Robert James Trial Attorneys - December 2021

Robert James Trial Attorneys - December 2021

www.AttorneyRobertJames.com 404.891.0977

December 2021

Spreading Holiday Cheer Giving Time, Generosity, and Love This Holiday Season

The spirit of Christmas and the holidays is magical and a time of generosity, sharing, and giving. While many faiths celebrate differently throughout the holiday season, one thing is consistent — it’s the season of giving. Giving can mean many different things and does not need to come in just one form. Whether you have money to give, time to donate, or gifts to share, the act of bestowing your time or generosity upon another is so special throughout the holidays. No matter if you spend time with someone so they aren’t alone during the holidays, or invite them to sit at your table because they don’t have anywhere else to go, your time is sure to make a huge impact. During the holiday season, suicide and depression rates are extremely high for those who do not have anyone to lean on. It’s important for us to help those who might need extra support this year. Giving can also mean donating food to a local food bank to benefit those who are hungry; it can mean feeding the homeless, engaging with organizations such as Toys for Tots to make sure all children have gifts for Christmas, or volunteering at a shelter. It can mean donating dog or cat food to a charity to help homeless pets, or even giving up your place in the grocery store line to someone who looks like they are in a hurry. No matter how you choose to give, if you’ve been blessed with certain things, there’s no better time than the holiday season to share with others.

spending time with your loved ones. When you’re away from home, you have children, spouses, and other family members who are missing out on your time. While bestowing generosity upon the less fortunate is a beautiful and admirable gift around Christmas time, keep in mind that your family at home wants more than anything to spend time with you over the holidays. Giving attention and love to those closest to us will make the holidays more memorable. This holiday season, I encourage everyone to spend as much time as they can with their children, partners, spouses, and loved ones. Above all, your time and being present is the greatest gift of all. This holiday season, we celebrate each other — our accomplishments, our health, our compassion, and our faith. We celebrate fun holiday traditions while creating new memories and taking time to appreciate all that is good in our lives. This holiday season, if you can do at least one of these things, and give to your family, loved ones, and those less fortunate, it will make the world a better place; I guarantee it. It’s all about giving thanks for what we have and lending a helping hand to those who need it.

For those of us who are busy throughout the year, sometimes working two or three jobs just to make ends meet, giving also means

“This holiday season, I encourage everyone to spend as much time as they can with their children, partners, spouses, and loved ones.”

From the Robert James Trial Attorneys family to you and yours, merry Christmas and happy holidays!

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The Next Big Health Secret Why Seeing an Attorney May Be Good for You!

Consulting with an attorney when you are facing legal trouble allows you to have an advocate and expert in your corner who is fighting for you and your rights. And according to recent studies, it may be good for your health too!

For example, in Colorado, some chronically ill patients are struggling with immigration issues or problems as a result of losing their jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic. By consulting with lawyers — in addition to psychiatrists, social workers, and medical doctors — patients are lowering their stress levels, improving their physical well-being, and staying closer to their families. But how does this work? To answer that question, we have to examine the toll stress takes on our bodies. Constant stress, like concerns about visitations or deportation, can cause our bodies to fail. This often leads to headaches, heartburn, a weakened immune system, insomnia, stomach problems, and more. These problems then compound into other issues, causing the body to spiral when intervention isn’t possible. However, when the source of stress is relieved, the side effects are eliminated as well. This can powerfully help people who are facing potentially life-altering legal situations. So, while your attorney may not be able to perform heart surgery or help alleviate your knee pain, their expertise may be just what you need to feel better in the long run.

According to NPR, a 2017 study of Veterans Affairs offices in Connecticut and New York found that veterans who saw clinic attorneys reported improved mental health within three months after their initial meetings. Additionally, in Colorado, a five-year survey of 69 patients from 2015 to 2020 found that patients in Medicaid programs who saw attorneys at their clinics had a decrease in the amount of physical health problems they were facing. While further studies are needed to corroborate this evidence, the message is clear: Finding solutions to your legal concerns through an attorney is healthy!

This idea has led to several states permitting Medicaid patients to use some of their health care dollars toward legal clinical programs.

Katy Perry’s Legal Battle With Nuns

Fighting for Convent Real Estate

Katy Perry is known around the globe for having multiple No. 1 hits, including “I Kissed A Girl,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework,” but two nuns in Los Angeles know Perry for a completely different reason. They were in a multiyear legal battle with Perry and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the purchase of a convent. In 1972, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary pooled their money and purchased an 8-acre, French-style chateau in Los Angeles. Sisters Rita Callanan and Catherine Rose Holzman lived in the chateau-turned-convent until 2011, when the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reportedly forced them to relocate. Two years later, Archbishop José Gomez sold the property to Perry without any input from the sisters, but the nuns felt that the archdiocese did not have the right to do this. Gomez accepted a $14.5 million cash offer from Perry, but the nuns refused to sell to her. Believing they had sole ownership of the convent, they instead sold it to restaurateur and developer Dana Hollister. The archdiocese and Perry both sued Hollister for her involvement, claiming she took advantage of the nuns, and a judge invalidated her purchase months after it was made. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the archdiocese, creating an opportunity for Perry to buy the estate due to the fact that the nuns did not have the approval of the pope, the Holy See, or the archbishop.

In 2017, a jury found that Hollister intentionally interfered with Perry’s legal purchase. She was ordered to pay both Perry and the archdiocese millions of dollars. The sisters continued to support Hollister, and they both accompanied her to bankruptcy court, where Sister Holzman collapsed and died during the court proceeding. Sister Callanan blamed Perry for the death of Holzman.

The convent is back on the market, and it does not appear that Perry will move forward with the purchase.

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TAKE A BREAK

BOOST YOUR MOOD WITH THESE TIPS SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS ALONE?

Many Americans spend the holidays alone every year, and the pandemic has only made it more difficult for people to see their loved ones, as travel has become more restricted and strenuous. If you’re one of these people who are spending their first holiday season alone this year, here are a few strategies you can try to make the situation a little easier. Don’t hold yourself to the usual standards. One of the best things about spending the holidays alone is that you can do things your way. You don’t have to worry about meeting everyone else’s standards. Instead, you only have to make yourself happy. Simply telling yourself that you are not going to have the usual holiday environment can slightly help, but redefining what the holiday means to you can remove a huge weight. Trying new things or looking toward the future are great ways to reduce the stress of spending the holidays alone. Keeping up with old traditions may remind you of what you’re missing out on, so it can greatly help to create your own traditions. Plan ahead. If you know in advance that you’re going to be spending the holidays alone, planning ahead can prevent negative feelings. While being spontaneous can sometimes keep things fresh, it could leave you with a feeling of hopelessness about what to do next. There’s no need for your list to be extensive or highly detailed, but even just planning to watch a movie or cook some of your favorite dishes can give you something to look forward to. Take care of yourself. Just because you’re not seeing people during the holidays does not mean you should forgo your basic needs. Stick to your regular hygiene habits and do not let them get away from you. The same goes for eating and sleeping. Staying clean, well-fed, and well-rested goes a long way toward improving your happiness. As with all mental health advice, what works for some does not work for everyone. Do what you think will work best for you and help you keep your thoughts happy.

Inspired by TastesBetterFromScratch.com DIY HOLIDAY EGGNOG

Ingredients

• 6 egg yolks • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 cups milk • 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 pinch salt • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract • Cinnamon and whipped cream, for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. Set aside. 2. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a simmer. 3. Add a spoonful of the milk mixture to the egg mixture. Whisk vigorously and repeat, one spoonful at a time. 4. When most of the milk is whisked in, add the egg mixture to the saucepan. 5. Whisk until the liquid thickens slightly or reaches 160 F. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. 6. Pour the eggnog into a glass container and cover. Refrigerate. 7. When the eggnog has thickened, pour it into glasses, garnish, and enjoy!

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404.891.0977 www.AttorneyRobertJames.com 233 Peachtree St. NE Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30303

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Spreading Holiday Cheer

1

Your Attorney Is Good for Your Health! Katy Perry’s Real Estate Battle

2

DIY Holiday Eggnog Tips for Spending the Holidays Alone

3

Happy Holidays From Robert and His Family

4

Happy Holidays! See inside for a special message from the James family about giving this holiday season!

2017

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