How We’re Making a Difference—And Growing Stronger Every Day! 💪

Written by Shane Smith | Oct 9, 2024 11:00:00 AM

Last week was pretty eventful for us, even though it seemed like just a normal week on the surface. We were down in Atlanta handling our usual day-to-day activities at the law firm. It’s always busy, but lately, we’ve been exploring a lot of new ideas. Andrew attended a legal conference, where he picked up some valuable insights and strategies that could really help us enhance the way we serve our clients. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and it’s great to have fresh perspectives come in.

We’ve also been in talks with one or two other law firms regarding some of the more complex cases we’re working on. These aren’t your average legal matters—they involve highly specialized areas of law where things can get intricate. When you’re dealing with cases like these, you quickly realize the importance of bringing in experts who specialize in very specific fields. For instance, we’re currently working on a case where we’ve had to consult with experts to determine if a business violated safety standards. Did the store or manufacturer fail to follow the required protocols? Did they breach their duty of care toward customers?

One of the more interesting legal questions we've been grappling with is: what exactly is a store's duty toward its patrons when they suffer an injury on the premises? How much assistance are they legally required to provide? What are the boundaries on limiting help from others, whether it’s by restricting assistance or limiting third-party interventions? It’s fascinating to delve into this from both a legal and ethical standpoint, and we’ve had some insightful conversations with community safety experts on the topic. This case is shaping up to be a learning experience for everyone involved, and I’m excited to see how it develops.

Meanwhile, outside of work, there’s been a lot going on in areas like Asheville and Florida due to recent natural disasters. A close friend of mine, who lives near some of the affected areas, has been making regular trips to deliver much-needed supplies like food and water to the people who have been hit the hardest. These are areas that have become difficult to reach, and some people have lost everything. It’s a stark reminder of how unpredictable and devastating natural disasters can be.

Another business associate of mine in Asheville has turned his parking lot into a temporary shipping hub, helping send large shipments of goods—everything from Amazon packages to pallets of water and food—to those in need. It’s amazing to see people come together in times of crisis, and it reinforces the idea that community support can make all the difference.
We often forget just how powerful Mother Nature can be until we see the damage firsthand. The storm impacted many communities, though our own offices were fortunate enough to escape major damage. In Charlotte we lost power for a day but the Georgia office was able to be open, they just opened late. The real issue was for our coworkers who live in more rural areas. Several of them couldn’t make it to the office because of flooding and downed trees. On my drive down to Atlanta with Holly, we saw road workers cutting away fallen trees everywhere, just to keep the roads clear. My son, Sam, also commented on the number of trees he saw that had been cut when he made the same trip. It was quite a sight.

On a positive note, some of the fraternities at High Point University, where my kids go, have been doing their part to help. They raised money and donated supplies to the victims of the hurricanes, which made me really proud. It’s nice to see that sense of giving and responsibility in the younger generation. Even in tough times, it’s reassuring to see so many people stepping up to make a difference.

That being said, technology has been a bit of a challenge for us lately. It’s frustrating when new software updates or drivers come out and end up causing more problems than they fix. For example, my wife’s scanner, which we use for office banking, worked perfectly fine until a recent update broke it. Now it doesn’t work at all. This kind of thing didn’t happen years ago, and while technology has certainly advanced in leaps and bounds, these setbacks can be maddening. You get used to relying on something, and then suddenly, it’s unusable because of an update that was supposed to improve it. It’s one of those little things that can make your day a lot more complicated.

On the personal side, my sons, Sam and Noah, have been keeping busy with midterms at High Point University. This is Noah’s first set of midterms in law school, which is a big milestone for him. Sam, on the other hand, is in his junior year, so he’s more used to the routine by now. After finishing his exams, Sam headed down to Peachtree City with his dog, Robin, to spend the week with friends. It’s funny to see how all of their friends are growing up and finding their own paths in life. One of Sam’s friends is in the army, another is managing a restaurant, and yet another is in flight school. It’s interesting to watch these young adults I’ve known for years embark on their careers and hear the stories they share about their lives.

Holly and Sam made a special trip to the zoo this past week to say goodbye to the pandas. As you might have heard, the pandas are going back to China this year, and it was one of the last chances to see them before they leave. Holly has always had a soft spot for pandas, and she didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Sam, of course, tagged along, and they had a great time. It was bittersweet, though. The pandas have been such a big draw at the zoo for years, and it’s hard to believe they’ll be gone soon.

They spent a good bit of time watching them, and Holly said it was incredible to see how calm and graceful these massive animals are up close. The zoo had a few special exhibits and events going on to celebrate the pandas before their departure, so there was a lot of excitement in the air. Sam, being the animal lover he is, snapped a bunch of pictures, and they both agreed it was worth the trip, even though it felt a little like the end of an era. Holly said she’d never forget the moment and was glad they got to be a part of it before the pandas head back to their homeland.

At the firm, we’ve also been working on some new video content. We’re always trying to find the best ways to engage with our audience and reach more people. Several of our recent videos have performed really well, which is encouraging. Video has become such an important tool for connecting with potential clients, and seeing the positive response motivates us to keep pushing forward. Growing the firm and helping more people is always the goal, and the success of these videos is a good indicator that we’re moving in the right direction.

On a health note, I’ve been sticking to my diet, though I’ll admit it hasn’t been easy. My ankle is much better, and I’m scheduled for my final physical therapy session next week, but in the meantime, I’ve managed to get tennis elbow from lifting weights. It’s been painful and frustrating, but I’ve been trying out dry needling, which is a new experience for me. Surprisingly, it seems to be helping, and I’m hopeful that after a couple more sessions, my arm and elbow will be back to normal.

Over the weekend, we decided to check out the local Hispanic festival at Drake Field in Peachtree City. Holly had heard about it while attending a planner event, so we thought it would be a fun way to spend our Saturday. The festival had plenty of food trucks, and we enjoyed some delicious chicken and meat tacos. Holly had a sandwich with meat and cheese from another country that was incredible. We even ran into one of our team members, which was a pleasant surprise. There were a lot of arts, crafts, and local businesses catering to the Hispanic community. It was great to see the diversity and the vibrant culture on display.

Later that night, we caught the UFC fights. The main event was a big match between Khalil Rountree and Alex Pereira. In the first two rounds, I thought Khalil might actually pull off the win—he was looking strong. But then Alex turned it around in the third round and completely dominated in the fourth, securing the victory. Even though Khalil lost, I was impressed by his performance. He took some heavy hits but kept pushing forward, and he definitely gained a new fan in me. Sometimes it’s not about winning; it’s about showing heart and perseverance, and Khalil did just that.

So, that was our week—busy, interesting, and full of new challenges and opportunities. I hope you had a good week and as always, if you're in pain, call Shane!

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