Hare Wynn Newell & Newton - February 2021

Hare Wynn Newell & Newton - February 2021

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton

In Celebration of Black History Month Honoring Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Ralph Cook

February 2021

“At a young age, Cook had a vision to effect change in Alabama, which was the catalyst for his later pursuit in law.”

Tennessee State University in Nashville, then went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University of Law in Washington, D.C. From there, Cook embarked on his journey to become a voice for the wronged. Before he joined the team here at Hare Wynn, Cook served as a judge for 24 years. He was a trial judge as well as a district, circuit court, and family court judge. He’s tried many different cases in all areas of law and has an extensive understanding and knowledge of the law. In 1993, he became an associate justice of the Supreme Court for the State of Alabama and was elected justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 1994, where he served until 2001. From 2001–2013, Cook was Of Counsel for Hare Wynn and, after taking some time to serve as a city attorney for Birmingham, he rejoined our firm.

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Member of the Quarterback Club

Chairman of the board of trustees for the Birmingham Art Museum President of the Magic City Bar Association and The Civic Club Foundation, the organization that owns and provides management for the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham

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Throughout his career, Judge Cook has remained a champion for justice on behalf of individuals and families across Alabama. He states: “There is no greater satisfaction than knowing you have filled the void in someone’s life. You can’t give them back maybe what they’ve lost in terms of their family, but you can try to do the best you can do under the system we have to give them justice.”

February is Black History Month, and in honor of the incredible impact African Americans have had on the legal industry, our team at Hare Wynn is highlighting the life and accomplishments of several constitutional trailblazers, including former Alabama Supreme Court Justice and Hare Wynn attorney, Ralph D. Cook. Judge Cook has been an attorney for nearly 50 years, and in that time, he served seven years as a member of the Alabama Supreme Court. He was only one of two African Americans to ever serve in that role. At a young age, Cook had a vision to effect change in Alabama, which was the catalyst for his later pursuit of law. Born in Birmingham, Cook refers to the time he grew up as “old Alabama.” “The state was not as it is today,” he expressed. “There were things that needed to be changed here. So, I thought by going to law school, I could participate directly in seeing those things change.” Throughout his education, Cook worked towards his goal of eliminating systematic racism from every facet of the judicial system. He received his bachelor’s degree from

The years he spent as a judge and attorney weren’t his only accomplishments. Cook also served as:

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A charter member, charter president, and member of the board of directors of the West Jefferson Kiwanis Club in Bessemer Lieutenant governor, Alabama District of Kiwanis International, 1991–1992 President of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham for 2014-2015 Board member of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Salvation Army, Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, Bessemer Chamber of Commerce, Bessemer YMCA, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, St. Vincent’s Foundation, Alabama Power Company, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Birmingham Business Alliance

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Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Ralph Cook

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Share the Love This Month

4 Ways to Support Your Loved Ones This Valentine’s Day

Every Valentine’s Day, people want to find the best ways to show their partner or even a close friend how much they care. It is easy to get sucked into thinking you have to give them the most expensive or elaborate present you can find, but sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are the simplest. Here are four easy ways to show your loved ones how much you care this February. A Text a Day Knowing someone has your back throughout the year, no matter how difficult things can get, is a great source of support and love. In addition to the usual communication you share with your loved one, add in a supportive text each day, whether it’s simply letting them know you’re thinking of them

or wishing them luck on a presentation or interview. The best part about these texts is that they can be sent year-round.

A Morning Message Board Whiteboards are fun to draw on and make great calendars, but they can also be used to share heartfelt messages with your roommates or spouse. Writing positive messages like, “I hope you have a wonderful day!” or “You matter!” can make all the difference. Waking up to a loving note from someone they care about could mean the world to them and shift their entire mood for the day. A Daily Journal Entry February and March are usually when New Year’s resolutions begin to falter. To encourage yourself and your loved one, consider starting a daily journal. Leave a journal where you both have access to it and write positive messages inside for the other person. This acknowledgment of hard work is exactly what you both need to continue pursuing your goals this year. Random Gifts You don’t have to wait for a birthday, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day to give your loved one a gift. Buying small gifts lets your friend or spouse know you’ve been thinking about them. Whether it’s a treat they enjoy, a book, or even a small gift card, these thoughtful gestures are sure to make them smile.

WORKING TIRELESSLY

For Our Clients and Our Community

Valentine’s Day is all about the heart — a time to think about our loved ones and give them a special gift. Yet, this holiday can be so much more.

provides patients’ families with car seats upon discharge from the hospital.

• Our team also partners with the hospital for a Bike Safety Rodeo . We provide bike helmets to Avondale Elementary and spend the day riding bicycles through a specially designed course to teach key safety principles, how to correctly identify and obey street signage, and how to choose safe routes for cycling. • Local Food Banks: We support our local food banks with office food drives throughout the year. • Alabama Head Injury Foundation: We support many of this organization’s events, such as Beer Bands and BBQ. All proceeds of this event support the Foundation, which helps to improve the quality of life for survivors of traumatic brain injuries and their families. We’ve also partnered with them at a Jefferson County Board of Education summer camp event, where we visited kids, reading and teaching them about the dangers of head trauma.

The well-known saying, “Put your heart into it,” refers to the efforts a person will go through to do something for someone or something they believe in. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to think about what we put our hearts into and support wholeheartedly. At Hare Wynn, we treat our clients as if they’re our family, and we put our full effort behind our work for them. Our team works tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the best resolution to their cases while providing exceptional customer care throughout the entire process. Our efforts go outside of our firm as well. We’re very involved in the community we serve. In past newsletters, we’ve written about individual organizations we’ve helped, including: • Libby’s Friends: Hare Wynn is a proud partner to this nonprofit that supports families who have children with special needs. • Children’s Hospital: Our firm is the primary underwriter and contributor for the hospital’s Children’s Car Seat Program, which

This year, we will continue to pour our hearts into helping communities in which we live and work.

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SUDOKU

Zantac Litigation Update

Solution on Page 4

In September 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the drug ranitidine, also known as Zantac, was to be removed from stores throughout the United States. Zantac, which has been used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers, contains ingredient that form a potentially cancer-causing contaminant called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The Environmental Protection Agency states that NDMA is a potential human carcinogen “based on the induction of tumors in both rodents and nonrodent mammals exposed to NDMA by various routes.” In April 2020, the FDA announced a recall of all Zantac and other ranitidine products from the market, citing “new FDA studies ‘that show a risk to public health.’” Because Zantac/ranitidine can cause certain types of cancer, a number of drug injury lawsuits have been filed across the country. These lawsuits have been filed against the companies that manufactured, distributed, and sold Zantac and generic versions of Zantac containing ranitidine. The plaintiffs allege that these companies knew Zantac/ranitidine formed NDMA, which in turn increased risks of cancer in those who took the drug.

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins

Enjoy this Valentine’s Day-themed muffin with your Valentine or treat yourself!

Ingredients

• 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed • 3/4 cup natural creamy almond butter (can substitute creamy peanut butter) • 2 large eggs • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup oat flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup strawberry fruit spread, divided (we recommend Bonne Maman INTENSE) 5. Evenly divide batter into liners. Add 1 tsp strawberry fruit spread to the top of each muffin. 6. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the spread into the batter. 7. Bake for 22–27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 8. Transfer muffins to wire rack to cool and enjoy!

Zantac/ranitidine has been tied to these types of cancer:

• Bladder cancer • Colorectal/intestinal cancer • Esophageal cancer • Kidney cancer • Liver cancer

• Lung cancer • Pancreatic cancer • Prostate cancer • Stomach cancer

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray. 3. In a large bowl, mix bananas,

Our team is taking action for the individuals who have suffered from the use of this drug. If you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with the one of the types of cancer listed above after the use of Zantac, call us at 855-997-9319 as soon as possible.

almond butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

4. Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth.

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In Honor of Black History Month

A Month of Love and Support

Putting Our Hearts into the Community

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Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins Lawsuits Against the Manufacturers of Zantac Can Mountain Air Actually Improve Your Health?

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The Benefits of Spending Time in the Mountains

may surprise some city dwellers that air pollution is linked to asthma attacks for those with sensitive lungs and also to more serious conditions. Research suggests that prolonged exposure to air pollution may lead to chronic illnesses such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other lung diseases.

Even more interesting, mountain air may passively improve your weight loss journey as well.

Natural Weight Loss One German study followed 20 obese men who lived in an environmental research station below the highest peak in the country. The subjects reached the peak effortlessly by railway or cable car, and they were allowed to eat as much as they liked. By the end of the week, however, each had lost an average of 1.5 kilograms or 3.3 pounds. Two factors are thought to have contributed to the weight loss: A naturally decreased appetite from the altitude (the men ate nearly 700 fewer calories than usual) and an increased metabolic rate. While there is still more to learn about the potential benefits of spending time in the mountains, these three studies give the greenlight for more high-altitude adventures.

Up in the mountains, you’ll likely be able to breathe a little easier.

In the famous Swiss novel “Heidi,” a little girl recovers from her fragile health — both physically and mentally — by spending time in the mountains. There are plenty of anecdotal stories about the medicinal effects of mountain air, but how much is supported by research? Here’s what there is evidence for so far: Cleaner, Pollution-Free Air One basic but important benefit of getting to a higher altitude is the escape from city pollution. It 4 • www.hwnn.com

Reduced Risk of Obesity and Heart Disease People who spend more time at high altitudes may also experience a decreased appetite and lower risk of obesity. One study from 2017 even found that living at a higher elevation is associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that include high blood pressure, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol.