Hare Wynn Newell & Newton - April 2021

Hare Wynn Newell & Newton - April 2021

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton

April 2021

Scaling the Mountain

Why Preparing for a Case Is Just as Strenuous as Mountain Climbing

When climbing day came, the wind was relentless. There were 60 mph wind gusts, and we had to scream in each other’s ears just to hear one another. While up there, you only had yourself and your thoughts, all alone on that mountain despite the two dozen other people trying to climb it, too. About halfway up the summit, the guides went around asking everyone if they wanted to keep going or turn back. I never considered anything other than reaching the top. I knew that once I started contemplating anything but seeing this goal to its fruition, then everything would crumble. Slowly, everyone else started to peel back down the mountain. I realized I was 1 of 3 people who had agreed to keep going in the incessant wind. And I made it. I was so exhausted once we reached the bottom again. In fact, I had the best sleep of my life the next day. But all of the preparation and determination I had put into training for that very moment wasn’t wasted. I had done what I set out to do just four months prior. I use that same determination every day. I’ve been an attorney for nearly 20 years, and in that time, I’ve learned that preparation is one of the most valuable components of the work I do. Whether it’s $200,000 or $2 million that’s at stake, it’s vital that I comb through every file, every report, and every detail in my client’s story to ensure that nothing is missed. This all starts about 60–90 days out from the trial. I soak up everything about the case, whittling down the information to the most important details as time goes on. I may spend

an afternoon working on one file, only to wind up not needing it in the actual trial, but there’s still tremendous value in having that information. It’s a creative process, which often includes examining the information thoroughly and discerning its value among the other pieces of information I have. Part of this preparation includes helping clients, too. I want to know the full truth of what a client or their loved one experienced — not just the story they have memorized and told others. I want to know who they saw, what they smelled, and what happened minute by minute. We’re not going to re-traumatize the client, but we need to know the full truth of what happened in that moment. It’s scary for clients at first. My job is to make sure they feel safe, heard, and validated. It can be cathartic, and they will feel much more prepared for the trial. I do this for every case. I believe every case I work on is important; I don’t refer to cases as big cases or small cases. Any case that I’m going to try for a client is big. In the context of their lives, this could be one of the biggest things to ever happen to them — regardless of the dollar amount attached to it. Every case is its own version of Mount Rainier. Sometimes the wind gusts are 60 mph, and some people may quit on it. But I never will. I’ll continue to prepare and strategize to provide you with the best possible support you need in this moment. I’ll get you to that summit.

Several years ago, I decided to climb Mount Rainier. I was fresh out of a 30-day stint in the hospital for major surgery, and I was at my lowest point, physically. I don’t know if it was to prove something to myself or as a way to build back my muscles, but I decided I would summit Mount Rainier in just four months.

I had a lot of work to do.

I began with running to build up my stamina, and it was difficult. Running was completely foreign to me, but I knew that climbing a mountain would prove to be even more difficult if I couldn’t build my endurance this way. I ended up running a few half-marathons before that fateful climbing day in September. That’s nothing compared to the intense training runners for the Boston Marathon, which occurs each April, have to do. I never wanted to run a marathon, nor have I run much since, but I was still proud of what I had accomplished.

- Jamie Moncus, Trial Lawyer

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IN HONOR OF LIBRARIES AND MENTAL HEALTH

Top 3 Books You’ll Want to Check Out

Regardless of where you or a loved one are in your mental health journey, books can provide new insights through someone else’s experiences or the medical field’s scientific understanding of mental health. So, in honor of National Library Week (April 4–10) and National Librarian Day (April 16), let’s open up a few contemporary, definitive works on mental health to celebrate books and their availability through our public libraries.

mindfulness, and more. You can also use this workbook in tandem with clinical cognitive behavioral therapy or post-therapy.

‘This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression’ by Dr. Diane McIntosh Are you completely lost on what depression is exactly? Is it a clinical or emotional issue, or both? Whether for a loved one’s sake or your own, this book can give you a thorough understanding of

‘Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression — and the Unexpected Solutions’ by Johann Hari

This is one of the most recent mental health books that shocked the world. Featuring interviews with experts across the world, Hari’s book explores his personal quest to understand depression and concrete reasons we experience it. He’s found that certain lost connections with ourselves are often the reason we feel depressed — and, luckily, solutions exist. Even Elton John loves the book, saying, “If you have ever been down, or felt lost, this amazing book will change your life. Do yourself a favour — read it now.” ‘Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry’ by Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D. Too anxious to go into therapy? Thankfully, you can practice cognitive behavioral therapy on yourself in a few ways. Start your healing process today with this easy-to-understand yet medically sophisticated workbook, which contains 10 soothing strategies like setting goals, maintaining

depression that a Google search simply can’t offer. You’ll love Dr. Diane McIntosh’s evidence-based approach to showing the causes, impact, and treatment of depression.

Even if your local library is still closed due to the pandemic, we hope you check one of these — or any book — out! And if you have a great book recommendation, we’d love to hear it. Have a wonderful, book-filled April, friends.

HARE WYNN’S TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS TODAY!

We understand how difficult this past school year has been for educators everywhere. Teachers are going above and beyond to provide a safe and engaging learning environment for their students in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Between virtual and in-person classes, it’s been no easy task! To honor the efforts of these diligent men and women, Hare Wynn is launching our inaugural Teacher of the Year award to recognize outstanding educators. We will be giving away a $250 Visa gift card to a K–12 teacher in the state of Alabama.

has gone above and beyond this year. You can submit entries on our website, at HWNN.com/hwnn-heroes. Once there, you will find the “Nominate Your Teacher” button, which will take you to a questionnaire with specific details where you can explain why you believe your nominee is worthy of the award. A selected panel of attorneys here at Hare Wynn will be reviewing the submissions to select the teacher of the year. If you know an excellent teacher you believe deserves to be recognized, we’d encourage you to nominate them! Make sure to submit your nominations soon — the deadline to submit is April 30, 2021.

Our Teacher of the Year award gives you an opportunity to nominate an educator you know who

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SUDOKU

And How You Can Avoid It The Devastation of Distracted Driving In 2014, as individuals in Hong Kong gathered at the MCL Cinema, they had no idea of the ad campaign they were about to face. With popcorn and drinks, they settled into their seats and the commercial began. From a first person’s perspective, they watched as a driver started their car and drove down the length of an empty road. Suddenly, buzzes and alerts rang through the room and each moviegoer reached for their phones to check the new message. In the seconds they took their eyes off the screen, a loud crash reverberated around the theater, making them jump and look back up to the screen. The car had suddenly swerved off the road and crashed into a tree, showing a broken windshield. Seconds later, words appeared: “Mobile use is now the leading cause of death behind the wheel. A reminder to keep your eyes on the road.” Through the use of this commercial, and a location-based broadcaster, it showed how devastating it is to look away from the road, even for a second. Campaigns such as these impress upon all drivers that they need to be aware of distracted driving and to take precautions to avoid it. April is dedicated to this cause as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. To take part in this event, and to spread that awareness, here are a few helpful reminders of how we can avoid distracted driving. Keep Your Phones Off While driving, keep your phones silenced or turned off. It might even help to keep your phone out of reach, such as in the back seat; this will remove any temptation. If you need to answer the phone, pull over in a safe area and park before picking it up. Situate Yourself Before you even pull out onto the road, minimize distractions by taking precautions. Make sure the radio is on the correct station, the GPS is set and running, your mirrors are in the right position, and that your children are comfortable. Talk to Your Kids Laying down a few car rules for your kids can help minimize distractions. Be sure to remind them about the importance of people staying focused while they are driving. So they don’t become a distraction as well, you can even work together to find a few activities to help keep them quietly entertained while in the car. Stay Focused Keep your eyes on the road at all times and stay alert to the drivers around you. Often, the best way to avoid an accident is by spotting trouble before it happens. If a driver were to slam on their brakes, you will be prepared to react.

Solution on Page 4

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

Celebrate spring with this easy, tasty, herb-packed pasta bake.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces

• 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

• 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

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SOLUTION

Inside

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The Creative Process of Preparing for Each Case

Top 3 Mental Health Books to Check Out Hare Wynn’s Teacher of the Year Award

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The Devastation of Distracted Driving

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

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4 Celebrities Who Were Student-Athletes

From College Sports to Superstardom

4 Celebrities Who Were Student-Athletes

Actress Emma Watson When Watson enrolled at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, she joined the field hockey team. She loved the sport as a child, and as an adult, her passion for field hockey continues to motivate her. She occasionally travels to elementary schools for a few friendly games in hopes of encouraging young players. Watson has also worked with Hockey Futures, an organization that promotes the sport to British youth. Actor Steve Carell Much like his character Michael Scott in “The Office” once said, Carell too has “been pretty much skating my whole life.” Carell is a fantastic ice skater and has played hockey since he was a child. He was a goalie for Denison University, a Division III school in Granville, Ohio. Today, Carell still plays in a Los Angeles recreational league whenever he has the opportunity.

TV Broadcaster Robin Roberts Roberts began her career in broadcasting as a sports director at Southeastern Louisiana University’s radio station. She also played on the school’s basketball team, the Lady Lions, between 1979 and 1983. During her career on the court, Roberts scored 1,446 points and had 1,034 rebounds, which earned her a place in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and on the NCAA’s list of most influential student-athletes.

April 6 is National Student-Athlete Day! Many students play sports in addition to their studies in high school and college, and many famous people also spent much of their youth playing sports while going to school. Here are four stars who were also college athletes: Singer Garth Brooks From a young age, Brooks loved sports and hoped that his athletic abilities would make him famous. He earned a track scholarship to Oklahoma State University as a javelin thrower and spent most of the 1980s perfecting his technique. In 1999, he played left field for the San Diego Padres, and he continued to play baseball in the early 2000’s, signing with the New York Mets and Kansas Royals. Today, the famous country singer provides children with health and education assistance as well as recreational and sporting opportunities through his foundation, Teammates for Kids. 4 • www.hwnn.com