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Partner's Perspective: A Change of Seasons
- Hurricane Preparedness Tips from Jimerson Birr Attorneys
- Blog Highlights
- Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz
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PARTNER'S PERSPECTIVE
Austin B. Calhoun - A Change of Seasons
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Just a few days ago the season changed to Fall. This got me thinking about the changing seasons of life. Inevitably, as we progress through the ups and downs of our journey of life, our lot in life changes, like the seasons. Today’s macroeconomy has many people uncertain about the next season of their life. Right now, we are looking at drastic inflation, escalating interest rates, falling stock markets, teetering real estate markets, and (in Florida) hurricanes on the horizon. How does that make you feel? A bit scared? Uncertain about your future? How will you deal with it?
Twelve years ago, my seasons changed during the Great Recession, when I lost my job in the construction industry. Life had been great for me in the years leading up to that moment when, suddenly, I found myself out of work for the first time in my life. Frankly, it was a bit scary, largely because the economy and job market were rotten. Moreover, I was the sole breadwinner for my family—a wife, two kids, and a dog. I had to keep putting food on the table.
Luckily, during the period of good and plenty leading up to that change in seasons, I had squirreled away some rainy-day money. With enough socked away to weather the storm, I made the decision to change careers. I pivoted from being a project manager in the construction industry to becoming a lawyer. I said goodbye to an 8-year-long season of my life and took the first step into a new season.
To be sure, my career change was not “part of the plan.” I had not been planning to become a lawyer as part of my long-term life plans. But when the bottom fell out of my then-existing plan, I embraced change and made a new plan. After thorough research, I planned out my new career as a lawyer. Then I charged hard toward my new goals. At the risk of jinxing it, I will say that my new plan is paying off. My years as an attorney have been a season of good and plenty thus far.
But one never knows what is going to happen. While the present season may be sunny and warm, a dark and cold winter is inevitably coming. We don’t know when or what it will be this time, but tribulation will strike again. The trick is to prepare for the unknown and be ready to make the most of it. Here is what I have learned through the seasons of life I have weathered thus far.
- Build your house out of bricks. Do things the right way—don’t take shortcuts. For instance, if you own a business, invest in setting up your corporate structure and contracts to maximize your protection when things change for the worse. Otherwise, your house will fully collapse when the storm comes.
- While times are good, make sure to build a safety net for uncertain times. Sure, save money, but also be generous to others. Lend others a helping hand when you can—you may need them to help you up one day.
- Keep your eyes open to uncertainty, to be ready to shift course ahead of the storm. If you are blind to obvious signs, it may be too late once the storm hits.
- Be willing to chart a new course, and embrace change. Yes, some seasons are best to persevere on your same course. However, some seasons require steering in a new direction. Once you recognize that a new direction is warranted, head that direction with fervor.
- Don’t let uncertainty about the future keep you from enjoying the present. Find solace in knowing that you are prepared to weather the storm.
Seasons and storms come and go. In the moment of tribulation, it can be easy to lose faith that The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. But if you keep your chin up and weather the storm the right way, you will be able to look back and say, “that tribulation changed my life for the better and made me the person I am today.” Don’t fear uncertainty or change. Instead, own it and grow.
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Austin B. Calhoun
Partner
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Hurricane Preparedness Tips |
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Well, it's September in Florida, which means hurricane season is in full swing. We know that this time of year can be worrying for business and homeowners, which is why we've pulled together helpful blogs from across industries by Jimerson Birr attorneys that address how to protect your assets and communities from a hurricane. |
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Hurricane Preparedness: Checklist of What to do After a Hurricane Hits Your Community Association |
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Are Business Losses Arising From Hurricane Damage Covered by Your Insurance Plan? |
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Hurricane Protection Installation and Expenses for Florida’s Condominium Associations |
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Why Community Associations Should Pay Attention to Stormwater Management Systems |
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Jimerson Birr Legal Blogs |
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Are you keeping up with the latest information in business and law? Jimerson Birr publishes weekly blog posts covering topics from construction law, real estate development, sales and leasing law, banking and financial services law, community association law, and everything in between. Click here to subscribe today and stay up-to-date on the latest legal news from the industries we serve:
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Real Estate Development, Sales & Leasing Industry Legal Blog |
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FDEP’s Assumption of the Federal Clean Water Act Section 404 Program: What It Means for Florida’s Regulated Community
On December 22, 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delegated to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) the authority to issue Section 404 federal Clean Water Act (CWA) permits for dredge and fill activities in certain waters within Florida. The state’s assumption of responsibility over Section 404, if it survives current federal court challenges by environmentalists, could have wide-ranging implications for those in the regulated community...
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Community Associations Industry Legal Blog |
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Condominium Board Members: The Business Judgment Rule and Its Protections
By: James O. Birr
In many condominium associations, unit owners sometimes question decisions made by the association’s board members. In Florida, those association board member decisions are governed by what is known as the business judgment rule. That rule affords broad protection to board decisions...
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Construction Industry Legal Blog |
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What are the Types of Damages a Property Owner Can Recover for Construction Defects?
By: C. Ryan Maloney
When a property owner experiences construction defects in their property, one of the important considerations as to whether or not to pursue a construction defect lawsuit is what types of damages may be available to remedy the defects. This is an important consideration, as without a complete understanding of all the available types of damages, property owners may not be setting themselves up to obtain all of the recovery to which they may be entitled...
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Insurance Industry Legal Blog |
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Do I Have a Bad Faith Claim Against My Insurance Company?
By: Melissa G. Murrin
Under Florida law, an insurance company owes a duty of good faith to its insured. This means that the insurance company “must investigate the facts, give fair consideration to a settlement offer that is not unreasonable under the facts, and settle, if possible, where a reasonably prudent person, faced with the prospect of paying the total recovery, would do so.” Bos. Old Colony Ins. Co. v. Gutierrez, 386 So. 2d 783, 785 (Fla. 1980). If you believe your insurance company failed to treat you fairly or failed to settle a claim against you within the policy limits, i.e., failed to act in good faith, then you may have a cause of action against the insurance company for bad faith.
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Professional Services Industry Legal Blog |
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Basic Fiduciary Duties Owed in Florida Professional Service Provider Companies
Professional service providers in the state of Florida find themselves in precarious legal situations often given the nature of their work. Because these companies are providing advice, consulting, or other services based an employee’s individual qualifications or relationships, there is always an opportunity for the individual to act in his or her own best interest rather than in the interests of the professional service provider company or the client. This article outlines and explains how the basic fiduciary duties owed in Florida professional service provider companies are no different than the duties owed in other Florida corporate entities, navigating the overlapping statutory and judge-made law influencing the industry...
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Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz |
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September JB FOR ME Highlight Reel
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The seasons may change, but some things always stay the same: our commitment to our clients, our colleagues, and to having a little but of fun.
We started out the month with our annual in-office golf tournament, which takes an interesting twist on putt-putt (mostly because we're playing, and we can't do anything the easy way).
Our skills, and our patience, were certainly put to the test. But, in the end, having to do silly challenges with your coworkers builds character.
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Because we know not everyone is sporty, we decided to put our brains to use at V-Pizza trivia night, where our team landed the coveted first-place trophy and a cool $40 to put towards our next trivia night tab. The good thing about having a staff like ours: someone is bound to know the answer, somehow. |
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Lastly, we're hoping that everyone stays safe during Hurricane Ian. Please listen to public safety officials and make good decisions!
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