Johnson Law Group - May 2021

Johnson Law Group - May 2021

JohnsonLGroup.com

720.452.2540

MAY 2021

THANK YOU, MOM! HOWMY MOM’S EXAMPLE HAS HELPED ME

When I think of the positive impact my mom had on me when I was young, I start with how she led by example. Both my mom and dad were entrepreneurs and business owners. My mom owned a hair salon in Smyrna, Georgia, and my dad most recently owned a Point of Sales company in Denver. Since I was a child, I watched my mom build up her vision of Hair 4 Daze from a mere concept into a well-regarded anchor in the community. When I was in elementary school, my mom moved me and my sister from Chicago to Smyrna so she could pursue her dream of owning her own salon. I still

it at the time, I was gleaning the skills necessary to be a successful business owner. One thing that has stuck with me from that period is that you cannot be a business owner with a 9-to-5 mindset. You must always be thinking ahead and planning your next steps. That all said, Hair 4 Daze was more than just where my mom worked and where I helped her. It was intrinsically tied to how she fostered my spiritual upbringing. Growing up, my family and I would often pray together and study the Bible. Friends would also meet us at the shop for Bible studies led by my mom, who

remember the day we put the sign up on the retail space she had first rented, and — of course — the late nights when she and I would place flyers on every car windshield we could find. Looking back, my mom’s work ethic and intelligence helped inspire me to become a business owner myself.

motivated me to focus on being the best I could be. Experiences like that propelled me forward by helping me believe in myself and also helping me understand the benefits of working hard. My mom’s support continued through high school, college, and law school, and she continues to encourage me to this day. When I consider what has brought me to where I am today, it is clear that any success I have had is inseparable frommy mom’s courage and sacrifices for our future. Mom, thank you for everything you have done for me. I love you so much! In closing, I want to honor all of the mothers who are reading this. Their love, wisdom, and support are worthy of praise every single day. Happy Mother’s Day from Johnson Law Group!

was always there to guide me through the Scriptures.

“Looking back, my mom’s work ethic and intelligence helped inspire me to become a business owner myself.”

Even away from the hair salon, my mom— without even trying — always encouraged me on my path in life. Just like being a business owner, my mom understood that motherhood does not involve taking off your name tag at a certain time. It is an everlasting

Over the years, I spent a lot of time at Hair 4 Daze. My mom would have me do odd jobs, like answering phone calls or sweeping up. I enjoyed watching her work and building connections with her clients, and it always brightened my day when (as a thank-you) she gave me a few dollars to buy some snacks at the nearby gas station. Though I didn’t realize

commitment to the nurturing of your children into adulthood. I will never forget one day in first grade when I brought a report card home from school. I enjoyed school, and that was enough for me, but when my mom saw my report card, she praised me up and down for being on the honor roll. She made me feel smart and, in turn,

–Myles Johnson

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720.452.2540

GET FIT WITH YOUR FAMILY 5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving M ay is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

NAVIGATING THROUGH THE TOUGHE How Alex Rod Uplifts Her Cl

There aren’t as many differences as you might think between being a criminal defense attorney and being a family attorney — that’s been the experience of our associate attorney, Alexandra Archilla Rodriguez. Before joining Johnson Law Group, Alex worked as a public defender and then as a private criminal defense attorney. “Family law and criminal defense clients are both going through difficult times in their lives,” Alex explains. “I’m there to provide guidance and help them feel secure throughout the process.” Even though she didn’t originally plan on going into family law, Alex always knew she wanted to be a lawyer — specifically a public defender. However, after doing that for a year and a half, she decided to take her career in a different direction, eventually finding her way to Johnson Law Group. Day to day, most of what Alex does amounts to client management — a crucial responsibility that has both challenging and rewarding aspects. Managing client expectations for their case, especially when they’re going through one of the toughest times of their lives, is rarely easy. Every client has

5 COVID-SAFE CHILD'S Don’t Miss Teach

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

When parents first came up with the idea of sending their children to school with an apple as a teacher’s gift, they weren’t counting on a pandemic. In many places, schools are still

operating online or using a mix of virtual and in-person learning, and even kids attending in person don’t want to get within 6 feet of their teacher to hand over fruit! So, what are

your options for Teacher Appreciation Month? There are more than you might think. If you have the resources, consider gifting one of these pandemic-friendly items that teachers will love. 1. Virtual Gift Card: These days, you can easily send gift cards by email, and your options include everything from Amazon to DoorDash. Does your child’s teacher have a coffee addiction or a passion for dinosaurs? You can find the perfect gift card with a Google search. 2. Thank-You Yard Signs: If you live in a small town or have access to your child’s teacher’s address, consider “gratitude bombing” their front yard with signs! You can use a professional sign company like Sign Gypsies or make your own.

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THE GOOD NEWS!

EST TIME IN OUR LIVES driguez lients

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." –Philippians 4:7

an idea of how they want their cases to progress and resolve, and Alex tempers this with wisdom and realistic expectations.

Looking back on her clients’ experiences with the judicial system over the years, Alex shares that when she successfully closes cases with positive outcomes that people are happy with, it’s worth any challenge endured along the way. In addition to her responsibilities to help her clients, Alex truly cares about them on a personal level. “Yes, I’ll work hard on your case and I’m a litigator at heart, so going to court is what I live for,” says Alex, “but I enjoy this job because I get to form those personal connections with my clients while the case is going along.”

Come join while raising money for a great cause! Connect with people from a variety of industries and compete to win prizes! This is an event you don't want to miss! Sign up with the link below NOW to reserve your spot: Save the Date! First Annual Johnson Law Group Charity Golf Tournament! May 28, 2021 Buffalo Run Golf Course Commerce City

Outside of the office, Alex spends ample time with her two cats, Constantino (Tino for short) and Maximiliano (Max for short). Before COVID-19, Alex also enjoyed going out to eat and spending time doing her favorite hobby, salsa dancing. She looks forward to getting back out on the dance floor once the pandemic is over! E GIFTS FOR YOUR S TEACHER her Appreciation Month! 3. Quarantine Kit: Teachers working in person put themselves at risk every day, and a quarantine kit is the perfect gift in case the worst happens. You can include helpful items like hand sanitizer or personalized masks along with goodies like adult coloring books, novels, and more. Simply email the teacher to find out how to get your gift to them. 4. Sanitizer and Other Learning Tools for the Classroom: Many school districts are underfunded, and the money for sanitary supplies, pencils, markers, glue sticks, and more comes out of the teacher’s pocket. Buying items like this for when they’re back at school will really brighten their day. 5. A Note From You and Your Child: According to a teacher survey done by The Strategist, handwritten notes are one of the best gifts a teacher can receive. To really make an impact, sit down with your child and write a note from both of you, thanking the teacher for their hard work. Then, send it via snail mail or scan it and email it their way!

Eventbrite.com/e/jlg-charity-golf-tournament-tickets-140025135951

Registration starts: 12:30 P.M. Shotgun starts: 1:30 P.M. Food, drinks, prizes & silent auction!

All proceeds will go to benefit Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking . LCHT is a local Denver nonprofit organization whose mission is to "inform social change that eliminates human exploitation."

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720.452.2540

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

13599 East 104th Avenue, Suite 300 Commerce City, CO 80022

JohnsonLGroup.com 720.452.2540

INSIDE

Celebrating My Mom for Mother’s Day

5Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness

Spotlight: Alexandra Archilla Rodriguez

5 COVID-Safe Gifts for Your Child's Teacher

The Good News!

Save the Date!

This Month’s Local Events

TRIVIA, FESTIVALS, AND PARADES

Local May Events You Shouldn’t Miss

and competing, then this weekly trivia match is right in your wheelhouse. You and up to five other players can pit the sum of your knowledge of random facts against other teams, making for an epic battle for fame, glory, and gift cards. Let the best team win! Colorado Music & Arts Festival When: May 29–30, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Westminster City Park at 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, Colorado 80020 Admissions: $12 per ticket, kids 12 and under get in free Website: ColoradoArtsFestival.com Presented by Bud Light, Colorado Proud, and Outlaw Nation, this festival has something for everyone. You’ll be able to catch big concerts, view fine art displays, marvel at classic cars and motorcycles, and grab a bite to eat at the Taste of Denver Food Garden. This one’s fun for the whole

family, and the beautiful outdoor area will make it easy to socially distance and stay safe!

It’s been difficult to determine exactly if, when, and how COVID will play out this month. Still, as more people are becoming vaccinated, many local events are scheduled to happen during the month of May. We hope that as the weather continues to warm up, more and more opportunities like these will give you and your family some fun ideas for spending time in the community! Geeks Who Drink When: Every Tuesday, 7–9 p.m. Where: Gilded Goat Brewing at 3500 S. College Ave. #194, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 Admissions: Free Website: GildedGoatBrewing.com

Commerce City Memorial Day Parade When: May 31 Where: Begins at E. 64th Ave. and Newport St.; Ends at 60th Ave. and Colorado Blvd. Admissions: Free Website: C3Gov.com/living-in/community- events/memorial-day-parade Few daytime events complement a Memorial Day barbecue better than a parade. While the Commerce City website notes that the final plans for the Memorial Day Parade are still in the works with regard to COVID-19 restrictions, updates should be posted once the event gets closer. Come join a celebration in honor of those who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country.

If you’re in the Fort Collins area and you’re looking for a place to do some thinking, drinking,

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JohnsonLGroup.com

720.452.2540