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LEGAL BRIEF
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MARCH 2024 FriedmanSimon.com
BALANCING LOVE AND LAW ON THE WAY TO ‘I DO’ MY WONDERFULLY HECTIC JOURNEY TO MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND
Looking back, I can hardly believe how quickly time has flown since I proposed in April 2023. It feels like just yesterday when I nervously planned how to ask my best friend to marry me. Laura and I have been friends since 2018, but the magic transition from friends to flirting to dating happened just about the exact same time that a little thing called COVID-19 introduced itself to the world in 2020. Since that time, it feels like we’ve shared every high and low, every moment of joy and every challenge life has thrown at us together, often working through work challenges and achievements together. March 9, 2024 is/was our chosen wedding date (depending on when you are reading this), the night that some areas spring the clocks forward, springing us into the beginning of our forever. The journey to this day has been filled with moments that reminded us why we chose each other. We both have high stress and high responsibility jobs, and these past months leading up to the big wedding day have been a constant mix of work and wedding planning. As one recent example, we had an after-work meeting with our wedding DJ. On the drive over together, I received a call back from a client — I had tried to reach the client earlier to deliver fantastic news about a full insurance settlement. My client’s sheer excitement when she learned the news could be heard a mile away, and seeing my fiancée’s smile in response, knowing how much it meant to me to deliver exciting life changing news to a client, was priceless.
practicing for our first dance, or deciding who will sit with what person at the wedding, every step has been a testament to our partnership. This process, filled with both excitement and stress, has only strengthened our bond. No matter how stressful or difficult balancing work and planning got, we knew there wasn’t a disagreement out there that could affect us.
The support didn’t just come from within our home. My work
team, much like a second family, shared in our excitement, counting down the days to the wedding. The environment we’ve fostered at work, where we celebrate personal milestones collectively, has made the journey to marriage even more special. Even my clients joined in the excitement, several in particular recently stopped by or called and made it a point to check in on our wedding plans. A relationship is much like the work we do. It requires understanding, patience, and a willingness to put in the effort to overcome obstacles. As I’ve balanced wedding planning and professional responsibilities, I am reminded of the power of having a partner who stands by you personally and professionally.
Wedding planning, as expected, is hectic. From adjusting our work schedules for exciting things like driving to town hall for our wedding license, to navigating the occasional disagreement about wedding details, to
As we move forward, hand in hand, I’m grateful for every moment that led us here, and I look forward to a lifetime of shared moments, knowing that we can handle anything that comes our way. -John G. Papadopoulos
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Remember the client who called me when I was on my way to my meeting with my wedding DJ, the one who was so thrilled not even my phone could contain her excitement? Well, how we met is an atypical story but not necessarily a rare occurrence for our team. I remember the evening vividly. It was a typical evening after work at the gym where I was working with my personal trainer. He knows I’m a personal injury attorney, as I often tell work stories during my workout. He mentioned to me that one of his coworkers had been in a severe car accident; a car made a left turn into her as she was crossing the street and broke her left foot and right knee. She was in crutches and unable to work in the environment she loved — the gym. HOW A GYM ENCOUNTER RESULTED IN A SETTLEMENT WIN Community Matters
Have you ever encountered a salesperson who launched right into their spiel without talking to you first? If so, you know the importance of listening first. Not only do salespeople like this make you feel like a commodity, but it often leads to misaligned sales attempts. The secret lies in asking the right questions. Start by asking about their business. “Why” questions are particularly powerful. For instance, why are they launching a new product, or what prompted them to add staff? These questions show your interest in their business and give insight into their motivations and challenges. To ask meaningful questions, you must come prepared. Visit their website, read their “About” page, and familiarize yourself with key staff members. This background information equips you to ask relevant questions and demonstrates your genuine interest in their business. Being a good conversationalist leaves a positive impression and makes you memorable. Through these interactions, you lay the foundation for relationships — and as we know, people do business with those they know and trust. How can your prospects know and trust you if you don’t take the time to know and trust them? The art of conversation in sales and life is about finding a balance between being informative and attentive. It’s about listening and understanding the prospect’s unique needs and goals. Embracing this will grow your sales and strengthen your business relationships, turning them into long-term clients. Let’s step out of the traditional sales script and start listening. We can transform our sales tactics one conversation at a time. Master the Art of Conversation and Sales
I immediately asked “how can I help?” It’s my job to assist those injured due to someone else’s negligence. From the first phone call with her, we eased her concerns about what to expect, and after that first phone call, we quickly got to work to ensure she received the benefits she was entitled to. Throughout the process, we made it a point to check in on her as we fought for her to obtain a full insurance policy settlement as quickly as we could. The relief and gratitude in her voice when I shared the news over the phone was priceless — and the Google review she left after about the whole team was touching. It reminded me why I chose this profession — to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives when they need it most. This experience reaffirmed my belief that connections matter. Sometimes, we meet new clients in the most unexpected ways simply by being part of our community. So, if you or someone you know has been injured, remember we’re here to help.
-John G. Papadopoulos
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Are You Rewarding Your Dog’s Bad Behavior? THE NEGATIVES OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective tools when training dogs and is much more effective than punishment. While treats are a great way to reward your dog, just giving your dog attention is a form of reward and reinforcement. But knowing the best time to provide this positive attention is where we may need some work. We may be rewarding bad behavior without realizing it. Here are a few strategies to help Fido get the right message. JUMPING Jumping is not only irritating to visitors, but it can also hurt the dog’s back. One way we’re rewarding this bad behavior is by responding with positive reinforcement. Don’t pet your dog or speak to them when they’re jumping on you. Instead, turn around and ignore them when they jump. Keeping a dog from jumping
is hard, but it’s crucial to preventing accidents and keeping your dog in tip-top shape.
you’re tying your shoes or picking up a sock. Want to stop this behavior? Don’t give them attention when they approach you. While your instinctive reaction will be to pet them, you should stand up and only praise them when they stay calm. Doing this shows it’s not in their best interest to try to play, and you’ll reward their more passive behavior instead. BE PERSISTENT Always keep goals in mind when training your dog. Training is not only helpful for you; sticking to a routine can keep your dog happy and healthy while strengthening your bond. Once you recognize the annoying behaviors you have unwittingly rewarded, you can change your tactics and get your dog to understand the best ways to behave.
SEPARATION ANXIETY No matter how hard the day was, an animal greeting you with love can turn the day around. Your instinct may be to respond with praise and pets, but that is detrimental to your dog’s mental health if they have separation anxiety. Rewarding them with your attention can make your absence all the worse for them. As hard as it may be, make your re-appearance less exciting; give them a simple “Hi” when you get home without stopping to pet them.
KNEELING PLAY AND MISPLACED ATTENTION
Dogs often want to play or be pushy when you’re kneeling on the ground, whether
SUDOKU
Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl Inspired by EasyChickenRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 2 boneless chicken breasts • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp chili pepper • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 cup white or brown rice, cooked • 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce • 1 cup canned corn
• 1 cup canned black beans • 1 avocado, cubed • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup shredded cheese For Salsa • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro • 1/2 tomato, chopped • 1/2 onion, chopped • 2 tbsp white vinegar • 4 tbsp lime juice • Salt, to taste
Directions
1. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. In a medium-size bowl, add chicken, olive oil, paprika, cumin, chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until chicken is evenly coated. 2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chicken for 7 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside on a plate. 3. In a large bowl, layer the rice, lettuce, corn, beans, and cooked chicken. 4. In a separate bowl, mix together salsa ingredients, then pour over the chicken mixture. 5. Top with avocado, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
John Is Officially Married! Reshaping Sales Conversations How a Chance Encounter Led to Justice Are You Reinforcing Your Dog’s Bad Habits? Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl A Few of History’s Hilarious Quirks
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SOME OF HISTORY’S QUIRKIEST MOMENTS
Grab your time travel hats! We are peeling back the layers of the past to reveal a few stories you won’t find in the history books, though history class would have been much more fun if they were! WHEN STILLNESS CREATED HISTORY Imagine a bustling Parisian street filled with life and activity. A photographer is there, about to take the first known photograph of a person. But the only person still enough to photograph was a man getting his shoes shined — the exposure time then was several hours, almost a whole day’s work! So, the shoe-shining duo became unexpected celebrities in history as the subject of the first known photograph of humans in 1838. A WHISTLE STOP FOR WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS When trains first thundered across the American landscape, some women wouldn’t ride them — a bizarre myth emerged claiming that traveling at speeds of 50 mph would cause their uteruses to fly out of their bodies! Thankfully, at least two women saw past the strange notion to propose genuine improvements in the iron horses. In 1870, Eliza Murfey held 16 patents for her inventions to improve how bearings
on train car wheels responded to their axles. In 1879, Mary Elizabeth Walton held two patents for reducing smokestack emissions.
TALE OF THE TALLEST BUILDINGS The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and last remaining of the original seven wonders of the world. For 4,000 years, this architectural marvel was the tallest building in the world. But all reigns must end, and in 1311, the Lincoln Cathedral in England claimed the crown. It was the tallest building for 237 years until its spire collapsed in 1548. However, it was still the tallest building ever built until the Ulm Minster in Germany set a new record in 1890 — it’s still the tallest church in the world. SHORTS SHOOK THE WORLD In the sizzling summer of 1937, something extraordinary happened on the streets of Toronto that changed fashion forever. Two daring women went out in public wearing shorts. Yes, shorts! The sight was so unusual that it drew overwhelming attention and even caused a car wreck! While this moment caused quite a stir, it wasn’t until after World War II that shorts gained popularity.
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