Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - July 2021

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - July 2021

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton

Good Lawyers Have to Be Good Listeners

July 2021

Why This Skill Matters for Your Case

It’s not always easy to get into the mindset of our clients. We haven’t stood in their exact shoes, nor could we ever fully understand the emotional and physical toll this event has taken on them. Yet, it’s imperative that we drop the legalese in these moments and offer our support and a shoulder to lean on as fellow humans. Developing a sense of empathy requires a critical understanding of proper listening skills.

That’s extremely valuable for our clients. If we don’t actually know what the problem is, we cannot guide our clients to a viable, helpful solution.

However, good listening and lawyering skills must be used with other people as well. We work with judges, clerks, paralegals, assistants, witnesses, families, and other attorneys, disseminating information on a daily basis. We have to be able to effectively listen to the details that are relayed to us by these professionals, so we can properly respond. Furthermore, these listening skills strengthen our relationships with these professionals. We may not always agree, but there is a tremendous value to having a positive, healthy working relationship with other legal professionals and experts. Some attorneys are naturally good listeners, while others have to work hard to develop this trait. Yet, there are ways in which all of us can continue to improve. The increased presence of social media and digital technology makes distractions and impersonal communication easier than ever. We cannot let these forces diminish the power of in-person communication, positive body language, and thoughtful responses. As attorneys who help clients through some of life’s biggest challenges and traumas, we rely on good listening skills and empathetic connections. We want our clients to feel that they can trust us. Our goal is to make sure we are firmly planted behind you, understanding and listening as your goals and needs develop throughout this legal process. You can’t have someone in your corner who doesn’t fully grasp the severity of your situation.

To be a good attorney, you have to acquire a few key skills. You have to be knowledgeable of the law and capable of filling any gaps you may have in that knowledge. Hard work and persistence will always pay off in the end, and a penchant for being compassionate and empathetic will go a long way with your clients and in the courtroom. Patience and being inquisitive will help, too.

But there’s another valuable skill that makes all of these traits possible: good listening skills.

July 18 is World Listening Day, and for our attorneys at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, this seemingly strange holiday serves as a valuable reminder. In order to properly serve, represent, and assist our clients, we have to be good listeners. As Jennifer Murphy Romig writes on her blog Listen Like a Lawyer, “Good listening makes good lawyering.”

We couldn’t agree more.

The cases we manage on a daily basis are often complex, and while we hear similar scenarios all the time, we have to recognize that each situation is one of the biggest events to happen in our clients’ lives. It’s important that we fully engage with each client and take time to completely understand their fears, goals, and frustrations.

If you have additional questions about your case or would like to learn more, please call us. We’re listening.

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Lawyers Helping People—Since 1890

ARE THE CARTOONS YOUR KIDS WATCH ACTUALLY MADE FOR KIDS?

Parents might also find value in sticking to certain channels or streaming services, such as PBS Kids, Nick Jr., or Disney+. There are also organizations like the Parents and Television Media Council, whose website, ParentsTV.org, can help parents determine which cartoons are okay for their kids to watch. Ultimately, the best way to ensure cartoons are safe is to watch with your kids. After all, this turns a solitary activity into one where parents can learn, laugh, and bond with their children.

With the many streaming platforms out there, kids have access to a more diverse array of content than ever before. That being said, parents need to be extra vigilant about which shows and videos are captivating their children’s attention, particularly when it comes to cartoons. Cartoons on their own aren’t bad for kids. In fact, enjoying them in moderation can have myriad benefits for a child’s development. They can bring laughter and relieve stress, engage a child’s imagination, help them develop their language skills, and teach them about topics ranging from mathematics to social skills. The best cartoons can be bright, colorful, funny stories that help children learn and grow. That said, though, not all cartoons are for kids, nor do they teach good lessons. Many cartoon characters encourage violence and speaking rudely to teachers and other authority figures. Additionally, with adult animation becoming more popular in recent years, many of the cartoons available on TV, streaming services, and YouTube are explicitly not for children.

So, how can parents make sure the cartoons their kids are watching are safe, wholesome, and educational?

In recent years, as YouTube has continued to amass countless hours of video content — much of it geared toward children — they’ve developed YouTube Kids, their streaming site for children under the age of 13. This site isn’t airtight, however, and disturbing content can sometimes slip through the cracks.

WHY YOUR VEHICLE IS SO DANGEROUS ON A HOT, SUMMER DAY

Luckily, there are simple preventive measures you can take to avoid deadly tragedies. Start by locking your vehicle and keeping your keys stored in a secure place away from children. (Approximately 38% of the pediatric hot vehicle deaths in 2020 involved children who sneaked into a vehicle on their own.) Another helpful method is to leave important items, like a purse or your shoes, in the backseat. These are items you typically need soon after you exit the vehicle — and they serve as a quick reminder. You could also set alarms or reminders on your phone that will go off when you reach your destination. Don’t ignore this vital warning: Leaving a child or pet in a vehicle unattended is dangerous and life-threatening. You can learn more online at ConsumerReports.org.

they discovered was that it takes very little time and mild temperatures for a vehicle to become dangerous. After just one hour in a day at 61 degrees F, a vehicle’s interior reached 105 degrees F, and that temperature didn’t substantially change whether the color of the vehicle was a lighter or darker color. Furthermore, Consumer Reports indicates that researchers at the Arizona State University and the University of San Diego found that parking a vehicle in the shade didn’t make a difference either. A vehicle could still reach 104 degrees F in under two hours. The reason why this happens is simply accumulation. The materials that vehicles are made from absorb heat quite well, which then radiates into the air and locks hot air in the vehicle. Cracking a window won’t help either; not enough air can escape.

Trigger warning: This article contains precautionary information to prevent child and pet deaths.

As a parent or pet owner, you may believe that you’d never forget your child or furry friend in a vehicle. Sadly, no one is immune to this simple mistake, and no matter what season it is, leaving a child or a pet in a car can be far more dangerous than you might think. Consumer Reports just released detailed studies regarding heat and its impact on vehicles. During testing, researchers left a number of vehicles outside and recorded temperatures as time passed. What

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SUDOKU

Introducing Our Fight Against Paraquat You Have a Right to Compensation In the 1960s, Paraquat became the answer many American farmers were looking for to save time, money, and labor. Since then, the herbicide has been used widely across the agricultural industry to prevent soil erosion and improve soil health prior to planting crops. It’s also been used to improve harvesting practices on some crops. Sadly, Paraquat has also long been suspected as a link to a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. This progressive neurological disease often diminishes muscle mobility and strength, results in tremors, and can cause cognitive decline. There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but treatments can improve a patient’s life and increase their longevity. Much like Alzheimer’s, it’s a costly, painful, and devastating diagnosis. Studies dating as far back as the 1980s have found that Paraquat increases farmworkers’ chances of developing Parkinson’s. One study found that farmworkers were more than twice as likely to develop the disease. These studies have led many countries across the globe to ban the sale of Paraquat. It’s currently restricted from sale in the 27 countries in the European Union and numerous large countries, like Brazil and China. The same cannot be said for the U.S., where Paraquat is still legal. Recently, HWNN began accepting clients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following repeated use of Paraquat. This isn’t the first time our firm has gone toe-to-toe with Paraquat’s current manufacturer, Syngenta. We recently helped American corn farmers obtain a $1.51 billion settlement after Syngenta’s negligence led to a major price drop in corn.

Solution on Page 4

Inspired by JoCooks.com

Mexican Corn Salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp sour cream • 2 tbsp mayonnaise • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled

• 4 cups of fresh corn, cut from 5 cobs • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped • 1/2 red onion, diced • 6 green onions, chopped • 1 jalapeno, diced • 1/2 avocado, cubed • 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

Today, we’re fighting for justice for the farmers, workers, and others injured by Paraquat.

Syngenta has publicly condemned the allegations that it knowingly continued to create, market, and sell Paraquat without proper precautions, but its continued use is scrutinized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other governmental groups. As of 2020, the EPA imposed new strict regulations on its use as a result. We believe there is justice to be served here. If you know of someone who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s by a physician and used Paraquat prior to that diagnosis, we would love to help them. Please have them call us today at 800-568-5330 .

Directions

1. In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add oil and corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes or until corn starts to char. 2. Add the corn to a large bowl and let cool for 5 minutes, then add the remaining ingredients and stir together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. 3. The salad pairs well with grilled entrees and can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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SOLUTION

Inside

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Being a Good Attorney Is About More Than Knowing the Law

Are Your Children’s Favorite Cartoons Actually for Kids? Heed an Important Warning This Summer Had a Parkinson’s Diagnosis After Herbicide Use? You May Deserve Compensation

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Mexican Corn Salad

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The Paddleboard Craze Is Here to Stay

What’s ‘SUP? Outdoor and exercise crazes come and go almost as fast as hairstyles and popular app games do. But every once in a while, a trend comes along that remains popular

The Stand-Up Paddleboard Craze That Never Went Away

Unlike other crazes, the gear was simple and the activity beginner- friendly. To start, you only need a paddle, a board, a life preserver, and of course, a place to go! It’s a new way to see the water, which only boosted its popularity. Even

— think karate, which spiked in the ‘60s and again in the ‘80s, and it can still be found in almost every American city to this day. Back in 2013, one such trend arose: the stand- up paddleboard, or SUP for short. The act of standing on a floating piece of wood in a surfboard shape and paddling (or poling) yourself along

veteran water sports enthusiasts weren’t used to standing on the water instead of sitting in a boat!

But according to the industry’s own numbers, that popularity never died down. As it turns out, SUP is a good way to get around, and a lot of folks need that. Many cities, such as San Antonio, feature “paddling trails” that let SUP practitioners see the city in a new way or even commute via their board. How cool is that?

likely goes back thousands of years, but the SUP craze can be traced back to one man — and he’s not even in his 60s yet! That man is famous surfer Laird Hamilton, a household name in a sport that doesn’t usually generate them. And Laird, along with the Waikiki Beachboys, showed the world a new way to hit the water in the first decade of the 21st century.

If you’re looking for a new hobby this summer, it’s easy to rent a stand-up paddleboard and learn the basics. Take a class, head out into the water, and give it a shot. Who knows, you might be one of the thousands of Americans to discover a lifelong passion!

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