Brauns Law - December 2019

404-418-8244 December 2019 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

A Unique Holiday Experience What’s It Like to Celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah?

What does your to-do list look like right now? Pretty crazy, right? With the holidays and the new year upon us, there’s always so much to do and so little time. Just imagine how packed things would be if you had to fit two different religions into the holiday season! That’s what my holidays looked like when I was growing up. My father’s family is Catholic and my mother’s family is Jewish, so even though I was raised Episcopal, we still celebrated many Jewish holidays when I was a kid. This meant that I got to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah and all the great traditions that come with them. The month of December was always a lot of fun. My brother and I got presents from Santa, and we’d go over to our cousins’ house to light the menorah for Hanukkah. One of my favorite holiday memories from my childhood was when my dad got me a three-wheeler for Christmas … without telling my mom. Dad wrapped the helmet and put it under the tree. After I opened it up, I remember looking over at my mom, who was more surprised than I was. Then she looked at my dad and her eyes flashed with anger. But she still let me ride it! I’d take it out into the forest and ride all day, just being a boy. To this day, the holidays remind me of that first taste of freedom Dad gave me that year — not that I would ever give my own daughter a three-wheeler!

“As an adult, I realized what a

When I was a kid, I just loved all the opportunities to get presents and hang out with my family during the holidays. As an adult, I realized what a unique experience I had in celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. I learned a lot about diversity and different religions. It was pretty clear to me that, regardless of what holiday someone celebrates, we’re all still people. Today my wife and I only celebrate Christmas. Meanwhile, my brother married a Jewish woman and they celebrate Hanukkah. We went in different directions, but there’s no question that we’re still family. Christmas and Hanukkah are two very different holidays, but at their core, they’re about spending time with the people you love. That’s a value we all share, no matter where we’re from or what we celebrate this time of year. At the office, we great really busy right before the holidays. Everyone really wants to settle their cases and we try unique experience I had in celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah.”

to get them taken care of so our clients can enjoy the holidays without the case still hanging over their heads. Between Christmas and New Year’s, we get a little breather, and I take full advantage of that time to spend with my family. Most of the year, I’m working six days a week, and on the seventh, I’m still thinking about ongoing cases. During our brief slowdown, I try to be more present in the time I have with my family. I’m so grateful to have them and to be able to celebrate Christmas with the people I love most in the world. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or any other celebration, I wish you very happy holidays. May you have plenty of time to spend with your loved ones in the coming year. -David Brauns

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It’s Time for ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ Turn On Your Bat-Signal

2019 marks the 27th anniversary of “Batman: The Animated Series.” But just because it was released in the early ‘90s doesn’t mean it fails to relate to kids and adults alike today. Here are just a few reasons why it has stood the test of time and gained such a cult following in the last three decades. An All-Star Cast Some of pop culture’s favorite actors were the voices behind some of the show’s most iconic characters. Most notably, the frantic voice behind the Joker is Mark Hamill, who is best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars.” Diana Muldaur, a three-time Emmy nominated actor, made regular appearances as Dr. Leslie Thompkins in the show. Paul Williams, known for his composition work on the original “A Star Is Born,” film also made guest appearances as the Penguin. Additionally, the late and great Adam West makes a cameo as the Gray Ghost. Your kids may not know all of these names now, but once they fall in love with “Batman,” they surely will! Strong Female Characters One of the problems with superhero- themed TV and animated series at the time is that the stars of the shows were usually

men. And if there were any women in those shows, they usually played the role of damsel in distress or trophy wife. In the early ‘90s, “Batman” stood out from the norm by creating women characters who had far more depth. For example, Harley Quinn was created specifically for this show. Throughout the series, Quinn goes from being the Joker’s henchman to adventuring with Poison Ivy and adjusting to civilian life after being a villain. In addition, Catwoman isn’t just a beautiful villain in the show; she’s also an animal rights activist and millionaire. The Right Amount of Levity While recent adaptations of “Batman” are dark and melancholic, the animated

series is far tamer. Every episode grapples with moral conflicts, but there isn’t the level of depravity showcased in recent adaptations of “Batman.” It’s also appropriate for kids, making it a great show to introduce them to the “Batman” franchise. From the deco noir backdrop to Superman cameos, there are plenty more reasons why this show has so much acclaim. To find more reasons and hear Mark Hamill provide a classic Joker laugh, watch the show with your little caped crusader on DCuniverse.com or YouTube!

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“Very professional but personable firm. David is a great one to have on your side.” –Cathie Bigman

“David and his team worked with me through everything and fought hard to make sure I was treated fairly. They always made sure to answer any of my questions and explain everything along the way.” –Mary Strother

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Too Little, Too Late This past October, Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of the company’s famous baby powder. The recall was in response to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) test that found low levels of chrysotile asbestos in the baby powder. Asbestos is a carcinogen known to cause the deadly lung cancer mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is also believed to increase the risk of ovarian cancer. It’s this danger that has made Johnson & Johnson the target of public outrage as thousands of lawsuits accuse the company of putting dangerous, cancer-causing products on the market. Has Baby Powder Endangered Your Family? against Johnson & Johnson, claiming the presence of asbestos in the company’s products caused their cancer. These lawsuits have resulted in massive verdicts, including the following: • May 2018 — A California jury awarded a $25.75 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson, charging negligence for not warning

While Johnson & Johnson was quick to act after the FDA test results came out, there’s evidence to suggest the company was aware of the dangers in their baby powder for decades but did nothing. Last year, The New York Times reported that executives at Johnson & Johnson were aware that their baby powder could be contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos as far back as 1971. Hundreds of memos revealed that the company spent decades trying to cover up the findings and keep the information from going public. Despite the potential risks, Johnson & Johnson continued to market their baby powder as safe for babies, as well as a viable feminine hygiene product. As a result, many Americans have used baby powder on a daily basis for decades. A spike in ovarian cancer is believed to be the result of Johnson’s baby powder. In the last few years, more than 15,000 patients have come forward to file lawsuits

consumers about the possible health risks of their baby powder. • July 2018 — A jury in a Missouri circuit court ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women and their families who claimed that the asbestos on the talcum powder caused them to develop ovarian cancer. • September 2019 — Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $37.3 million to plaintiffs in New Jersey who claimed they developed mesothelioma from asbestos in baby powder. The number of cases against Johnson & Johnson continues to grow as more people realize their lives may have been ruined by the company’s negligence. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after decades of using Johnson’s baby powder, you can seek justice! Call Brauns Law today at 404-418-8244 — we can help you.

WORD SEARCH December

POTATO LATKES

Ingredients • 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed • 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters • 2 large eggs • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp black pepper • Safflower or vegetable oil, for frying

Directions 1. Using either a food processor with a coarse grating disc or the coarse side of a box grater, grate potatoes and onion. (If using a food processor, halve or quarter potatoes.) Once grated, wrap in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth to wring out as much moisture as possible. 2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper. 3. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan containing 1/4-inch of oil over medium- high heat. Use a heaping tablespoon to drop batter into the hot pan, working in batches. Use a spatula or spoon to form them into discs. Fry about 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned. 4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain, and serve alongside applesauce and sour cream.

HOLIDAYS FLURRY FROZEN PENGUIN

WREATH SNOWFLAKE

COOKIES ORNAMENTS REINDEER STOCKINGS

WINTER SLEIGH

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Inspired by The New York Times

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404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

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What Are We Celebrating?

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Batman Goes Retro

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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Is Baby Powder Dangerous?

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Potato Latkes

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Boost Your Mental Health This Season

feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which have a morphine-like effect on your brain. If exercising outdoors is not ideal, consider swimming, walking, or dancing instead. Get Some Sun Exposure to sunlight is also significantly beneficial for people suffering from SAD. Sunlight helps your body produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. Getting just a few minutes of sunlight a day through a walk or short jog can make all the difference. If you live in an area where the winters are bleak, cloudy, and dark, sunlight can be harder to come by. But technology has you covered: You can purchase “sun lamps,” which simulate sunlight without the damaging UV rays. Just set up a sun lamp in your workspace or living area and feel your mood lift. Maintain Your Routine Often, it can be difficult to stick with your daily routine during the cooler months. It may be harder to wake up on time in the morning to work out, or it may be too cold outside to go on your daily run. Luckily, you can find small ways to mitigate this. For example, invest in a sunrise alarm clock, which gently wakes you up with a simulated sunrise, or shop for high-quality thermal workout gear. If you continue to suffer from SAD and feel there’s no end in sight, it’s important to seek help from professionals. They can determine the best treatment options available for you.

Feeling SAD?

Ways to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience every fall and winter. If you find yourself feeling blue as the days become shorter and darker, know there are things you can do to boost your mood until spring returns. Increase Your Activity Keeping your body active can increase your energy levels, help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost your self-esteem. Summit Medical Group states that a person who exercises for 30–60 minutes a day can manage or avoid SAD easier than a person who does not exercise regularly. When you participate in physical activity, your body releases

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