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March 2021 Advisor
CellinoLaw.com
A True Family Business
4 Generations of Lawyers, One Legacy Law Firm
When I was a young kid running around my parents’ New York home (the fourth of nine children, by the way), I had the unique experience of listening to my father and great uncle talk about the law. Without even realizing it was happening, I quickly fell in love with the idea of being a lawyer one day. My dad used to meet with clients at our house, and I would eavesdrop on their conversations, peeking around corners to catch a few words here and there. My dad seemed like such an important man to me back then; he was using all of his power to help people. I would watch clients come to the house upset because of their circumstances, and by the end of the meeting, they would leave with a new sense of confidence and relief due to the advice my father would bestow upon them. My great uncle, the first lawyer in our family, was born in Italy but grew up here in New York. When he decided he wanted to be a lawyer, he kicked off a four-generation tradition, leading to my father, then to me, and finally, to four of my six children. My father was a true testament to the value of hard work and dedication to his family. He graduated law school with three kids in tow at the time, taking classes during the day and working nights at Bethlehem Steel to support my mother and our family. In 1958, he made the decision to start the first Cellino law firm, Cellino & Likoudis. I joined my father’s firm in 1986 and, after a few years, was named partner of Cellino, Bernstein & Cellino, which soon became Cellino & Barnes. Now, 62 years following the first law firm to bear the Cellino name, I am proud to be at the helm of Cellino Law, which I hope will serve our community for generations to come. Cellino Law has grown a lot since its humble beginning in 1958, both in the number of lawyers we employ and the number of people we help, but it’s still a family business, and I’m so proud to run it and carry on my dad’s legacy.
the lunch hall in law school, starting his own law practice, making and maintaining lifelong friendships with colleagues, and enjoying practicing law before he retired at 59 to become a “full-time grandpa.” He would proudly brag to anyone who would listen about his 32 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (and counting). My father was a very proud man who instilled upon me the importance of family. My wife, Anna Marie, and I are lucky enough to have six children (Samuel, Ross III, Jeanna, Annmarie, Timothy, and Brigitte) and eight grandchildren. You can say my wife and I carried on the tradition of law being a family affair since we met in law school and now four of our children are attorneys. Much like when I was young and watched my dad with his clients, when my children were school age, I used to practice my trial skills on them. I would recite my opening and closing arguments while I drove them to school each morning. They were surprisingly a good audience for me to practice because they would ask the simple questions that cut to the heart of the issue of the case. Although my children are now grown, I often experience déjà vu in the mornings as I now drive my grandchildren to the same school their parents attended, continuously prompting them with questions on the way, before I proceed down the familiar city streets to my office with the same excitement and energy to serve my clients.
My father passed away two years ago. During his later years, we would often hear my father reminisce about the “good ol’ times” — working in
I am proud that at home, I give 110% for my family, and at work, I give 110% for my clients. What can I say — it’s the Cellino way.
––––-Ross Cellino 800-555-5555 1
$2 Billion
Cellino has obtained millions in recoveries for clients and has supervised over $2 billion in settlements.
CellinoLaw.com
To outside observers — and probably quite a few people within — the world of investing is overwhelming. Nevertheless, common wisdom dictates that building investments, whether as part of a retirement plan or for other reasons, is an indisputably good thing, but it’s hard to figure out where to begin. Could micro-investing apps be a good place to start? What is a micro-investing app? Micro-investing apps, such as Acorns and Stash, allow users to invest small amounts of money in the market. Many of these apps will round up purchases made with a debit or credit card to the nearest dollar amount, then invest the difference in your portfolio. Other apps, like Clink, will encourage users to invest $1 per day. ARE MICRO- INVESTING APPS A GOOD WAY TO BUILD WEALTH? Examining the Pros and Cons
Spotlight on John Wright
Rochester Managing Attorney and U.S. Air Force Colonel
In addition to fighting for clients in the courtroom, Rochester’s Managing Attorney and Senior Trial Lawyer, John Wright, also fights for his country as a Colonel and Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the U.S. Air Force. Not to mention he’s a happily married father of three. If that seems like a lot of work, rest assured that hard work is in John’s blood. “I grew up in a very small town in rural America to parents — both parents — working two jobs to support and raise three boys,” John explains. “I quickly realized the meaning and value of hard work.” At age 12, John started working in the hayfields with his grandfather, and he continued working to put himself through college at Slippery Rock University and then law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. It was after law school that John enlisted in the Air Force and began practicing law, which he’s now been doing for more than 20 years. His experience shows in the results he’s garnered — he’s helped recover nearly $75 million for his clients through trials and settlements. He’s also won many awards and honors over the years, including being named Litigator of the Year in 2020 by the American Academy of Attorneys and featured in New York state’s Super Lawyers magazine. “In all facets of my life, I’ve understood the importance of working hard and representing people who’ve experienced injustices and tragic loss,” he says. “I dedicate each and every day to fighting for people who are seriously injured and can’t fight for themselves.”
Pros Most investing apps are incredibly user-friendly and require very little oversight. They offer tutorials on how to invest, give users some basic knowledge of financial markets, and make it easy to view your portfolio. The cost of the initial deposit is usually very affordable too, with Acorns starting at $5, Clink starting at $1, and Stash starting at just 1 cent. On top of that, the subscription fees are also very affordable, usually only costing users a few dollars every month. Cons As affordable as those monthly fees are, they can easily lead to a less- than-favorable expense ratio. For example, say you invested $100 in a mutual fund with a 1% expense ratio, which would amount to a dollar per year. If you invest with Acorns or Stash, you’re paying at least $12 per year because of the flat $1 per month fee. That’s a 12% expense ratio, which is not great. And at the end of the day, micro-investing might be easy, but the fees and minimal investment amounts lead to mere micro-gains. So, if you’re looking for a way to familiarize yourself with the market and figure out how it works, micro-investment apps might be a good place to start. However, if you want to retire on your investments one day, then it might be best to invest somewhere that will net higher returns.
You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Just listen to what his clients have to say about him:
“John was my lawyer when my SUV was rear-ended, and I suffered a brain injury. He explained every step of the process, was compassionate, and actively advocated for my best interest against the insurance company’s lawyers.”
–Cynthia
“John is amazing. He was honest and straightforward right from the start. He has a professional charisma that gives you confidence that he will have your back and fight hard for you. If I ever need someone to represent me again in the future, it will be John and Sheri.”
–Colton
If you’ve been injured in an accident, let Cellino Law’s experienced lawyers like John Wright fight for you. Call us today at 800-555-5555.
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Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and Shower to Shower: advertised to generations as a symbol of purity. J&J specifically targeted women, stating, "For you, use every day to help feel soft, fresh, and comfortable" and "A sprinkle a day keeps odor away." However, J&J's familiar slogans failed to warn women that their asbestos-contaminated powders were linked to ovarian cancer, other gynecological tumors, and mesothelioma. Evidence shows that J&J knew internally of the cancer risk since the 1960s. In 1982, the first external epidemiological study of talc use on the female genital area found a 92% increased risk of ovarian cancer. In 1987, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified talc containing asbestos as a carcinogen. By 1993, the United States National Toxicology Program found talc to be carcinogenic without asbestos. In December 2018, Health Canada published data confirming statistically significant evidence that talc caused ovarian cancer. Rather than admit the dangers inherent in its product, J&J and lobbyist allies "tested" it with a process known to be inadequate to detect asbestos contamination. J&J used this failed process to deny the increasingly recognized risks until May 2020, when it finally announced it would stop selling talc products in the United States Our Johnson & Johnson Talc Case
and Canada. J&J's announcement closely followed a well-reasoned 141-page federal court opinion ruling that plaintiffs had presented sufficient scientific evidence to prove that talc products had caused their cancer. Even then, J&J refused to recall existing product already available for sale. Our federal court system currently coordinates over 26,000 cases arguing that J&J talc products cause ovarian and other gynecological cancers. Of these, 30 were selected for potential trials. Cellino Law is proud to represent one of those 30 women. Prior verdicts, including one where a jury awarded $4.7 billion to 22 injured women, have encouraged J&J to finally take corporate responsibility. If you or a loved one suffered from a J&J talc-related cancer, we would be honored to discuss this litigation with you and the justice being brought about by its prosecution.
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Sudoku
Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes
Ingredients
• 1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt
5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts' edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving. • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes.
800-555-5555 3
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420 Lexington Ave, Suite 830 Manhattan, NY 10170
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 1 4 Generations of Lawyers, One Legacy Law Firm 2 The Pros and Cons of Micro-Investing Meeting the Attorneys Fighting for You 3 Have You or a Loved One Suffered From Cancer Due to Talc? Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes 4 How to Be More Patient and Less Stressed
Improve Patience and Reduce Stress
WITH THESE 4 TIPS
In this fast-paced world, it can be easy to grow impatient. Things as small as waiting for a slow website to load or waiting in a long line for coffee can sometimes leave people feeling frustrated and anxious. Practicing patience helps reduce stress and helps you realize it's okay if something takes a few extra minutes. If you find yourself feeling impatient, here are a few helpful tips. Breathe Deeply When you feel stressed, your breathing gets shallow, which amplifies anxiety. Practicing deep breathing can help reduce stress and frustration by relaxing your body and mind. This is as simple as taking a few quiet moments to inhale through the nose, drawing your breath into the belly and lungs. Count to four to help you focus as you inhale. Then exhale slowly through your mouth. After a few repetitions, you will find th that your mind and body feel calmer. Switch Focus When agitated, it’s common for our thoughts to center on the irritant. Though it may feel difficult to do when you’re stressed out, switching your focus will help you calm down and be more patient. For instance, if you find yourself growing more and
more frustrated by hitting red lights as you drive, try focusing on green instead. Looking for passing cars, signs, trees, or anything that is green will help break that hyper-focus and shift it from negative to positive. Soon, those red lights will be less bothersome. Meditate A great way to increase your patience is by meditating, a combination of the first two tips — focus and breathing. Meditation helps people constructively manage thoughts by allowing them to practice observing their thoughts from a neutral perspective. Regular meditation can reduce stress and improve patience throughout the day. Even just 5–10 minutes of daily practice can have a tremendous impact over time. Practice Acceptance While the above tips can help you improve your patience, sometimes you must simply accept that some things can’t be rushed. There will be times when we cannot control the outcome: A red light will change to green when it changes and no sooner. Learning to accept that can help people let go of their frustration, become more understanding of their situation, and greatly improve their patience.
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