bar near you. These outposts sell nonalcoholic drinks made from the root of kava plants that helps imbibers relax without the negative side effects of booze. If you’re worried about missing out on socializing with friends, a kava bar could be a good alternative to your local watering hole. Kava bars are trending nationwide right now, so check Google to see if one is open in your city. 3. Master the mocktail. Kava isn’t your only nonalcoholic beverage alternative. If you find yourself missing fancy cocktails, check websites like FoodNetwork.com , BonAppetit.com , and TownandCountryMag.com for delicious mocktail recipes like Bobby Flay’s Chocolate Martini Mocktail, which is a booze-free mudslide. Then, invite your friends over to raise a glass. Throw in board games and food, and they won’t even miss the alcohol. 4. Scare yourself with the data. Plenty of studies out there warn about the negative side effects of drinking alcohol, including a recent study from The Lancet that found drinking reduces your lifespan. When you feel your resolve slipping, turn to the facts for reassurance you’re on the right path. 5. Partner with a friend. If you want to make a batch of mocktails or bemoan skipping your after-dinner gin and tonic, it helps to have a friend by your side! Find someone to join your Dry January crusade so you can keep each other on the right path. 5 TIPS FOR CONQUERING DRY JANUARY Finish the Month Sober and Thriving
AIR FRYER ROASTED SALMON WITH SAUTÉED BALSAMIC SPINACH
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Directions
Ingredients
• 3 tsp olive oil, divided • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) • 1 1/2 tsp reduced- sodium seafood seasoning • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 garlic clove, sliced • Dash of crushed red pepper flakes • 10 cups fresh baby spinach (about 10 oz) • 6 small tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1. Preheat air fryer to 450 F. Rub 1 tsp oil over both sides of salmon, then sprinkle with seafood seasoning and pepper. In a greased air fryer basket, place salmon. 2. Cook about 10–12 minutes until fish flakes easily. 3. In a 6-qt stockpot, place remaining oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. Heat over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in tomatoes; heat through. 4. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Cook until vinegar is reduced by half, then remove from heat. 5. Arrange spinach on serving dish. Place salmon over spinach mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Pit Bull and The Bleeder
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How an Uber Driver Became a Hero The Dirty Truth About TikTok Ads
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Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach How to Finish Dry January Strong
A Podcast That Will Inspire You to Make a Change
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With ‘How to Save a Planet’ Reduce Climate Anxiety
If you’re stuck in a cycle of worrying about the planet after a rough year of floods, fires, and hurricanes, we don’t blame you. Most of us have seen that 2022 was full of climate craziness, and constantly dealing with these disasters can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Knowing where to start when tackling the issues our planet faces can be challenging, and this uncertainty leaves many people feeling more depressed than determined. But that is all about to change with the help of “How to Save a Planet,” a Spotify original podcast that shares good news on eco- friendly trends. Join Alex Blumberg and “a crew of climate nerds” (their words, not ours) as they strive to bring you the positives of our planet, along with real changes you can make in your life that will help move our climate in the right direction.
write them in the middle. That piece between all three circles is what you can do for the climate.
You might want to try a fashion detox. This challenge asks participants to avoid buying any new clothes for 10 weeks and to use that time to reflect on sustainability. The goal is to take a moment and understand the impact of clothing on the planet.
Get in touch with your local meteorologist. If you watch the local news and the meteorologist talks about climate change,
send them an email or message on social media to let them know you noticed it, appreciate it, and want them to keep it up.
To show you what we mean, we’ll share some things “How to Save a Planet” says you can do to be a climate warrior.
“How to Save a Planet” has many more tips where those came from, and after listening, you won’t feel helpless — you’ll be motivated to make a change. So head on over to Spotify, press play, and get started.
Make a Venn diagram to find your climate change superpower! On a piece of paper, draw three circles that overlap in the middle. Each circle will have its own title, and they are “What brings you joy?” “What work needs doing?” and “What are you good at?” Find similarities between all three, and
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