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The Medlin News
FEBRUARY 2025
Groundhog Wisdom Embrace Repetition to Perfect Your Craft
As Groundhog Day approaches this month, it is a great time to reflect on the value of doing things over and over. I love the movie “Groundhog Day” so much that I once performed the Sonny and Cher duet from the soundtrack, “I Got You, Babe,” as a solo! I am in a church choir, and I enjoy singing so much that I decided to sing both Sonny’s and Cher’s parts in that song, which was Bill Murray’s character’s wake-up music every morning. I wore a Cher wig on one half of my head and a mustache and John Lennon-style sunglasses on the other half. Then, I sang both parts! It was pretty silly. But that was before the pandemic, and a lot has changed since then. I have always liked the central point of “Groundhog Day” — that there is value in repeating something over and over. There’s always room for improvement, right? You can always learn more, improve your skills, or discover new insights the next time. You can become better at your sport, your job, or at practicing law. That is a principle we apply at our firm. We always look for ways to improve or find new facts or legal strategies in our clients’ favor. We review our clients’ cases again and again because every time you go over a case, you find something new. You notice a detail you didn’t see before, or you have an idea that didn’t come to mind. The same principle holds true when preparing our motions, briefs, and other written documents. Reviewing them carefully eliminates mistakes! That is a principle I learned in college. I worked for the university newspaper as a proofreader, back when everyone read paper newspapers. For every edition, I read over all the articles and corrected
any mistakes. That job taught me that every time I read an article, I could find errors I had missed the previous time. Even if I read the articles three times, I could still find another mistake the third time! I have continued this practice at our firm. We proofread all our documents several times. We also review our cases multiple times before trial and look for ways to increase our negotiating leverage. We find something new or gain a new insight or idea nearly every time. If someone dropped me into the middle of the movie “Groundhog Day” and gave me a chance to live the same day over and over, I believe I could find a way each time to do something a little bit better, make that day better in some way, or improve my interactions. In the movie, Bill Murray’s character knows he has done enough when he wakes up and realizes he has finally made it to a new day. At our firm, we know we have done enough when we have finally mastered the facts and the applicable law so completely that we are confident of achieving a good outcome for the client. We know we’ve lived through that day enough times or gone through that case enough to drive to the best possible outcome for the client! As we approach Groundhog Day this month, I hope you, too, will be satisfied in practicing whatever you do over and over until you can enjoy knowing you have done your very best! – Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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HOW FAMILIAR SCENTS BRING BACK MEMORIES Nostalgia in the Air Have you ever caught a whiff of freshly baked cookies and suddenly found yourself back in grandma’s kitchen? Our sense of smell has a knack for transporting us back in time, thanks to a bank of 50,000 different scents tied to our memories. This little olfactory time machine plays a significant role in our daily lives, taking smells and turning them into emotional snapshots. Get ready to stop and smell the roses because we’re diving nose-first into the power of our nostrils. Scent-sational Memories The olfactory bulb processes scents at the front of our brain, the area that sends information out to the body. Odors go directly to the limbic system, the part of our brain that processes emotions and memories. When we smell something, our brains label it and remember our emotional response to it. So, when you smell those fresh cookies, your mind tells you it’s a cookie and reminds you of the warmth and love you felt as your grandma baked when you were a child. Our nose also protects us by helping us remember smells associated with danger, like fire.
Whiff a Mood Lift Scents also impact our moods and feelings. Certain fragrances, like lavender, can make us feel relaxed; others, like fresh citrus, may trigger a boost of energy. The nose and limbic system work closely together. Certain scents activate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine or serotonin and activate emotions such as happiness. So, the next time you feel nostalgic, light a candle with a scent that reminds you of home, and your nose will transport you down memory lane.
Know Your Rights Seek Legal Help to Keep Families Together
Amid a tightening of immigration enforcement, many families with undocumented members are worried about deportation and family separation. Understanding your legal rights is essential to maximizing your chances of remaining safely in the country. Non-citizens at risk of deportation should be afforded the right to due process. This includes receiving a notice to appear, a hearing before an immigration judge, and the right to appeal the judge’s decision. Having lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years while exhibiting good moral character has often served as legal grounds to remain. A resident alien might also try to change their status to lawful permanent resident. Other possible avenues of relief include seeking asylum or refugee status to avoid persecution in your home country.
defense, immigration attorneys cite rules against deporting immigrants if their absence would cause severe hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This defense could enable noncitizen parents to remain with their children who were born in the U.S. While the administration has talked about revoking birthright citizenship, that right is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment
rights is important, and a consultation with an experienced immigration and deportation attorney can help identify the most promising legal strategy to avoid deportation. The stakes for resident noncitizens are high. Once deported, a person may be hit with a re-entry ban, preventing them from returning. They also lose their immigration status in the United States, stripping them of their ability to work or pursue an
to the Constitution and has been upheld several times by the Supreme Court. Repealing it would require amending the Constitution, a cumbersome and time-consuming process. According to immigration advocacy groups, legal representation is the single most important factor in determining whether a noncitizen avoids deportation. Knowing your
education. And, of course, the financial and emotional harm, including anxiety, stress, and fear, can be immeasurable. Our firm prioritizes keeping families together. With decades of experience in immigration and deportation law, we will fight fiercely to protect your right to remain in the country. Don’t hesitate to call us today for a consultation!
One of the most emotional issues is the threat of family separation. As a potential
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Overcome Obstacles to Passing the Citizenship Test FROM DREAM TO REALITY
Passing the test to become a naturalized U.S. citizen poses some daunting hurdles, including demonstrating proficiency in English and a working knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civics. During the English language portion of the test, a U.S. Customs officer asks applicants questions and assesses the answers they provide in English. Applicants are also required to read aloud and write a complete sentence that is read to them, such as “The President lives in the White House.” Many applicants struggle on this portion of the test. Passing requires gaining a working knowledge of the language and being comfortable communicating in English. A skilled immigration attorney can guide clients to language tutors or high-quality study materials to help them acquire the necessary skills. During the civics portion of the test, applicants are quizzed to ensure they understand the principles of U.S. democracy. Questions focus on events from history and citizens’ rights and responsibilities. Sample questions might include, “What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?” or, “The House of Representatives has how many voting members?” The breadth of knowledge required to pass this part of the test can be daunting. A study guide and practice questions recommended by an experienced attorney can help applicants prepare efficiently.
An applicant for naturalized citizenship also must avoid legal hurdles, including criminal offenses or past legal violations. Even minor offenses or missteps can derail a candidate’s application. Our experienced citizenship lawyers can help applicants overcome language barriers, gain the necessary civics knowledge, and lower or eliminate legal hurdles to naturalization. Our firm has helped countless aspiring citizens reach their goals. Call us today to schedule a consultation. We will gladly assist you in all these areas as you embark on the path to citizenship!
Fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a springform pan with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Pour warm, melted butter over it, wait for 2 minutes, then stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. 3. Add sugar, almond flour, and walnuts and stir to incorporate. Stir in the egg yolks and set mixture aside. 4. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites on medium until stiff peaks form. 5. Fold 1/4 of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate batter. Repeat, 1/4 at a time, until egg whites are incorporated. 6. Pour batter into springform pan and bake for 30–35 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before removing from the pan. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com.
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Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Groundhog Day’s Lesson: How Do-Overs Shape Mastery and Growth
2. Sniff Back in Time
Protect What Matters Most: Avoiding Family Separation
3. Expert Insights on Passing the U.S. Citizenship Test
Fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake
4. Why You Should Use the 50/30/20 Rule
Better Budgeting: The Benefits of the 50/30/20 Rule
Wants What good is life if you can’t enjoy yourself? The rule says you should apply 30% of your after-tax income toward your wants. This portion can be spent on everything from tickets to see your favorite sports teams, a premier “Jurassic Park”-themed pinball machine, or eating out at a restaurant. However, it should only apply to things you want to spend money on immediately — not long-term investments. Savings The last 20% is the money you save for a rainy day. It can be cash you are saving for a dream vacation, money invested in a 401(k), or simply put into a savings account. Any long-term investment you make will fall into this category.
For many people, getting the most out of their hard-earned money can be a challenge. Thankfully, the 50/30/20 rule is here to help! This simple budgeting rule is straightforward, easy to
remember, and useful (if you stick to it). According to the rule, you should take 100% of your after-tax income and allocate it in three different ways: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings. For more on how to use the rule, read on!
Needs Half of your money should be put toward necessary expenses: groceries, utility bills, health care expenses, loans, mortgages, and other payments. However, you may need more than 50% of your money to cover your mandatory expenses, and the remaining money should be split between wants and savings as evenly as possible. Your needs could also
require less than half of your after-tax income. In this case, use the leftover money to pay down loans and debts so you will have more money to dedicate to savings and wants in the future.
While the 50/30/20 rule is not an exact science, it is worthwhile for budgeting your money responsibly and equitably!
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