www.marcusvadenlaw.com 501-354-4577 05.19
600 South German Lane, Suite 102, Conway, AR 72034 • 501-354-4577
Reflections on 3 Decades in Law A Look at My Journey in the Legal System
Growing up in the South, I know what it means to be a man of my word and just howmuch that word can mean to the people in my life. I like to think that I’ve taken that mentality of trust and honor and put it into everything I do, both in and out of the courtroom. It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 30 years since I started practicing as an attorney, but looking back at all the satisfied clients I’ve been fortunate enough to help puts the years in a clearer perspective. Through those countless smiles, handshakes, and hugs, I am able to see my life’s work in action. I couldn’t be prouder. I look forward to more of these moments and to giving back to the community I’m proud to call home. My journey in law wasn’t always set in stone. Growing up in Garland, Texas, I lived the all-American life, at least from outside perspectives. I spent my days playing football and racing motocross and eventually set my sights on a different kind of devotion: My family and I decided that I would pursue a career as a preacher. A life in the church was all but certain after my upbringing, and I was excited to begin my journey by studying theology at Harding University. Toward the end of my education, I began to switch gears. I wanted to be something for myself, and while a life as a preacher was what I’d wanted a few years before, I knew that if I had even a sliver of doubt, then I couldn’t take that pledge in good conscience. I went from the church to pursuing a career as a football coach to selling real estate before I finally found myself at the University of Mississippi studying law.
Life’s too short not to explore your options; I know that as well as anyone. Out of sheer curiosity and an innate desire to help people, I ended up interested in the legal system, and after a short while studying my newfound passion, I knew I had found a career I could take pride in. Among other things, I always knew I wanted to work with families and those who needed me most, and law fit the bill perfectly. I was excited to see my hard work culminate in my entry into the private sector in 1990. By the end of ‘91, I was brought on to work with the prosecuting attorney in Conway, Arkansas. Then, as fate would have it, I worked my way up to opening the practice I still run today. Our location has changed a few times, and we’ve seen some growth and staff expansions over the past three decades, but our goals here at Marcus Vaden Law have remained steadfast. When I started out at my firm, it was just me. My palatial estate consisted of a one room office with only a typewriter in front of me to keep me company, all while I moonlighted as my own secretary. I’ve been lucky enough to
see my firm grow to the point where we have five secretaries today, and luckily, we left the typewriters back in the ‘90s. No matter how far we’ve come, I’m proud to have kept that same code of honor I grew up with. When I take on a client, I aim to shoot them straight and get them the representation and recognition they deserve. By narrowing our scope and focusing only on areas where we truly excel, I’ve been able to deliver a level of service that named me one of the Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Arkansas by the National Trial Lawyers Association. We’d be happy to pass those services along to you. Whether it’s personal injury, insurance claims, business litigation, or a number of other practice areas, we’d be happy to take a look at your case and point you in the direction you deserve. To get started today, give us a call at 501-329-8723 or visit us any time at MarcusVadenLaw.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
-Marcus Vaden
Ask Griz The Legal Lab!
Hi, my name is Griz. I’m the legal lab. I work pro-bone-o for my dad, Marcus. Today’s question is: What happens when I first call a disability attorney? At the Marcus Vaden Law Firm, we obtain medi- cal and employment information from you to determine whether or not we can be of
assistance to you. If we can help, we will obtain your medical records and forward them to the Social Security Administra- tion, along with a request for a hearing before an administrative law judge. Text your questions to 501-354-4577. I’ll be sure to answer them in my fur-ee time!
Marcus Vaden Law’s Communication Policy
We would love to take each call that comes through our office; however, to maintain an efficient workplace and to ensure you get undivided attention, we ask that you schedule an appointment in advance to speak with your
attorney. Please feel free to contact the paralegal on your case for questions concerning routine matters or other inquiries, as we have an experienced team standing by to help you.
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THE GOLDEN ERA OF ATHLETES ON SOCIAL MEDIA Out of the Dark and Onto the Web
It’s not an overstatement to say that social media has revolutionized the way we live our lives today. But with that massively powerful platform comes a massive responsibility, especially if you’re already in the spotlight. Athletes have taken the opportunity social media affords them to build their personal brands and engage in community outreach with the fans who look to them as role models, but there’s a downside to cataloging years of unfiltered thoughts on the internet. For better or worse, social media is here to stay, and we have full access to all the drama that unfolds for our entertainment. Despite the web’s potential for good, some pros can’t seem to get the message that every post falls under the scrutiny of the public. PR firms representing players have now made it a top priority to keep their clients’ images in line by scrubbing old posts that could be offensive and land them in hot water. Still, though, it seems like there’s a new controversy every week. One of the best examples comes courtesy of former football star“Johnny Football”Manziel. The former HeismanTrophy winner was notorious for posting embarrassing images of himself partying when he should have been practicing, and he often blasted his private issues in public, seemingly
with no filter. He’s out of a job now, most recently having been banned from the Canadian Football League. For every bad apple, though, there is a bushel of athletes who use their platforms for the greater good. HoustonTexans defensive end J.J. Watt, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL star, has used his social media“juice”to spread the word about his charity, raising over $4.6 million for youth athletic programs and organizations.
Philanthropy aside, part of the beauty of celebrity social media is that the people who seem so much larger than life become accessible because of it. In decades past, you might have written a letter that, if you were fortunate, got a response from some unpaid intern. Today, fans can reach out directly to their favorite athletes. It is a personal connection unparalleled in history. What a time to be alive.
Leaving a Legacy of Giving MAKING CHARITY A PART OF YOUR ESTATE PLAN
Your estate plan is far more than just a set of documents. It’s a declaration of what you find most important and a roadmap of the legacy you’d like to leave. Not only does a proper estate plan ensure that your loved ones will be taken care of when you’re gone, but it also allows you to make an impact on the wider world through charitable giving. Many avenues exist for making planned gifts to nonprofits, but here are some of the basics on how to make giving a part of your plan.
notify an organization about what you are planning to give. Smaller philanthropies may not accept complex assets, such as stocks or real estate. On the other hand, some charities may specialize in specific assets. For example, if your home is considered a historic site within your town, you may want to gift it to a preservation society so that it stays properly maintained.
DECIDE HOW TO GIVE
NAME A CHARITY IN YOURWILL
There are different ways to structure a charitable bequest, giving you the flexibility to make sure your estate planning goals are met. If you have a set sum of money or a particular asset you wish to leave to a charity, you can make a specific bequest in your will. However, if you want to ensure your loved one’s needs are met before giving a portion of your estate to charity, you can make what’s known as a residuary gift. With a residuary gift, once debts have been paid off and your other beneficiaries have received their bequests, a specified percentage of your remaining estate will go to a charity of your choice.
The most basic way to give to a charity is by naming it in your will. Simply name the charitable organization you wish to support among your beneficiaries, and specify the assets you wish to give. If estate or income taxes are a concern, ensure your chosen organization is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit. These are the charities the IRS deems tax-exempt.
MATCH THE ASSETS TO THE CHARITY Almost all charities will accept cash bequests, though
OTHER AVENUES
Depending on your income level and the kinds of assets in your estate, more complex means of making a planned gift may be available to you. Talk to your estate planner to see if creating a charitable trust or establishing a foundation is the right move for you.
it is always a good idea to
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TAKE A BREAK
How to Cultivate Valuable Customer Reviews THE GOOD KIND OF GOSSIP When you’re thinking about buying a new product or service, what’s the first step you take? If you turn to the WorldWide Web in search of reviews, then you’re in good company. According to a survey conducted by BrightLocal, 85 percent of consumers regard the customer review to be the single most credible and trustworthy source of advertising. That same survey found that 68 percent of customers surveyed were willing to provide feedback for a company. So, how do you get your customers to write the glowing reviews that help close deals? Don’t rely on customers to go to your website to leave reviews. There are numerous websites you can utilize that make leaving feedback more convenient for your clients. What’s more is that these other platforms are highly trafficked. BrightLocal found that Facebook and Yelp were consumers’ most trusted sources of user reviews in the U.S., but you can also use Google My Business or the Better Business Bureau. Most importantly, be sure you are active on all the platforms you use. DIVERSIFY YOUR PLATFORMS
SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS
Ingredients
OFFER INCENTIVES
CREOLE SEASONING
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1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
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2 tablespoons paprika
Give your clients a reason to write reviews. Consider offering incentives like a discount or coupon code, coffee gift card, or an entry to win a contest for an even bigger prize.
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1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
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1/2 tablespoon onion powder
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2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
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1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Think of the review process as a conversation rather than a request to be met, and use open-ended questions to start. Before you even request a review, you can ask customers questions like “How was your recent experience with us?” or “How are you liking your product?”That way, you can gauge their satisfaction before they leave any feedback.
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1/4 tablespoon dried oregano
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1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
Directions
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes). Inspired by Food Network
RESPOND, RESPOND, RESPOND
The last thing you want to see is a scathing one-star review. But no matter how hard you work, they are still bound to happen. When you receive one, take the time to respond thoughtfully —without being defensive — and try to come up with a possible solution to the complaint. And be sure to respond to your positive reviews as well. When you show that you engage with all of your customers, prospective ones will be more likely to give you a shot.
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600 S. German Ln, Suite 102 Conway, AR 72034 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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How I Got My Start
The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan
Shrimp Sausage Skewers The Value of User Reviews
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Genealogy Sites Provide Breakthroughs in Cold Cases
GENEALOGY SITES AND THE WARMING OF COLD CASES The Revolution in Forensic Science Continues to Captivate the Masses
We’ve come a long way in the field of forensic science since 1986, when DNA was first used to convict someone in court. In 2019, criminals who would have gotten away with their crimes in the past are now put behind bars where they belong. The advent of genealogy testing has been thrust into the spotlight with high- profile cases that were solved by sequestering information from sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com. With this revolution in DNA testing on the rise, there’s really no end to the impossible-to-solve cold cases that can finally be put to rest. Whatever the motivation was behind genealogy sites in the beginning, they’re now some of the most sought-after databases in the world and are worth billions for their collection of the most personal consumer data in existence. Using these websites’ data, investigators can make DNA matches with potential offenders. The most famous recent case is the successful apprehension of Joseph James DeAngelo, otherwise known as the Golden State Killer.
After 13 murders and dozens of assaults, he was finally brought to justice after investigators matched his DNA to the evidence found at the crime scenes. They gained access to his DNA from the personal genomics site GEDmatch.
to its customers, law enforcement agencies successfully subpoenaed the companies to hand over the requested data. With the ability to theoretically solve any crime with preserved DNA, law enforcement and websleuths alike are foaming at the mouth at the possibilities genealogy testing has to offer. If only we’d preserved some of Jack the Ripper’s DNA!
Although access to the data of popular sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com is restricted
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