tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30521128574533704422024-03-19T00:47:45.760-04:00THE NUTMEG LAWYERA Discussion of the Daily Trials & Tribulations of Law PracticeAdrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-62976321915331972142015-02-11T19:10:00.000-05:002015-02-08T19:15:32.712-05:00World's Greatest Lawyer. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxCMEVIQvI7lxQsm0NUbAHx5Se9IjzUbqCa7ozCXCrfYZ1Uu68m4sH-1eYg3QDi4oEjUH7Zmf8vKHZPTL81LdSvBkBy-UrQjuWK54PHSTdtb2ICtdmTzSdIItR-1qY-gThhrtaWIs-cBv/s1600/FVR_abaron__FO2107C84D61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxCMEVIQvI7lxQsm0NUbAHx5Se9IjzUbqCa7ozCXCrfYZ1Uu68m4sH-1eYg3QDi4oEjUH7Zmf8vKHZPTL81LdSvBkBy-UrQjuWK54PHSTdtb2ICtdmTzSdIItR-1qY-gThhrtaWIs-cBv/s1600/FVR_abaron__FO2107C84D61.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>See this post on our new improved site</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thenutmeglawyer.com/#!Worlds-Greatest-Lawyer/c1q8z/62F7D9DC-AD8A-4440-855A-B474BF2A3950"><i><b>thenutmeglawyer.com</b></i></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Puffery Of Law Practice</b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During a recent visit to a friends law office, I noted something new on his wall. He had mounted a plaque boasting that he was named one of the top trial attorneys in the state. “It’s a major award!” he exclaimed as he polished his laminated accolade. "That's odd. " I thought. "The guy never did a trial. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Next, he'll be telling me he was shot down over Iraq with Brian Williams.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">As a kid, I grew up in a time when getting a trophy meant something. It used to be only the fastest kid got a glimmering first place trophy. The rest of us got tear stained participant ribbons. I knew my lawyer buddy was not the fastest kid in class. His practice consisted mostly of speeding infractions and evictions. Although he had never even done a mock trial, here it was on his waiting room wall. “Top Trial Attorneys of 2014.” Top trial attorneys my res ipsa loquitar. The award was about as prestigious as my “World’s Greatest Lawyer” coffee mug or the leg lamp Ralphie's old man got in a Christmas Story.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In recent years, I have seen an increase of attorneys boasting about awards from various official sounding organizations. I've gotten the letters myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The United States Registry of Really Awesome Drunk Driving Barristers proclaimed me among the best attorneys under the age of 50 living near a Starbucks in Central Connecticut. The North American Association of Motor Car Personal Injury Aficionados bestowed “Best P.I. Lawyer on the Planet". I was even offered the same three hundred ducket trial attorney accolade my friend received. I was surprised no one offered me a Grammy for a small fee.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ll admit. that my ego was stroked. Perhaps my incredible legal acumen was finally recognized. Word must have spread through the state's court house hallways and on the back nine of golf courses?. Sadly, I slowly came to the realization that the award was due more likely to the three hundred dollar “processing fee” required to accept the honor. If you didn’t pay, it would simply go to the next “runner up.” I don't begrudge my friend for falling for the ploy. He is a relatively new attorney striking out on his own. He was just trying to stand out from the field. He just wanted a little gravitas. A little recognition for all the years of hard work. Law school, the socratic method, the bar exam, student debt...maybe we all deserve the occasional plaque. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been guilty of puffery myself. I've boasted my legal blog was once selected as a Top 100 ABA Legal Blawg. That was years ago. I began sounding like Mickey Rooney bragging about being the top box office draw for 1939. As a newly minted attorney, I remember getting a phone call indicating that our firm had been chosen as one of the top law firms in Hartford, Connecticut. It was an amazing accomplishment considering I had recently been admitted. The results would be printed in a special issue of a major city newspaper. They only needed a small fee to cover printing costs. I made the executive decision to accept the offer and forwarded the fee. A month later our name appeared on a list of top businesses. Our misspelled firm name was one of many listed under the heading “Best Law Firms” We were just above “Best Pizza Places” and just under "Best Manicure." Eventually, I discovered the truth. An ad company simply bought out a page from the local paper, then fished for local businesses with news of their “award”. The suckers that bit ended up in the paper. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I am not the best person to play judge and jury. Maybe I'm a hypocrite.</span><span style="font-size: large;">I think some of these awards do have at least some merit. Maybe you were honored by a local bar association or a community group. I'll admit I proudly display my recognition as a "Super Lawyer Connecticut Rising Star." A "Best Law Office" plaque sits on our fireplace mantle. We were selected in a local newspaper readers' poll. Maybe it's because I didn't have to pay an admistrative fee to receive them. Maybe it's because Superlawyers has a patented peer reviewed vetting process that has been scrutnized by bar associations across the country. A process that takes into account years of practice and grievance records. Or maybe it's because I wasn't hugged enough as a law student. In my defense, my 1992 Rocky Hill High School Prom King trophy and 1984 Spelling Bee 3rd Runner Up ribbon remain boxed up at my mother's house. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I would hate to have a client choose our firm based solely on a plaque. Of course, clients choose lawyers for a variety of strange reasons. I recently had a client who chose her last attorney because she liked his ad on Craigslist.com She groused that the attorney wound up not being very good. “Look on the bright side" I countered. "At least he didn’t murder you.” I would hope prospective clients take these distinctions with a grain of salt. A "Trial Attorney award" hanging on a waiting room wall might be a sign you are dealing with a real corporate shark. In my experience, it is usually just a puffer fish with an inferiority complex. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3njyQsQdxsVy9ae0m8CoNTjCZtzNQa8Z-AqbWKylRzybFQ8Vz976thyNDU-_8ALaepksFluX-EHC9MTmWED-yES1Q3GwevVnAsDndYIXvQ6-04i1YzgNQ9f7nSraCZs3mVa_K4nm3YQB/s1600/31u1N3DJtXL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3njyQsQdxsVy9ae0m8CoNTjCZtzNQa8Z-AqbWKylRzybFQ8Vz976thyNDU-_8ALaepksFluX-EHC9MTmWED-yES1Q3GwevVnAsDndYIXvQ6-04i1YzgNQ9f7nSraCZs3mVa_K4nm3YQB/s1600/31u1N3DJtXL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is also important to remember that there are ethical considerations when it comes to puffery. If you do practice law, do yourself a favor. If you've never done a trial or consistently farm out cases, maybe reconsider hanging up that “Best Trial Lawyer” plaque. Do good work and you won't need to pay someone hundreds of dollars to be recognized as a good lawyer. Otherwise, stick with the “Best Lawyer” coffee mug instead. </span><br />
<br />
<br />Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-57567749817260714942015-02-04T09:53:00.000-05:002015-02-08T19:15:54.763-05:00The Calling. To Be or Not to Be a Lawyer<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">We now have swankier digs. Read this post on the improved </span><a href="http://www.thenutmeglawyer.com/#!The-Calling-To-Be-or-Not-to-Be-a-Lawyer/c1q8z/8AD80971-6CFB-45F8-92B4-A29D1FE0F1D5" style="color: yellow;">thenutmeglawyer.com </a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUvsXPcIm_sOLQkSXDwD4zLnVph5pQXJZaU_5CweDF_37n2HkuEqa_wQ0m2XbaJ4XsHEhTIthgkrzme3trf3IKYNIVvQEl9lvxukHm3plciYlv8PCxUG1WrqNYaAKml6iSlXMeAeix3mu/s1600/abaron1+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUvsXPcIm_sOLQkSXDwD4zLnVph5pQXJZaU_5CweDF_37n2HkuEqa_wQ0m2XbaJ4XsHEhTIthgkrzme3trf3IKYNIVvQEl9lvxukHm3plciYlv8PCxUG1WrqNYaAKml6iSlXMeAeix3mu/s1600/abaron1+-+Copy.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">How many times have you heard someone say “Everyone says I should be a lawyer.” Or even better, “I hate my job and I love to argue, maybe I should go to law school” I see the attraction for some people. You get to put on a suit every day and sue people. As much as I love practicing law, I’m here to tell you that it’s not all wingtips and BMWs. I consider the legal profession a calling much like the priesthood. After all, do we not counsel the down-trodden, swear ourselves to secrecy and even take care of the occasional sin. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Being a lawyer is not easy. Depending on your area of practice, it can mean lots of stress. You are basically choosing a profession where your clients are coming to you during the most difficult periods of their lives. You are the one they will lean on when facing the loss of their freedom, the breakup of their marriage, or a host of other life changing legal issues. There is a reason why they refer to us as counselors. They are counting on our advice and expertise to solve their greatest problems. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><i>
Don’t go into law because you imagine the life you see in television and movies. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
My own law practice includes criminal defense. A decade into the legal profession, I have yet to dramatically bang a courtroom table demanding the truth. I have never seen a witness break down on the stand exclaiming Perry Mason style, “it was me! ” I have never burst into a police interrogation room to berate some hard-nosed detective interviewing my Mafia Don client under hot lights. Wilfred Brimley has never tried to kill me for knowing too much. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Although our firm has its fair share of serious matters (even murder trials), the majority of my clients are drunk driving wedding guests, shoplifting grandmothers and quarrelling married couples. I actually represented a guy who stole a fish. He shoved an entire salmon down his pants. Not a cellophane wrapped fileted salmon. Not salmon in a can. An entire fresh salmon that was laying on some ice for display. I had an 87 year old grandmother as a client. She was arrested for stealing pornographic videos. She told me her 92 year old husband was boring and she needed to spice up her life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
I have battled in the trenches of divorce court over cats and microwaves. I have tried to convince clients not to send money to Nigerian princes or listen to the advice of fortune tellers. I have counseled the dying with their last testaments and kept others from certain jail. I have fought for families to stay in the country and fought insurance companies to get compensation for injured clients. Each new client is a soap opera during sweeps week. You never know what will walk in through your door. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<b><i>Don’t Go Into Law Just to Make Your Mother Happy</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
As rewarding as law practice can be, it can be equally as frustrating. It is gut wrenching to see a client squander the second chance you were able to get him in criminal court. It can be difficult to comprehend how a couple seeking a “conscious uncoupling” cannot seem to agree on who gets to keep some ugly couch or the outdated blender Aunt Edna gave them on their ill fated wedding day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
If you do decide to pursue a law career, prepare yourself for a lifetime of questions from family and friends. No matter what legal area you pursue, they will assume you will have the answer to any question remotely related to the law. They know you're the leading expert in securities law and that's the only type of law you practice. It doesn't matter. They will assume you know how to sue their neighbor because his fence is 3 centimeters over their property line. There is a good chance they will ask for pro bono help with speeding tickets, work disputes and frivolous lawsuits. Watching legal dramas will never be the same. You will notice mistakes all the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
While I jest to some extent, it can be a very rewarding profession both intellectually and financially. Nevertheless, if you do decide to pursue a career in law, do it for the right reasons. Don’t do it because you think it will put a Mercedes in your driveway. Not every law student will get that dream job out of law school. If you go into solo practice, there may be little left for that fancy ride and top hat when you are done paying for your staff, the utilities, marketing, professional dues and supplies. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
If you do decide to follow the path of a legal career, might I share a few tips:</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
1. Don’t start living above your means.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Many recent grads feel the need to portray an image of what a successful lawyer should be. You just finished law school and are up to your res ipsa with debt. Maybe hold off on buying the Rolex because you want to show your friends and family that you are a success. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<b>2. Don’t take your work personally.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Keep in mind that you weren’t the one who committed the crime or caused the divorce. It’s good to worry about your clients, but don’t let the stress of their predicament eat you up. In that regard, clients may take out the stress on you. A divorce client may be angry at her cheating ex. You might be the closest target to take out the frustration. Don’t take it personally. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<b>3. Network as often as you can. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Let people know what you do for a living. The right contacts can lead to job offers and new clients. One of the most lucrative settlements in our firm came from a contact I made at the barbershop. Don’t discount bar association and similar events as a waste of time. They can be very productive. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<b>4. Talk to lawyers in the field you wish to practice. </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Most attorneys will be happy to speak with you and give you some insight about their own experiences. Attend workshops and bar events. You'll be surprised at what you can learn. If you come away learning one new thing or met one new contact to help your practice, the seminar you attended was worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
<b>5. Assess Your Life Goals.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So you landed that six figure corporate law job. Do you enjoy your work? Are the hours keeping you from your family? Are the hours literally killing you? Or maybe you want to start a solo practice? Is there a rut of attorneys in your area? Do you have any business sense? Is there a need for your law practice? Maybe opening a maritime law shop in the middle of Kansas is not the best thing. Success means different things to different people. Just remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Of course, if you still want to be a lawyer, I wish you God Speed. Just do me a favor. Don't be one of "those" lawyers. Don't be the lawyer who refuses to scooch over when another lawyer wants to sit down next to you in court. Don't be the lawyer who likes to yell at opposing counsel simply to put on a show for his clients. Don't be that cocky lawyer that is rude to court staff. And for heaven's sake, don't be the lawyer who douses him or herself in cologne. You are stinking up the court room. To borrow something I once read on Twitter, if your lawyer smells like Axe Body spray, you're probably going to jail.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-36826415565712353602014-08-13T16:09:00.003-04:002014-08-13T16:11:54.509-04:00How is Dumping Ice Water on Your Head Supposed to Cure ALS?<br />
<div hasproxy="true" pos="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; display: -webkit-flex; flex: 0 0 auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; height: 4px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;" vcfield="TitleSpace" vctype="Post" vcview="SinglePostMediaTop">
</div>
<div class="" hasproxy="true" pos="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; display: -webkit-flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" vcfield="def_7" vctype="Post" vcview="SinglePostMediaTop">
<div class="wysiwyg_viewer_skins_WRichTextNewSkin" comp="wysiwyg.viewer.components.WRichText" dataquery="#undefined" hasproxy="true" id="vwprxyhyt36hwn" pos="" skin="wysiwyg.viewer.skins.WRichTextNewSkin" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; white-space: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" styleid="" vcfield="date" vctype="Post" vcview="SinglePostMediaTop">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="wysiwyg_viewer_skins_WRichTextNewSkin" comp="wysiwyg.viewer.components.WRichText" dataquery="#undefined" hasproxy="true" id="vwprxyhyt36hwh" pos="" skin="wysiwyg.viewer.skins.WRichTextNewSkin" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible; widows: auto; word-wrap: break-word;" styleid="" vcfield="title" vctype="Post" vcview="SinglePostMediaTop">
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnNID5AXhQban0V6ui3eYwmyHsIx8oXPtSylieCMkdj9saWhMonY0HSMrVRYOYda4Op2vL77vHY1fQ-b7quaSgPeO6c8AaIAjG8kNX4STPZiZ6klCCTBmDOQAi6nBPiGhKMeiyh6j63J6/s1600/10450658_10152627986384173_7990685614315152498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnNID5AXhQban0V6ui3eYwmyHsIx8oXPtSylieCMkdj9saWhMonY0HSMrVRYOYda4Op2vL77vHY1fQ-b7quaSgPeO6c8AaIAjG8kNX4STPZiZ6klCCTBmDOQAi6nBPiGhKMeiyh6j63J6/s1600/10450658_10152627986384173_7990685614315152498_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="font_5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: enriqueta, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i> This article can also be viewed at our new site <a href="http://www.thenutmeglawyer.com/#!How-is-Dumping-Ice-Water-on-Your-Head-Supposed-to-Cure-ALS/c1q8z/01A40B8A-3556-4E8A-9A9D-9A966DF571CA">thenutmeglawyer.com</a></i></div>
<div class="font_5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: enriqueta, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">Like most days, I spent my morning perusing cat videos on Facebook when I noticed someone tagged me in a homemade video. I soon learned I was being challenged to dump a bucket of freezing ice water over my head. I had twenty four hours to comply. Was this the wild west? Like Wyatt Earp, I felt like I was being called out of an old western saloon to face a noon time gun slinging challenge on a dusty road. If I refused would I be considered yellow bellied?</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">I wasn't about to have someone film me having a bucket of water dumped on my head. I was an attorney. I spoke three languages. I was a well respected member of the community. I had many leather bound books. If I complied would my reputation be tarnished forever. Then again if members of Congress, Martha Stewart, Ethel Kennedy and a host of others could do it, what harm was there.It was for a good cause.</span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">The point of the dare was to raise money and awareness for ALS Research. According to the ALS Association, "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed." In other words, it is a debilitating disease that eats away at a person There is no cure.</span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">Now, I have heard the cynics. "Dumping a bucket of water on your head is not going to cure ALS." "I am sick of these videos" "These people are nuts" They are entitled to their opinions. But I think some people miss the big picture. </span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">Here is why I like the challenge:</span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><b>1. People are actually talking about ALS. </b></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">When is the last time Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was a common topic at dinner tables. My guess is when Lou Gehrig gave his luckiest man in the world speech. These goofy challenges have raised awareness of ALS. Let's be frank, your chances for research grants or catching the ear of politicians are greatly increased when you have an issue the whole nation is talking about. </span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><b>2. The ice bucket challenge is raising real money.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">The ALS Association reports that in the course of a weekend they raised over $ million dollars. Compare that to the same period last year where they raised a little over $20,000 dollars. Not sure where the money is going? Use a website like charity navigator to see where your donated money is going and how much of it actually goes to research.</span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;"><b>3. It's a lot better than other viral trends. </b></span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">Hey, would you rather see a video of some idiot setting himself on fire or punching a stranger in the head or would you rather see kids dumping water on their parents for a good cause. Is it any different than walking for a cure for cancer? I like the fact that people are raising their heads from their smart phones and i Pads in order to have water dumped on them. I enjoy seeing families coming together to support ALS research. In addition to celebrities and politicians dumping water on well coifed hair, I like seeing kids dumping water on their parents for a good cause. I know my staff enjoyed watching water dumped on my head by my law partner. He may have enjoyed it a little too much.</span></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 33.60000228881836px;">Personally, I took part because of a close relative who has been suffering from a similar disease. As goofy as this trend has been, the end results have been positive. Awareness and money have been raised for ALS research. Just one more thing to add. I challenge you dump a bucket of ice water on your head. You have 24 hours to comply.......</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: white; font-family: enriqueta, serif; font-size: 28px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2em;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-36293442244326505752014-08-11T18:57:00.002-04:002014-08-11T18:57:37.177-04:00Metadata and the Legal Profession. How Ignorance Can Lead to Disaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5QHMQvgzdz9kS_K_nAnEVpqfqdFjg8GJdZSUhMvkwDSkodOCfe84KWiokQ1oBVmfpF-C7rrfoGAz7aInbujfLJNlwgGn0GqbI-mcPOU3eouAVOq5EnYQL7I8Hr55z9K_Sw0MYSVtxs5P/s1600/Ali+Moinuddin+-+headshot+-+Copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5QHMQvgzdz9kS_K_nAnEVpqfqdFjg8GJdZSUhMvkwDSkodOCfe84KWiokQ1oBVmfpF-C7rrfoGAz7aInbujfLJNlwgGn0GqbI-mcPOU3eouAVOq5EnYQL7I8Hr55z9K_Sw0MYSVtxs5P/s1600/Ali+Moinuddin+-+headshot+-+Copy.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This article can also be viewed at our updated site <a href="http://www.thenutmeglawyer.com/#!Metadata-and-the-Legal-Profession-How-Ignorance-Can-Lead-to-Disaster/c1q8z/E9FE6771-D828-4906-93B8-4C3ACD8EC677">thenutmeglawyer.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your office always engages in the best practices when it comes to your clients' confidentiality, this goes without saying. You've got the latest anti-virus software installed, a comprehensive firewall and fully secured connections for the web? Of course you have. Standard. Yet here you are suddenly finding yourself and your firm under the microscope on matters of confidentiality and possibly facing misconduct charges simply because one of your administrative staffers emailed a document to a third party that contained sensitive metadata about one of your clients or cases. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite your employee's usual professionalism and good working habits, this costly and potentially devastating error still happened because the unfortunate staffer wasn't even aware the data was there. While metadata is a useful resource, ignorance of its existence in electronic documents can spell disaster for law firms and other legal professionals.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Metadata in a Nutshell</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Put simply, metadata is simply additional information about existing data, or "data about data", and is used for discovery, archival and organizational purposes. Document metadata, for instance, may be the author's name, the creation date and a brief summary of its contents. Since it may pass through unnoticed, especially in a busy office, it's vital to install safeguards to prevent common metatdata blunders, which include accidental transmission in a legal setting.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your First line of Defense against Metadata Disasters</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your first line of metadata protection starts with the education of your staff. In fact anyone in your office who comes into contact with metadata and may be in a position to accidentally pass it along to unauthorized parties needs to understand the risks. Proper training will alert your staff and attorneys to the presence of metadata and what they can do to avoid transferring it by accident. By making your staff aware of metadata's appearance, uses and functions, you'll help foster a more guarded environment regarding its use.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Vigilance regarding metadata and its use remains the key. By keeping an eye out for this type of data and developing business practices that eliminate the chance of inadvertent transmission, your firm or office will be in a far less risky position when it comes to potential confidentiality breeches. It’s also important not to get complacent. Refresher courses and updated training will help remind your staff of the importance of proper metadata handling.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The American Bar Association recommends you notify the sender of metadata your office is not authorized to have but opinions on the matter are divided across the country, with each state Bar Association or Ethics Committee having often completely opposing advice. Develop a notification procedure for accidental receipt of sensitive metadata and instruct your staff to follow it should that occur. When creating your procedure, be sure to include documentation of your notice to the person who sent the metadata to protect your office going forward.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reducing Potential Mishaps further with Digital Defenses</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although no substitute for education and training, having automatic metadata removal software is increasingly becoming an essential feature of any firm or offices defenses against metadata nightmares. Features vary by program, but this type of software can automatically erase metadata from common file types, including Microsoft Office docs and PowerPoint presentations, in batches or by individual file, as well as alerting users before they send email attachments of the metadata contained within.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you decide to go with metadata removal software, you'll need to research the available programs to find the one that best meets your law office's needs. Fully train your staff on the correct way to use the program you select and make sure it's being used correctly and on a regular basis.</span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Author Bio: Ali Moinuddin is Chief Marketing Officer at Workshare, who produce document comparison and review software for the legal profession. Ali has over 15 years of experience in supporting high growth companies and before joining Workshare. His previous roles include CMO at SkyDox, Director of Marketing at Interxion, Director of Marketing EMEA for SPL WorldGroup (now a part of Oracle), and Marketing Manager EMEA and Asia-Pacific at Kana. You can connect with him on Twitter.</span></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-84153622068562097692014-02-10T00:13:00.003-05:002014-02-10T00:52:15.989-05:00Mr. Baron Goes to Washington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleScXRgbnv16zvtO4aGFayIsiLzsMs7rdajLnxLAnZcNoOLPwhMgZhdjPXlCvgntK9d-RnquY0mj-RBkDBenzmIe-YxSQuql5EcMp5DmwLdEKlb2lpH33MWr1oD7B5WXnz21K2YDrS1r9/s1600/adrianwh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleScXRgbnv16zvtO4aGFayIsiLzsMs7rdajLnxLAnZcNoOLPwhMgZhdjPXlCvgntK9d-RnquY0mj-RBkDBenzmIe-YxSQuql5EcMp5DmwLdEKlb2lpH33MWr1oD7B5WXnz21K2YDrS1r9/s1600/adrianwh.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> This past Friday, I was invited to take part in a day of meetings at the White House with various community leaders from across the United States. As an American citizen, the honor was overwhelming. As a kid, I had visited the White House with my family as a tourist. Never did I imagine I would be invited there "on business." Of course, my family had forged long ties to this nation. The Barons had come to these shores around the time of the British invasion of New York. It was about time we got invited to the White House.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course when I mention the British invasion, I don't mean those red coated fife aficianados who saw their tea thrown into Boston Harbor. I mean the mop haired variety. My parents both came to this country from Poland during the time of the Beatles invasion. Yes, it is true. I am the son of immigrants and I couldn't be prouder. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My family's story is just one small thread that makes up our national tapestry. We are a nation of immigrants. </span><span style="font-size: large;">My father did his best to take advantage of the opportunity. He came to this country with a few dollars in his pocket to establish a new life. He wanted to raise his family here. For over forty years, he has put in long hours working at a factory manufacturing aircraft components. Through his hard work, he has been able to provide his family with a brighter future. He eventually bought his family a home in the suburbs and even put an American made 1969 Stingray in the driveway. Because of his hard work, I was able to pursue my own American dream. I pursued my law degree. I owe everything to my father and to the opportunities granted by this nation. He even lets me borrow the Vette now and then.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I myself was born in the United States. As a result, I was able to enjoy a steady diet of E.T., World Wrestling and GI Joe as a kid. I was able to miss out on things like communism and martial law. So here I was, the son of immigrants standing in the home of the President of the United States. As my wife and I toured the White House, we gazed at portraits of the men who helped define American history. I stood under Aaron Shikler's powerful posthumous painting of President Kennedy with his arms crossed and eye's downcast. It was surreal to think I was walking in the shadows of these great Americans.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To mark the occasion of my visit, I had worn my father's tie. I wanted him to be there with me in one way or another. I thought of him as I watched Marine One land at the White House from a distance. Seven of our nation's presidents were the sons of immigrants. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As we walked through the Neoclassical home, I had a chance encounter with a member of the Obama family. Sunny had just come in from her walk. She strutted past me and stepped on my shoe. Sunny also had an immigrant background. She was a Portugese Water dog.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We finished up our tour and proceeded to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building which was adjacent to the West Wing. Before our meetings began, I went in search of a rest room. I was about to knock on a door to ask for directions when I noticed the nameplate. "Vice President's Office". Maybe this guy had more important things to do. I would ask someone else. Then again, he did share my father's love of Corvettes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I proceeded to my meeting rom where I was joined by community leaders from across the country. I soon realized that the immigration issue was not just a Latino issue as it was often portrayed. The room was represented by a large swath of immigrant groups including the Irish,Italians and the Polish. The room made up a beautiful tapestry of what the US was all about. The participants shared stories of their own immigrant experiences and the troubles with the current system. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As an immigration attorney, I knew this first hand. The system was broken and ignoring the problem was not going to make it go away. As the head of a business association, I also knew very well that our nation was missing out on millions in business investment, tourism dollars and technological advances. Something needed to change. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The President and Senate were on board with Immigration reform. The next obstacle lies with the House of Representatives. That is a huge problem. During my recent visit to Congress I noticed both Coke and Pepsi machines in the Capitol's cafeteria. These guys can't agree on anything. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With immigration reform, we have the opportunity to strengthen our nation. It is the consensus of most economists that immgrants fuel our economy. In my own city of New Britain, this fact is plainly evident. Polish immigrants make up the majority of the 100 businesses in the city's Little Poland district. Once strife with crime, these hardworking immigrants revitilized the neighborhood. Local politicians often refer to it as New Britain's "real main street." It is the American dream on display. Local restaurants like Staropolska have been reviewed by the NY Times and the Travel Channel. Little Poland's Belvedere Cafe has been visited by members of US Congress, foreign dignataries and world famous athletes. When a local police officer was seriously injured, they were the first to offer their facilities to raise money for the officer and his family. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In addition to these small businesses, Polish immigrants have begun bringing manufacturing back to New Britain. The city's new Polamer aerospace manufacturing plant is being built by Polish immigrants to the United States. It stands poised to provide hundreds of jobs and will undoubtedy fuel the local economy with workers seeking out homes, restaurants and shops for goods and services. The city has several machine shops that produce parts to fuel our nation's military. Many are owned by Polish immigrants. The Poles are just one immigrant group of many that fuel our economy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcoming immigrants is not our nation's weakness. It is our strength. The time for immigration reform is now. If you share my view, I encourage you to contact your own members of Congress and let them know.</span><br />
<br />
You can also view this post on our update new site <a href="http://thenutmeglawyer.com/">thenutmeglawyer.com</a>Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-80406882280447789142014-02-01T18:13:00.002-05:002014-02-01T18:43:40.442-05:00Rekindling the Romance With Your Smart Phone<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u819wk0PtC6QY0WiZMRVt051BVr1pHiQwo1uH1HdhIj9sBribot1-UQyJSTSvg11wsbzLfTWUQz_yjMWLpPAqlbMY_AfNNI6Yz2Uvj-a-zzXXlnRmnzYdTvkJFTgiHCVqROW2o4M1cBU/s1600/lovea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u819wk0PtC6QY0WiZMRVt051BVr1pHiQwo1uH1HdhIj9sBribot1-UQyJSTSvg11wsbzLfTWUQz_yjMWLpPAqlbMY_AfNNI6Yz2Uvj-a-zzXXlnRmnzYdTvkJFTgiHCVqROW2o4M1cBU/s1600/lovea.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Getting the Most Out of Your Smart Phone for Your Law Practice</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently saw a trailer for the movie "Her". As far as I can tell, actor Joaquin Phonenix plays the part of a lonely mustached man who falls in love with his smart phone's Siri like operating system. I scoffed at the notion. First, if you can pull of a Tom Selleck mustache, getting the ladies is not a problem. Second, I hated my cell phone. I would never consider dating it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a reason why they are called "cell" phones. Sometimes they make you feel like you're locked up in one. Whether iron bars or signal bars, they can both make you a prisoner. There are days I feel like I am chained to my phone with no hope of escape. The sound of my ringing phone can cause me to cringe in the same way I would when hearing nails scratching on a school black board. I began changing my ring tone every time I felt my sanity waning. Eventually, I ran out of ring tones. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I was being unfair. My cell phone and I had some nice memories. I remember that call from a buddy who told me I was on the list of those who passed the bar exam. I used it to call that pretty girl I met who would later be my wife. When I ran into the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile, I used my cell phone's camera to snap a photo of me standing next to it. Maybe the relationship with my cell phone was worth saving. She gave me the world at my finger tips. I basically had access to the world's collective knowledge in the palm of my hand. I could look up information on almost anything. I could listen to music, play games, watch a movie or even check in with friends from around the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, for a busy law practice all those great things proved to be colossal time wasters. When I should have been preparing motions, I was watching videos of cats pushing items off tables and liking photos of meals posted by dining acquaintances. Something needed to change. My smart phone needed to be more like my assistant and less like one of my time wasting college buddies. If I was going to rebuild our relationship, I needed to make our union a bit more professional. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While a smart phone can be a tremendous tool, many people don't use their full potential as a business tool. I included myself in that category. It was then that I decided to turn my smart phone from a time waster to a time saver. Here are a few ways I use my smart phone to improve my law practice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Making Calls the Right Way : </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know many attorneys who carry two cell phones. They use one for business and one for personal use. Carry around two cell phones was the last thing I wanted to do. In addition to another cell phone bill, I didn't want more things to carry. Of course, there were times I needed to call clients from my cell phone. Truth be told, I didn't want them to have my personal cell phone number. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I learned this the hard way. I made the eregious error of giving out my mobile number to many of my clients. At the time it seemed to be a great idea. If they could reach me 24 hours a day, it could mean more business. I learned the practice bred a bit too much familiarity and made me too accessible. While many clients respected personal boundries, others felt that they could call me any day at any time. It was hard to enjoy a night out with my wife, time with the family or even a weekend nap without the phone constantly ringing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I gave my number out, I followed it with the instruction that it was to be used in case of emergency. I thought that would solve the problem. I should have also explained what constituted an emergency. I once had a divorce client call me several times one late evening after a night of hard drinking. I can only assume he had been watching ASPACA commercials featuring sad eyed puppies accomplanied by a Sarah McLahlan soundtrack. "She's not getting the dog " my client barked tearfully in one midnight call. Another client called me while I was at a wedding. "I know lawyers have lots of money to burn. Do you want to make some great money selling jams from Budapest? You can be your own boss." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It got to the point, that if I didn't recognize the number, I balked at answering my phone. Friends and family got a bit flustered with me that they couldn't reach me. Clients began calling my cell phone directly in order to by pass the secretary. A big portion of my day was going through my cell phone messages. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My saving grace was a phone app called Business Call. For a nominal fee, I now have two lines on my smart phone. When I call a client, I click the app and the business number appears on their caller ID. The app also allows me to time calls and input notes on each call. With differing ringtones, I now know if the incoming call is business or personal. The app even allowed me to choose my new number from a selection offered in my calling area. It gives me a bit of privacy without having to pick up the expense of an extra cell phone bill. It is also convenient not to have to carry two phones. If necessary, I can forward my business calls to the office and allow my personal calls to come in.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) A Mobile Scanner</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought everyone was in on this "secret". Every time I use the scanner app on my phone, some other attorney invariably asks me "how did you do that?" It's simple. You can download a multitude of free scanner apps for your phone. By using your phones camera, you can scan documents, convert them into PDF files and email them to yourself. I like to use this feature when I am reviewing arrest or accident reports. Not having to search out a copy machine can save lots of time and aggravation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) GPS: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't heard of "Waze" by now, you may want to check out this great little application. I use this instead of the GPS feature that came with my phone. With millions of users, the app's data is constantly updated. Using input from users ahead of you on the road, it will tell you about traffic, constrution delays or even if police are lurking in the shadows as you zip to court. It will even tell you which area gas stations have the best prices that day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Mileage Tracker</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you include a record of mileage in your billing, taxes, or expense reumbursement, you might want to check out the Milog app. It will allow you to keep a record of the miles traveled as you cruise Route 66.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) Camera</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I find myself using the camera feature pretty often on my phone. From taking a photo of an accident scene to snapping a picture of the floor level sign to remind me where I parked, it is a handy feature. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(6) Marketing My Practice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you addicted to social media? Why not use it to your advantage? I began doing facebook updates of my visits to various court houses. If I was visiting a particular court, I would check in. To make it a bit more interesting, I sometimes snap a photo of the court house. In addition to helping my staff track me down, it let's people on Facebook know that I spend quite a bit of time in court. People are constantly reminded what you do for a living. In my situation, it let's people know that I practice in court houses across the state. It has actually lead to referrals from people who didn't realize I practiced in their neck of the woods. During down time in court, I can sneak in twitter updates on our firm's twitter account.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(7) QR Code Scanner: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our firm uses a cloud based office management program. Using a little Yankee ingenuity, we now create QR codes that link to each client file. We then place the QR Code on a label. When I am in court, I can scan the code to get client contact information and relevant documents. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(8) Memo Taker:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You never know when a great idea will pop into your head. Like Don Draper barking into a dictaphone, I use my phone's memo feature to leave notes and reminders for myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(9) Wi-Fi Hot Spot: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My particular phone has a feature that allows it to serve as a wi-fi hot spot. This feature comes in handy when I have my i Pad or laptop with me in an area where I cannot access wireless internet service.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(10) Bank Apps:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I use the mint.com app with our office's operating expense account. With the tap of my finger, I can see how much we are spending on office supplies, our income vs. expenses, what bills need to be paid and exactly how many billions of doubloons I have locked in my bank' s vault. I also use our bank's app at real estate closings to help verify if wires came through.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(11) Research</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a mini library downloaded on my smart phone including the Connecticut practice book and various state statutes. It helps to be able to look something up when you are away from your office and there is no law library in sight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(12) Managing Your Docket</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned earlier our law office uses a cloud based management program called Clio. I love the fact that Clio syncs with the Google Calendar app on my phone. My secretary can take an appointment or input a court date and the information instantaneously appears on my calendar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have your own suggestions? We would love to hear them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Editors note: We are currently upgrading our blog. You can also see this post at our new site <a href="http://thenutmeglawyer.com/">thenutmeglawyer.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-78220749339794042292014-01-31T09:00:00.000-05:002014-01-31T16:07:17.341-05:00Downton Abbey Taught Me to Be a Better Lawyer<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-d85UjL_R4/UuHjUfkYmmI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Bb_oJp3P-18/s1600/butler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-d85UjL_R4/UuHjUfkYmmI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Bb_oJp3P-18/s1600/butler.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you asked me what shows I enjoy watching, I would probably tell you I only watch ESPN and the news. Truth be told, my wife and I have been smitten with the trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of Downton Abbey. The well written period drama is set in the country estate of the fictional Crawley family during Britain's post-Edwardian era. As a fan of history, I enjoy seeing how the day's events and technological advancements played into the daily lives of people. From Spanish influenza and the sinking of the Titanic to World War and the Teapot scandal, viewers watch as history intervenes in the daily lives of the residents of Downton Abbey.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After watching several seasons, I noticed the show was starting to influence me. Our New Britain, Connecticut office had a Victorian feel to it. The waiting room has antique furniture from the era, paintings, sculptures, a phonograph, typewriters and even a mimeograph machine. I started wearing a monocle and announced my wife's arrival any time she entered the room. I began wearing fancy white gloves to the theatre. (Well technically they were gardening gloves and by theatre I meant catching the latest installment of the Hangover at the local Cineplex) I started butling around the house. The show's influence began seeping into my work at the law office. It wasn't a bad thing. Despite Matthew Crawley being a horrible barrister and poor estate planner, Downton Abbey did indeed make me a better lawyer. And as any proper gentleman would do, I now share this information with my readers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I now present a few tips I picked up from the lords and ladies at Downton Abbey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Embrace Modern Technology:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As the series progresses, we see how the old ways and traditions of English high society begin conflicting with modern times. The lord of the manor soon learns that he must adopt modern farming techniques in order to save his estate from financial ruin. The kitchen staff begins using modern appliances in order to become more efficient. The change is too much to bare for the Countess Violet who proclaims “First electricity, now telephones. Sometimes I feel as if I’m living in an H.G. Wells novel.” Even societal norms begin to change with glimmers of woman's suffrage, racial equality and the bending of class lines. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As with Downton, one should be willing to embrace the offerings of modern technology. When I first started at my firm, most of the computers were being used as paper weights and a convenient place to place post it notes. Until 1995, the firm's founder was renting rotary phones from the phone company. (You read that right.) The typewriter remained the weapon of choice for preparing motions, wills and briefs. God forbid you made a typographical error. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While I am sure your office stands in a much better state, you may want to ask yourself "is there room for improvement?" Well? Ask yourself. In addition to upgrading our computers, our attorneys now carry i Pads to court. The smart phone has become as important a tool as that extra fork they give you in a fancy restaurant. (I can only assume it's in case you drop your first one). We have also switched over to a cloud based law office management program called Clio. With my trusty smart phone I can scan police reports, take photos of accident scenes, review statutes, check my daily calendar or peruse the court's daily docket, find directions and estimate my arrival to my next appointment and a slew of other helpful tasks. I can even take a credit card payment or watch "12 Angry Men." Our firm's scanners help us sort through hundreds of pages and have helped un-clutter the office. I can locate a file's location through our law practice management software. I can access documents and client information by scanning a QR code printed on each file. In general, by using technology we have become more competitive with firms that boast larger staff sizes. The time saved has given me the opportunity to get more work done and increase our bottom line.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Whilst Maintaining Tradition:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While I do suggest embracing modern technology, it doesn't mean you should completely ignore time honored traditions. On Downton Abbey, the Crawleys do their best to continue in age old traditions while the world around them changes. Old customs can bring order and stability during times of chaos. The family's butler Carson thrives in the old traditions. When asked why he devoted his life to being a butler, he would undoubtedly refer to it as a calling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is where I compare the life of a butler to the life of a lawyer. Like Carson, those who pursue a life in the service of law are subject to a calling. We stand before robe clad judges asking if it may please the court. We appear before the bench in our Sunday best and are expected to follow proper decorum. A well worn suit can project stature and competence. First impressions happen only once. You should always put your best footman forward. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Consider Updating Your Calling Card.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When someone paid a visit to the Downton estate, they would present the butler with a calling card. The Lord or lady of the house would then have the opportunity to determine whether they wanted to meet with you as you waited in the parlor. A successful visit to such an estate could help propel you higher in society. Why not make your first impression a nice one?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, I have collected a shoebox full of business cards. (I am always reminded of that scene in American Psycho where a bunch of stockbrokers compare and contrast the quality of their cards.) Most cards are the standard variety and are professional looking. Others come across bland. When I see a nice business card, I generally make my first impression about the attorney handing it to me. Does it have his or her photo on it? Is it homemade with frayed paper clinging to the edges for dear life? Does he have a nickname in quotes? Is their information crossed out or added in pen? Of course, business cards can be expensive. For a small practitioner, raised ink and linen paper is not your main concern when you have to pay for office supplies, utilities and of course, your butler. Vistaprint offers raised ink business cards and affordable low minimum orders. Zazzle.com offers a variety of different shapes and styles of business cards created by professional designers. They are also affordable. Of course, we also recommend local businesses. Check out your local printer. I am sure they can offer their expertise to design something unique and professional for you. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Network More</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the world of Downton Abbey, rubbing elbows with the right people can mean success. Knowing the head maid or a well placed footman at the estate could land you a job. Being in the good graces of the royal family could mean titles or prestigious commissions in the military. It pays to be pleasant to those around you. You never know when that lowly chauffer could catch the eye of the lady of the house and become a gentleman.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With that in mind, I encourage you to attend events offered by bar and local organizations. These events can be a great place to establish professional relationships that can lead to future referrals. Depending on your practice, it may behoove you to network any chance you get. Instead of using the drive thru, I tend to go inside the bank to chat up the tellers. I rotate where I get my haircut and chat up the barber. I go to confession once a week and time how long people spend in the confession booth. I give my business card to those who take a long time. It is a great resource for potential divorces and criminal clients. (Of course, I jest. I do not actually leave my business cards in confession booths. I wait for these sinners in the parking lot.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) Don't Be a Pompous Ass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just because you're the under butler to the lord of the manor, doesn't mean you should put on airs. You never know when that lowly chauffer could catch the eye of the lady of the house and become the next Lord Crawley. I am sure you are aware of a few attorneys who are a bit aloof. Perhaps you know attorneys who feels their law school sheepskin entitles them to be rude to those around them. I have seen attorneys bark at clerks, court marshals and other staffers. Not only are you being an ass, it can really hurt you in the end. Court staffers often have the ears of prosecutors and judges. You really don't want to be labeled a pompous ass. Other attorneys are less likely to refer you clients. Your files might be found on the bottom of a pile on a scorned clerk's desk. A court marshal may ask you to remove your belt, shoes and pants as you desperately try to get to court on time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, try to conduct yourself with a bit of civility and class. That means no 'cussin. As the Countess Violet noted "vulgarity is no substitute for wit."</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Editor's Note: The Nutmeg Lawyer has moved to thenutmeglawyer.com. Unfortunately, we have discovered that Wix.com does not currently offer RSS feeds. As such, we will continue posting on this page until the problem is resolved. Feel free to check out our sister site at <a href="http://www.thenutmeglawyer.com/">www.thenutmeglawyer.com </a> )</span></div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-88142508034420104502014-01-25T15:52:00.003-05:002014-02-01T19:22:41.314-05:0010.5 Reasons to Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyPW-HlgQyI/UuQkGRWl5SI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Ovk4x5U9ShA/s1600/cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyPW-HlgQyI/UuQkGRWl5SI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Ovk4x5U9ShA/s1600/cliff.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><span style="line-height: 33.599998474121094px;">The Nutmeg Lawyer is moving. You can find this guest post by attorney Cliff Tuttle Jr. by <a href="http://www.thenutmeglawyer.net/#!105-Reasons-to-Blog-/c1q8z/71DBD0B3-B4B3-459E-ADD2-164DBEEF147D">clicking here</a> or visiting us at www.thenutmeglawyer.net</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: enriqueta, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-62918896775484102382014-01-17T18:03:00.003-05:002014-01-22T17:25:10.030-05:00A New Look for 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7-H3ouQKbU/Utm2Tn21smI/AAAAAAAAAEU/qmAm1AFUfX0/s1600/new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7-H3ouQKbU/Utm2Tn21smI/AAAAAAAAAEU/qmAm1AFUfX0/s1600/new.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The fine people at the Nutmeg Lawyer have decided to update our site to a new look. While the current site will remain active, we invite you to visit us at <a href="http://thenutmeglawyer.net/">thenutmeglawyer.com</a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Thank you for your patience while we make the move.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have been a guest author for the NL, we will include your submissions on the new site.</span></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-44014054874693203772014-01-15T09:00:00.000-05:002014-01-22T14:54:58.095-05:00Mobile Law Offices, Free Biscotti & The Continued Decline of Western Civilization<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post has been moved to our <a href="http://abaro4.wix.com/thenutmeglawyer#!marketing-mishaps/c3i7">new site </a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFKFy4tvQXvzGDwjiNXurUvER2CuMcnVYumB2zgR0uTfTERM_I0S-08yoP4hB0vl24FfxXqeFkpVU1_E6XzxXE43lJD0pQIHNQtkimHnWCvvaSDulVTc0ihgb0kWuf6q2zx5Viq3El9E/s400/don_draper_ars.jpg" height="76" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 406px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 609px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-24274873142447230472014-01-08T14:32:00.000-05:002014-01-15T19:36:23.267-05:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgQY0hv2PO13u2IZ808jQhyphenhyphendaz5awMXIYJNhGL9LTzERpw6Gptae91TqEN3IpSDVFCLMW7h80ghpQ6P4W-_G8-4HeRYbDGzqamzc5066H9HgIGZ5MJaY3G6FLJ6EOFahRD87x7O-d1CiT/s1600/baron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgQY0hv2PO13u2IZ808jQhyphenhyphendaz5awMXIYJNhGL9LTzERpw6Gptae91TqEN3IpSDVFCLMW7h80ghpQ6P4W-_G8-4HeRYbDGzqamzc5066H9HgIGZ5MJaY3G6FLJ6EOFahRD87x7O-d1CiT/s1600/baron.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
As some of Nutmeg Lawyer Readers may know, I took some time off from blogging so I could devote more time to my campaign for a seat on my local city council. You'll be happy to know that the time spent was not wasted. I came in second. OK. Coming in second sucks. Basically, I'm the fifth Beatle. The guy who stayed inside the lunar module while Armstrong set foot on the moon. The kid who got the participation ribbon. Basically pick any member of En Sync besides Justin Timberlake. I was now that guy. Sadly, I didn't quite reach the summit. I lost the election by 18 votes in a city of 72,000 people. Not to worry dear readers . I got some good advice from my seven year old nephew. He said "uncle Adrian, maybe next time you shouldn't put your face on the signs". All in all, it was a great experience and another check on the old bucket list.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Now that the election is over, I am raring to go to devote more time to my blogging efforts. Here's to a great 2014.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-69454828227386135522013-10-31T10:45:00.000-04:002013-10-31T11:16:10.047-04:00Who You Gonna Call? Connecticut's Haunted Court House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEbQ_yTLW9japVWAaVxVxZH1i7A7V-LczuPX2DuO6bSyy6E04oADAKcWHX47YqimZaH9pJhOZMb5cYggLtUE6FZZYLsipli3H9XjTzEwOSpFwMUr0P6f6ALmt7RKIafTbiz9T-3wy76gA/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEbQ_yTLW9japVWAaVxVxZH1i7A7V-LczuPX2DuO6bSyy6E04oADAKcWHX47YqimZaH9pJhOZMb5cYggLtUE6FZZYLsipli3H9XjTzEwOSpFwMUr0P6f6ALmt7RKIafTbiz9T-3wy76gA/s400/house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My first law office was located in Hartford's Munsil-Borden Mansion. Built in 1893, I had an office on the second floor of the stately mansion. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The home was once owned by a heiress to the Borden milk fortune and flourished during Hartford's gilded age. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The trek to my office required a walk up an old beautifully carved staircase silhouetted by stained glass windows. The windows contained images of the previous Victorian owners forever entombed in stained glass. Their ghostly visages</span><span style="font-size: large;"> stared down intently at anyone who dared to traverse the halls. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The building was actually a popular jaunt for ghost hunters. I couldn't blame their interest. The milk heiress was a distant relative of suspected infamous axe murderer Lizzie Borden. When the moon shone through the stain glass windows, I could feel the previous owner watching me as I prepared legal briefs and made copies. The house was full of creaks and hisses.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Naturally, I made an effort to get out of there at sundown. No one was going to get me with 40 whacks with an axe. At the time, I only had my law degree for a few months. I still had the will to live. The old mansion would not be the only haunted building I encountered.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QDf50k2EoaNo1doVsvTa0nofUdj8Ibc7r3YPK5jNSJwa7mLmTyvDweqwSEYqF59VA3AmbaViDBDaoQdUQx2-_njEc0YEcoxxHQo2oDGs2tX1yQHzRZULyZlzOmOaT1OXupijhezqb3TG/s1600/der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QDf50k2EoaNo1doVsvTa0nofUdj8Ibc7r3YPK5jNSJwa7mLmTyvDweqwSEYqF59VA3AmbaViDBDaoQdUQx2-_njEc0YEcoxxHQo2oDGs2tX1yQHzRZULyZlzOmOaT1OXupijhezqb3TG/s400/der.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is Derby Court Haunted? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of Connecticut's most unique courthouses has to be the one in Derby, Connecticut. Located on Elizabeth Street, Derby Superior Court is directly adjacent to the elegant Sterling Opera House. Visitors to the court can stop for a bite in one of the area restaurants or take a stroll at the nice little park across the street. But don't be fooled by the nice landscaping, the quaint park benches and the friendly court staff. I write this blog post as a warning to my fellow practicing attorneys in Connecticut. Beware of Derby Court. It may be haunted. And opera may be to blame.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gjSMjBeQRzPhFDWptyLRGlNQbXs9hsqX_2vrpqCkT-0INviBgL-Ah1UXckp66HiO0jp1ieuGCymeXUc7KvsSr3FcS1VlYvP4UPhBfmyKlJPfQ5xJoOlvWuCi69SrdJjE9ZmY5h9bwPwK/s1600/dann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gjSMjBeQRzPhFDWptyLRGlNQbXs9hsqX_2vrpqCkT-0INviBgL-Ah1UXckp66HiO0jp1ieuGCymeXUc7KvsSr3FcS1VlYvP4UPhBfmyKlJPfQ5xJoOlvWuCi69SrdJjE9ZmY5h9bwPwK/s1600/dann.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author with professional Ghostbuster Dan Akroyd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Opened in 1889, the 1200 seat Sterling Opera house was once the premiere entertainment venue in the lower Naugatuck Valley. It has hosted the likes of comedian Red Skelton, academy award winning actor Lionel Barrymore (great uncle of Drew Barrymore), escape artist Harry Houdini, tuba aficionado John Phillip Sousa and boxer John Sullivan. It is said that D.W. Griffith premiered his controversial film "Birth of A Nation" here. Even Amelia Earnhart once graced the Opera House halls when she spoke to a local women's group. The Sterling Opera House was the gem of Derby. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, the gem lost it's luster and the Opera House closed it's doors in 1945. For the next 20 years, it served as a police substation until finally shuttering it's doors in the 1960s. The property would remain neglected and abandoned until the good people of Derby decided to bring it back. In addition to ongoing renovations at the opera house, the adjacent courthouse recently got an upgrade. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mq6jOxjw9ravNSD0MSFfhKu3zc0wGJpuyRL1tIFBigDKsCcobT6NK0diUYxU6Sg51yGfCvK4_Fv05S7c0Y2ATDKT5n69Npes_URSCQEKkgBBJHTc-9ElnuX2OL97TOSYiCdJGRAysI_s/s1600/pac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mq6jOxjw9ravNSD0MSFfhKu3zc0wGJpuyRL1tIFBigDKsCcobT6NK0diUYxU6Sg51yGfCvK4_Fv05S7c0Y2ATDKT5n69Npes_URSCQEKkgBBJHTc-9ElnuX2OL97TOSYiCdJGRAysI_s/s200/pac.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Paranormal investigators claim the Opera House is haunted. Local residents have shared stories of seeing spirit like mists and orbs. They have seen a Victorian woman with a child and have heard the voices of children. They have reported hand prints of a child in several locations. Many believe it to be the spirit of a young boy named Andy. Visitors have even left toys around the opera house for him to play with. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it was enough for the television program Ghost Hunters to investigate. The space was featured in an episode of the popular show. Yet, the question remains. Have the spirits traveled into the adjacent court house? Is the Derby Court House haunted as well? Could they possibly get past the courthouse metal detectors? Who knows? </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZFKgibwO7HbcAJRV7DI9x3YMRKxdbBVq23POifX1o9SzqJq931XvDiyPzPHLpqFH9-hN1DCXawbT1qBGp39LBBhE1KvTQo-7uNkKZbEIzStFhfOJbw7ltnigLoXACD2j2OQUgHWaEHl9/s1600/sterling17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZFKgibwO7HbcAJRV7DI9x3YMRKxdbBVq23POifX1o9SzqJq931XvDiyPzPHLpqFH9-hN1DCXawbT1qBGp39LBBhE1KvTQo-7uNkKZbEIzStFhfOJbw7ltnigLoXACD2j2OQUgHWaEHl9/s320/sterling17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ghost hunting aside, if you would like to contribute to the restoration of this once grand structure, I encourage you to visit www.saveoursterling.org </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-1074079509757123772013-10-14T09:00:00.000-04:002013-10-15T11:13:27.237-04:00Election Fundraising. The Party for your Party<b>Frankly, Winthorpe, and I think I speak for all of us, I think it shows incredibly bad taste for you to embarrass us like this. - Trading Places</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-oCWmCtDKI/UlWCsqN5BWI/AAAAAAAAACs/Rk81Wqh04xc/s1600/bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-oCWmCtDKI/UlWCsqN5BWI/AAAAAAAAACs/Rk81Wqh04xc/s400/bob.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">As readers of the Nutmeg Lawyer may know, I recently threw my hat into the circus ring of local municipal politics. Against all reason, I decided to run for a seat on my local city council. It's been a rather interesting ride. As such, I have been chronicling my experience here on this blog. Although I have enjoyed battling it out in debates, knocking on doors of houses guarded by ravenous dogs, and responding to slanderous statements on newspaper blogs, my most enjoyable experience thus far has been the political fundraiser. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Fundraisers are a chance for candidates to get together with old friends, family members and supporters to have some fun and inspire the troops. It is also an opportunity to pick their pockets and piggy banks for campaign contributions. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hInEQmaYX7k/UlWSgUSSGnI/AAAAAAAAAD0/fiL5KbboJoI/s1600/aaaaaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hInEQmaYX7k/UlWSgUSSGnI/AAAAAAAAAD0/fiL5KbboJoI/s320/aaaaaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey, running for office can be an expensive proposition. Even small races may require you to purchase lawn signs, campaign mailers, and walking cards to hand to prospective voters. If you have some extra money you may want to even purchase a few campaign buttons, American flags and bumper stickers. Although I was primarily financing my race for office with my own funds, I decided I wanted to do a mailer to the prospective voters in my district. I needed to buy a donkey cart full of stamps. To do that I needed to throw a fundraiser. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nxNmUNPUX0/UlWLh0Vo9tI/AAAAAAAAADk/P7Gy2EFPB5U/s1600/adda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nxNmUNPUX0/UlWLh0Vo9tI/AAAAAAAAADk/P7Gy2EFPB5U/s320/adda.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Nutmeg Father</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having a fundraiser for yourself is akin to asking your friends to throw you a birthday party where all the guests are asked to bring cash instead of gifts. Needless to say, I felt like Dan Akroyd's character Winthorpe in the film "Trading Places." More specifically the scene where he goes hat in hand to ask his country club friends for a loan. Their response is quoted at the top of the article. Thankfully, I fared much better than Winthorpe. Although only a few people sent in RSVPs, I would be overwhelmed with the response.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlBgRoDMrYQ/UlWFOe7MOQI/AAAAAAAAAC4/_eEn7YFTlyA/s1600/are.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlBgRoDMrYQ/UlWFOe7MOQI/AAAAAAAAAC4/_eEn7YFTlyA/s320/are.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Members of the United States Congress and New Britain's mayor <br />present the Polish Ambassador with a key to the city at the Belvedere.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to hold my fundraiser at a local restaurant in my election district. The Belvedere Restaurant was considered a neighborhood success story. Once the location of an infamous strip club, the new owners transformed it into an elegant restaurant. Visitors have included members of the US Senate and House, world famous boxers, the Polish Ambassador, members of the Polish parliament (SEJM) and even a few international movie stars and recording artists. It was a great example of the neighborhood's turnaround. It was the same neighborhood my law office was located. It was an area of the city known as "Little Poland." Part of my platform included efforts to clean up area neighborhoods. It was the ideal choice for me.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mR4Ldr9POCU/UlWHxSU1e9I/AAAAAAAAADE/EwIoKHpM7pA/s1600/paw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mR4Ldr9POCU/UlWHxSU1e9I/AAAAAAAAADE/EwIoKHpM7pA/s320/paw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is there a politician in the house?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I remembered that George Washington railed against too many taverns in his first run for public office. He lost that election. The next time he ran, he made sure he threw a party. The rest is history. Many politicians follow his age old example. </span><span style="font-size: large;">During the political season, I was asked to attend a gaggle of fundraisers in backyards, restaurants, bars, football games, country clubs and private homes. I was determined to make my fundraiser stand out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBCBDt2dx3U/UlWJ1fSUcWI/AAAAAAAAADc/NCm4J3GXQn4/s1600/choc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBCBDt2dx3U/UlWJ1fSUcWI/AAAAAAAAADc/NCm4J3GXQn4/s320/choc.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Besides, who was I to question a founding father? I wanted to throw a grand affair. We prepared a soundtrack of upbeat old Rat Pack songs to give it a feel of an old Kennedy era campaign party complete with American flags and white seemer convention hats with the Democratic donkey emblazoned on the rim. Guests were treated to wine, spirits, various hors d'oeuvres and a chocolate fountain that made my nephew's eyes grow wide with delight. Expecting only a few family and friends, we were inundated with a huge crowd. I was happy to see most of my fellow candidates attend, many state representatives and senators and the current and former mayor. A cordial guy, one of my opponents even showed up as well as a few members of the opposing slate. Hey, a party is a party. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8wik-OF0RXA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, we had a great time. It was also nice to get the support of the local business community and residents. As Sinatra's rendition of "Pennies from Heaven" played in the background, my treasurer collected campaign contributions with a warm smile and a thankful handshake. Although we did not require a contribution to attend, virtually everyone gave generous donations. Starting at 5 PM, the event lasted until well into the early AM. How lucky can one guy be? </span><span style="font-size: large;">I did raise the funds for my mailings.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">If you missed the grand affair, a few of my family members made the little video tribute above for me. I hope you enjoy it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bm9DW4vnalE/UlWW9RVgPyI/AAAAAAAAAEA/KGDTu5T-yu4/s1600/knock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bm9DW4vnalE/UlWW9RVgPyI/AAAAAAAAAEA/KGDTu5T-yu4/s320/knock.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So now comes the hard part. With the election less than a month away, I must use my remaining time to knock on as many doors as I can to try to convince voters that I am the right guy for the job and that my opponent hates children and puppies. I will also send out my mailer to the homes in my district. I thought about renting a few kids and a couple of labrador retrievers for the mailer's photo. Maybe I could borrow a bald eagle. In the end, I decided to use a more conservative picture. So if I come knocking on your door, remember. Please turn off the sprinklers and keep your dogs at bay.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Paid for by Baron for New Britain. Marie T. Baron, Treasurer. </b><br />
<b>Approved by Adrian Baron </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-11319594623969049632013-10-07T11:00:00.000-04:002013-10-15T11:13:49.511-04:00Could a Law Firm Barbershop Be A Cut Above the Rest?<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> "In my day, a barber was a counselor". </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Eddie, Barbershop 2</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6_7H4yj2CI/Ukr7XkLdmFI/AAAAAAAAAB8/8eOGlrNCBEk/s1600/barber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6_7H4yj2CI/Ukr7XkLdmFI/AAAAAAAAAB8/8eOGlrNCBEk/s320/barber.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For my uncle, the best place to get good advice was the barbershop. Not a fancy hair salon tucked into some mall, but a good old fashioned barbershop complete with a red & white pole and a jar filled with an ominous blue liquid for combs. The kind you almost expect three old timey guys with curly mustaches to step out of the shadows and start singing in harmony. Whether he was buying a new lawnmower, needed legal advice or had a strange mole that needed checking out, my uncle could count on his barber Giuseppe.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> From tips on cooking pasta to fixing your marriage, the eighty year old coiffeur </span><span style="font-size: large;">could give you advice on just about anything. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL9owrK5LM_rJlrw-3rGka4Q_9sdAnIhE1CdNSa-EHIhB2qFyLlIGWT3H1bpOV8am8z-crBrQyLWwjDq3x9oohjamjm3v1vnq93CwVxlBp9Tdoqmeiqmeukk_pzhfq7gAfTI69YcWDe04/s1600/barber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL9owrK5LM_rJlrw-3rGka4Q_9sdAnIhE1CdNSa-EHIhB2qFyLlIGWT3H1bpOV8am8z-crBrQyLWwjDq3x9oohjamjm3v1vnq93CwVxlBp9Tdoqmeiqmeukk_pzhfq7gAfTI69YcWDe04/s320/barber.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warner Brothers "Grand Torino"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A man's relationship with his barber </span><span style="font-size: large;">is forged over many years. It is a</span><span style="font-size: large;"> deep bond that can outlast most marriages. It is as American as apple pie. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In the movie Grand Torino, it's where Clint Eastwood takes his young protege to teach him how to banter like a real man. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The right barber will know everything about you. A place where razor sharp wit is often accompanied with a straight edge razor. They know where the cowlick sticks up on the back of your head and which way you part your hair.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> They can immediately tell if you cheated on them for a cheap fling with a Supercuts stylist. The barbershop was the place you could count on for some solid advice. So it was no surprise to me when I heard that a new hybrid business opened near me. It would combine the two bastions of advice for men. A combined law firm-barbershop. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In desperate need of a trim, I headed down to New Britain's aptly named Legal Cuts to check it out. I was about to cheat on my barber. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IEG-URSXuQo/Ukr5MRBZBMI/AAAAAAAAABw/15fJ08JOpr0/s1600/legalcuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IEG-URSXuQo/Ukr5MRBZBMI/AAAAAAAAABw/15fJ08JOpr0/s320/legalcuts.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Steps from city hall and only a briefcase throw away from the local courthouse, Legal Cuts was nestled within the newly renovated portion of New Britain's West Main Street. Its storefront stood among the new businesses that were poised to be a part of the renaissance of the city's downtown district. </span><span style="font-size: large;">My timing couldn't have been more perfect. Legal Cuts accepted walk-ins and I happened to walk in as a satisfied client walked out. He had a hairline so neatly trimmed, it would've made the Yankee Stadium ground crew envious. Sitting down in the comfortable barber's chair, I was spun into view of </span><span style="font-size: large;">a shelf of neat white dress shirts and ties. I learned that t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he barbershop offered a complete court appearance package that included </span><span style="font-size: large;">a cut, shave, razor line, shirt and tie. It was under the heading "If it don't fit, you must acquit</span><span style="font-size: large;">." A sign on the wall listed the various haircuts available to clients. Another contained a list of legal services offered. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The barbershop was arranged with neatly arranged chairs on either side. In the back, I observed the entrance to the actual law office portion of the business. Above the door were the words "Nothing's Difficult, Everything's a Challenge. Luke 1.37". Inspirational words for clients facing difficult</span><span style="font-size: large;"> legal problems. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP230qZSTVtXqvmVZ6eW55BDjUNCVUtnoWR2KHn54OAi0TCq6D65HU6-oOmYRflAN3MZNeeQCwlVYg0h7yuZi-Jayedr7qnDvvVt-EgI53OH_oAd6FuHXtnhvENf7vmyY2uglr-b5oBcuo/s1600/cutz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP230qZSTVtXqvmVZ6eW55BDjUNCVUtnoWR2KHn54OAi0TCq6D65HU6-oOmYRflAN3MZNeeQCwlVYg0h7yuZi-Jayedr7qnDvvVt-EgI53OH_oAd6FuHXtnhvENf7vmyY2uglr-b5oBcuo/s200/cutz.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The Legal Cuts hybrid business concept was </span><span style="font-size: large;">the brainchild of Attorney Donald Howard. Apparently, he found his inspiration in "Legal Grind", a hybrid law firm/coffee shop in California</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Although </span><span style="font-size: large;">Attorney Howard had once served as a barber's apprentice, he wasn't actually the guy cutting hair. Instead, he</span><span style="font-size: large;"> had two full time barbers working seven days a week. </span><span style="font-size: large;">His barbers are prohibited from giving legal advice. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The legal stuff is left up to him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yzpmf7bmgE/UksNgUsEofI/AAAAAAAAACc/q94vSX2pbrA/s1600/office123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yzpmf7bmgE/UksNgUsEofI/AAAAAAAAACc/q94vSX2pbrA/s320/office123.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's an interesting concept that might attract a few harrumphs from the stodgy crowd. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yet, the more I thought about the concept, the more it grew on me. The thought of walking into a stuffy law firm with long dead senior partners glaring down from oil painted perches is pretty intimidating to some people. Perhaps this hybrid barbershop could offer a nice alternative. A place where many are more comfortable to discuss their problems. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It can really break down barriers. And it's gotten Attorney Howard some positive press including an article in the Connecticut Law Tribune and an interview on NPR. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Nutmeg Lawyer wishes Attorney Howard and the staff of Legal Cuts much success. </span><span style="font-size: large;">As Attorney Howard stated in his Connecticut Law Tribune interview "i</span><span style="font-size: large;">n this economy, you have to step outside the box — and burn the box."</span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-46714787895198549162013-09-30T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-27T17:10:06.811-04:00Maybe I Should Grow a Ponytail?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttH__PNlyF8/UkMyfLE6SUI/AAAAAAAAAAk/zgEamEegU-c/s1600/cowboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttH__PNlyF8/UkMyfLE6SUI/AAAAAAAAAAk/zgEamEegU-c/s320/cowboy.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">During a recent court appearance, I observed a fellow member of the bar mosey on confidently into the courtroom. Wearing a cowboy hat and western boots, the bucking barrister confidently swung open the doors leading to the wingtip worn carpet before the judge's bench. He exuded the swagger of a gun slinger bellying up to the bar of a wild west saloon. His John Wayne persona seemed to have struck a cord with an unrepresented defendant in the peanut gallery. "Can I have your business card?" he pleaded. "Sure pardner" he replied. Ok, maybe he didn't say "pardner" but the look seemed to work for him. "I need to change my look." I thought. I approached the problem as I would any case. I began my research into the world of lawyer fashion. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Luckily, my busy law practice provided a steady stream of opportunities to </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmH-pQM8T4U/UkNGQHDQt6I/AAAAAAAAABA/kXJww-hUGC4/s1600/piracte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmH-pQM8T4U/UkNGQHDQt6I/AAAAAAAAABA/kXJww-hUGC4/s320/piracte.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">stealthily observe my bar brethren. At one time or another, we had cases scheduled in all 24 criminal court houses in the state. I was able to see what attorneys were wearing in all four corners of the Nutmeg State. Armed with a notepad and an unmatched attention to detail, I furiously began scribbling notes. I observed that criminal defense lawyers who sported ponytails always had interesting clients like terrorists, political activists and the occasional pirate. I looked further. I saw that a well regarded public defender wore sneakers instead of wingtips. A private criminal defense attorney wore a fedora when he came to court. Others wore bowties or seer sucker suits. One attorney I saw was a part time wrestler. It was hard to miss him. The guy was a tank. I glanced at myself in the mirror. "Look at you." I groused. "Same old, same old. Navy blue pin striped suit with either a white or blue shirt. How boring can you be?" I needed to spice things up. I would start off slow. I decided to wear a brown suit to court. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaSGxewunR0/UkM1cXxtyuI/AAAAAAAAAAw/GHxvHAaU24k/s1600/gerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaSGxewunR0/UkM1cXxtyuI/AAAAAAAAAAw/GHxvHAaU24k/s320/gerry.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told, I felt out of place in the suit. "This is what Lady Gaga must feel like" I mused. It affected my performance. In my old suit, I felt comfortable and that translated into confidence. I didn't know this suit. It was foreign to me. A brown suit? What was I thinking? I looked like a fancy UPS delivery man. When I got back to the office, I changed back into old blue. "That's better" The brown suit wouldn't work. I would have to go another route. I needed inspiration. I looked towards television attorneys. Scanning the channels, I passed on Matlock's powder blue seer sucker suit and My Cousin Vinny's leather jacket ensemble. I didn't have the legs for Ally McBeal's short skirts. Maybe I should stick to real attorneys. I glanced at my copy of "How to Argue and Win Every Time" by attorney Gerry Spence. Maybe I could emulate him. When you thought of tough attorneys, no one was tougher than Gerry. All I needed was a black turtleneck and a buckskin leather jacket with a little fringe. I vainly searched through my sister's closet looking for her old White Snake leather jacket. No luck. I decided to move on.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQc2whcyA1M/UkMxa75XcPI/AAAAAAAAAAg/nr3FsRwPfx0/s1600/red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQc2whcyA1M/UkMxa75XcPI/AAAAAAAAAAg/nr3FsRwPfx0/s320/red.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Think Baron! " I thunk to myself. Who is a successful lawyer? I remembered Gloria Allred. She was on tv all the time. She was famous for her red suits. Maybe I could play off that? My last name was Baron. Maybe I could be the "Red Baron" I could come to court wearing one of those old timey leather aviator caps complete with goggles that barnstorming pilots used to wear. I could add a flowing scarf with my law firm logo. "Too much" I thought. Maybe I could go the Ron Kuby route and grow a ponytail? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I shared my plan with an older attorney I often turned to for advice. "Leave the ponytails to Steven Seagal and ponies" he replied gruffly while chomping on a cigar. "You don't need a gimmick. Just look like everyone else. " Maybe he was right. For now I would stick with my tired old pinstriped suit. I assimilated with the Borg. I went and bought some more blue and white dress shirts. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_pjAOwA1d8/UkRks6BB0vI/AAAAAAAAABg/uTY3NTMYYKI/s1600/star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_pjAOwA1d8/UkRks6BB0vI/AAAAAAAAABg/uTY3NTMYYKI/s320/star.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Areas of practice include Ewok bites, lightsaber injuries, <br />wrongful termination for not finding the droids you were looking for, <br />and workers comp related injuries on Death Stars. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">OK. So the article was a bit tongue in cheek. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's one thing for an attorney to don a leather jacket so he can portray himself as a "biker guy" to get motorcycle accident claims. It's another when the attorney is actually a biker. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Gimmicky attorneys aside, I think i</span><span style="font-size: large;">t's OK to break from the corporate mold. Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it "t</span><span style="font-size: large;">o be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">As long as you respect court decorum and do right by your clients, there is nothing wrong with standing out a bit from the crowd. It's what successful people do.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jQOCUBMAO0/UkRevSCwnBI/AAAAAAAAABQ/ofOZ5kxceLg/s1600/hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jQOCUBMAO0/UkRevSCwnBI/AAAAAAAAABQ/ofOZ5kxceLg/s320/hat.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Now, I am not suggesting you come to work dressed as your favorite Star Wars character. If you are a corporate lawyer, I am certain your multi-million dollar client doesn't want to be represented by an attorney wearing a cape. If you want to play for the Yankees, you might have to shave your sideburns to wear that particular pinstripe suit. But I'm in private practice. The rules are different. I can grow an old timey mustache. I can be a cowboy. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I will give that brown suit a second try. And I need a hat. Definitely a hat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-2655271566150141792013-09-23T07:00:00.000-04:002013-09-24T12:14:09.597-04:00Polish Remover, Walter White and Other Notes From the Campaign Trail<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd-KaY31Tg5iQQznmVY-5W5GlKXPlowXMmElqbgV6I-S1qImJUEXqrae7UirvtBkcRR-NlVrWvPQ9af0FJsT5t_dTXUBw14RRsRuUMKIGehR01sThuKrJZEPY-NNL5QGqkTwSsVTQIzCc/s1600/adr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd-KaY31Tg5iQQznmVY-5W5GlKXPlowXMmElqbgV6I-S1qImJUEXqrae7UirvtBkcRR-NlVrWvPQ9af0FJsT5t_dTXUBw14RRsRuUMKIGehR01sThuKrJZEPY-NNL5QGqkTwSsVTQIzCc/s320/adr.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did what now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are a reader of the Nutmeg Lawyer, you may be aware that I recently threw my hat into the political ring. Like many lawyers, politics has always been an interest of mine. It was an interest that steadily grew as a political science major at Manhattanville College. As a law student, I had the privilege to work with a member of the fabled Kennedy family. The experience allowed me the opportunity to rub elbows with all sorts of characters in politics. It spurred my interest further. With my law office doing well, I decided to run in the local municipal election. The race was on. I was going to take a shot at a seat on my local city council.</span></div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsSe2arPFq5_qzUNmD8lxSSAEt3XjDk6wav6SDmKBwz-pMlbGaP2sog7VA409tMkphdC8naNwZx-1Kc5kKP6bJY3unN_M_BlmU24u9aWznmquG4ZHD45ckFQ4v540OkOAfszvml9IhGqC/s1600/top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsSe2arPFq5_qzUNmD8lxSSAEt3XjDk6wav6SDmKBwz-pMlbGaP2sog7VA409tMkphdC8naNwZx-1Kc5kKP6bJY3unN_M_BlmU24u9aWznmquG4ZHD45ckFQ4v540OkOAfszvml9IhGqC/s320/top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told, my campaign experience has been pretty enjoyable so far. Walking the city's winding neighborhoods, I encountered warm welcomes and lots of encouragement from both Democrats and Republicans. Even the residents who didn't want to vote for me were pretty cordial. I didn't encounter any lawn sprinklers, thrown tomatoes or angry dogs. The worst I encountered was a temperamental cat. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Where it got <i>un</i>cordial was the anonymous world of the internet. A place where normal societal norms could be ignored with a few anonymous strokes of the keyboard. In cyberspace, you didn't have to look someone in the face. You could pretty much say anything with no worry of repercussion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, the mudslinging I encountered online was pretty tame. Not much more than some lame carpetbagger accusations and some tired old vintages of whine about lawyers in general. </span><span style="font-size: large;">As long as the wannabe political pundits did not discover that I was late in returning a VHS copy of Summer Rental in 1989, I think I had a shot at surviving these anonymous braying jackals. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANOeCftKsGIBsmKBpEsCc8qT0yEgFaiX0R2e6KmfRl9azfcu3muaVxDdnNLPrUIs6cJy6KZLhT6F8akz5JiMNNUfiWyiCCETfd3uFBoqtDmTGmfRKwBfuE0mFDuhBacchO33HrT87aAvg/s1600/knives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANOeCftKsGIBsmKBpEsCc8qT0yEgFaiX0R2e6KmfRl9azfcu3muaVxDdnNLPrUIs6cJy6KZLhT6F8akz5JiMNNUfiWyiCCETfd3uFBoqtDmTGmfRKwBfuE0mFDuhBacchO33HrT87aAvg/s200/knives.jpg" width="122" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, It didn't help matters that I was the first candidate profiled in the local paper. It was election season and the political hounds were chomping at the bit.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I would be their first victim. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The comment section on the paper's online edition was the weapon of choice</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Through anonymous postings, a small gaggle of </span><span style="font-size: large;">curmudgeons and </span><span style="font-size: large;">ne'er do wells began </span><span style="font-size: large;">nipping at my heels. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu0AwPMS6nKlsyLbI9xj41rNndsevMir0eNE0sfu9kwEUp_rE1Eaq3HRk8mJ1PNDVvSf0-OXyQ1mFO97FPChxbk4IKUkWWzeYY9tu6ZxLLMgDMabsd6p64NXhl_tAJgPNi_dUaXZeggIz/s1600/adrta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu0AwPMS6nKlsyLbI9xj41rNndsevMir0eNE0sfu9kwEUp_rE1Eaq3HRk8mJ1PNDVvSf0-OXyQ1mFO97FPChxbk4IKUkWWzeYY9tu6ZxLLMgDMabsd6p64NXhl_tAJgPNi_dUaXZeggIz/s320/adrta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first shot was completely out of left field. I was </span><span style="font-size: large;">accused</span><span style="font-size: large;"> of secretly living in the bath house of the local state senator to meet residency requirements. Strangely elaborate and oddly specific but OK. Another post said I had no idea where the Board of Education was located. The joke was on them. I had GPS on my phone. Still another suggested I hung out with murderers. Shoplifting grandmothers yes. Murderers? Not so much. (My law practice includes criminal defense work.) Soon, the battle lines were drawn. Well intentioned readers who supported me began arguing with those that were against me. I couldn't help but wonder if all the comments were really just one schizophrenic person locked up somewhere. Or maybe it was my mother arguing with my opponent's mother. While most articles had one or two comments. I had a few more. 152 to be exact. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">There was no end to it. A well seasoned candidate on the opposing ticket fired a low salvo at me. We were not even running directly against each other. In an online forum, he suggested I was running for office based on my law office address. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Well, he didn't say "Adrian Baron doesn't live in town, he is actually claiming residency based on his law office address." He was merely "musing" out loud about it. Was this guy actually trash talking me? Was this guy actually suggesting that</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I was trying to circumvent election laws by faking my home address? I guess</span><span style="font-size: large;"> if it's only <i>musing</i>, it doesn't count. Next time you are with a friend, start musing aloud if he stole ten dollars from your wallet. See what happens. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I rolled my eyes at his sophomoric attempt. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60iE92flDxOU85B2n7AzTtYmReYUFt18r3Jxvl-uRf8PCVQttkAiA40oAb9gPlP6_VZ8zWV5ttjAqP2Mp9lYtLIp7QIrGJ-un8QGpQ2kxGozQ1rWYZxuED6if3S3JrZi6lXFV_apW60-P/s1600/kennedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60iE92flDxOU85B2n7AzTtYmReYUFt18r3Jxvl-uRf8PCVQttkAiA40oAb9gPlP6_VZ8zWV5ttjAqP2Mp9lYtLIp7QIrGJ-un8QGpQ2kxGozQ1rWYZxuED6if3S3JrZi6lXFV_apW60-P/s200/kennedy.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When I told a reporter that I found inspiration in John F. Kennedy's book "Profiles in Courage," the political hounds pounced at my choice. "Doesn't he know the the Kennedys killed Marilyn Monroe? His choice of book shows his lack of judgement. What about the Bay of Pigs?" Well, what about the Bay of Pigs. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Was the Bay of Pigs my fault too? I wasn't even born yet. When they ran out of these new hits to spin, they resorted to the golden oldies. "All lawyers are liars" Ah, the classics. I sighed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was basically a nice guy who cut his lawn, and took out the trash. It didn't matter. I should have followed the great advice I received. Just ignore them. It's the same two or three people in a relentless loop. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The online accusations just got weirder. "You aren't even Polish" was the latest attack. As if I had fabricated my cultural heritage for more votes. I rested my head on my keyboard. This was going be a long election. No one ever accused me of faking being Polish before. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5T03by9dJ1SxTCoIIGj4WZ_dq8kKCSMDyu2Y_ovD4fl7TfBcyVhSHoGNj3mk8OLbxBpSh40RRH-YOHRpuR8YVwbBytX7EbAMlkmN46wnThtsRB3_R140TtK0CHU1UNH89cl03gzR0oYz/s1600/polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5T03by9dJ1SxTCoIIGj4WZ_dq8kKCSMDyu2Y_ovD4fl7TfBcyVhSHoGNj3mk8OLbxBpSh40RRH-YOHRpuR8YVwbBytX7EbAMlkmN46wnThtsRB3_R140TtK0CHU1UNH89cl03gzR0oYz/s320/polish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Britain's Little Poland festival is held <br />
on the last Sunday of April.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To make sense of this weird accusation, it might help you to know that I am running in the city of New Britain. If you are not familiar with the Hardware City, it has the largest Polish population of any city in Connecticut. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Playfully referred to as "New Britski", the city even has a unique business district designated officially as Little Poland. From lawyers to bank tellers, you can actually do an entire day's business entirely in the Polish language. The local post office has the word Poczta emblazoned on the window (Polish for Post). The area produces its own Polish language newspapers and offers a nice assortment of Polish restaurants, delis, day spas and professional services. The annual Little Poland festival draws thousands of visitors to the city. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During a recent visit, Poland's ambassador to the United States included a visit to Little Poland on his itinerary accompanied by members of the Polish Parliament (Sejm), two United States Senators, a US Congresswoman, the mayor and various local and state dignitaries. As you can imagine, there are many Polish voters in New Britain. If you want to get elected, Little Poland is considered a mandatory whistle stop. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHA4q64YvvpgF2RLD9o3eWlo9jaEooLNMiR8I_CfgdMzb1jBCvY1RX1UzdBrUYJ9gHLGTl_YNw56UKPmvLxYAW05XgTE1Z-rnDKEaHbudc44ukPPnJrTj8wQ2XAu-r3FYR1Q5I4VZ2wWr3/s1600/polishday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHA4q64YvvpgF2RLD9o3eWlo9jaEooLNMiR8I_CfgdMzb1jBCvY1RX1UzdBrUYJ9gHLGTl_YNw56UKPmvLxYAW05XgTE1Z-rnDKEaHbudc44ukPPnJrTj8wQ2XAu-r3FYR1Q5I4VZ2wWr3/s320/polishday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.99715805053711px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(LR) US Senator Richard Blumenthal, Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf, <br />US Senator Chris Murphy, US Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, <br />local candidate Matt Dabrowski & yours truly hanging out in Little Poland</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was no wonder they accused me of not being Polish. Some thought Poles had a big advantage in the polls. Little Poland was located in my district. My law office was there. I had Polish "street cred." Not only did I claim Polish heritage, I spoke the language fluently. If that wasn't enough, I was the guy who got the city to designate the area as "Little Poland." I was even the guy who came up with the area's mascot "Stanley the Polish Dragon". How could anyone question my Polishness? My wife was Polish. I even studied business law & trade at Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Founded in 1364, it was the same university where Polish icons Copernicus and Pope John Paul II attended. I had Polish coming outta my ears. If you wanted a Polish candidate, I was your guy. Or was I?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKchueapVqOI3pKSqZVOfTeaE3dn6bBubjHrgZ8n-Olj16AQJOj0WVJMubFlHZo1VzTEvU6XnsH1Zuu26g9Zc8Qy7nkr-RSCWHLwCiKce1KJkXOQkkU-edK-t5kU_RnhjtGYDor8j_QocB/s1600/EZFlow-50926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKchueapVqOI3pKSqZVOfTeaE3dn6bBubjHrgZ8n-Olj16AQJOj0WVJMubFlHZo1VzTEvU6XnsH1Zuu26g9Zc8Qy7nkr-RSCWHLwCiKce1KJkXOQkkU-edK-t5kU_RnhjtGYDor8j_QocB/s320/EZFlow-50926.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which brings us back to the accusation that was leveled against me. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Four harsh words that would forever question my identity and change my life: "You aren't even Polish."</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Aren't even Polish indeed. I cursed to myself. "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Where did I make a mistake? How could I be so reckless? I was so </span><span style="font-size: large;">careful in my years of deception. Years of publicly eating kielbasa and pierogi. Years of polka music and Polish American Boy Scouts. The red and white hats. The babica. Was it all for nothing? Did someone see me eating a store brand kielbasa from a grocery store rather than the real stuff? Had this anonymous poster removed my Polishness with one stroke of the keyboard? How did he find out I was not Polish? Someone must have talked. I thought of that scene in Breaking Bad where Walter White tried to convince Hank not to turn him in. Like Walter, there was nothing I could do. The damage was done. It was out there in cyberspace "You aren't even Polish." A digital footprint that would last for eternity. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUitdNLCacLzI5cUy2qMs-w2ytJMInl0cH-NWahbQFnSC0aQb2LK4oNUzOaLSrXGI8BuWSVTJRSZq6Mo53b7EvuKldmofGKAMG5x8PKSgAIXaZsLmqEWY8OCVWhGRrr-YbVLIBs8Y2H6Ic/s1600/sec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUitdNLCacLzI5cUy2qMs-w2ytJMInl0cH-NWahbQFnSC0aQb2LK4oNUzOaLSrXGI8BuWSVTJRSZq6Mo53b7EvuKldmofGKAMG5x8PKSgAIXaZsLmqEWY8OCVWhGRrr-YbVLIBs8Y2H6Ic/s320/sec.jpg" width="312" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a weird way, I was relieved. I want to thank that anonymous poster. Yes, the whispers were true. Rather than hold a press conference, I have chosen this forum to come clean. </span><span style="font-size: large;">My fellow Americans, I am not Polish. The truth is, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I am a Polish American. As the great bard Bruce Springsteen once eloquently put, "I was born in the USA." Of course, there is more to this truth. </span><span style="font-size: large;">For years I had claimed to be the son of Polish born parents who I aptly named Janusz and Marysia. I can now admit that these individuals posing as my parents for 39 years were hired actors. They are actually Jim and Delores McGillicuddy of Whipper Fall, Kansas.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbcrTke91e28KjD3hsecqBf0POj9ZtRE8LmgQ8v__2dB5PHFvyiBhEAfzN2XlzhdNnm6SjiglpBn0IjLltN-HjMwXf9aBBpEyFXdLbRpsGvVrhymLLFczyPTQuznYLi7UPcJE-GJ8IBOL/s1600/stanleydra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbcrTke91e28KjD3hsecqBf0POj9ZtRE8LmgQ8v__2dB5PHFvyiBhEAfzN2XlzhdNnm6SjiglpBn0IjLltN-HjMwXf9aBBpEyFXdLbRpsGvVrhymLLFczyPTQuznYLi7UPcJE-GJ8IBOL/s320/stanleydra.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley the Dragon throws out the first pitch <br />
during Polish night at a New Britain Rock Cat game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The claim that I speak fluent Polish? Also an elaborate ruse. (Think the Swedish Chef on the Muppets). Truth be told, I was just making it up as I went along. I was speaking complete gibberish. Each pierogi I ate and Bobby Vinton song I played added to the illusion. I learned to make Italian sausage look like kielbasa. I learned to dance the Polka and planned an elaborate hoax wedding in Poland complete with horse drawn carriage. I wish to apologize to the guests who attended. Especially those who actually traveled to Poland. Turns out it really is a country. There is one more final truth. I hope you are sitting down. The "Stanley the Little Poland Dragon" costume was made in China. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">OK, so maybe I'm having a little fun at the expense of these posters. A little good natured jab at those who questioned whether I am faking being Polish to get votes. My heritage really is Polish. I am proud of it. Both my parents and my wife really were born there. And I do speak Polish fluently. I have actually done real estate closings completely in the language. But I digress. Does it matter? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If I finally learned something from my encounters, it can be summarized in this Oscar Wilde quote. “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." Now please excuse me, I need to go vacuum the Senator's bath house. Or as we say in Polish "do zobaczenia." </span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Paid for by Baron for New Britain. Marie Baron Treasurer. Approved by Adrian Baron</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-58410662620373377032013-09-16T14:05:00.001-04:002013-09-22T20:50:52.781-04:00Political Fat Cats and German Bratwurst<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLRayEcz71Wlq9LRzKc9Y5-VXRh38nxhMtpKUV0iT5KAAiKknob4cRgYQCrIRG9Th7wfloSIEkhsPNlKfxVFo3_1XTl3Itbqn_yxejgoF1-DSht0S-D-LFe3YdsWmeHb5HYP2d9XvaTs_/s1600/fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLRayEcz71Wlq9LRzKc9Y5-VXRh38nxhMtpKUV0iT5KAAiKknob4cRgYQCrIRG9Th7wfloSIEkhsPNlKfxVFo3_1XTl3Itbqn_yxejgoF1-DSht0S-D-LFe3YdsWmeHb5HYP2d9XvaTs_/s320/fat.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<b>Notes from the Campaign Trail</b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
As I continue my quest for political office, I think I finally understand the term "fat cat." The term originated in the 1920s to describe rich political donors. </span><span style="font-size: large;">For me, the term "fat cat" took on a different meaning. Since starting my campaign, I may have admittedly picked up a pound or two in the polls. It's not my fault of course. Apparently, the political season runs hand in hand with state fairs, church picnics and community festivals filled with fried twinkies, grilled kielbasas and overflowing beers. I now find that walking the city's neighborhoods to knock on doors has an added benefit. In addition to meeting voters, it's a chance for me to get in shape. Then again, it was said that William Howard Taft weighed 335 pounds. He wound up becoming both President of the United States and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Maybe it was ok to pack on a few pounds. What did it really mean to be in shape anyway? Round is a shape.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCDrDI4DCXZkCdA52MyvIxag9yhjeDX5n2cBUIozmWqzktjDInX_oyb8gBcGNvXREaCGXDqVP8eJhMXXRLibdXluEi7i0gocuDUfv3yQnTlUWlJjAqe4cKHfCZeIxxjmVSP3Yzf7AW6v_/s1600/keg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCDrDI4DCXZkCdA52MyvIxag9yhjeDX5n2cBUIozmWqzktjDInX_oyb8gBcGNvXREaCGXDqVP8eJhMXXRLibdXluEi7i0gocuDUfv3yQnTlUWlJjAqe4cKHfCZeIxxjmVSP3Yzf7AW6v_/s320/keg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Britain's Mayor Tim O'Brien and Oktoberfest's Nick Augustino <br />
tap the ceremonial first keg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend I had attended New Britain's first ever Oktoberfest. Held over a three day period in the city's downtown, the festival featured large mugs of imported Oktoberfest beer, grilled sausages and great music. I had publically supported the event despite voices of criticism. I supported the idea of festivals in New Britain. They brought in visitors and breathed life into the city. They generated income for businesses. They encouraged repeat visitors to the city. I was also a student of history. George Washington had lost his first election after complaining about too many taverns in town. I wasn't about to tell people that an Oktoberfest was a bad idea. It turned out to be a tremendous event. It turned out much better than the Oktoberfest in the movie "European Vacation." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hkm1ovrsIHx5MGrcrrE449CXtXSOGI6OXkoHnAFmUQrmZ5CxrlvKICzDlyRmPVihr3LU7fFbOMd3JQ6oWmcdm0GbkZQ50990w-7Viwg91q4xFG2XYAKb1EvfB9bpgW-LioC-XM2-sLVd/s1600/german.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hkm1ovrsIHx5MGrcrrE449CXtXSOGI6OXkoHnAFmUQrmZ5CxrlvKICzDlyRmPVihr3LU7fFbOMd3JQ6oWmcdm0GbkZQ50990w-7Viwg91q4xFG2XYAKb1EvfB9bpgW-LioC-XM2-sLVd/s320/german.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With friends and family in tow, I attended the event sporting my recently ordered "Vote Baron" political button. I watched as more seasoned candidates made their way glad-handing through the crowd. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't have a free hand for hand shaking. I had a beer in one hand and a potato pancake in the other. How was I supposed to shake hands? "Rookie mistake" I thought.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKy0BMW5SO1EjJYXID2Cph6KVuxBKSEjbuP4Tas4Y-6BCmvTkKd1YwmypAImk4-hdnRlUFE6zIj9N1AiTwuLCkn1HvFl4M7KqqEVbAvSuyxv7qBPJK7fogq4KIFW4N6FkyzVg5Z-_o0Mg2/s1600/frank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKy0BMW5SO1EjJYXID2Cph6KVuxBKSEjbuP4Tas4Y-6BCmvTkKd1YwmypAImk4-hdnRlUFE6zIj9N1AiTwuLCkn1HvFl4M7KqqEVbAvSuyxv7qBPJK7fogq4KIFW4N6FkyzVg5Z-_o0Mg2/s320/frank.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank N Stein</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Although the response to my campaign was overwhelmingly positive, not everyone was a fan of your favorite neighborhood lawyer. I had run into the ex-husband of a woman I represented in a divorce. </span><span style="font-size: large;">"You're the bastard that represented my wife" he bellowed. "Would you like a button?" I offered. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Things only got wurst. Bratwurst that is. I encountered Frank N Stein. The behemoth grilling station filled the air with the wonderful aroma of grilling German sausages. I immediately exchanged my festival dollars (designed to look like euros) for the delectable delight. It would go with the imported beer I was holding. I was stuffed. It didn't matter. I encountered some players from the local high school football team. "Buy a Hurricane Dog with special sauce and support our football team" they implored. I was running for office. I wasn't about to be painted as someone who didn't support Hurricanes football. "Two please." It didn't end there. The local Arts Alliance had a strudel cart. A local Polish grocery store had blueberry pierogi. I still had to go to the Ukrainian festival. How was I going to survive this day. "Is that fried dough? </span><span style="font-size: large;">I sucked in my gut as I posed for a photo with Miss Polonia World. "Cheese" yelled the photographer. "Where?" I demanded.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYGOAPw9ES3_6GwZDjqCrvKA0XN4i9J_siIMWBqlpZsnH6Te5inb-qJsOk1oo8b7WmEiyBWaarXHi9xA42bx58wtVhn0BSxo-C6wwO4yc3Lx6NRwmiExWoWk3gwbl-a-zBRAp9FyLBIF3/s1600/ukran3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYGOAPw9ES3_6GwZDjqCrvKA0XN4i9J_siIMWBqlpZsnH6Te5inb-qJsOk1oo8b7WmEiyBWaarXHi9xA42bx58wtVhn0BSxo-C6wwO4yc3Lx6NRwmiExWoWk3gwbl-a-zBRAp9FyLBIF3/s320/ukran3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I eventually rolled myself into my car and headed to Falcon's Field for the Ukrainian festival. Reaching the site, I began feasting on </span><span style="font-size: large;">borscht, shish kebabs and a Kozak platter made up of perohy, holubchi </span><span style="font-size: large;">and kovbasa. "You have to try Ukrainian</span><span style="font-size: large;"> beer" prodded a local constituent. "And my wife's babka" My "Vote Baron" pin held on for dear life as my waist expanded. "Sure" I answered. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDKz0mPzDBlVt6jObXcdVRwULLijhO5SJ7PNVQEbSrwKqwGxK4C7VWk3XzGd1PCX_ZANI3UjEG9qXnY85m-qqfV1CPIpreq8G9-u7hHdTbWaZZsmJ5aZhxQ35xD8Qr-0XjimPnfC5ybZx/s1600/stanley+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDKz0mPzDBlVt6jObXcdVRwULLijhO5SJ7PNVQEbSrwKqwGxK4C7VWk3XzGd1PCX_ZANI3UjEG9qXnY85m-qqfV1CPIpreq8G9-u7hHdTbWaZZsmJ5aZhxQ35xD8Qr-0XjimPnfC5ybZx/s320/stanley+star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't my first day on the festival circuit. I had also attended the Polish Dozynki Harvest festival a few weeks earlier. It's where I posed for photos with movie actor Pawel </span><span style="font-size: large;">Szajda (</span><span style="font-size: large;">Blue Bloods, Under the Tuscan Sun, Generation Kill) and Stanley the Little Poland Dragon. If you were running for political office in New Britain, you needed a photo with Stanley. People love Stanley. I ate my fill of kielbasa, pierogi, and g</span><span style="font-size: large;">ołąbki. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQDriuxR9I9xO9Y0OGXijb5d1-EcfsBPXa415sWnTYykU_IIC2XkWHikcpwD541nUx-H-7cYBrH5WkWT0YhNvPy9niJ_WFaqfQsxFNRpDn1tYPfhrSt7qaa4LUhl_ZrI_PNjwAKHf0GT_/s1600/PR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQDriuxR9I9xO9Y0OGXijb5d1-EcfsBPXa415sWnTYykU_IIC2XkWHikcpwD541nUx-H-7cYBrH5WkWT0YhNvPy9niJ_WFaqfQsxFNRpDn1tYPfhrSt7qaa4LUhl_ZrI_PNjwAKHf0GT_/s200/PR.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the Puerto Rican festival, I tried pasteles which are traditionally given out during Christmas. As I strolled around with my pina colada, I ate arroz con pollo and various carne fritas. I showed off my years of Spanish language training. (If you need help finding the library, please let me know). </span><span style="font-size: large;">I made plans to order a Rascal scooter. This campaign was going to be the end of me. I didn't just show up for a photo op. If I was going to attend your festival, I wanted the full culinary</span><span style="font-size: large;"> experience. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjEM5YwrG4XXP470W_B6tr3QRT98_4J2N6UP9MrHXCBxrGM6dMt8J8wacmR29a1kp9B7sHen9XW_9Vg4vz3zzTXBp-OKkgHA0w1pEHS46UQOXv8s0hIveS-k04G_Xgc845Xec_xeqfATx/s1600/car+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjEM5YwrG4XXP470W_B6tr3QRT98_4J2N6UP9MrHXCBxrGM6dMt8J8wacmR29a1kp9B7sHen9XW_9Vg4vz3zzTXBp-OKkgHA0w1pEHS46UQOXv8s0hIveS-k04G_Xgc845Xec_xeqfATx/s320/car+show.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next week the city of festivals will host the Downtown District's annual car show. I have already added a hole in my belt to make room for hotdogs, cotton candy and anything else I may find. Hope to see you there. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Paid for by Baron for New Britain. Marie Baron Treasurer. Approved by Adrian Baron</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-17170216930021766222013-09-09T14:49:00.001-04:002013-09-11T21:39:14.368-04:00Born and Bred. The Politics of Politics.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoY5jK9mEfvoRS9WwDI_BJy6q0w1bgrs9JT2cjA8ZwjZgcBEOSOn1_hFsokCmKdfywu55lVK1q4Wb4gRKxe8tKu7GAy2UPUvYP1-LsZ73Wc60PDftiUv2bDOAkWFcstDovaKVpaZDE95D/s1600/bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoY5jK9mEfvoRS9WwDI_BJy6q0w1bgrs9JT2cjA8ZwjZgcBEOSOn1_hFsokCmKdfywu55lVK1q4Wb4gRKxe8tKu7GAy2UPUvYP1-LsZ73Wc60PDftiUv2bDOAkWFcstDovaKVpaZDE95D/s320/bill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b> "At my challenge, by the ancient laws of combat, we are met at this chosen ground, to settle for good and all who holds sway over the five points: us natives, born rightwise to this fine land, or the foreign hordes defiling it. " Billy the Butcher, Gangs of New York</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the film "Gangs of New York", Daniel Day Lewis plays the role of "Billy the Butcher." As leader of the Natives gang, he steadfastly fought for control of the five points neighborhoods of New York City. Billy was opposed to anyone who was not "native born". The character was based on the actual historical figure of William Boone, a leader of the aptly named "No Nothing" political movement. Active in the 1850s, the movement promised to purify American politics by limiting the influence of Catholics, the Irish and anyone that was deemed a "non-native."</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RgV5HieJA4_YVfqYNau7CaWkJUzEhsBXTekl6UVuZJ9RBtMgCvozlne-5RlcJAsbVkzMU_WudL-2r39ediHjwSPzEtnl_5doJ7_vKHS_alGVJ35J2440jjtEZanY7XGDQtUfZTyB8v-z/s1600/sec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RgV5HieJA4_YVfqYNau7CaWkJUzEhsBXTekl6UVuZJ9RBtMgCvozlne-5RlcJAsbVkzMU_WudL-2r39ediHjwSPzEtnl_5doJ7_vKHS_alGVJ35J2440jjtEZanY7XGDQtUfZTyB8v-z/s320/sec.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't help but chuckle and think of old "Billy the Butcher" when I was accused of being a "non-native" in my own run for political office. </span><span style="font-size: large;">No, I was not being accused of being born in Kenya. No one demanded my long form birth certificate. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was accused of not being "born and bred" in the city of New Britain. Sadly, tis true my fellow Americans. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Though I was a familiar face around town, you wouldn't find my smiling mug in any local high school yearbook. It was my bitter secret. I was born a few towns over in Rocky Hill. Someone had uncovered my dark secret. I grew up in the suburbs. I was part of the foreign horde. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9DMpIEv5IN-CLdY58GLnE764gl99Fp23VYiWGo74BuMv_rMX9HVus7Lw_WoNa5VkgU5Jv_Ybr2LyGa1mzEFHShz8rD8bcnOepJwKSwn5WbpAflPYFNV81O9GEY4SZ5RUUNgKwJF5D8_q/s1600/old+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9DMpIEv5IN-CLdY58GLnE764gl99Fp23VYiWGo74BuMv_rMX9HVus7Lw_WoNa5VkgU5Jv_Ybr2LyGa1mzEFHShz8rD8bcnOepJwKSwn5WbpAflPYFNV81O9GEY4SZ5RUUNgKwJF5D8_q/s200/old+man.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Bravely p</span><span style="font-size: large;">osting anonymously, a handful of curmudgeons with internet access </span><span style="font-size: large;">had taken upon themselves to question the credibility of any candidate not born in the city of New Britain. One opposing candidate actually wondered aloud if I was not an opportunist from Rocky Hill who was using his law office to establish residency (actually both my business and home are in the city). Others accused me of living in the "bath house" of the local state senator to establish residency. An anonymous poster demanded that I do a 360 and leave. I politely pointed out that if I did a 360 I would just be making a circle. He reminded me of the character Biff in "Back to the Future." He told Marty to "make like a tree and get out of here." Biff was pretty bad at insults too. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTArQTtsrboJVg2RuAt8Kp2TucLFf4JjwV4e-jWOzqL7wV6b8htAUrbT_19UPy4u7KkYG-X00SROHa-5Ww02DLjhmNHw-gIin3CphPz8vZAlIXyWvah1o8Io50JybvibUdEfOTSo4H1zly/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTArQTtsrboJVg2RuAt8Kp2TucLFf4JjwV4e-jWOzqL7wV6b8htAUrbT_19UPy4u7KkYG-X00SROHa-5Ww02DLjhmNHw-gIin3CphPz8vZAlIXyWvah1o8Io50JybvibUdEfOTSo4H1zly/s320/baby.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently, it did not matter that I made a conscious choice to live in the city. It wasn't like I was crashing on someone's couch or even renting an apartment. I owned a home and</span><span style="font-size: large;"> volunteered for local organizations. I shopped in local stores and gave free legal seminars. I spoke in support of business owners applying for variances and permits. I sat in on streetscape design meetings. I founded a local business association that encouraged investment and fighting crime. The street festival we organized brought in over 8000 people to shop in city stores and dine in city restaurants. Heck, I even convinced my law firm to move to New Britain after 65 years in downtown Hartford. How was I remotely a carpetbagger? I cursed my father for bringing my mother to Hartford Hospital for my birth. Couldn't he have driven her to New Britain General? I would have waited. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zyoT0iEzYbtm8WNQUdp1ypwbmcMhxI_V2r93MUIU2IMVzd1Mrt54XfvmgnGealHCDV9XaZNF3BbC3SKWfijZpAPtWpvaJeG_V3tbtVdhgh_fsiuGRO_F6UHNBAH7KWJnMpKWNwLuYdOd/s1600/carpetbagger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zyoT0iEzYbtm8WNQUdp1ypwbmcMhxI_V2r93MUIU2IMVzd1Mrt54XfvmgnGealHCDV9XaZNF3BbC3SKWfijZpAPtWpvaJeG_V3tbtVdhgh_fsiuGRO_F6UHNBAH7KWJnMpKWNwLuYdOd/s320/carpetbagger.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The carpetbagger label has been a desperate vintage of whine in politics for years. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They tried it famously on Bobby Kennedy and Hillary Clinton. Both won their respective seats. I understand the argument. You want a candidate who understands the needs of their neighbors. Theoretically someone who grew up in town would have his or her finger on the pulse of the community. But when does that simply become overly provincial? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Is a candidate who was born in a city somehow more qualified than another who moved here but might have more qualifications? Do you need to hire cousin Eddie to paint your house just because he is family or do you go with someone a little more professional?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQurjDiR0gQiH7RbzNeCTuh_PJ_BsCox0ukuqzD0X8UciCqWNbygtn3IKkfeURDDmgX6GRDfpbPkhyphenhyphenYcaf0-fkj-PKvlUkV7psbcGZDwv2hXAZg3K_7K9xN6kUgcS-BNK8UXUJw-1JOze/s1600/streeett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQurjDiR0gQiH7RbzNeCTuh_PJ_BsCox0ukuqzD0X8UciCqWNbygtn3IKkfeURDDmgX6GRDfpbPkhyphenhyphenYcaf0-fkj-PKvlUkV7psbcGZDwv2hXAZg3K_7K9xN6kUgcS-BNK8UXUJw-1JOze/s200/streeett.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't born in the city of New Britain, but I spent a good deal of my childhood there. My brick mason grandfather helped build some of the buildings on Broad Street. That particular street was the one where I opened my law practice forty years later. I was proud of that fact. An immigrant from Poland, my grandfather also</span><span style="font-size: large;"> worked at Nozewski's meat market where I would visit and marvel at the long lines out the door. I could still picture him preparing the spices as he smiled broadly at me. No one made a kielbasa like my grandfather. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I also had family members buried in a town cemetery. Each year when politicians showed up at the cemetery for All Souls Day, I was actually there paying respects to my family members.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sentimental journeys aside, I was the neighborhood attorney. I studied and understood laws and ordinances. Our street level office had open office hours. Over the past seven years, I had heard the daily concerns of my neighbors. From crime to potholes, they came to our office for advice. I was the chairman of the ethics commission under the Republican mayor and a member of the Economic development commission under the Democratic one. Did it really matter that I was not born in the city? Did anybody really care? Heck, I even spoke New Britain's three main languages: English, Polish and Spanish. No one could credibly accuse me of not being a "New Britain guy." I was a resident, community volunteer, business owner, landlord and trilingual advocate. Not to mention the fact that I had advanced degrees and flossed regularly. When the sign said "leave a penny or take a penny," I would leave a penny. I was a good guy. I was happily married. Did my place of birth matter? What about fresh ideas? What about a fresh perspective? Why were these old men tormenting me on the website of the local newspaper?! But I digress..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Afj2t8HtvOHb_0IztySrDSGOCJQPiiEyZ1df1mGFosV9kyVw96zvNszN2tP7_6-_G9ErcKouRSBdn6V7qX4pPEbdqiQ3gSzIr8_MurENySnTHmxWpPL2SNg4GiRG86H9LRE2fN21Had/s1600/immi.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Afj2t8HtvOHb_0IztySrDSGOCJQPiiEyZ1df1mGFosV9kyVw96zvNszN2tP7_6-_G9ErcKouRSBdn6V7qX4pPEbdqiQ3gSzIr8_MurENySnTHmxWpPL2SNg4GiRG86H9LRE2fN21Had/s320/immi.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A fellow candidate explained to me that it was all par for the course. Like a seasoned battle worn soldier, the campaign veteran suggested I just ignore the comments. It was really only a handful of nuts. He was right. It wasn't what the majority of voters were thinking. Apart from three or four anonymous blogging ne'er do wells, the overwhelming response to my campaign has been positive. The city of my birth made no difference to real voters. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The city was built on diversity. Thousands of residents came from someplace else. The local minor league team was connected with the Minnesota Twins. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The city's vibrant Little Poland neighborhood was revitalized by Polish immigrants who called New Britain home. The new superintendent of schools was from Texas. It was a </span><span style="font-size: large;">New Yorker who swooped in to save the local community paper. Ironically, the newspaper's website was</span><span style="font-size: large;"> where the anonymous curmudgeons enjoyed complaining about non-native out of towners.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Walking the neighborhoods, I got the real story. I received a warm welcome. The people I encountered were my neighbors. Although some didn't know me personally, they knew me through my community and charity work. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Others</span><span style="font-size: large;"> attended our law firms free legal seminars. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I had chosen to live in the city. New Britain was my home. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So if you do decide to run for office, remember. Stay true to your values and stay on message. Don't let Billy the Butcher get you down. If he has you in his crosshairs, it only means you're on the right path. And as Oscar Wilde put it, "there is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<i>Paid for By Baron for New Britain. Marie Baron Treasurer Approved by Adrian Baron</i>Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-65443985163806343492013-09-04T09:00:00.000-04:002013-09-11T17:59:54.989-04:00Lawyers, Politicians, and Dog Catchers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsnGKH-0XLCoOhO5aHHEF7o2xXgjm0qDgHENz8XNim6GJUXI8y1ZcDKCc2tWpVPxTu4-ArMlYAbzu4-qyjYcamP2WlCDIvhJMmw8Yq9HllQzDKj73EYo74ujsVPReWVEQrJarIvNjIbSG/s1600/buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsnGKH-0XLCoOhO5aHHEF7o2xXgjm0qDgHENz8XNim6GJUXI8y1ZcDKCc2tWpVPxTu4-ArMlYAbzu4-qyjYcamP2WlCDIvhJMmw8Yq9HllQzDKj73EYo74ujsVPReWVEQrJarIvNjIbSG/s320/buttons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Journey Into the World of Politics.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently announced to my family that I intended to run for the position of alderman on my local city council. I expected a flood of accolades and cheers of "huzzah!" followed by a rousing rendition of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Instead I received a one word question. "Why?" It was followed with the supportive statement "You are already a lawyer. Now you want to be a politician? Why not become a dog catcher too so nobody likes you? Maybe you should also get a job at the DMV just to be sure."</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is my understanding that 24 presidents were qualified to practice as lawyers. According to the Congressional Research Service, 170 members of the House and 60 Senators are lawyers. It is not surprising that many of our bar brethren enjoy politics. It is a natural fit. People come to us to solve life's toughest ills. We are trained to analyze problems and offer solutions. We live and breathe the law. Coupled with our penchant for perfectly coiffed hair and whitened teeth, it is no wonder many attorneys would want to dip their wingtips into the political pool. Addressing his state's Board of Governors, Florida's Chief Justice Charles Wells stated that lawyer-legislators are needed "because the passage of laws in all sorts of areas just demand there be technical expertise by people who are trained in the law.</span>" <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My own interest in running came out of my work in the community. After moving our law office to the city of New Britain, I took a personal interest in the neighborhood. I formed a business association. Local merchants would ask me to support their bids for various permits and variances at city council meetings. They asked me to help them with the courts when they were victims of crime. I was eventually appointed to city commissions by the former Republican mayor and the current Democratic mayor. Eventually, I was asked to run. I accepted the honor and decided to throw my hat into the ring. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah9dkBZkqJN65yCaMWIqi_YL75kbPj9WtIQ-8irMGskW2kHdE2L2uERqpddMf6HxC3r4_56qjBiz-gCavnvXHuvunW17qy46iKXerbvvNE6hUzGXg3KjAwwJsWP80u71PCAXWm6lU3EXg/s1600/adrian+gald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah9dkBZkqJN65yCaMWIqi_YL75kbPj9WtIQ-8irMGskW2kHdE2L2uERqpddMf6HxC3r4_56qjBiz-gCavnvXHuvunW17qy46iKXerbvvNE6hUzGXg3KjAwwJsWP80u71PCAXWm6lU3EXg/s320/adrian+gald.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I'm off to the races. I am happy to report that I am the officially endorsed Democratic candidate for the position of Alderman in New Britain's Ward 4 district. This section of the city includes a state university, a golf course and the bustling Little Poland neighborhood. Perfect for a Polish speaking attorney who slices to the right. I asked a law school classmate from Pace Law School to be my campaign manager. I asked my mother to be my treasurer. She had been an effective handler of my finances over the years. My only complaint was an incident in 1988 when she refused to advance me my allowance for a Milli Vanili tape. In hindsight, it was the right decision.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Ez-O6UJsByLNgEJ6lcIvjKbkc3l_CdN52GsohVgQ_qeqOTP1eA9iOZZO1fb_zC0YwotLtkwwWb0uTogwmtTf4m8O0MjStHTm84PY57Dcq9jTxlCfwl7b-t3Fac0V902jIcL4xxVM_Nn/s1600/paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Ez-O6UJsByLNgEJ6lcIvjKbkc3l_CdN52GsohVgQ_qeqOTP1eA9iOZZO1fb_zC0YwotLtkwwWb0uTogwmtTf4m8O0MjStHTm84PY57Dcq9jTxlCfwl7b-t3Fac0V902jIcL4xxVM_Nn/s320/paper.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like this guy. Now, what is that crazy Garfield up to?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So far, the experience has been interesting. Among the many candidates, I was the first to be interviewed by the local newspaper. The interviewer asked various questions about me including some basics like which book inspired me and what American president I admired. Sitting under hot lights in the back room of the New Britain Herald's downtown office, I answered John F. Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage" and President Clinton. (I had assumed the question meant "living" presidents. I should have answered William Henry Harrison. He died on his 32nd day in office). The online bloggers had a field day with me. "His choice of JFK shows his lack of judgment!" one blasted. "Doesn't he know about the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and who killed Marilyn Monroe?" Some others scoffed at my answer for admired president. "Clinton?!" insert crude Lewinsky joke here_______. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not leaving well enough alone, I made the mistake of responding to the anonymous bloggers. I was an educated rational attorney. I would win them over with my charm and knowledge of the issues. When an anonymous poster told me to "give it up" referring to my earlier failed bid for office, I responded that George Washington lost in his first attempt for elected office. You can almost guess the response. "So now he's comparing himself to Washington?! Get a load of the cojones on this guy!" Of course, I don't compare myself to the founding father of this great nation. I am actually more like Abraham Lincoln. Like Lincoln, I am also a tall gangly lawyer who tries to avoid going to the theater with his wife. But I digress. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpfL01NHGL-Y_F7Gndu8VPo5qqBUr_jXUXulErX5YIV8siiN892IdAOHEmlBle_8Vj-Wj1tByjdKErdNSZ4zEoAGXqCf762XH3queu7_mPUJOr4jl1gwVmW8ocDo7OmO9OH6T9mK9x9wv/s1600/door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpfL01NHGL-Y_F7Gndu8VPo5qqBUr_jXUXulErX5YIV8siiN892IdAOHEmlBle_8Vj-Wj1tByjdKErdNSZ4zEoAGXqCf762XH3queu7_mPUJOr4jl1gwVmW8ocDo7OmO9OH6T9mK9x9wv/s200/door.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With the dog days of summer fading into memory, I look forward to my fall journey into the world of politics. As I embark on a season of door knocking, glad handing, sign waving and debating, I hope you enjoy my account of the journey. And if I happen to knock on your door my fellow Americans, please take care to keep the sprinklers off and the dog at bay. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Paid for by Baron for New Britain. Marie Baron Treasurer. Approved by Adrian Baron. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-37752899018342113342013-09-03T16:56:00.001-04:002013-09-04T13:46:10.850-04:00The Song is Ended, but the Melody Lingers on......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqws0O_seX2QDDPT3glKNJQnk9Gc7wbothBin7hPV9h36vDnCWRbMU8cn7VYlGVHwFa2JEC8UpjNtVX6kIGlPwFSkZyPpN6Svyc2JB3Wf7God5jkzQRsWkSJw7ymPD-hRRWNf3Oys29em/s1600/iren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqws0O_seX2QDDPT3glKNJQnk9Gc7wbothBin7hPV9h36vDnCWRbMU8cn7VYlGVHwFa2JEC8UpjNtVX6kIGlPwFSkZyPpN6Svyc2JB3Wf7God5jkzQRsWkSJw7ymPD-hRRWNf3Oys29em/s400/iren.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After taking a sabbatical from blogging, I am happy to return. Unfortunately, I do so with a heavy heart. I am sad to report on the passing of Connecticut Attorney Irene Olszewski. Some of you may know her as the author of "Attorney O's Midnight Musings" She was 52. Irene was an attorney I deeply admired for her legal acumen and her support over the years. She was a lawyer who was truly a resolute defender of her clients. I will miss sharing "war stories" with her about off kilter clients in the messy world of family law. She was the type of attorney that gave our profession a good reputation.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A graduate of Quinnipiac Law School, Irene performed pro bono work for The Law Works for People in 2003 and worked with Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Connecticut. Irene had five articles published in the Connecticut Law Tribune, an article in the Connecticut Post and did an interview for the BBC on Gay Law, Same Sex Marriage and Gay Adoption. She also wrote three law blogs; Attorney O's Midnight Musings, CT Law Blog and CT Lesbian & Gay Blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">She was also a musician. Irene had an accomplished musical career that started at age 10 as a band leader for Irene's Polka Playmates and then the Irene Olszewski Orchestra as well as several other polka bands including the Twin City Connection and the Dick Pillar Orchestra. Most recently Irene was the leader of the Lavender Hearts Trio. She was an accomplished composer, arranger and producer releasing six CD's; two Christmas CD's with the Lavender Hearts Trio, three vocals and one instrumental of her own music.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Memorial contributions may be made in Irene's name to the Quinnipiac School of Law, 275 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT 06518-1908. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. She was someone I admired tremendously. This photo is from a legal panel we both took part in for the Connecticut Bar Association on legal blogging. She is surrounded by fellow Connecticut law bloggers. As she put it, she is the tall one in the middle. As Irving Berlin once said "The song is ended, but the melody lingers on..." My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. </span>Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-53992765961139261492013-09-02T18:55:00.000-04:002013-09-03T19:03:26.973-04:00I Have Returned.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqd1GTYP0VOO3yISSvIR6e3-c6nfLE5hdcg3611o9XzSX1onAB7Omu0mswvK6xIDvMb2H3KIxJ4KzOyCqihFU7o_ynfG22FBMh20dj6BI6qJuFUs0udAcb-JtjbN8dh2f1oPN2c1k0v8P/s1600/mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqd1GTYP0VOO3yISSvIR6e3-c6nfLE5hdcg3611o9XzSX1onAB7Omu0mswvK6xIDvMb2H3KIxJ4KzOyCqihFU7o_ynfG22FBMh20dj6BI6qJuFUs0udAcb-JtjbN8dh2f1oPN2c1k0v8P/s320/mom.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">My thanks to Attorney Cliff Tuttle for wondering what the heck happened to me. My fellow blogger encouraged me to get back on the saddle and start writing again. Happy to report that the Nutmeg Lawyer has returned from parts unknown.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmnUE_jzPqmdQeqR91M_-D1-A_Z9-0aC7vVxbUumKBuNLL2ubYMYaEkMd_kkxcAD73vZFq4FH6oA-MUokXM4s36ezHlqus2b-iAlSVh9ZARd9pJUMD6p8cjqPdBBeSpKpzc5FNoS8F6DD/s1600/fra+%2528160%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmnUE_jzPqmdQeqR91M_-D1-A_Z9-0aC7vVxbUumKBuNLL2ubYMYaEkMd_kkxcAD73vZFq4FH6oA-MUokXM4s36ezHlqus2b-iAlSVh9ZARd9pJUMD6p8cjqPdBBeSpKpzc5FNoS8F6DD/s320/fra+%2528160%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Taking a page from Hemingway, I ran with the bulls of Pamplona and then set adrift on the sea in search of swordfish and Cuban cigars. I hopped freight trains across America, traversed the deep jungles of Africa and climbed the highest Himalayan peaks in search of inner peace with Tibetan monks. Ok. That might be an exaggeration. </span><span style="font-size: large;">But since my last post I did travel, expand my law practice, decide to run for local office and even became a temporary music promoter for a polka concert. Don't ask. Thank you for all of the kind emails from my readers worried about my well being. I am back from my self imposed sabbatical and will resume posting. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuJNfJhspIx6unPpU7648vNY8zOxs1QatplQFpr7i2sYHxeaitWM6Q9AG_dsnJN29fuSOxVHSHKUA_ZGH3sUjylVUW4CefXS-IcQrbE_syvDqpc5sRcgHhOAVTxv5qU4Kb_ZVRsnQ_ygT/s1600/bacj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuJNfJhspIx6unPpU7648vNY8zOxs1QatplQFpr7i2sYHxeaitWM6Q9AG_dsnJN29fuSOxVHSHKUA_ZGH3sUjylVUW4CefXS-IcQrbE_syvDqpc5sRcgHhOAVTxv5qU4Kb_ZVRsnQ_ygT/s320/bacj.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12-pCMGYevDX_GMWvKdqR4jVh97xV9WXY1HiPUPzGaR9aiLRa4v6TahBCMBXuOEjITkXZyD7EDYEbkf2wtfN_0y47cY302YteFrEIlnfAyEFeRvMFAMJs6xDLamyTIngcvnyeUmGrOldh/s1600/bacj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8fItaR8vS92PxquEW55YYQwuk3R5yWJHObfpKVy2l1izAM_9f66WmOV78q5zmUCrFjDZnG0qjULuKEtAUgIJrj4iXsph90t31gM6GQKcKomhg29Dv9s1wz8gqCuUqBodKufbYLfJIvR0/s1600/mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-84179216264044665312013-02-05T12:56:00.000-05:002013-09-04T13:13:00.122-04:00The Sandy Hook Conspiracy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP-PIE5ERQHJatVpqauH4Qp-NfD7yxCeveRHCEMNpuXq4JyjtnO75jHxoau8224NEfxh3OFtw7FbeBb9RrDUu2yNcrsEGGa7dzdHIIxycpzjDt7vc8wURbsVidwnScXFz43zxvQhtz1_K/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP-PIE5ERQHJatVpqauH4Qp-NfD7yxCeveRHCEMNpuXq4JyjtnO75jHxoau8224NEfxh3OFtw7FbeBb9RrDUu2yNcrsEGGa7dzdHIIxycpzjDt7vc8wURbsVidwnScXFz43zxvQhtz1_K/s200/hands.jpg" width="163" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">My two cents. Since the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook, I have noticed an increase in people creating Facebook conspiracy pages. Dubbed "truthers", many people have called into question whether this horrific event even occurred. Some of them are even posting private family photos of the children who died. If you are one of these people, I would like to help you with your research. Here is all you need to know about any of the children involved. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The children who died were all around six years old. Like many children, they had a range of interests in sports, arts, animals, and music. Like most kids, they loved to learn and play. They giggled at silly jokes and cried over scraped knees. They had bright futures and loving families. They were murdered before their lives even started. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a result of the actions of a mad man, their parents will never see their children grow. They will never have the joy of watching them open presents on Christmas morning or blow out birthday candles again. No more reminders to scrub their ears or brush their teeth. They will not see them off to proms or beam proudly as they graduate. They will never drop them off at college or walk them down the aisle at their weddings. Instead of preparing for the Holidays, their parents made funeral arrangements. Instead of opening presents, they closed child sized caskets. The children who died were real people. They existed. Their parents are not actors. They are real people too. I am sure these poor parents would move heaven and earth for the opportunity to hear one more I love you from their child. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You cannot imagine the grief that they will endure for the rest of their lives. Yet you continue to question whether these children even existed. You post photos of their children and question if they died. You torment the parents with questions of whether they are actors, did they cry enough or why did they smile when someone offered them a condolence or a hug. You berate them for a perceived nervous laugh or an uneasy smile. You litter their memorial pages dedicated to the memories of their children with conspiracy theories. You give a pass to their killer with claims he was never there. You harass a man who had the audacity to provide shelter to a group of terrified children escaping from a murderer. You question why people would donate money to help with the expense of a funeral or a scholarship. You accuse a grieving town of lying. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope this adds to your "research" As you continue to post photos of these children with captions questioning their existence, I hope you reflect on the pain and torment you continue cause to the people who loved them and would do anything to just hold them close just one last time. I think the families have had shed quite enough tears. I ask that you show a little consideration and let these families grieve in peace.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-36282269613449679342013-01-23T12:23:00.001-05:002013-01-23T12:37:53.534-05:00Vernon Woman Punches Iron Jawed Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhYo8XeoTWZt_WpYb4kYWNOj6hupcsWxIqbW6pcFaORbBxXLBdvIVicENqvE0igqDtw_wqyU4jYy-lPc-f16sdzXfQ2zSd-xeduRVljk72hh2c2yjpjybuejy6lZu5QvY5olUdtJF1jLe/s1600/baby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhYo8XeoTWZt_WpYb4kYWNOj6hupcsWxIqbW6pcFaORbBxXLBdvIVicENqvE0igqDtw_wqyU4jYy-lPc-f16sdzXfQ2zSd-xeduRVljk72hh2c2yjpjybuejy6lZu5QvY5olUdtJF1jLe/s320/baby.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Connecticut's Channel 3 Eye Witness News reports that a Vernon woman involved in an altercation with another woman wound up punching a baby. Yes, a baby. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;">As one facebook poster put it, sounds like something out of a Will Ferrell movie. </span><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;">During the fight, 31 year old Jessica Diaz tried to punch another woman and missed. She connected with the woman's infant instead. Apparently when Vernon PD arrived, Ms. Diaz was pretty drunk and uncooperative.</span><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"> She was arrested and charged with assault, disorderly conduct, threatening, risk of injury to a minor and interfering with police. It didn't end there. When she was in her cell, she decided to destroy two blankets. The action brought on an additional charge of criminal mischief. </span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KruY_QJWx_vUmfYqe-PMRTAXT9P7dY9oijCdF7-JeZ92ZEyEW9rknzXkVp-fFwazuZpWojIMdkZaki8O2_lWClgWypjIem8MSQm1OmWmGLDddbavIBEBIDF1Whp-PqtI2hYBoyTp_Bae/s1600/pun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KruY_QJWx_vUmfYqe-PMRTAXT9P7dY9oijCdF7-JeZ92ZEyEW9rknzXkVp-fFwazuZpWojIMdkZaki8O2_lWClgWypjIem8MSQm1OmWmGLDddbavIBEBIDF1Whp-PqtI2hYBoyTp_Bae/s200/pun.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know what you are going to say. How can anyone punch a baby? But to paraphrase the Will Ferrell film "the Candidate," did anyone even bother to ask Ms. Diaz how her hand was after punching that iron jawed baby? Everyone knows babies can't be trusted. Before we rush to judgment, let's wait for the facts to come out. No one knows what this baby was up to. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Diaz is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior court on Jan. 29. Our thanks to Mary Scanlon for the find.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Editor's note: Thankfully the baby was not seriously injured and apparently required no medical attention)</span></span></div>
<br />Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-91581284457327754022013-01-21T15:35:00.003-05:002013-01-21T21:56:36.070-05:00Has the Practice of Law Aged You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tJdAJvTZ5RajuXrD7XXQiYTPlj-qt7ktF6t_zvjU0KjCF1R-z2iwtpf3y3CUDgrLMfQV4tTtjUat0ZwhlXDtR240VAcJ08IDYi3_JxrVIOMskFOW7h7sdNJCEY9QvAat9wz3PEr2IWfF/s1600/obama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tJdAJvTZ5RajuXrD7XXQiYTPlj-qt7ktF6t_zvjU0KjCF1R-z2iwtpf3y3CUDgrLMfQV4tTtjUat0ZwhlXDtR240VAcJ08IDYi3_JxrVIOMskFOW7h7sdNJCEY9QvAat9wz3PEr2IWfF/s200/obama.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As I watched the presidential inauguration, I couldn't help but notice that number 44 seems to have a few more wrinkles and grey hairs these days. Does it come at any surprise? Imagine if your job required you to deal with one of the largest economic disasters in American history, a couple of wars, the health care debate, oil disasters, hurricanes, hunting down terrorists and several mass shootings. To top it all off, you have kooks demanding to see your birth certificate every other day. Some medical experts maintain that U.S. presidents age twice as fast while they hold office. For normal folks, we often deal with stress by talking about worries with friends and family. Of course, the president isn't about to discuss national security concerns with his neighbor between lawn mowings. While not quite at the level of the president, it can be the same for many professionals with high stress occupations. In my opinion, the practice of law ranks high on that list.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-uDxIi_zU1URHdJ-WvgbkKvYAewxmaECQpctCAZJbQ7G6kvSlqHWPLux2J8MeiX1DwAUr1CxdC7w28ODMKL9m9WvBkMgZqIh5myrFaX1NqR1VlsQWXzCkA-VRacc4_PhwZBdCPQKNYK/s1600/youngold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-uDxIi_zU1URHdJ-WvgbkKvYAewxmaECQpctCAZJbQ7G6kvSlqHWPLux2J8MeiX1DwAUr1CxdC7w28ODMKL9m9WvBkMgZqIh5myrFaX1NqR1VlsQWXzCkA-VRacc4_PhwZBdCPQKNYK/s400/youngold.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Attorney Baron at his law graduation (left)<br />Attorney Baron after a few years of law practice (right)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It goes without saying that the practice of law can be very stressful. If you are an attorney, you have basically chosen a profession that requires you to shoulder the burdens of other people. With attorney-client confidentiality we cannot very well share those burdensome secrets with those around us. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I remember when I first started as a bright faced attorney. Working at a general practice firm, I had the opportunity to work in a variety of practice areas. Unfortunately, the firm's practice areas seemed to be the most stress inducing ones. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 18.997756958007813px;">I recall one case where a man was arrested for a particular crime. It was his fourth consecutive arrest for a charge that carried a mandatory jail sentence. His doting wife was suffering from a terminal disease and had months to live. She begged me to save her husband from jail. She wanted him to be with her as she dealt with impending death. I had saved him from incarceration many times, but I was not a magician. The evidence against him was far too strong and he had used up all of his second chances with diversionary programs. The client had two options: accept the state's offer or go to trial. If he went to trial, he would face the possibility of a decade in jail.Although it was not what the mother wanted to hear, I told her that I recommended the state's very fair offer. I had managed to nolle several charges and he would face the bare bone minimum of jail time allowed by law. The state gave me a final continuance date. Accept the state's offer or go to trial. The night before the final court date, I tossed and turned. What if the wife died alone? How would the client handle jail? Was there something I missed? Should I have pushed for a trial?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uCf4G1q-eufysFWPlnHYlI8rm8IHaGRm1fGao29gUC93f8Bm9pf7r0WWzvrQ1LPpVQ85OEvCfMdORlYfioWmppH_Zl94lPkCNNaYk5iN3DHt6WKPPVkTd1l4JERMHQn-Gk0pQpl4Ylev/s1600/stress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uCf4G1q-eufysFWPlnHYlI8rm8IHaGRm1fGao29gUC93f8Bm9pf7r0WWzvrQ1LPpVQ85OEvCfMdORlYfioWmppH_Zl94lPkCNNaYk5iN3DHt6WKPPVkTd1l4JERMHQn-Gk0pQpl4Ylev/s200/stress.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Similar cases would follow over the years. In our divorce cases I wondered if I would be able to get custody of the children for my client. In immigration matters, would I be able to save a family from deportation? In real estate matters, did my title search find everything? Would I miss a statute of limitations deadline in a civil case? I even stressed over the occasional speeding ticket for a family member. Would Uncle Ted's insurance go up if I didn't get rid of his ticket? People used to joke that I looked too young to be a lawyer. Now, grocery store checkout girls were calling me sir. I found myself watching more Matlock and rushing to the local Country Buffet to catch the early bird special. </span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18.997756958007813px;">My wife noticed I had a few gray hairs and wrinkles.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"> Was law practice aging me? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrm2Z-Fixl6f7t6PeulbIfroGSaLTyQDkaM9j_khgS0zPjv0qAgarTbrB38xPppXJrFGB4ObSAM96Qyb4uFHmPN_iD_FEu36leDS0ma8WMKr6dZp6fqDKSrFGp8pLVnVH4Jx0VmrM9SNk/s1600/stree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrm2Z-Fixl6f7t6PeulbIfroGSaLTyQDkaM9j_khgS0zPjv0qAgarTbrB38xPppXJrFGB4ObSAM96Qyb4uFHmPN_iD_FEu36leDS0ma8WMKr6dZp6fqDKSrFGp8pLVnVH4Jx0VmrM9SNk/s320/stree.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;">Of course, it was not just the casework that caused me stress. As a partner in a small firm, I was responsible for bringing in clients. I had to make sure the lights stayed on and the staff was paid. I was responsible for making sure the Iolta account balanced out and that deadlines were met. More attorneys were moving in on our "turf." How was I going to compete with law firms that advertised on billboards and buses? How was I going to compete with unethical firms that relied on runners and shady tactics? When would I finally pay off my tuition? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;">Over the years I've learned to handle the stress. I was lucky to have a law partner that shouldered the burden with me. He was someone that offered me some sage advice. If you find yourself stressed, here are some tips I learned along the way:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(1) <b>Don't take every case personally: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;">Your job is to represent your client to the best of your abilities.</span><span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;">You weren't the one who caused that couple's divorce. You didn't put the keys in the hands of that drunk driver. It is good to have empathy for your clients, but don't let it consume you. As they say in the mafia, it's business nothing personal. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(2) <b>Take time for things that matter: </b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.997756958007813px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One of the things I regret is not spending more time with my grandmother who passed away from cancer. I had plenty of excuses. I had a long day in court. I needed to prepare a case. It wasn't just my grandmother. Since law school, I skipped weddings, birthdays, soccer games, and other outings with family and friends. I always put the office first. I now make an effort to make family events whenever I can. I've made an effort to reconnect with friends. That doesn't mean poking them on Facebook. Actually go outside and do something with them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(3) <b>Take a Mini Vacation: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For many of us, there are never enough hours in the day. If we take vacations, some of us resign ourselves to one week in the summer. Others don't take any vacations at all. Last year, my wife and I decided to start taking weekend jaunts. Living in the Northeast, this left us with plenty of opportunities. No time for a Paris vacation, we decided to drive up to Quebec. With cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages and a bunch of people talking fancy French, it was a great escape. No time to visit stately manors on the English countryside? Our next weekend trip was visiting the summer homes of the titans of industry in Newport Rhode Island. Living in Connecticut, I was two hours away from Boston and New York where I could do some sight seeing and catch a Broadway show over the weekend. I would be back in time to return to the drudgery of the office. I found that these mini vacations were a great way to recharge for the office. A few moments of relaxation can really clear your head. Even if it's just a movie, take some time for yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) <b>Exercise and Eat Right: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The practice of law can often be sedentary. You spend hours sitting behind a desk. If you're anything like me, you tend to eat a lot of fast food. On court days, I find myself eating hot dogs from mobile eateries parked outside of the court house. Other days, it's the drive thru at the local McDonald's, Wendy's or Burger King. I made the decision to do something about it. I joined a gym and started brown bagging my lunch to the office. I began opting for the stairs instead of the elevator. In a short time, I found myself sleeping better and I now have more energy at work. Unless I'm crazy, I also find myself thinking clearer. My work product seems to have improved. While I am not planning to run a marathon anytime soon, I no longer get winded chasing after ambulances.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) <b>Screen Your Clients Better and Set Boundaries: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When I first started law practice, I felt I needed to take on every client that walked through the door. I also found myself doing favors for friends and family. Sometimes, it's better to "just say no". Time and time again I would be asked to just send a letter or make a phone call. If it's not in your practice area, just politely decline. That little favor can often turn out into a drawn out affair. If I get a bad feeling about a client, I turn down the case. Just look for the warning signs. Was the client represented by a few attorneys before you? Does the client want to sue someone for the "principle" of the matter? Does the client have pages of laminated research and evidence? Is the client already making unreasonable demands? You may get a legal fee from the case, but it will be at the expense of your health and sanity. Time wasted with a problem client or accommodation work can be better spent on something more worthwhile. Like getting a root canal. I've heard the argument. Sometimes accommodation work can lead to bigger cases. While this is sometimes true, usually it is not. More than likely, the client will keep coming to you with trivial matters that some other attorney didn't want to bother with. While you deal with the stress, the client will take their lucrative case to the attorney who doesn't deal with such small matters. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(6) Get Help: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If the practice of law is really getting to you, seek professional help. There is no reason to let stress overwhelm you. Sometimes it's better just to talk about it. People seek your professional services to deal with their problems. There is no reason you cannot do the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(7) Buy a Jet Ski: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As comedian Daniel Tosh noted, have you ever seen someone miserable on a jet ski? I know I haven't.</span>Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3052112857453370442.post-80951384179340147722013-01-18T07:33:00.000-05:002013-01-18T08:42:17.840-05:00I Have a JD. I Want to Be Called Doctor Too.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarYztM6nJk0cDnC6CsEqfHcjSEK3D1qwSlJlRZ6SY2dEpzopU1ANt497rkrmPcGWz4e0I-7CO6LY7JF5orqoxNy-33VsSJbRmROfARQJxyvjiEQYV5-YtNH8YHFAdvq13VVqjTcNMrWI/s1600/tyson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarYztM6nJk0cDnC6CsEqfHcjSEK3D1qwSlJlRZ6SY2dEpzopU1ANt497rkrmPcGWz4e0I-7CO6LY7JF5orqoxNy-33VsSJbRmROfARQJxyvjiEQYV5-YtNH8YHFAdvq13VVqjTcNMrWI/s1600/tyson.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Tyson I Presume?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Some humor to end your work week: </i></b>Every one seems to refer to themselves as a doctor these days. You have Doctor Who, Dr Laura, Dr. Pepper, Dr. J., and Doc Gooden. Preachers refer to themselves as doctors. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pugilist Muhammad Ali has an honorary doctorate. So does Tim Allen, Bob Barker, Clint Eastwood, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, Dolly Parton and Englebert Humperdink. Even highschool dropout Mike Tyson has one. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So you're telling me that Humperdink and my chiropractor can refer to themselves as doctors, but I can't? I see the word doctor after the word juris on my diploma. Why can't I call myself a doctor too? At least I think it's on my diploma. It's in Latin. Latin is all Greek to me.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilNxB1RuweVhIyVtpOY_PDDa1m5HGUQisXLVDUqvJ9khhJAGHMnMSRrPz2HlkBsaz_Qk3oX2qD0L3ACRiMtFq-8fJGiOfq2IvhtNxcA8e_r523IItHiHUSJJTPyJPvocbQk4tg2LRTXk/s1600/humperdink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilNxB1RuweVhIyVtpOY_PDDa1m5HGUQisXLVDUqvJ9khhJAGHMnMSRrPz2HlkBsaz_Qk3oX2qD0L3ACRiMtFq-8fJGiOfq2IvhtNxcA8e_r523IItHiHUSJJTPyJPvocbQk4tg2LRTXk/s1600/humperdink.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dr. Englebert Humperdink</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Readers of this blog may recall that a significant portion of my practice comes from the Polish community. Polish clients refer to me respectfully as "Pan Mecenas." That translates roughly to "Sir Attorney." In Connecticut, it is standard for someone to refer to their lawyer as Attorney "so and so." I understand that many states do not afford their practitioners even that courtesy. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It bears noting that the first academic doctorate degrees were law degrees. I say it's time we got our mojo back. Now, I understand the ethical concerns. You don't want prospective clients thinking a personal injury attorney is a medical doctor. As lawyers we need to stay away from self laudation. Nevertheless, I think we deserve an occasional pat on the back. When you ask a mother what she wants her kid to be when they grow up, undoubtedly the answer will be a lawyer or doctor.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Several years ago, the State Bar of Texas abandoned its stance on lawyers referring to themselves as doctors in social or professional settings. They reasoned that the title is not inherently false or misleading. I say where Texas goes, so should the nation. Remember the Alamo and all that. I worked hard for my juris doctorate. The years of trying to become invisible to my professors' Socratic pointing, the final exams, the hours of study, the bar exam, the relentless clients. Do you know that in some European courts the attorneys get to wear long robes and medallions? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's bad enough they took away our powdered wigs. I want the respect I deserve. Can't we get special hats or something? If Bob Barker can refer to himself as a Doctor, why can't I get the same courtesy? If not, at least let us start wearing powdered wigs again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(Update: I've been told I am not the only one. There is now a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Start-referring-to-lawyers-as-Doctors/116842375022547">facebook page</a> dedicated to the topic. )</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9Lge2_H_8IQ?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Editors Note: Although this is an tongue in cheek post , the individuals mentioned actually do hold doctorate degrees. It is my understanding that Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd both received similar honors. )</span>Adrian M. Baronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834139062043181558noreply@blogger.com9