Settlement

This is a Dustin post.

So for the past 6 months I have been working on one big case. I have 12 or 13 smaller cases, but about 90% of my time at work has been devoted to one big case. The case had previously been handled by another attorney who left our firm, and there were a lot of things that had to be . . . fixed.

Well, my big case settled last weekend. And for those of you unfamiliar with settling cases as a defense attorney I can tell you it is quite . . . anticlimactic. When I did plaintiff's work a settlement was great, because it meant my client was getting a big check, and the firm was getting a big check, and (in theory, if not in practice) I was getting closer to a big check.

As a defense attorney, settling a case means my client (usually an insurance company) has to write a big check, I stop getting the opportunity to bill on the case, and I have to find other ways to fill my time. It has been nice to have the stress of the big case off my back, but I miss knowing I could go into work at any time and have something to do. Now I have to make sure all of my small cases are caught up. The firm has a lot of work, so I will be able to make my hours, but it was interesting that everyone kept congratulating me for a job well done (which was nice) and for not having to worry about the case anymore. We got a great result for my client and my insurance carrier, so I am happy with the result, but it didn't feel like a win. It felt like a tie, at best. I guess I need to learn to adjust my conception of what a "win" is for me as a defense attorney.

Anyway, just thought I would share a little bit of my legal world with everyone. I'm sure Marina has more fun posts with videos and pictures of bella coming soon.

I ♥ Karlie!

Ok, so today I got to babysit Karlie (Jonathan and Kathryn's little girl) for a little bit. The last time I babysat her was months ago, and it's so funny to see how much she's grown up! She is at that fun age where she repeats stuff that you ask her to say. Soooo I was trying to teach her how to count in Portuguese and it was the cutest thing!!!! I love her dearly and am so glad her parents let me hang out with her once in a while! hahaha Enjoy the little video! 

Nothing to blog about...

I guess my life is pretty boring because I was thinking about what to blog and nothing comes to mind, so I decided I could share with you all THE BEST banana recipe ever! At least, I love it! And have not come across a better one yet.


1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts, if desired

1. Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, or 1 loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.

2. Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.

3. Bake 8-inch loaves about 1 hour, 9-inch loaf about 1 1/4 hours, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.


This is not part of the recipe, but I usually make this little mixture of sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it on top before baking it. That makes a little crust and itssooooooooooo good!! Oh, I should also mention that I got this recipe from a Betty Crocker recipe book.