November 2014

Last April, we published this article about a book written by one of our Past Presidents- Attorney Robert Habush– we are reprinting because on the next page is an article from Trial Magazine November 2014 , where they are recognizing the same book but about “one of their own “- a high compliment.

Some of you may have seen last week's David Schain's in-house TV 5 interview with former President of the Board of Governors, Robert Habush. It concerned a book just being released by the name of "Courtroom Avenger”, which details Habush’s career as a trial lawyer in defense of the underdog and innocent against some of the country's largest firms. His overwhelming success in this endeavor has earned him praise and even awards from the legal Industry throughout the country. It was written by Kurt Chandler who convinced Habush to convert it into a biography and include interviews with judges, lawyers, colleagues, family and friends about his personal and legal life. In doing so it became a third person biography. It details some of his youthful experiences that made him a fighter, especially one medical problem with his three-month old daughter that convinced him to become a defender of the wronged. His career in this direction started slowly and at the low end so his earnings just kept him afloat. He was determined to succeed and kept at it with a vengeance that soon resulted in more and more success, with resulting huge pay-outs to his clients and to firm. His fame became country-wide and his reputation kept growing. Soon he became one the top lawyers in the country capable and willing to take on the likes of General Motors and other auto manufacturers big Tobacco, Firestone, International Harvester and others. Claims were made against malefactors of all types: doctors, hospitals and others. He convinced jurors and judges and won huge settlements. The book tells in detail about many of the trials. It would make a good movie. It has been published by the American Bar Association, the largest legal association in the USA, with over 400,000 members. Up to now it has been sold only to ABA members, with rave reviews. It is now available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

By Rolly Stroyman

BOFU TOADS ARE ON THE PROWL AGAIN!

Bufo toads (actually that's redundant as bufo is latin for toad) are seen mostly during the rainy season (late May to mid October) and most often at night, near lighted areas, as they are attracted by the bugs. They are seen much less frequently during daylight hours, but can be found hiding under vegetation.

One of the ways to reduce toads in your yard is to eliminate potential food sources. Leaving un- eaten pet food out in the yard can attract toads. To avoid attracting toads to areas where pets are, do not leave pet food in open dishes in the yard. Bufo's are attracted to dogs' watering dish- es, and may sit in the rim long enough to leave enough toxin to make a dog ill. Dogs may mouth bufo toads, thus getting a large dose of the bufo's toxins, secreted from the skin and parotoid glands. Symptoms generally include profuse foamy salivation that looks like shaving cream, difficulty breathing, brick red gums, convulsions, paralysis, ventricular fibrillation, vomiting, and uncoordinated staggering. The bufo toad sits in an upright position when it moves,

it hops in short fast hops. When confronted by a predator, it is able to "shoot" bufo toxin from the parotoid and other glands on the back in the form of white viscous venom. The secretions are highly toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals, and can cause skin irritation in humans. The marine toads are most frequently seen under the street lights of the suburbs . First Aid Immediately rinse out the pet’s mouth with a drippy wet wash cloth several times to remove any toxin from the mouth. Do not use a hose to rinse the mouth as water can easily be forced into the lungs causing more problems. Proceed to the nearest veterinary clinic or emergency clinic as time is of the essence. The smaller the pet or the larger the toad, the greater there is a risk of toxicity.

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