Brauns Law September 2019

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

HARDWORK > TALENT The Equation for Success

I didn’t start law school until I was 31. After graduating from college, I had a whole career in sales before realizing I wanted to become a lawyer. Going back to school was a challenge for me. I hadn’t taken a test or sat in a classroom for over 10 years! Then suddenly I was surrounded by these 22-year-old kids who went straight from college to law school without missing a beat. It took some time to get back into the swing of things. Law school was a great experience but one I would never want to repeat. For one, it was constant pressure. Your grade in the class is determined by the final at the end of the semester. It was a real pressure cooker. Additionally, most of the law school professors were condescending and patronizing. They talked to me like I was a kid, even though I was often their age or a little older. It drove me crazy! I couldn’t help but think about how if we were in a boardroom in my old career, they would have treated me with more respect. It was so frustrating, but I learned how to put my ego aside and get through it. One teacher who was never condescending was my contract law professor, Corneill Stephens. Professor Stephens is a magistrate court judge in DeKalb County and my favorite teacher in law school. I once saw him use the Socratic method to have a

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

student concede that you don’t need air or water to live. This is obviously wrong, which is what made the way Professor Stephens was able to back this student into a corner so amazing. Professor Stephens was tough; you really had to come to his class prepared, but he garnered a lot of respect. The class voted him best teacher because Professor Stephens knew how to reward hard work. When I went to law school, I paid for it out of my own pocket. I took myself out of the workforce while my wife supported me. It was high stakes, and failing was not an option. For three years, law school was my full-time job. I was in class or studying 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. five days a week. I lived, breathed, and slept law because I had to be the best. All the effort and sacrifice paid off. I graduated in the top 10% of my class.

My advice to anyone thinking about being a lawyer is to do the work. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. In law school, everyone comes in thinking they are super smart and skilled — and they are, or they wouldn’t have gotten into law school. But that talent only takes you so far. Law school shows you that you don’t have to be the best or the smartest; you just need to be the one who works the hardest. This counts for any area of your life. If you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll come out on top. -David Brauns

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A Look at the Power of Plants Can a Vegan Diet Prevent Cancer?

One of the pillars of holistic health is the idea that food is nature’s medicine. But while no one is arguing the fact that fruits and vegetables are good for you, there is plenty of debate about just how good they are. Can the right diet cure a cold? Counteract the flu? Prevent cancer? Many vegans, vegetarians, and other plant- based eaters say yes. The cancer question has been on the minds of an increasing number of researchers in the last 30 years. Because cancer afflicts roughly 38% of the U.S. population, it’s an urgent problem and an ever-fluctuating area of study. However, in the last decade, scientists have reached a tentative consensus on the impact of diet on cancer prevention, and it’s a feather in the cap of holistic health. First, let’s get this straight: Going vegan isn’t a surefire way to prevent cancer, and it certainly can’t cure it. But studies do show that sticking to a plant-based diet — and specifically cutting out meat — lowers your risk of cancer. According to Lindsey Wohlford, a dietitian with the

MD Anderson Cancer Center, this is in part because plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, which boost the immune system. Plant-based foods also a great source of fiber, which lowers cholesterol, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and helps regulate the bowels. As she put it, “Meat just doesn’t do that.” A comprehensive study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that dietary factors are estimated to be responsible for 35% of all cancer cases, and that most studies have found vegetarian diets are “modestly cancer protective,” reducing risk by 10–12%. Studies also link red and processed meats to eight different cancer types and claim the risks meat poses are amplified when it’s fried, grilled, or barbecued. According to the studies, these processes form potentially carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines. The American Institute of Cancer Research recommends a plant-based diet for cancer prevention but doesn’t ask Americans to ditch meat and dairy entirely.

Instead, the website claims that as long as you stick to “moderate to small” amounts of animal-based foods, you can have your meat and decrease your cancer risk too.

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“I hired Brauns Law after a car accident mid-November 2018. From the time I decided to hire Brauns Law to represent me to my case being settled in 7 months, I was beyond satisfied. My attorney, Nick Connelly, and my case manager, Haley, were very prompt and thorough! I was very pleased with the process of how my case handled and my settlement. If you want a professional law office that will answer all your questions or inquiries promptly, treat you with respect, and have your best interest at heart, bank on Brauns! I highly recommend Brauns Law.” –N. Benson

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Dangerous Hours

How to Keep Students Safe on Their Commute

School is back in session, and the roads are even more crowded as students head to class. It’s during these commutes to and from school that children face the most danger. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more school-age pedestrians are killed during the hour before and the hour after school than any other time of the day. Whether your children are walking, riding their bikes, or taking the bus, it’s important for them to be aware of the risks and practice smart safety measures. Kids under the age of 10 shouldn’t be going to school alone. If possible, organize a “walking school bus” with other families in your neighborhood where parents take turns escorting groups of children to school. Regardless of their transportation method, children should learn how to be defensive commuters. While pedestrians have the right of way, drivers aren’t always paying attention. If your child commutes to school, teach them to:

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Follow safe routes — never take a “short cut.” Follow all signs and traffic signals.

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Teen Safety Teenagers ages 15–19 make up only 26% of all school-aged children but account for almost half of all child pedestrian fatalities. This is because teenagers can become too comfortable on their commute and lower their guard. Using phones or wearing headphones limit a teenager’s ability to assess their surroundings and react to danger. Even if your teen has been walking to school alone since elementary school, remind them not to use their devices and to pay attention to what’s going on around them. A tip for drivers: If the road you are driving on is divided by a median, you do not have to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading passengers. This is because when there is a median, school buses should not be picking up or dropping off children who need to cross the street. However, in all other circumstances, once the flashing lights turn red and the stop signs extend from the side of the school bus, drivers in both directions must stop. We all have a responsibility to keep children safe. Teach your children these safety tips and always use caution when behind the wheel of a car.

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Wear a helmet when riding a bike.

Look both ways when crossing the street.

Only cross the road at crosswalks.

Never use your phone while walking or biking. Never wear headphones while commuting. Wear bright clothing so drivers can see you.

WORD SEARCH September

PALEO BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

This easy-to-make, protein-packed casserole is a killer way to start the day, and it’s easy to make in bulk and reheat. Make it on Sunday and enjoy healthy breakfasts throughout the week.

Ingredients • 1/2 cup onion, diced • 1 red pepper, diced • 2 strips bacon, cut into squares • 1 large sweet potato, spiralized or grated

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2 cups spinach

1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth (optional: substitute with water)

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1 tsp paprika

6 eggs

Salt and pepper, to taste

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2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions 1. Heat oven to 375 F.

2. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté onion, peppers, bacon, and sweet potatoes until bacon is completely rendered and onions are translucent. Then, add garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. Finally, add spinach and continue cooking for another 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer to a greased casserole dish. 4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and pour them over casserole. 5. Bake for 20–30 minutes, let stand for 5 minutes, and serve.

AUTUMN APPLE

FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK TOUCHDOWN HOMECOMING

HARVEST CIDER LEAVES SWEATER

SEPTEMBER LABORDAY

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

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The Equation for Success

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Can a Vegan Diet Prevent Cancer?

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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The Most Dangerous Time of Day for Children

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Paleo Breakfast Casserole

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The Vibrant Colors of America’s National Parks

Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, and watch the sun crest over the vibrant leaves. To fully experience fall in the Northeastern U.S., Acadia National Park is a must-see. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina Further south, the autumn colors of the Smoky Mountains are no less breathtaking than those in the Northeast. This park offers many scenic lookout points accessible by car, so don’t worry about hoofing it into the forest if that’s not your thing. Park wherever you like and watch the warm colors of ancient maples, oaks, and cedars change before your eyes. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming While the West might typically be associated with evergreen pines, the deciduous trees of the relatively small Grand Teton National Park pack a colorful punch starting around the third week of September. It’s also breeding season for elk in the area, and their high, eerie whistles can be heard in the evenings. Popular destinations in the park include the Christian Pond Loop and String Lake. Just because the weather is cooling down doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favorite national parks until next summer. The natural beauty of America can be experienced at any time of the year, so start planning your next autumn outdoor excursion!

The Best National Parks to Visit This Fall

Have you ever wanted to experience the colors of a Boston fall while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors? Autumn leaves are a universally appreciated sign of the changing seasons, and there’s no better place to see those vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds on display than in one of America’s national parks. So, if you’ve got some free time this autumn, here are some parks worth seeing. Acadia National Park, Maine While the maple, birch, and poplar trees of Acadia begin to change color in September, mid-October is the best time to witness autumn in full swing. The park is crisscrossed with unpaved trails that date back to a time of horse-drawn carriages, preserving an idyllic setting. If you want to see the colors in full effect, take a drive to the top of

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