by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
atlantatrial.com

I am a lawyer. Like many of you, there are times when my friends who are not lawyers will seek my legal advice. Either they do not want to nor intend to pay me for my expertise, or perhaps they are all just waiting for the invoice that I never send (Note to self: send invoices, wait by mailbox for checks, retire far earlier than intended). However, there are many other times when I feel that, due to current events or misinformation in the media, I feel obligated to set some record straight with those around me. I do not mean to rouse any rabble by doing so, but it can be torturous to remain reticent when I hear people perpetuate falsity when it comes to the law.

by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com

The internet is forever. Many of us who are parents tell our children about this frequently and others of us plan to tell our children as they grow up. It is a lesson and caution that we know, if ignored, may result in rather unforgivable consequences. That picture that is taken in a spontaneous moment, that unfortunate “selfie,” once uploaded, cannot be taken back. Nothing will change the permanent nature of the internet, but we have the ability to engage in activity that will help take ownership of the information and properly frame it in a light that is more accurate.

by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com

One of the main truths in being an attorney is that you are constantly learning, constantly bettering your knowledge, and constantly improving upon the qualities that you have that make you good at the work you do. As attorneys, we read new developments in the law, we maintain our integrity and base of knowledge by attending continuing education seminars, and we work to never be content that we know all we need to know about any given case or body of law.

by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com

As we approach the holidays this year, I have had one of those rare parenting moments that my folks told me I would have on this journey. My son swallowed a quarter. I have three older brothers, and of the four of us, three of us swallowed coins and/or non-edible items. I swallowed E.T. when I was about my son’s age. He did finally come home.

My son did not intend to swallow the quarter, he says, and did so with one of the four quarters my wife gave to him for helping out with household chores. The incident took place while she was in the shower, and was particularly surprising to us both since neither of our kids regularly put things in their mouths that are not food. For me, it meant that I got to take him to the doctor to make sure that he was okay. The doctor’s appointment led to an x-ray, so I decided to keep the situation light-hearted and tell my son we would get a really cool picture of his insides.

by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com

Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion editorial and does not reflect the opinions of the DeKalb Bar Association. The author, Daniel DeWoskin, was trained and certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) as a law enforcement officer, and maintains this certification today. He also worked for some time in a law enforcement capacity prior to his admission to the Georgia Bar. He is now an attorney practicing in DeKalb County.

Due to the increase of school shootings in recent years, many schools have resorted to bringing on-duty police officers into the school in an effort to increase safety measures. The question remains, however, whether the presence of police officers actually increases safety or even just the perception of safety. There is also a question as to whether the presence of more officers just increases the statistics crime or dangers present in schools.

Based on a recent incident, I tend to think that the increased presence of police officers simply creates more “crime.” Let me explain.

by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com

Technology for lawyers is no longer just about remaining competitive in the market; it is about remaining relevant. The ability to conduct last-minute research or communicate with support staff at pivotal moments is vital for an effective trial lawyer. Preparation for trial does not mean that a lawyer has considered every possible development in a case, but instead that the lawyer has thought critically on the matter and retains the ability to adapt should conditions change. This is why certain apps, programs, and devices cannot be ignored.

by Daniel DeWoskin
Trial Attorney
www.atlantatrial.com

For the final newsletter of the year, I thought that it would be a fantastic time to thank the clerks of court in the various courts in which I routinely practice, as well as those in which I only make it to on a handful of occasions each year. I am frequently visiting the clerks’ offices, either filing motions and pleadings by hand, or perhaps just checking on the status of a case or recent filings. I try never to take for granted the not-so-simple tasks that these folks undertake countless times each day.