The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller - June 2019

The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller - June 2019

INYOUR DEFENSE

JUNE 2019

757.517.2942 | LegalDefense.com

Infinitely More Valuable

HELPING OTHERS AT THE LAW OFFICES OF DANIEL J. MILLER

When I started practicing law, I was doing it out of a desire to grow a successful business and reap the financial benefits that come with it. I didn’t know that I would find the internal satisfaction that comes with helping others to be infinitely more valuable. From the beginning, getting into law was a natural choice for me. I saw it as following in my father’s and brother’s footsteps. My dad was one of the best trial lawyers in Virginia. For nearly four decades, he handled lawsuits for injured railroad workers. My brother had already been practicing law for 10 years when I started. “Whether it’s reuniting kids with parents who love them or saving someone’s career, I’ve loved my job these past 20 years, and I hope to help many more people as time goes on.” I graduated from Emory University with a degree in sociology and philosophy, which is a good degree to have if you want to transition into law school. I didn’t do that right away, though. For seven years following graduation, I played the drums in a band based in Atlanta, traveling all over the Southeastern United States. Unfortunately, the stereotype of the musician living paycheck to paycheck rings true, and I decided to pursue a career where I wouldn’t have to worry about money.

After earning my law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School and passing the Virginia Bar exam, I went to work at my uncle’s firm. Like my father and brother, he had been practicing law for a while, which meant we were at very different places in our careers. If I wanted to continue pushing toward growing my own successful practice, I would need to strike out on my own. After working for my uncle’s firm for a few years, I started my own law practice in 2001. After starting my own practice, I began to notice changes in my perspective and my goals. I was just practicing criminal law at that point, and I realized that I really found joy

and satisfaction in helping my clients. Many times, the cases I handle involve a family breadwinner who makes a mistake, putting the livelihoods of their families in jeopardy. They need someone to help save their career, and when I can achieve that, it is better than any amount of financial success.

area comes with its own stories, but the satisfaction I get from helping others is the same across the board. Whether it’s reuniting kids with parents who love them or saving someone’s career, I’ve loved my job these past 20 years, and I hope to help many more people as time goes on. – Daniel J. Miller

Our office handles criminal law, as well as family and personal injury law. Each practice

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W hat ’ s N ew in the N eighborhood ?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN AND AROUND VIRGINIA BEACH

OCEAN COLLECTIONS BOAT TRIP Date/Time: June 19 through Aug. 28, every Wednesday, 1–2:15 p.m. Location: Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Cost: $22.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids ages 3–11, and free for children under 2 If you can’t get enough of the ocean, join the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center for a 75-minute cruise near the coast. Watch as educators use a trawl net to catch a variety of marine life for you to learn about up close, from stingrays to seahorses, before they’re released back into the ocean.

This summer, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy what Virginia Beach and the surrounding areas have to offer. From cultural festivals to haunted tours, keep these events on your radar during the upcoming month.

LATIN FEST Date/Time: June 21–22 Location: On the beach at 24th Street Cost: $5 Per Day

VIRGINIA STATE PARKS HISTORY AND CULTURE HAUNTED NIGHT HIKE Date/Time: June 15, 7–10 p.m. Location: False Cape State Park Cost: $10 per person This tour through False Cape State Park gives visitors and locals a look into the harrowing past of one of the last undeveloped stretches of Atlantic coast in the U.S. False Cape was notorious for ships running aground on its treacherous shores. On the night hike with a park ranger, you’ll get a chance to hear some of the many ghost stories associated with the cape as well.

If you’re looking for something a little closer to town, dance on over to Latin Fest. Immerse yourself in the Latin music experience from Salsa, Merengue, and Jazz bands on a massive stage to the multitude of delicious Latin American foods. Join in on the Zumba Marathon on Saturday the 22 at the 17th Street Park, and explore the vendors and activities at the 24th Street Park.

For more information on these events, check out VisitVirginiaBeach.com!

SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS THE POWER OF WILL U nlikely P ro A thletes W ho B eat the O dds

The life of a professional athlete can seem like all glitz and glamour, shaking hands, kissing babies, and occasionally performing in the spotlight under a little bit of pressure. But for every athlete you see on your television screen, there are actually hundreds more in the minor leagues fighting against all odds to make it to the big stage. And some of those athletes have disadvantages that mean they have to work twice as hard just to get the same respect as those who’ve had an easier road. These professionals prove that sometimes all it takes to see your dreams come true is an ability to block out the noise, put your head down, and keep your disabilities from holding you back. Here are two athletes who did just that. BILLY MISKE: FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE Boxing is a sport of extreme violence and diligent strategy. To be a winner, you must be smart and physically capable. For a while, Billy Miske was both of those things — until he was diagnosed with the life-threatening Bright’s disease that severely affected his kidneys. Already considered a bit of an underdog, he chose to keep fighting to pay off his increasing medical debts and give his family a shot at a better life. As his disease progressed and he realized his days were numbered, fate pitted him against heavyweight Bill Brennan. Despite his doctor’s orders, and despite facing a much larger opponent

while he was literally at death’s door, Miske shocked the world by knocking Brennan out and delivering the dream Christmas that he’d promised his children in the process. He died a few days later, immortalized by his fighting spirit and refusal to quit.

JIM ABBOT

Photo by John Traub / Albuquerque Isotopes Baseball Club [CC BY-SA 3.0]

JIM ABBOTT: NEVER NEEDED A HAND After being born without a right hand, the odds of Jim Abbott playing baseball in any capacity seemed slim, but Jim Abbott didn’t care about the odds. After developing a one-of-a-kind fielding routine where he would switch his glove from his shorter arm to his dominant one, Abbott took his talents all the way to the major leagues. Fans around the world watched as he turned his disability into a 10-year MLB career that included throwing a no-hitter in 1993 against the New York Yankees, which was one of the most remarkable accomplishments in baseball.

Sometimes the sky isn’t enough. Ultimately, the only limits that hold you back are the ones you set for yourself.

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At the Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, we pride ourselves on our commitment to help further causes and organizations that help our community, and we want to take the opportunity to shout out organizations we work with and raise awareness for their efforts. Not many organizations work harder to alleviate hunger in the Virginia Beach area and beyond than the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Since they started their work in 1981, they have distributed 331 million pounds of food, equating to 276 million meals throughout their area. The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia’s mission is to eliminate hunger in our community, and they do this in a variety of ways. They collect and recover nutritious food from a variety of sources, including supermarkets, wholesalers, the USDA, and the public via food drives. They then distribute the food they collect through partner agencies and special programs, like emergency shelters or their Mobile Pantry, Kids Cafe, and BackPack programs. In the event of a natural disaster, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia works with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and EFSP to provide food and relief to those affected by the disaster. There are nearly 6,000 volunteers per year who give some of their time to help alleviate hunger in southeastern Virginia. E liminating H unger in O ur C ommunity

RECOGNIZING THE AMAZING WORK OF THE FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA

Every year, the Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller participates in the Legal Food Frenzy

to collect food and funds for the efforts of the Southeastern Virginia Foodbank and others in the area. We hope that members of our community will seize any opportunity they have to help eliminate hunger through the

foodbank. There are multiple ways to do this, from giving

financially and donating food to giving your time. There’s not a way that’s more right than the others, so long as you have a passion for the less fortunate members of our community and a desire to help.

GRILLED BEEFRIBS

SUDOKU

Nothing feels more paleo-appropriate than digging into a giant rack of beef ribs. This largely hands-off recipe requires plenty of hands-on eating, making you feel like one of our cave-dwelling ancestors.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 5-lb. rack of beef ribs • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat a charcoal, wood-burning, or gas grill to medium-high. Once heated, move heat source to one side or turn off half of the burners to create an indirect heat zone. 2. Season ribs with salt and pepper and char on the hotter side of the grill, turning occasionally, for 12–15 minutes. Once charred, transfer to the other side of grill and cook until the thickest part of the rib reaches 130 F, about 2 1/2–3 hours. 3. Let meat rest for 15 minutes. If desired, serve alongside grilled veggies.

Inspired by Saveur magazine

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4768 Euclid Rd. Suite 104 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757.517.2942 | LegalDefense.com

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INSIDETHIS ISSUE

How We Got Our Start PAGE 1 Upcoming Events in and Around Virginia Beach

DOGS INANCIENT LEGEND GOODBOYSOF ANTIQUITY Athletes Who Fought Their Way to the Top PAGE 2 Spotlighting the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia Grilled Beef Ribs PAGE 3 Dogs in Ancient Legend PAGE 4

Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. TARASCAN SPIRIT DOGS Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings. TUIREN THE WOLFHOUND In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog-hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is

revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy! YUDHISHTHIRA’S STRAY The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of

two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain. When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal, steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate.

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