Berlin Law Firm May 2019

Berlin Law Firm May 2019

LEX CANIS THE Lee Berlin Andrea Brown

The Talk Thinking About Your Child’s Future

Well, school’s out for summer, meaning a whole new generation of students will be thinking about their futures. As yesterday’s juniors and sophomores come one step closer to leaving their high school years behind, I’d like to take a moment to address their parents. It’s time to give your kids the talk — about joining the military. After being in the Army, I can say I wouldn’t be where I am today without my time in the service. From the discipline and training I received to the opportunities that were opened to me, it was nothing short of a life- changing experience. Now, looking at today’s military and just how integrated technology has become, there are even more ways young men and women can build their futures. Still, I understand that joining the armed forces isn’t exactly every parent’s first choice for their children; it certainly wasn’t for mine. My mom and dad were flabbergasted when I told them I was enlisting. After all, I was the same son who cried every time they dropped me off at summer camp. How was I ever going to survive boot camp? But at 17, I was old enough to want to mature and become my own man while still being young enough to think I knew best. Parents and family friends, including veterans, tried to talk me out of the decision. “At least do ROTC,” they said. But my mind was made up. During my senior year in high school, I joined the delayed-entry program with the Montana Army National Guard.

and education with their chosen branch of the armed forces while finishing their senior year of high school. They won’t have to ship off to basic training until after they graduate. That’s what I did, shipping out the summer before college. I won’t sugarcoat it; that first summer away from home was one of the toughest of my life, physically and emotionally. But when I arrived on campus that fall, it was clear the experience had changed me for the better. College has plenty of distractions. There are a lot of young adults without their parents around for the first time and with access to booze. Watching some of my fellow classmen really let themselves go, I was grateful for the self-control and sense of real-world consequences I learned in basic. And having taken a split-training option, I could look forward to drill every month with my fellow National Guard members and guaranteed paid training the following summer Split option is an aspect of enlistment not everyone is aware of. The split option let me go to basic training the summer after I graduated from high school. The following summer, I completed my advanced individual training, where I learned my military occupational specialty. Drill kept me fit and took my thoughts out of the sometimes overdramatic mindset of your average college student. That year, instead of gaining the freshman 15, I finished my 1st year of college in great shape.

1 Berlin Law Firm • DefendingTulsa.com So, if your son or daughter is considering this option, my advice is to resist the urge to give a flat “No.” Work with them to find resources and programs that would be a good fit for both civilian and military life. It’s not for everyone, but I’m forever grateful that I answered my calling and served. –Lee Berlin training, I was able to pay my way through college. After graduating, I became an officer and worked my way up to a captain in the field artillery. Not everyone wants that kind of future for their child, and that’s okay. Just know there are many amazing jobs within the military that have nothing to do with combat. Now more than ever, there are jobs within the military that teach real-world skills. Drone pilots, IT specialists, mechanics, cooks, logistics officers — every job is essential to giving the warriors on the front the support they need. In fact, Kyle Killam, one of our former attorneys, was a military police officer in the army, which gave him experiences that directly translated into his new role when he began his journey into criminal law. I didn’t think to be intentional when I chose what I wanted to do in the military; I don’t exactly use artillery in the courtroom. This is partly because I didn’t take the time to fully understand my options. I was a young guy who thought he knew what he wanted, and I was determined to shut out the adults telling me not to commit to this life decision.

Delayed entry is a great fit for some high schoolers. It allows them to do some drills

Between the special tuition rate I received and the money I made during summer

FIGHTING THE GUILT MACHINE Lee’s New Book Is Free! As Oklahoma’s only attorney dedicated to sex crimes and crimes against children, Lee Berlin is the state’s greatest advocate for those facing life-altering accusations. There is no area of the law scarier for the accused — nor more difficult to defend against — than these types of crimes. If you’ve been accused of sex crimes and/or crimes against children, you need to arm yourself with the best information possible. In his FREE book, “ Fighting the Guilt Machine: The Ugly Truth Behind Sex Crime Charges in Oklahoma,” Mr. Berlin explains the difficulties the accused face and how to overcome them. If you are facing the possibility of losing your livelihood, your finances, and your freedom, this book is an invaluable resource. For a FREE copy of “Fighting the Guilt Machine,” visit our website at www.DefendingTulsa.com. You can also request your free copy by calling us at 918-770-0172.

PROM SAFETY

Seeing gorgeous dresses, fancy suits, corsages, and boutonnieres pop up in advertisements can only mean one thing: Prom season is here! This time of year, teens are busy choosing the perfect dress or suit to wear, finding a date, making dinner reservations, and preparing for an evening of fun and dance. During this exciting time, give your teens a little encouragement and guidance to ensure they have a safe and memorable evening. CREATE A PLAN Create a plan for prom night, and make sure everyone knows what it is. Your teen should know and communicate with you what time the dance starts, what time it ends, if they’re going anywhere after, and when they’ll be coming home. PHONES Make sure your teen’s phone is completely charged in case they need to reach out to you sometime during the night. Encourage your teen to check in once every few hours, and establish an emergency code to use if they find themselves in trouble. DRIVING You and your teen should also have a plan about the modes of transportation, who’s driving, and how many people your teen is going with. Trusting the driver is important. If you’re hesitant about letting your child be driven to prom, find another way. If your teen is driving the family car, confirm that they will be the only person driving the vehicle. DRESS SAFETY Make sure your teen is dressed comfortably and appropriately to ensure they have a fun night without any accidents. Encourage them to wear comfortable shoes that they can walk and dance in without pain. High heels are fashionable, but they shouldn’t wear heels so high that they may fall and hurt themselves. Whatever your teen decides to wear should be comfortable and hemmed to the appropriate length based on their height.

By keeping these safety measures in mind, your teen will have a wonderful and safe evening!

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A GREAT RECEPTION

Meet Sofia Puentes!

It’s with great pleasure that we introduce the newest member of the Berlin Law Team, Sofia Puentes! Many readers may already be familiar with this over the phone. As our firm’s new receptionist, Sofia is a master at first impressions, handling all incoming calls and greeting clients who come to meet with our legal professionals in person. new face, or at least they may recognize her voice While this is her first time working in the legal field, Sofia has a wealth of experience manning the front desk for

a variety of industries. “Working for a law firm is interesting,” she reflects. “There’s still so much that is new to me!” Sophia’s tackled the steep learning curve that comes with adapting to a new industry with gusto. Despite only being here a month, she’s already made herself an invaluable part of the team. It’s actually the differences between our firm and Sofia’s past receptionist jobs that she relishes most. “I like getting to be a little more personable,” she tells us, explaining that her past work didn’t afford the level of individual attention we’re able to provide. “It’s nice to actually get to know clients,” Sofia says. When she’s not holding down the fort at the office, Sofia enjoys everything the outdoors has to offer. “In the summer, I love to spend time near the pool or go for hikes. I also play a lot of volleyball,” she explains. Sofia also volunteers her time at animal shelters on weekends and spends time with her family after church every Sunday. We’re lucky to have someone with such a big heart come to join our team!

Still looking for that lost shaker of salt? Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band return to BOK Center on June 4, 2019, for one night only! Enter to win two tickets to Jimmy Buffett’s Son of a Son of a Sailor Tour! Local Parrotheads won’t want to miss their chance to soak in the full Margaritaville experience. Entering is easy! 1. LIKE THE BERLIN LAW FIRM FACEBOOK PAGE. 2. SHARE THE CONTEST AND POST IT TO YOUR PAGE. 3. TAG A FRIEND IN THE COMMENTS. JIMMY BUFFETT GIVEAWAY Be sure to like our Facebook page and watch for the announcement on May 29 at 10 a.m. We will post the winner on our Facebook page, and they will have two hours to respond before we choose again.

Chipotle Black Bean Burgers Ingredients

Inspired by ArisMenu.com

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2 teaspoons cumin

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2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 medium onion, roughly chopped

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1 pinch salt

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1 tablespoon cornstarch

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1 handful fresh cilantro

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3 cloves garlic

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1 teaspoon Sriracha

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2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

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1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats

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1–2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Place half the black beans, onion, and garlic in your food processor. Blend for 20–30 seconds until combined. Add chipotle, cumin, salt, cornstarch, cilantro, and Sriracha. Blend for another 10–20 seconds. 2. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Stir in oats and remaining black beans. 3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Form mixture into patties and carefully transfer to skillet. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until bottom is browned and set. Very carefully flip and cook for an additional 4–6 minutes until opposite side is browned and set as well. 4. Serve immediately or store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.

3 Berlin Law Firm • DefendingTulsa.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

8516 E. 101st Street, Suite A Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

Phone: 918-770-0172 DefendingTulsa.com

Inside This Issue

The Talk Page 1

Prom Safety Tips Fighting the Guilt Machine Page 2 Meet Sofia Puentes! Chipotle Black Bean Burgers Page 3

BLACK GOLD FOR YOUR GARDEN SOIL National Learn About Composting Day!

WHY DO WE COMPOST? Besides giving gardens and lawns significant nutrients, composting also reduces landfills. According to the United States EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away.” Organic material often takes longer to decompose in a landfill due to being wrapped in plastic. The more organic material that is composted, the quicker it can deteriorate. LEARN ABOUT COMPOSTING DAY The best way to recognize this holiday is to learn as much as you can about composting. When you dive in, you’ll discover you can compost materials you never knew you could, including latex balloons and cardboard egg cartons. Once you do your research, you can start your very own compost by dedicating a part of your backyard to disposing of organic matter or by purchasing a compost bin. This article covers the basics of composting, but there’s still plenty more to learn! Head to your local farmers market or botanical garden and talk to the experts about any questions you have — they’ll be sure to give you some great tips.

Most people have heard of composting one way or another. Your mom might have kept a bin in the backyard for overripe Halloween pumpkins, yard clippings, and egg shells. You might even have a coworker who boasts about the giant compost pile they use to fertilize their garden and lawn. Whatever your level of composting knowledge may be, there is always more to learn about this popular and extremely beneficial method for handling organic food waste. Luckily, May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! This day provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself to and begin the conversation about composting if you haven’t already. Below are a few answers to your basic composting questions to get you started. WHAT IS COMPOST? Compost is decomposed organic matter, which is especially good for people who have gardens or aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle. People put coffee grounds; vegetable scraps; paper products, including receipts, paper towels, and tissues; and wood chips, leaves, and other types of waste that are not categorized as processed food, meats, or fish products in their compost bin. Compost can stabilize gardening soil, keep the soil from contracting diseases, and help the ground retain moisture.

4 Berlin Law Firm • 918-770-0172