Brauns Law August 2018

Brauns Law August 2018

404-418-8244 AUG 2018 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

So, You Want to Be a Lawyer What’s Law School Really Like?

In law school, there are no quizzes or tests throughout the course. Instead, at the end of the semester, you take one final exam on everything you learned in the class. The grade you get on that one test is the grade you get in the whole class, and law students only have one shot to get it right. If that sounds like a lot of pressure, well, that’s the point. Law school is about simulating that pressure-cooker feeling of being a lawyer and preparing students for when they will have their clients’ lives in their hands. Going to law school was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. It was a constant state of stress. In order to pass my classes, I had to change my entire way of studying and taking notes. It was hard at first. I went to law school in my 30s, after years spent in sales. I had to relearn how to study and how to deal with my professors, which wasn’t always easy. Professors in law school teach based on the Socratic method, which is a fancy way of saying they ask you a bunch of questions and try to back you into a corner if you don’t know the right answers. Before each class, you get a reading list of topics, cases, and laws you’ll need to know. You’d better learn that stuff backwards and forwards, because you never know whether you’re going to be called on next in class. And if you don’t know the right answer, brace yourself, because law professors are some of the most condescending people you’ll ever meet.

“Law school is a series of never- ending trials. I’d never worked so hard in my life!”

But stuck-up professors were nothing compared to other students. Law school is cutthroat. When you had to research case law and court appeals, you couldn’t just look up the information online. You needed to go to the library and cross- reference things, old-school. In order to get ahead in class, some students would take a library book they knew someone else needed and hide it! Good luck writing your research paper when the only book that refreshes the case you’re looking into isn’t on the right shelf. Law school is a series of never-ending trials. I’d never worked so hard in my life! Ultimately, I graduated in the top 10 percent of my law school at Georgia State. But that wasn’t the end of it. The bar exam was next. All the years in law school and the late nights in the library led up to this two- day-long test. The bar covers every single area of law. It doesn’t matter if you have already decided to practice personal

injury or workers’ comp law, you still needed to know everything about real estate, criminal law, estate planning, and bankruptcy law, just to name a few. I saw a lot of people break under the pressure in those two days and cry, get physically ill, or just walk out of the room. I’m not going to lie — a few of those options crossed my mind from time to time. But I pushed on, and in the end, my results spoke for themselves. The point is, I am so glad I don’t have to go back to school this fall! And if you have kids who are already complaining about their classes, feel free to tell them what I had to go through. Freshman biology is a dream in comparison. -David Brauns

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3 Ways to Mentally Prepare Your Kids for the School Year

It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early-morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late-night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year. Set an Early Bedtime For many kids, summer schedules are flexible. They may have become accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late without any obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep-wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Outline a Homework Schedule Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study

schedule. Ask the following questions to help them get started: “Do you want to dive right into homework when you get home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity? Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?” Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses. Ask Your Kids How They Feel Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year.

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Testimonial

Undergoing both property damage and personal injury in an accident is challenging, to say the least! Aside from the pain, suffering, and recovery from injury, there is the burden and hardship of insurance claims, vehicle replacement, inability to work, lost wages — you name it! I am personally experiencing this right now. A few weeks ago, a driver cut across several lanes of traffic, totaled my car, and injured me to the point of undergoing surgery. Thankfully, the experts at Brauns Law were there to help put my life back together! Attorney David Brauns took immediate action and assigned a true dream team to manage the process from start to finish. My case manager, Kristia Johnson, is the epitome of proactiveness and efficiency! Her diligence in my case has made this process amazingly stress-free! She keeps me abreast of every nuance and

leaves no stone unturned! Although I know better, she makes me feel as though I am the only client she has!

Attorney Daniece Dyett is the other half of my dream team! Her expert guidance and counsel have been the lifeblood of my recovery! Although a consummate professional, Ms. Dyett has demonstrated an unparalleled concern for my physical recovery. She personally monitors my appointments and procedures and ensures that I am receiving the best possible medical care! Although my case is not yet quite settled, I could not be more pleased with the results this firm has provided! I sincerely hope that no one reading this review has to undergo what I have, but if you do, please — do yourself a favor and call Brauns Law! –Bob B.

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DANGER ON THE FIELD For a lot of kids, back-to-school doesn’t just mean back to class — it means back to the court or field. Each year, 7.8 million middle and high school students enroll in school-sanctioned sports. While sports are fun experiences, offering exercise, growth, and personal development, school sports are also the main cause of concussions in teenagers. The Brain Trauma Foundation estimates 3.8 million athletes suffer from concussions every year, and most go untreated. Here’s what parents need to do to help protect their kids from concussions. like a bloody nose or broken arm, some athletes worry that raising concerns about a concussion will make them look “weak” or mean they are “letting down” their teammates. Let your athlete know this is not the case. Impress upon them how serious concussions really are and assure them that they won’t lose their position on the team or jeopardize their future sports career if they report a concussion. And make sure your athlete’s coach is sending the same message. How Parents Can Protect Their Athlete From a Life-Changing Concussion

WORD SEARCH August Being active always comes with the risk of getting a few bumps or bruises, but coaches, parents, and athletes should take necessary precautions against traumatic brain injuries that can impact kids for the rest of their lives. Talk to Your Child’s Coach It is important for parents to make sure the coaches being trusted to look after young athletes know how to handle a concussion. Parents are allowed to raise questions in regard to their child’s well-being, and if a coach gets defensive when asked about concussions, they might not be the right fit to handle your child’s athletic needs. Children’s National has a list of questions every parent should ask their kid’s coaches at RiseAndShine.childrensnational.org/concussion- prevention-10-questions-ask-youth-sports-coaches.

Use Properly Fitted Equipment In high-contact sports, like football, lacrosse, and rugby, properly fitted helmets, shoulder pads, and mouth guards can do a lot to prevent concussions. That’s right, mouth guards don’t just protect an athlete’s teeth. A good mouth guard stabilizes the jaw and helps prevent or lessen the severity of a concussion. This is why athletes in lower-contact sports, like basketball and soccer, should also wear mouth guards. Equipment doesn’t prevent all concussions, but it goes a long way toward protecting athletes. Enforce Concussion Reporting One reason so many concussions go untreated is because athletes don’t report when they are hurt. Since concussions are not visible

SUMMER GRILLED HALIBUT

If you’re tired of grilling hamburgers at this point in the summer, try using your grill for something a little different. This easy halibut recipe is a great change of pace.

Ingredients • 4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling • 1 lemon

• 2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced • 1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained • Basil leaves, for garnish • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.

PAR BIRDIE DRIVER GREEN

STROKE HOLEINONE PGA CADDIE

SWING PUTTER GOLFCART DRIVINGRANGE

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

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I’ll Never Go Back to Law School

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How to Prepare Your Kids for School

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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Raising an Athlete? What Parents Need to Know About Concussions

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Summer Grilled Halibut

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Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

Book a Caribbean Cruise

Safe Sai l ing This Hurricane Season

After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. Safety and Savings Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated

weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather.

Flexibility Is a Must The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!

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