Littlejohn Law - February 2022

Littlejohn Law - February 2022

Build It, Protect It, Preserve It.

r s t o

10

740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com

February 2022

THE 4 MAJOR LIFE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED OVER THE PAST 36 YEARS

Over the past 36 years of my life, I have learned many valuable lessons. While 36 years may seem like a long time, it’s truly a short time in the grand scheme of things. These lessons have helped shape me into the person I am today while allowing me to continue to grow. I wanted to share some of these important lessons with you because just about anyone can benefit from applying them to their life.

searched for it internally. You have to take care of yourself and do things for yourself, not expect others to bring genuine happiness into your life. When you see people brooding in their own unhappiness, it’s likely they haven’t found happiness from within themselves. If you’re having this problem, spend some time trying to do things you enjoy or make you happy. It can change your entire outlook on life.

The very first lesson stems from a quote from Dan Kennedy: “What you get out of life depends on what you put into it. The world owes you nothing.” You may think that your upbringing or your dedication to work entitles you to receive something from the world, but that’s incorrect. Instead, when we make an effort to learn new skills or achieve goals, we are creating a stronger security net to support us just in case things do go wrong. I remember this lesson every day. The only true security I have is to provide legal services. I am a lawyer who can fight battles for those who can’t fight for themselves.

The last lesson I learned comes from my business coach, Ben Glass: “What you are today is a product of the decisions made in your past. Where you are in the future is based on decisions you make today.” This ideology has always motivated and challenged me to make better decisions. Whenever I’m having a bad day or things look negative, I’ll look back on this quote. It helps me realize that the negative experience is a product of decisions I made in the past. If I want a different outcome, I have to make better decisions.

These lessons have helped shape me into the person I am today while allowing me to continue to grow.

I reflect on these four lessons almost on a daily basis. They help guide me down

Another lesson is that routines are critical for success. Many people think that motivation is the key to success, but routines consistently outlive motivation. Personally, my morning and nighttime routines are critical to my daily success. Whether I’m motivated or not, I can stay consistent on the routine and achieve the results I desire. If you establish a routine and stick with it, your goals will fall in line.

the right path and influence many of the decisions I make. I implore you to bring some of these lessons into your own life and see the difference they can make. They can help influence many aspects of your life in a positive way.

–Ed Littlejohn

The third lesson is that happiness is an inside job. I spent a lot of years trying to find happiness from outside sources, but I never

1

740-314-4829

10 People to Thank FAVORITE CLIENTS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS

PART 2

This is part two of a three-part series. Check out last month’s newsletter for part one!

I can’t believe it has been 10 years since I started the law firm, and in that time, I’ve met and worked with so many wonderful clients. I’ve had some time to reflect on some of those highlights, and I thought I’d share them over multiple newsletters. Here is the continuation from last month’s list starting with No. 4. 4. Personal Injury There have been countless personal injury cases where our clients came to us because they had nowhere else to turn. I enjoy helping people in their time of need, but these two cases stand out to me the most. a. The first was one where the rear wheel fell off the back of a minivan. I represented the family inside. No one was seriously injured, but they did have to seek medical treatment. The best part about this case is despite the fact that the family took the minivan in for “tire rotation and alignment,” which was completed improperly, the company refused to accept liability. They refused to accept responsibility for their action until we sued them and spent several months litigating the case. b. The second was when my client was injured in a motorcycle accident. His mom called and spoke to me, and she was very hesitant to hire my team and me because the insurance adjusters and others had told her the liability limits were low. For me, this case was a challenge because it was an opportunity to fight against the insurance company. They really do live by the “delay, deny, defend” motto. This case is where I saw it firsthand. The insurance company delayed reviewing the policy. Then after months of waiting, they denied coverage. And even though coverage was available based on a plain reading of the policy, they defended the lawsuit. 5. Multimillion-Dollar Real Estate Transaction I represented a client in a multimillion-dollar sale of real estate to an oil and gas company. This case was very challenging, as I had to negotiate with the oil and gas company’s legal team and at the time, I was flying solo. Ultimately, I was able to negotiate and secure a seven-figure payout to my client.

Valentine’s Day can be tough for anyone, especially someone who has gone through a divorce, lost their spouse, or decided not to get married later in life. But love can still be in the air. Let’s get you started down the right path by clarifying two very common misconceptions! Older singles are not closed-minded. Contrary to popular belief, a survey from OurTime states that 63% of middle-aged individuals are more confident now than they were in their 20s. Also, 25% of participants said they have a better outlook on life. You may very well be more optimistic about life as you grow older, mature, and gain life experiences. Commitment is a possibility. Casual dating may be popular, but many older individuals are still open to the idea of marriage. The OurTime survey shows that almost half of the participants want to get married. It may take them longer to commit, but that’s because they want true and meaningful connections. It’s Not Impossible Finding Love in Your Golden Years

That being said, here are two tips to help you in your search for love.

Love yourself first. During your golden years, you’ve defined who you are. By learning more about yourself, you begin to love your individuality. Plus, you’re experienced now, and you’ll have a good idea of what you want in a partner. It is never too late to join online dating sites. Online dating isn’t just a trend for youngsters, and there are plenty of dating sites for people over 50. These sites can help you meet new people wherever and whenever you want. Some of the most popular sites are SilverSingles, OurTime, Match, and eharmony. These sources are user-friendly, personality-tested, and identity-verified. Finding love in your golden years can be a challenge, but anything is possible. Enjoy the time you have and where you are in life. Whether you remain single, casually date, or decide to marry, your happiness, joy, and contentment are all that matter.

For more memories from prior clients and cases, make sure you check out next month’s newsletter!

2

LittlejohnLawLLC.com

WE’RE HERE TO HELP WITH YOUR REAL ESTATE LAW NEEDS

At Littlejohn Law, we pride ourselves on giving the best possible representation and service to our clients. We cover all sorts of different legal needs, but one that you may not know about is that we’re qualified to assist you with real estate law as well. Whether you’re buying an office building, leasing retail space, building a warehouse, or battling a zoning problem in court, you need a legal representative who understands the issues and knows how to protect your interests. I’m both a lawyer and a business owner, so I know how important it is to have property and real estate matters handled by a legal professional. When you hand your real estate issues off to an experienced professional, you’ll have more time to grow your business and manage your employees. You’ll also be able to avoid mistakes, bad deals, and scams

while we ensure that every contract, lease, court case, and negotiation goes your way. To put it simply, we will help you save time and money while protecting your interests. If your business uses office, retail, storage, warehouse, or factory space, real estate is an important part of running your business successfully because a real estate issue could put you out of business. At Littlejohn Law, our commercial real estate legal team is available to help you with contracts and agreements, zoning problems, litigation, title problems, and much more. We respect the knowledge and expertise that business owners have about their industries, and we are committed to ensuring their success in real estate negotiations, contracts, and litigation. If your business deals with real estate in any capacity, give our office a call and find out what we can do for you.

WHAT’S NEW WITH ME AND MY OWN?

Local Business Profile Ed McCauslen’s Florist Ed McCauslen’s Florist Inc. is locally owned and operated by the McCauslen family. Since 1875, Ed McCauslen’s Florist has kept not only the name but also the legacy of hard work and full-time commitment to their customers. In the beginning, Ed and his brother Bus McCauslen took the business from their mother Martha Huscroft (Huscroft Florist) and renamed the business to Ed & Bus McCauslen Florist. Since 1959, they have been the greater Wintersville area’s go-to for flower arrangements and gifts for special occasions, or simply “just because.” Stop by 41 Pioneer Drive in Steubenville and check out their large variety of premade arrangements so you can get an idea for what you want, or call (740) 282-4525 to begin the design process for your next special occasion! Visit: McCauslenFlorist.com.

SEARCHING FOR ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS We are currently looking for a Client Care Specialist, Paralegal, and Associate Attorney. We’re looking to build our bench strength. Every great team has bench strength. We firmly believe in hiring people who are good fits, so if you know someone who believes in the values of: • Doing what they say they’ll do • The Kaizen Principle • Doing the right thing and “putting the fire out now” • Fanatical attention to consistency and detail • Understanding that communication is mission critical • Commitment to the Littlejohn Law Purpose Then give us a call 740-346-2899 x 3016.

3

740-314-4829

352 Frank Layman Blvd. • Wintersville, OH 43953 740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

1

What I’ve Learned as I Grow Older

2

Part 2 of Our Favorite Clients

Dating Sites Aren’t Just for Youngsters

3

Do You Need Help With Real Estate Laws?

What’s New With Me and My Own

Check Out Ed McCauslen’s Florist

4

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Celebrate Chinese New Year! HONOR THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

Happy Chinese New Year! Often referred to as Lunar New Year, due to the holiday’s connection to the moon cycle, Chinese New Year is a 16-day holiday steeped in tradition. Don’t let it pass without marking the momentous occasion that’s celebrated across the globe.

intended to induce good luck in the new year. Learn the art of calligraphy as you master Chinese

symbols to create your own piece of good luck in the year of the tiger!

To commemorate the Year of the Tiger, try these fun and easy activities.

Read about legends. After centuries of celebrations, there are bound to be a few legends worth learning about! Why not make it into a bedtime story or an anecdote for your next family gathering? For example, you could “wow” your children with the story of Nian, a monster who would attack at the start of every new year but was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. To ward off Nian each year, people would dress in red and shoot fireworks, celebrating a new year and keeping Nian safely at bay. Pair this story with a red meal to really sell the impact! Learn calligraphy. This is the perfect activity for little crafters! Calligraphy is a major component of Chinese New Year decor. Those who celebrate often hang hand-painted, square red banners that feature certain words

Enjoy a tasty meal. This has to be the best option, right? Create a feast to ring in the new year. Everyone will love the classics, like dumplings, noodles, or spring rolls, but don’t be afraid to try something new. Fish and chicken are common on Chinese New Year festivities, and many families will cook these items whole. Doing so is considered a strong sign for the family, and fish is meant to symbolize wealth, while chicken represents togetherness. In addition to this, nian gao is a sweet rice dish that can be the perfect way to end your meal.

If this is your first Chinese New Year celebration, ChineseNewYear.net has all the basics covered for you.

4

LittlejohnLawLLC.com

Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com