CaseResult-EveryParent’s Nightmare
WetNoses,WarmHearts,and PawsitiveStories-CheckOutthe LatestonOVERRULED
AutumnChickenwith CaramelizedOnions
AYearintheTrenches:Timeto Reflect
Asanotheryeardrawstoaclose,theholidayseason offersararepause abriefintermissionof deadlines,diagnoses,negotiations,and emergencies.Forus,whoseprofessionsoften demandconstantvigilanceandemotionalstamina, thismomentofreflectionismorethantradition;it's essentialreflectiontimetotakestockofthingswe usuallytakeforgranted
Gratitude,whenintentionallypracticed,canbea stabilizingforcethatdeepenspurposeandfortifies well-being.Ourprofessionfocusesonserviceat criticalcrossroadsinpeople'slives.Amidpressure,it becomeseasytofocusontheweightof responsibilityratherthantheinherentprivilegeof beinginvitedintothesepivotalmomentsinour clients'lives Theholidayseasonremindsustozoom outandrecognizethatprivilege
First,wecanbegratefulforthetrustplacedinus. Everyclientrelationshipisbuiltonconfidencethat wewillactethically,skillfully,andcompassionately. Thistrustisnotautomatic;itisearned.Tobe grantedthattrustisaprofoundhonor.
Second,gratitudeisowedtotheteamsaroundus Noprofessionalsucceedsinisolationorleadsalone Paralegals,nurses,assistants,researchers, administrativestaff,colleagues,andmentorsform
theinfrastructurethatmakesmeaningfulwork possible.Holidaysofferanopportunitytoacknowledge theseindividuals,celebratetheircontributions,and reinforcewhatsustainsourprofession.
Third,andequallyimportant,isgratitudeforthe communitiesweserve Ourprofessionscanexposeus toconflict,trauma,loss,andsystemicchallenges Yet theseexperiencesalsorevealthedepthofhuman enduranceandunderstanding.
Finally,thisseasoninvitesustobegratefulfor balance;themomentsoutsideourrolesthatremind usthereiswaymoretolifethanourprofessions. Family,friends,personalhobbies,andrestarenot luxuries;theyareessentialanchorsthatrestoreusto beeffectiveadvocatesforourclients
Thisholidayseason,Ihopegratitudeisnotan afterthought,butapractice onethatenrichesyour work,strengthensourrelati hywe chosethesemeaningfulpa and continuetochoosethemea ays fromourteamtoyours.
In November, we launched OperationFur-EverHome with TakePaws Rescue, the Louisiana SPCA, and Metairie Humane Shelter to help pets find loving families and spotlight the work these groups do every day David spoke with Rebecca Nguyen of the Louisiana SPCA about their century of service, from affordable veterinary care to statewide outreach programs that keep pets healthy and loved. He also sat down with JulieFrank and VickiJohnson-Cain of Take Paws Rescue todiscussthechallengesandtriumphsofrehominghundredsofdogs eachyear,includingheartwarmingstorieslikelittle"DippinDot"finding afur-everhome.
Finally, JamiHirstius of Metairie Humane Shelter shared what it takes for an all-volunteer team to manage emergencies and support the community with limited resources These episodes deliver uplifting storiesandrealinsightintolocalrescuework
OVERRULEDwithBradScottandDavidVicknairis availableatScottVicknair.com/podcasts orlistenonGooglePodcasts,ApplePodcasts, andSpotify
Callus.Ifwecannothandleyourcase,wewillworkonfinding someonewhocanassistyou.
4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 ¼ lb. boneless skinless chick thighs
10 cardamom pods
¼ heaping tsp. whole cloves
2-3 cinnamon sticks, broken in
1 2/3 c. basmati rice
1-2 Tbsp. chopped dried cranb
1 c. water
1 ¼ c. chicken stock
1 ½ Tbsp. flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
½ c. dill leaves, chopped
¼ c cilantro leaves, chopped
½ c Greek yogurt, mixed with 2 Tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
Place chicken in a large mixing bowl and season with 1½ tsp. salt and 1½ tsp. black pepper. Add 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon and mix everything together by hand. Set aside.
Heat the remaining 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven or braiser for which you have a lid over medium heat, add the onion, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (but not often) until the onion has turned a deep golden brown. Transfer the onion to a small bowl, wipe the pot clean, then add the chicken and spices to the pot. Sear the chicken for 5 minutes on each side.
While the chicken is searing, in a separate pot, boil the water and chicken stock.
After the chicken is seared, remove it from the pot and set aside Its okay if spices stay in the pot Add the rice, caramelized onion, cranberries, 1 tsp. salt, and plenty of black pepper to the pot. Stir well and return the seared chicken to the pot, pushing it into the rice. Pour the boiling water/chicken stock over the chicken and rice, cover the pot with a lid, and cook over very low heat for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat, remove the lid from the pot, quickly place a clean tea towel over the pot, and seal it again with the lid. Let the pot sit for 10 minutes. After ten minutes, remove the lid and tea towel, add the chopped herbs to the dish, and stir them in with a fork Serve with yogurt
Aninjuredchildiseveryparent’s nightmare.Whenonefamilyfacedthis situation,wefoughtforourclientevery stepoftheway,keepingtheparent informedandreassuredthroughoutthe process.Inadditiontosecuring compensation,weworkedhardto obtainextradeductionsthatputmore moneybackinthefamily’spocket The parentfeltsupported,caredfor,and relievedknowingtheirchild’scasewas incapablehands.#FightForTheWin
PastResultsareNotaGuaranteeofFutureSuccess
1.SendyourPersonalInjury& SuccessioncallerstoScottVicknair: Whenyourintaketeamgetsacallfrom someoneinjuredinanaccidentordealing withestateissues,havethemgathersome basicdetailsaboutthecaller(andalso providethemwithourdirectintakeline 504-977-2044).Yourintaketeamcansend theinformationto referrals@scottvicknair.com.
2.ReferredClientSignswithScott Vicknair:
Ourintaketeamwillcontactthereferred client(iftheydon’tcallusfirst),andwe’ll starttheonboardingprocess.Whenthe referredclientsigns,ourteamwillcontact yourfirmandletyouknow.Asalways,we willmakeyoutheHEROintheeyesofthe clientthroughoutthecase
3.WeHandletheirLegalIssueand MakeYoutheHERO:
ScottVicknairwillensuretheclientknows thatthereferringlawfirm(YOU)are playingasignificantroleinhelpingthem byconnectingthemtotherightattorney andrestoringtheirpeaceofmind.Wewill keepyouinvolvedthroughoutthecase, andtelltheclientiftheyeverhavelegal issuestocontactyourfirmfirst.
AsDecemberwindsdown,we finallygetachancetotakea breath Forlawyers,theyearis oftenablurofdeadlines,filings, hearings,andclientfires.Butif we’relucky,theendoftheyear givesusjustenoughspaceto lookup andlookback.
Takeamomentthismonthto reflecton: Theclientswhoselivesyou helpedstabilize.
Thecolleagueswhohad yourback.
Thebattlesyoufought(and theonesyouwiselyavoided).
Andthefactthat,despiteitall, you 'restillstanding.
Thelegalprofessiondoesn’t makeiteasytoslowdown. Deadlinesloom,emergencies arise,andthere’salwaysanother email,anotherclientcall,another “quickquestion”thatturnsinto anhour.Butifwewaitforthe perfectmomenttoreflect,it won’tcome
Reflectionisn’taluxury—it’s fuel.It’swhatallowsustoextract lessonsfromthechaos, recalibrateourgoals,andrealign withthedeeperreasonwedo thiswork.Withoutit,werisk racingintoanotheryearreacting insteadofleading.Sohere’sto progress,perspective,andalittle peacebeforethecalendar resets
Wishingyouastrongfinishanda freshstart
