Schiller & Hamilton - August/September 2021

Schiller & Hamilton - August/September 2021

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK AUG/SEPT 2021

Why I Chose the Law

If you ask any attorney why they practice law, you may hear a number of stories. Some chose this path because they were fascinated by the TV attorneys who make this profession appear a lot more dramatic than it is. Others felt called to help people, while some come from a long line of attorneys and tradition. Then, there are people like me, who know what it’s like to need legal help and to feel completely terrified by what could happen.

was at this first job that I gained true experience and fine-tuned what I knew to represent an underserved community as best as I could.

Eventually, I was ready to move on to greener pastures. Luckily, I knew the right guy.

I happened to attend law school with Kevin Phillips, another attorney here at Schiller & Hamilton. I learned that the firm was searching for another criminal and family law attorney, and with my background at the public defender’s office and the Schiller & Hamilton reputation of going beyond what’s expected of them for their clients, I knew this was where I needed to be. I began with the firm in early July. For me, this work is about so much more than winning or losing a case. It’s about my client’s life. It’s about supporting and fighting for my clients’ futures at all costs. It’s about showing my clients that they have someone in their corner who truly cares and genuinely wants to help them start this next chapter.

When I was younger, I got into some trouble and had to hire an attorney. I found that it was hard to find a good attorney — someone who would listen to my side of the story and

my fears. That experience gave me insight into the law, but more importantly, I gained empathy. I know what it’s like to face a legal battle that could change your whole life and to worry about finding a good expert who can help. With my life set on the right path, I attended college at Greensboro College, where I graduated cum laude, then I earned my law degree at the Charleston School of Law. I got my start practicing law like many young attorneys do: working in the public defender’s office. There, I served clients who couldn’t afford to choose their own attorney, and I made every effort to empathize with them and support what they needed. I like to describe my time with the public defender’s office as a crash course in the law. In law school, they teach you how to think and apply legal methods to real-life scenarios, but you don’t fully grasp it until your boots are on the ground. It

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I saw that at Schiller & Hamilton, and that’s why I had to join the team.

I’m originally from North Carolina, and four years ago, I married my high school sweetheart. (We have been together for 17 years!) Together, we have an 18-month-old son named William, who is rambunctious and intelligent. And when I’m not helping my clients or spending time with my family, I’m often doing pro bono legal work for the homeless community. They need support, and I have the expertise to do just that. I’m proud to be at Schiller & Hamilton and to continue serving others. It’s an honor to serve this community.

–David Bartholomew

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‘SPACE LAW’

Are We Headed for t

Earlier this year, Russia announced it would abandon its missions to the International Space Station in favor of a new, Russia-only station orbiting Earth. At the same time, China has begun working in earnest on its own permanent space installation, raining construction debris down on coastal Africa and other places. With private American interests gaining traction in orbit (and the confidence of our government), things are getting awfully crowded up there — and not by actors that typically play well together.

The general principles were those of cooperation and goodwill, and that made sense in the 20th century, when it was unlikely any power would be able to seriously colonize stations in orbit or the moon itself, never mind other planets. But in the past 20 years, many countries have been unwilling to seriously commit to more specific agreements or laws. When you see the rapidly increasing presence many countries are seeking in orbit, you start to understand why. Nobody wants to hamstring themselves and compromise their interests when the resources of our solar system are made available through technology. Even though this may be a new arena, the problem is an old one. International Law — of which “space law” is a subset — is not typically enforceable and never has been. Private ventures, like those of Elon Musk, may face crackdown by their governments or the international community. But nations themselves will take what they want, when they want it — and right now, that could make peace on the final frontier a long shot in the 21st century.

All of which begs the question: Will the 21st century see the first violent conflict in space?

We have to delve into “space law” (yes, it’s really called that) to understand this question. It started in the 1940s and ‘50s, when the USSR launch of Sputnik signaled a new ground for scientific competition in the Cold War, as well as fears of more direct, armed conflict. The landmark “Outer Space Treaty’’ of 1967 was the response, and nations continued to deal with space concerns until the end of the century.

The first Monday of September often signifies the “unofficial

responding to a strike at McCormick Reaper Works. During the riot, a bomb was thrown at police officers, causing the death of eight people and murder convictions for eight others. However, the most momentous event in the Labor Movement came in 1893, when, in the midst of a recession, George Pullman laid off employees and cut wages by 30%. Yet, Pullman did not lower rent or costs in his stores in Pullman, Illinois, where many of his employees lived. Anger over this situation caused workers to walk out in May 1894, and in June, the American Railway Union and leader Eugene V. Debs declared a similar boycott in support. The result was a complete stop to rail traffic, transportation, and commerce across 27 states. As the federal government stepped in to help, tensions and protests became inflamed. By the end of the demonstrations, dozens of people died. While demonstrations continued, on June 28, 1894, the federal government established the first Monday of every September as Labor Day, a holiday designed to celebrate workers. In addition to creating Labor Day, the Pullman Strike is considered a major turning point in workers’ rights. At Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, we are privileged to represent workers seeking compensation for workplace injuries and negligence. If you would like to learn more, please visit SchillerHamilton.com. We’ve got your back!

end of summer,” but Labor Day is about

so much more than parades, barbecues, and final summer trips to the cabin. Without the sacrifices made to establish this holiday, working in America may look

The Haymarket Riot, Chicago

very different today.

Labor Day was born out of the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s. According to History. com, workers at that time had very few rights; they worked in poor, unsanitary conditions; were expected to work 12-hour days for seven days each week; and made low wages. By the late 1800s, employees were fed up, and tensions among employers and their workers boiled over in a series of protests and deadly riots across the nation. The first notable demonstration came in September 1882, when about 10,000–20,000 people marched through Manhattan in New York City for workers’ rights. It’s considered the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. Four years later, the Haymarket Riot in Chicago happened as the result of anger over the death of several workers by Chicago police officers

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The founding of our country was established on many principles — one of those being our right to protect ourselves. The Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution and the South Carolina Constitution both state that citizens have a right to bear arms, using similar language to outline these rights for their citizens. However, over the years, numerous state and federal laws have limited when and how people can carry firearms. Specifically, South Carolina has numerous laws that, if not adhered to, could restrict your future right to carry. In order to legally possess a firearm in South Carolina, an individual cannot have a felony conviction or a conviction for domestic violence. A person who is legally allowed to own a firearm may transport the firearm to and from their residence, have it in their possession in a vehicle, and take it to their place of employment without a concealed weapons permit (CWP). (Note: Your employer has to grant permission for the gun to be on the premises prior to entering the building or property.) As of Aug. 16, a new law will change the way gun owners are allowed to carry their firearms in public. The law allows individuals who have a CWP to openly carry firearms in public. Under the law, private businesses can limit permit holders from openly carrying on their property with legally posted signs. The law also allows for the temporary suspension of legal open carry in the event of a protest or other organized event. When transporting the firearm without a concealed weapons permit, a firearm must be located in a closed glove compartment, console, trunk, or container secured by an integral fastener that is transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Yet, most people will store the firearm under a seat, in a bag, or have it open in the cabin of the vehicle. These methods are illegal. In most situations, unlawful possession of a firearm is a misdemeanor and carries a potential one-year prison sentence. However, if the firearm is stolen, this can result in felony charges that carry up to five years in prison. You can also be charged with unlawful possession if you have a gun on or about your person and are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Your right to carry is protected by the federal and South Carolina constitutions, but you must follow the legal code for carrying in order to maintain your rights. To learn more about open carry and firearm laws in South Carolina, please visit SCStateHouse.gov. How and When to Carry a Firearm in South Carolina

the First War in Space?

TAKE A BREAK!

BEACH FISHING FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

HEAT OUTDOORS POOL RAINY

RHUBARB SARDONYX SCHOOLING VACATION

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.

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Meet Our Newest Attorney, David Bartholomew

Are We Headed for the First War in Space?

The Powerful History of Labor Day

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Your Guide for Carrying a Firearm in South Carolina

Apps That Help You Snack Smarter

IS THIS GOOD FOR ME?

Apps to Help You Make Smart Food Choices

Sometimes going grocery shopping can leave you feeling more like a detective than a human just trying to feed yourself and your family. Sleuthing down the snack aisle brings up questions about whether gluten-free means “good” and whether no added sugars means “nutritious.” The foundation of healthy snacking includes fresh fruits and vegetables, but how can you make smart (or smarter) choices when buying packaged snack foods? New smartphone apps mean the answer is just one bar code away. Switch It Up FoodSwitch is a mobile app developed by an international health advocacy group, The George Institute for Global Health. Even packaged foods that purport to be healthy can have high levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fat. While valuable information appears on nutritional labels, they can also leave you more mystified than empowered. In that case, simply open the FoodSwitch app, scan the bar code of the item you’re interested in, and get instant nutritional information and options for

healthier alternatives. Each item gets a Health Star Rating from .5–5, making it easy to understand where the item falls on the health spectrum and how it compares to other brands. If that item doesn’t meet your dietary needs, let FoodSwitch recommend an alternative. In a Snap If you’re already a dedicated Snapchat user and don’t want to add another app to your phone, you’re in luck. Snapchat has recently implemented a scanning technology powered by the nutrition- tracking app Yuka. While it has similarities to FoodSwitch, the format Snapchat uses lays out the nutritional pros and cons of each item and gives each item an overall rating on the traffic-light system. Green means good to go, yellow means proceed with caution (moderation), and red means reconsider or only eat this item rarely. With these two apps, you can put down your magnifying glass and pick up your smartphone. Making healthier snack choices is right at your fingertips.

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