Holiday Safety Tips

Hello family and friends in the spirit of Christmas I wanted to share these tips given by the LAPD. It saddens me to say that even though the Christmas season is that of rejoicing and charity and giving there are those out there willing to use the goodness of others as an opportunity to take advantage of their fellow humans. Remember people know you are shopping for gift during this time and that you have more money in accounts and in hand than normal so you can but gift for loved one. Please take some time to read this.

The following Holiday Safety Tips were compiled, in cooperation with the LAPD Crime Prevention Section, to contribute to the safety and security of people during the holiday season. The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. Please share this information with family, friends and neighbors. The Los Angeles Police Department wishes you a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season. 

Brown Bag 'N It!

We have all been there, you are standing in line to the most tolerable restaurant that is in a close proximity to your office. As you approach you are greeted with a "your usual?". You almost zombie like hand the your Visa card over to the overworked underpaid employee and realize you just paid another $11.35 for your lunch, drink and the inevitable crash to come. You take the greased stained bag or Styrofoam box back to your break room and think man I need to change my eating habits and I need to stop paying so much for my lunches.

Nike FuelBand Review

I have been wearing my Nike Fuel band since April now and I am pretty confident in saying it is by far the best fitness tracking device I have invested in. I have tried other apps other devices and by far Nike comes out on top. Not to say that it is perfect, it still has some tweaks it needs to workout within its own Eco-system of apps and measuring. Read my initial thoughts here. Also a previous post about my use of my band at Disneyland here!

IF MY KID GOES TO COLLEGE IS HE STILL COVERED UNDER MY CAR INSURANCE POLICY?

Posted on Aug 31, 2012 8:53am PDT on R Rex Parris Legal Blog

This is the time of year when parents are doing last-minute preparations for sending their kids off to college. Here at R. Rex Parris Law Firm, we've seen our share of our colleagues' children make the big leap to college—many of them either taking a car with them, or commuting by car to an in-state school.

AM I RESPONSIBLE IF MY DOG BITES SOMEONE?

Posted on Aug 21, 2012 9:46am PDT on R Rex Parris Legal Blog by R Rex Parris

If you own a dog, you may have wondered what would happen if your dog were to bite someone—would you be responsible? The short answer is 'probably.' But there can be a myriad of extenuating circumstances. Was the individual who was bitten trespassing? Was your dog provoked? Even the state in which you live can determine the degree of your liability, if any.

Time is Relative

When one thinks of Time what comes to your mind? How much time is left? How fast it goes by when your on wonderful vacation with your amazing girlfriend or how slow you Monday morning is dragging at work as you catch up on you pilling up Inbox? (great link on work and life here)

SOUTH BOUND 14 FREEWAY MULTI-VEHICLE PILE UP

Tractor Trailer Accidents

Today's horrific 19-car pileup on the 14 Freeway caused by a big rig carrying at least 25 tons of sand reminds us that the large size and weight of commercial trucks, coupled with their limited maneuverability, makes them a potentially dangerous hazard to other drivers on the road. Today's accident occurred in dry, perfect conditions on the

One Big Blur

It has been awhile since my last post and I just wanted to share some thoughts I have had the last couple of days.

Our fast paced society has always wanted things instantly! Instant coffee, instant, oatmeal, instant weight loss, even instant dinners!! Looking back on the last 2 months I can say my life has been a blur. I have been working two trials. That have consumed my time. And about to head to a Federal court trial in a week.

Cool Trial Equipment

Been absent for a while with my blog. In middle of 2week jury trial. Been busy. And able to try out some cool stuff with iPad and a 70"SmartBoard TV. Also have it all hooked up to an HDMI matrix/switch.

Thoughts and reviews coming.
But I know this lot of loose ends still but it is manageable for now.

Happy Monday: Trial Date Moved Keep Calm and Chive on!

There is nothing like gearing up and prepping for trial, on my end that entail a bit, equipment check, exhibits database on both Sanctions 2 laptop software and the iPad app Trial Pad, exemplars in box, trial supply boxes for both war room and court room, all my connectors chargers and adaptors and the list goes on. This does not include my personal stuff of course: my suits for 2 weeks and all I would need while gone from the office for that same time period. So a lot of work is put into just getting ready to go to trial, now imagine I had to prep for two trials going on the

WHY DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY? by R. Rex Parris

WHY DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?

Posted By R. Rex Parris on Apr 25, 2012 4:20pm PDT

It's a fair question. After all, shows like Judge Judy or Judge Joe Brown make it look like anyone can get up and represent themselves in court--so why not go for it? Of course, small claims cases differ from larger personal injury lawsuits. And that's where it really makes sense to seek out a Santa Clarita attorney.

Review: NikeFuel Band day at Disneyland

Nike doesn't come short with this product. I had a few questions while I waited to get my hands on one of these bad boys. But it all makes sense now. First the wait was horrible! I was like trolling twitter waiting for the "tweet" telling me that I had the opportunity to try to get my hands on the wonderful new piece of equipment. IF you don't know what a NikeFuel band is here is a quick rundown: it is a cool watch, pedometer, calorie calculator, and a 'goal' tracker.

Jury Duty Summons: "How am I in trouble?"

You go to the mail and what do you see? Jury Summons. We have all had that moment where we begin to think, how can I get out of this? Well, one woman is going to need a criminal defense attorney of her own after doing exactly that, and then getting caught.

In a weird and extreme step taken by one woman in Colorado she now is on the other side of the jury panel. A woman in Colorado called into a morning radio show. The topic: “Things you’ve done to get out of jury duty.” The woman told her recent "show" how she showed up to the court with curlers in her hair, mismatched shoes, and a crazy t-shirt. She then described how she pretended to suffer from multiple mental ailments. The result, she was dismissed from the jury, and had accomplished her goal.

3 IMPORTANT STEPS TO DO AFTER (AND BEFORE) A SANTA CLARITA CAR ACCIDENT

Posted By R. Rex Parris on Apr 12, 2012 10:02am PDT

Statistics say you'll have more than one car accident in your lifetime. In fact, according to estimates by the automotive insurance industry, you will experience a collision once every 17.9 years.
The key is to know what to do...and what not to do. Here, 3 simple steps to follow to ensure you're as ready as possible should you find yourself in a Santa Clarita car accident:
1. Take a look at our car accident information form--now.
We've put a handy form on our site that outlines what info you'll need to track, and submit after a car accident. But our car accident attorneys suggest you check this out BEFORE you're involved in an accident--in fact, print out a copy and keep it in your glove compartment. Knowing in advance the type of car accident information to have should you find yourself an auto accident victim will help you in the long run.

ARRIVE ALIVE TARGETS CALIFORNIA DUI ACCIDENTS, LANCASTER ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS

Posted By R. Rex Parris on Mar 20, 2012 6:00pm PDT

As Lancaster drunk-driving accident lawyers, R. Rex Parris Law Firm's attorneys sadly hear about a lot of wrongful death and major injury cases that are caused by DUI drivers. Here's a frightening California car accident statistic to ponder: from 2006 to 2009, on a 45-mile stretch of SR-14 running between the 5-14 split and Lancaster, CA, 349 people were either injured or died in a California DUI car accident. That's according to LA County DUI accident statistics from the "ArriveAlive on SR-14" Sober Driving Coalition.

That grim DUI accident statistic is changing for the better.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD TRUCK DRIVERS GONE? -by R. Rex Parris

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD TRUCK DRIVERS GONE?

Posted By R. Rex Parris on Mar 16, 2012 8:53am PDT

Photo: http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v44_3_11/article06.shtml

We Found Some..

It's refreshing to write about some good news—as a Santa Clarita truck accident lawyer, it's not often that we get to focus on positive news coming out of the trucking industry. Usually, it's the negligent conduct of either irresponsible truck drivers or the truck operators that hire them that get our attention.

Recently, however, at the Riverside Convention Center, Stater Brothers Supermarkets employees honored 297 drivers for 3,572 years of accumulated safe driving. Of the current roster, 10 drivers have travelled in excess of two million accident-free miles.

Updates on all Fronts

Photo: google image

The iPad has been released, new apple TV, "Fairly Legal", resumes, and my toughmudder is quickly approaching! These last few weeks have been a whirl wind, both professionally and personally, but that is life and that is when the cream rises. I truly enjoy it when I am put to the test. pressure is a good thing.

In regards to work I have been tasked with yet another new an exciting venture that will had been a great journey and will update you on the results once done, but I can tell you this it involved tech and a big trial lasting 3 weeks. And it all starts on Monday! It is GO TIME!! #KCCO.

Mediations and Down Time

We have all been in that situation where your are involved in a very important meeting that has to place and there is inevitably some major downtime. Mediation's come to mind, this blog came to mind while in one. If you are not familiar with a mediation my typical suggestions is to start watching Fairly Legal.

Photo: Hulu

For me my involvement can get as deep as I would like to let it get. I can be the fly on the wall sort of say or I can just simply go about do my AV equipment set up and wonder the skyscraper or the sights around town (I may step out to take a brisk walk and get some blood flow) but I truly enjoy getting in to the deep of it. I have seen how multi million dollar settlements and deals have gone down and how one must bargain to get the best possible outcome for the client.
But lets cut the bull even if you are an attorney participating in the Mediation there is HOURS of down time! In fact this entire blog was thought of, written, edited and posted all from the down time I had at a Mediation I am currently on now! And I have some of the brightest minds sitting around me in an executive conference room reading off iPad, iPhones, laptops and listening to voicemails from emails. There time is valuable and they get work done.

The Gatekeepers of Power

Having worked the technology several high value trials I have learned to make friends of some key personnel. It is inevitable that while in trial you are in need of help for the emergency that is and will happen. From getting more time in the courtroom, getting a private corner at a restaurant, getting some fixtures/tables added to the hotel room and of course the security guards at court.


When we go to trial we usually get assigned to long cause departments and they are in Downtown LA at Stanley Mosk Superior Court. We do the full nine yards when it comes to the tech in the courtroom. Sooo.. first is getting all that stuff into the department. I like to go with our attorneys to some of the final appearance before the trial date to just be present in front of Clerk and the Judge and also to get a layout of the court room so I can visualize the layout.

Get to know the courtroom attendant and the clerk use their names in the morning. I offer them to bring in their Starbucks order in the morning. This has paid off so many times. I have been given access to work space with power and the ability to setup my equipment and they have relayed to the judge how much time I would need to set and they just make your life easier when they are your friend. Just remember to pack up quickly at end of day they cant leave till you do.

Not "on deck", "popping" or "Juicing".

Photo: martitimes.blogspot.com

Since I have been training for ToughMudder SoCal #2 in July I decided to take inventory of what my body is in need of and what it tells me after some of my workouts (if you have not heard about ToughMudder click here). Now am not taking any anabolic stuff or steroids and any of that stuff, not like am a pro player making 6 figures or a competitive body builder. I mean if I wanted to take some of that stuff I wouldn't know where to look, and even the web is a pretty scary place to shop for that kind of stuff. BUT I have taken the occasional creatine, protein, and pre-workout pills.

A Borrowed Blog: What You Need to Know About DUI Checkpoints in California

A borrowed Blog: I follow these folks on Twitter and they have some good stuff predominately criminal defense but they do shed some light on some good topics. They are usually a god quick read and to the point. My take on it is that hopefully by reading these no I know would need to hire a criminal defense attorney, but we at the R. Rex Parris Law Firm have the chance to work with many people from all areas of the law and will be glad to refer you to a great criminal defense attorney.

What You Need to Know About DUI Checkpoints in California By DUI Defense Attorney on February 23, 2012

Glendale police conduct a sobriety checkpoint at Gardena Ave.
and Los Feliz Rd. Saturday night, December 17, 2011.
(Photo by Mike Mullen)

A DUI checkpoint in Garden Grove nabbed 2 alleged drunk drivers last night and cited 10 other for license violations. In total, nearly 700 vehicles were pulled over. But as any Orange County DUI attorney will tell you, in order for any of the citations or arrests to hold up in court, the DUI checkpoints must adhere to strict rules.

First and foremost, any police department intent on putting up a DUI checkpoint needs to announce the location of the checkpoint in advance. Also, for a checkpoint to be considered legal, officers must adhere to a mathematical formula when selecting which motorists to investigate. For example, they must decide in advance that they are going to question every 3rd vehicle or 5th vehicle and then adhere to that random number.
Should your vehicle be selected, California law dictates that an officer can only conduct a brief investigation and look for signs of impairment. If a driver does not appear to be impaired they must be allowed to drive on without delay.
All DUI checkpoints must be clearly marked with hazard lights and marked police cars. It is also not legal for an officer to pull you over for turning around or trying to avoid a DUI checkpoint unless you violate a traffic law in doing so.
If you have been charged with a DUI as the result of a DUI checkpoint and you feel as though the checkpoint was not conducted in accordance with California law, it is imperative that you immediately contact a criminal defense attorney. The estimated costs for a DUI conviction far exceed $10,000.

Readers are Leaders: What are Listeners?

google image

I have been engrossed in reading lately. I just finished reading Vince Flynn's book American Assassin and am currently almost done with the audio version of his new book Kill Shot. (also they plan to make a movie based on Mitch Rapp character) I have always enjoyed reading and have started to make an effort to squeeze more time in to get a few books in each year. If you are not a reader start, pick something of interest, series help they have a way of pulling you in. My girlfriend has started reading a 12 book series and I look forward in getting the next book for her once she finished the one she is on. Or even if your into the whole self help books there is plenty good ones out there. Covey, Jim Collins, John Wooden, Ken Blanchard and John C. Maxwell all have a great books out there.

Now how can I squeeze in time to grab a book and remember to lug it around with me wherever I go? I use the unexpected times during my day to read or the drive to LA to listen to some Audio book, I have even tried to listen to them during some of my runs (not the best motivation but working out and listening to a good book at the same time is great)

Featured in "Lawyer Tech Review"

 Am a subscriber to "Lawyer Tech Review" it features attorneys that like to chat about tech and app that they enjoy using and that help them be more productive in their work life. This Friday my submissions were posted in the blast. See below on the small blurb from Geri L. Dreiling, Esq.
Feel Free to Subcribe to them they have some great stuff on there.

ToughMudder Update:"Average Joe's"

So I will be participating in ToughMudder Socal#2 in July in Running Springs, Ca. The name of my team is "Average Joe's" It will consist of a coworker i went to high school and college with and two other high school and college friends. (and a few others) but the door is still open for new members!! Let me know if you'd like to join us. It is a great event and it helps the Wounded Warrior Project.

Up band FAIL and Honey Bunches of Oats for Runners?

"The simple act of tracking activity increases activity 26%"

I had recently bragged on the Jawbone UP band and the concept is great and all but it has earned a FAIL stamp. I received my up band promptly after ordering and was easy to set up and easy to use. The idea of tracking my steps and for it to alarm me to get up from behind my Mac and get a cup of water or take a file over to someone (instead of having the interns do it on the next mail run) was great. My band worked flawlessly for about 2mo then it just stopped working. The Customer Service was great they shipped a replacement band to me quickly and I had another band in no time, but...... in no time did this band stop working (lasted a week). So I just decided to let them work out the kinks and ask for a refund and I received a check the other day and i will be using it towards the new Nike Fuel Band when it comes out.

Are YOU Properly Covered?

Are YOU Properly Covered? by Rob Kent

Rob Kent has grown up in the insurance industry his grandfather and father both owned their own insurance company back in Chicago, he has worked fro State Farm for 14 years as an adjuster and is currently on hi 15th year with out office at the R. Rex Parris Law Firm.

What would you do if you were injured in an accident, your fault or not, incurred thousands, even tens of thousands or more in medical bills, could not work and even lost your ability work?  Every one of us is at risk for this catastrophic event.  Is there anything we can do to minimize these risks? The answer is ABSOLUTELY. Health, life and disability insurance will handle this.  There are two coverages most auto insurance companies offer that will help you if your injuries are caused by a car accident (even if you are not in your car or even in a car), these coverages are medical payment and Uninsured motorist.  These two coverages are inexpensive and covers you and your family, you get more bang for the buck than any coverage you can buy anywhere.  I am unaware of any insurance that protects more for so little than Med pay and UM.

Your Next Video Deposition

Having the deposition of a key witness video taped is always a good idea and a great tool. But here are some quick tips to keep in mind.


1. Have someone in the room whose sole responsibility is to man the camera.
This needs to include mics on all the participants. I cannot stress how badly it looks on the attorney in front of a jury when you play a clip with bad audio (they will just shut down on you).

Ideally you need to hire an outside company that handles all the equipment choices and the requirements. But make sure good audio, appropriate back drop behind the deponent, and please make sure they turn off the display settings on the camera (you don’t want the battery icon, date, time, and lens info displayed in front of the jury)

RoadID and Survival Straps

RoadID and Survival Straps

What do you take with you on a Run? Phone, keys, wallet, headphones? I know when I go out for a run I try to minimize what’s on hand. I use wireless headphones for no snags, I am looking for a good armband to hold my phone. (not happy with the cheepy from Walmart). Heck I don’t even use shoes. I use my Vibram five finger. How about your ID where do you put that?

My first introduction to RoadID was this Thanksgiving when I participated in a turkey trot a my local YMCA. The running bibs had RoadId plastered all over them. This prompted me to look them up and see what they are all about. You can check them out here for yourself. Basically they are a band that has emergency contact info on it so the idea is when running or cycling and something happens the medical team or good Samaritan can contact someone immediately and get you the specific attention you need and to contact loved ones.  They also now have an interactive one where the doctor can call or log in and find look up your profile that you set up through RoadID. (Monthly cost) Seems to me now a days everyone has there own cloud and set up there own secure portal and get away from paying.

Lawyers and their Hoops

The correlation between good physical health and being productive at work is no new fad. Many doctors and researchers attribute alertness, mental health, less illness and of course physical health to an active physical routine.

The law firm I work at recently joined a city basketball league. Its a ten week program once a week played at local school gyms consisting of 20min each half. Here is the link for our city's activities. Check your city's website or your local Y. Needless to say we have our work cut out for us. (Some teams have been playing together for yrs). Its going to be great to see how the team comes together and we bond at work. Just this morning I can hear the camaraderie among those who played last night.

Gym Rants and Sauna Tips

This is one of my rants! I really do not understand people sometime. The other night I was at the gym and there was this guy half asleep in the spa and half hanging on to the railings. I continued on my business and jumped into pool to do my laps (felt good to have that short of breath feeling) and usually I head to the Sauna to warm up a bit before I head out and do some weights. What do you know, there is that same guy sprawled out on the FLOOR of the suana.

A) Gross - that floor is sooo dirty.

B) you are taking up the space of three people by laying there. At least offer to move over!

Mike Miscione on 7 Tips when getting pulled over, and Mario Sandoval on What’s in car?

We all have been in that situation where we see those nice red and blue lights flashing in the rear view mirror. A few things start flashing in my head right away, “how fast was I going, I hope I have my updated insurance cards in my glove box”.

Obviously a responsible driver should always have the proper documentation in his vehicle at all times. But here are a few things I carry with me: Maglight (driver side door), extra car charger (arm rest compartment), pocket sized first aid kit (glove box), sewing kit – never know, I have fixed a button on my suit once (glove box), car battery starter (trunk), small array of hand tool (trunk), Rambo style knife- actually used once (trunk), some work gloves (actually these are not in the glove box weird I know), blanket, warm clothes and a pair of running shoes (trunk).

Staying on Top of things When Traveling

Whether it be for business or pleasure when traveling you often find big blocks of time where you can find some downtime. Be it during the drive to a mediation or deposition, jury trial staying at a hotel or your trip to Hawaii (don't forget my invite). There are many tools out there to be able to work via mobile or iPad. This morning Though about this as I was in a car with my boss as we made an hour drive to Downtown courthouse on a hearing for a big case in our office.

Ruts, Treadmills and Five Fingers

Photo Credit: site

So yesterday was my cheat day for the week. Filled with some form of hacky-sac after work and some bomb wings (spicy of course) and a day of no working out. My body was eeerrr is sore from the last work out. It was what I needed, out of routine not what I was used to. Pushups (mucho) in different variety really work arms, chest, and core. I did wide, triangle, incline and decline and my Tri’s are letting me know what’s up. So as I dive in to tonight’s workout remember change it up don’t fall in to a rut, make your workouts fun.

Tonight I will most like start off with a warm up on the Stair-Master (imagine an arcade game announcer voice here), and hop on the treadmill for a 3mi run, do my 3 set of sit-ups and pull-ups, once am done with that am free to pick and choose any machines or exercise in the gym.

How to copy files to Dropbox faster in Windows 7

Found this on cnet and i thought i would share with you guys
How to copy files to Dropbox faster in Windows 7
by: Ed Rhee 
Follow him on Twitter @techdadreview
Dropbox is an incredibly useful service for sharing files between computers, smartphones, tablets, and with other users.

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to add the Dropbox folder to the Send To menu in Windows 7, so you can send files to your Dropbox folder just by right-clicking on the file.

Step 1: Open the Run dialog box by hitting Windows Logo+R, then type:%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 2: When the SendTo folder opens, right-click on the Dropbox icon in the left pane, under "Favorites," and drag it over to the SendTo folder in the right pane.

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 3: After you let go of the icon in the SendTo folder, select "Create shortcuts here."

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 4: Confirm that the Dropbox shortcut is in the SendTo folder.

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

Step 5: The next time you need to send a file to your Dropbox folder, just right-click on the file and send it away.

(Credit: Screenshot by Ed Rhee)

That's it. This also works great when you have more than one file to copy in the same folder, but not the entire folder. Just hold down the Ctrl key and select your files with your mouse, then right-click on any highlighted file and send it to Dropbox.

First Official Day of ToughMudder Training

Push ups, dips & situps in sauna not going to lie almost threw up. #pledge For more information on this event and one near you follow @ToughMudder on Twitter or Click Here
All the sauna room needed was a pull up bar and I would have been set for my workout routine.
So who is going to participate in the July SoCal #toughmudder competition? I have two friends joining me and we need two more to complete a team. Look it up at www.toughmudder.com
The training for this is a great timeout from the daily grind of working in a office or any other environment. I think of this as my stress reliever. A time where everything is put aside and am focused on on thing my workout.

Siri in the Hands of an Attorney

I have read a few articles on Siri and how it can help ones law practice.

It seems like the first thing you need to do is to get on yelp.

Siri uses Yelp reviews as a service to display the results of peoples searches.

Then once you are on Yelp get reviews! This gets you higher up in the results. But lets make sure these are good reviews! Click here for more info.

Happy New Years ALL

Hope everyone had a great New Years!

I am starting a Blog for 2012, lets see how this goes.
This will consist of how to's, Random pics, tech news, and my Fitness accomplishments and goals.