Happy Hour Turned Happily Ever After A decision to skip an optional constitutional law lecture to enjoy happy hour ended up being a life-changing move for this couple!

Last year for Valentine’s Day we gave you Adam’s love story turned showdown between prosecution and defense. This year we want to share another legal love story with you, that of our junior partner, Manny Serra-Jovenich and his wonderful wife, Astrid.

They met in law school at a happy hour all the way back in 2012, and have been going strong ever since. Manny tells us he was very persistent and started talking her ear off. But what set him apart from all the other law students? “I always called instead of texting,” Manny tells us. And we agree that today that is a solid, rare quality in a person.

Thankfully these two practice completely different areas of law, so there’s no risk of a courtroom showdown. Still, we had to ask whether living with another lawyer leads to a lot of sparring at home.

“We’re both opinionated but reasonable. I couldn’t live with someone who wasn’t reasonable.”

Instead of heated debates, Manny and Astrid are more into loving gestures (which you can’t argue is probably a much better relationship strategy!).

One year Astrid surprised Manny for his birthday with a stay at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay in San Francisco. “I always wanted to see the Maverick’s surf break, and that

Fort Lauderdale Office6400 N. Andrews Ave. Suite 505Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: 754-206-0085

Sunrise Office6190 NW 11th StSunrise, FL 33313 Phone: 754-999-2066

—continued on page 34 1

» When Happy Hour Turns Happily Ever After...Check Out Manny and Astrid's Love Story

» A Page From My Playbook: Adam Celebrates his 20th Anniversary Working at Chili's, and Life Skills Working in a Restaurant Can Teach You

» Singles Strike Back this Valentine’s Day!

» Christina’s Rich & Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Make GOOD Things HappenA Rossen Law Firm Publication

February 2019 Volume 3 Issue 2

0102

• Marc V.• Nadia V.• Adam D.• Iris H.

• Roger Z.• Lukas D.• Alex L.• Shawn T.

• Joe N.• Gina R.• Marc B.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS!Starting in December 2017, we began donating one pair of shoes to a child in need for every referral received.

What Happens When Love Turns to Obsession...?You met Dave on OkCupid. He seemed like a nice, easy going guy. You had dinner with him a couple of times but decided you guys didn’t really have any chemistry. You sat Dave down in person (which most people don’t have the courage to do anymore!) and told him he’s a great guy, but you’re just not interested. Back to the OkCupid drawing board. Dave seemed okay in the moment, but a couple of days later the creepy behavior started.

Dave called you four times, leaving no voicemail when you didn’t answer. You let it go. The next day you get a couple of texts telling you he misses you and to please call him. You ignore them. Then you get a flower delivery at your office (when did you tell him where you worked?) with a note telling you you’re the one that got away. Now you’re freaked out.

That’s when you think about filing for a restraining order…

There are many different types of restraining orders, including ones for: stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, and repeat violence. With Dave you’d be looking at one for stalking.

A restraining order (once granted) will mandate that a person is no longer able to contact you via phone, email, text, or by going through a third party. It also prevents the person from having access to a firearm.

You must demonstrate:

1 The person is harassing, following, or cyberstalking you.

2 Multiple acts/course of conduct that shows continuity of purpose.

3 The behavior is causing substantial emotional distress.

4 The behavior serves no legitimate purpose.

Restraining orders can be complicated to prove, which is why having a lawyer on your side is a good idea.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Great job Adam, speaking at the FMHCA conference this month, teaching therapists how to get restraining orders against stalker clients.

Christina’s Creamy, Smooth This super easy smoothie is a great post workout treat for your body, or an afternoon pick-me-up!

INGREDIENTS:• ¾ cup of crushed ice• 1 banana, peeled• ¾ cup milk (whatever kind you prefer – almond, regular, cashew, etc.)• 1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:Place all of the ingredients into either a blender or a Nutribullet and blend until smooth. Helpful hint: If you add in the milk before the peanut butter it

will help prevent the peanut butter from sticking to the sides.

surprise was probably the most thoughtful thing she’s ever done for me. We had been saving money and trying to pay back student loans at that time – so for her to splurge for my birthday was extra special.”

The surprises are apparently mutual. Manny learned the guitar without Astrid knowing about it! “I left the guitar at other people’s houses & offices so that I could practice and she wouldn’t find out. When I finally learned how to play a song she loves by Dashboard Confessional, I played it for her and she was shocked. We got engaged that same day.”

With so much love in the air, we had to ask if they’ve faced any significant obstacle.

“The only point of real contention during our relationship was the first time Astrid came over to my parents’ house. She parked her car in the driveway and she had an FSU license plate. I come from a family with three generations of hardcore Gators fans, so the neighbors were actually calling asking why someone with FSU plates was parked in the driveway.”

We’re glad that even college football couldn’t sack such a wonderful relationship before it really got started.

Despite their busy schedules, Manny and Astrid continue to grow closer. We asked how other couples can replicate their success, and Manny had some great advice to share.

“Do things together. Don’t just sit around and watch Netflix. Get away from the screen, experience new things together. That will help you get to know the other person and really grow your relationship.”

2 3The Make Good Things Happen Newsletter is a monthly publication of the Rossen Law Firm. This publication is intended to educate the general public. It is for information purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Prior to acting on any information contained here, you should seek and retain competent counsel. The information in this newsletter may be freely copied and distributed as long as the newsletter is copied in its entirety. Design by Zine (www.zinegraphics.com). © Rossen Law Firm.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

This month I’m celebrating my 20th anniversary working at Chili’s! No I don’t still work there today, but I did while in college, and that experience taught me a lot of valuable lessons that have served me well (get my pun!). I want to share my top five with you now.

1 How to Speak to People – My parents used to make fun of me for being too shy to talk to most people. Working in a restaurant you have to be friendly, especially when your tip depends on it! I was forced to talk to different people all the time, and it made me so comfortable and confident in my ability to approach anyone and strike up a conversation.

2 Organization – When you’re forced to juggle 4–6 tables at a time, all with different orders, needs and concerns, you have to stay on top of everything or you’ll screw up royally.

3 The Value of Hard Work and Staying Busy – Waiting tables kept me busy, which helped me avoid senioritis. It’s also a lot more work than people think, but if you focus and do your job well there are rewards.

4 The Importance of Teamwork – When I walked into the situation I could see there was a natural rivalry between back of the house employees (dishwashers, cooks) and front of the house employees (servers). I made sure to ingratiate myself with both groups. You never know when you’re going to have a problem that requires help and/or cooperation from both

sets of people, so it’s important to work together as a team.

5 Be a Professional in All That You Do – That’s something the manager taught us. He didn’t care what our position was, he wanted us to do it as professionals. I incorporated that attitude into every job I had after that and it pushed me to work my hardest and helped me excel at everything I chose to pursue.

Adam Rossen

A PAGE FROM MY PLAYBOOKTackling Life and Law Through Positive Change

Happy Hour Turned Happily Ever After—continued from page 1

SINGLES STRIKE BACK!Valentine’s Day got you down? Don’t sweat it – strike back with some self love.

Every year Valentine’s Day comes and goes, mostly leaving behind a giant spike in revenue for flower, card, and candy companies, and of course restaurants. It’s a day we’re supposed to celebrate romantic love, usually by buying presents and dinner for our significant other.

The holiday puts such emphasis on coupledom, that for those who aren’t in a relationship it can remind you of that fact, and in some cases make you feel alone, or pressured to find someone.

But alone doesn’t necessarily mean lonely...

And romantic love isn’t the only kind that should be celebrated. Self love is even more important. After all, it’s only through loving ourselves that we are able to offer anyone else our love. Think about it – you can’t pour another glass from an empty pitcher.

Valentine’s Day may not encourage self love, but we do.

Take yourself out to dinner. Buy yourself something shiny and new. Treat yourself to a spa day. Do whatever it is that makes you feel pampered, because you’re worth it. And when all the coupled up people around you are telling you what they bought their partner, make sure you tell them what you did for the most important person in your life – YOU!

“I can't help anyone else if i'm not taken care of.” – Our very own (and very single, ladies!), Walter Cappillo

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Christina’s Creamy, Smooth This super easy smoothie is a great post workout treat for your body, or an afternoon pick-me-up!

INGREDIENTS:• ¾ cup of crushed ice• 1 banana, peeled• ¾ cup milk (whatever kind you prefer – almond, regular, cashew, etc.)• 1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:Place all of the ingredients into either a blender or a Nutribullet and blend until smooth. Helpful hint: If you add in the milk before the peanut butter it

will help prevent the peanut butter from sticking to the sides.

surprise was probably the most thoughtful thing she’s ever done for me. We had been saving money and trying to pay back student loans at that time – so for her to splurge for my birthday was extra special.”

The surprises are apparently mutual. Manny learned the guitar without Astrid knowing about it! “I left the guitar at other people’s houses & offices so that I could practice and she wouldn’t find out. When I finally learned how to play a song she loves by Dashboard Confessional, I played it for her and she was shocked. We got engaged that same day.”

With so much love in the air, we had to ask if they’ve faced any significant obstacle.

“The only point of real contention during our relationship was the first time Astrid came over to my parents’ house. She parked her car in the driveway and she had an FSU license plate. I come from a family with three generations of hardcore Gators fans, so the neighbors were actually calling asking why someone with FSU plates was parked in the driveway.”

We’re glad that even college football couldn’t sack such a wonderful relationship before it really got started.

Despite their busy schedules, Manny and Astrid continue to grow closer. We asked how other couples can replicate their success, and Manny had some great advice to share.

“Do things together. Don’t just sit around and watch Netflix. Get away from the screen, experience new things together. That will help you get to know the other person and really grow your relationship.”

2 3The Make Good Things Happen Newsletter is a monthly publication of the Rossen Law Firm. This publication is intended to educate the general public. It is for information purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Prior to acting on any information contained here, you should seek and retain competent counsel. The information in this newsletter may be freely copied and distributed as long as the newsletter is copied in its entirety. Design by Zine (www.zinegraphics.com). © Rossen Law Firm.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

This month I’m celebrating my 20th anniversary working at Chili’s! No I don’t still work there today, but I did while in college, and that experience taught me a lot of valuable lessons that have served me well (get my pun!). I want to share my top five with you now.

1 How to Speak to People – My parents used to make fun of me for being too shy to talk to most people. Working in a restaurant you have to be friendly, especially when your tip depends on it! I was forced to talk to different people all the time, and it made me so comfortable and confident in my ability to approach anyone and strike up a conversation.

2 Organization – When you’re forced to juggle 4–6 tables at a time, all with different orders, needs and concerns, you have to stay on top of everything or you’ll screw up royally.

3 The Value of Hard Work and Staying Busy – Waiting tables kept me busy, which helped me avoid senioritis. It’s also a lot more work than people think, but if you focus and do your job well there are rewards.

4 The Importance of Teamwork – When I walked into the situation I could see there was a natural rivalry between back of the house employees (dishwashers, cooks) and front of the house employees (servers). I made sure to ingratiate myself with both groups. You never know when you’re going to have a problem that requires help and/or cooperation from both

sets of people, so it’s important to work together as a team.

5 Be a Professional in All That You Do – That’s something the manager taught us. He didn’t care what our position was, he wanted us to do it as professionals. I incorporated that attitude into every job I had after that and it pushed me to work my hardest and helped me excel at everything I chose to pursue.

Adam Rossen

A PAGE FROM MY PLAYBOOKTackling Life and Law Through Positive Change

Happy Hour Turned Happily Ever After—continued from page 1

SINGLES STRIKE BACK!Valentine’s Day got you down? Don’t sweat it – strike back with some self love.

Every year Valentine’s Day comes and goes, mostly leaving behind a giant spike in revenue for flower, card, and candy companies, and of course restaurants. It’s a day we’re supposed to celebrate romantic love, usually by buying presents and dinner for our significant other.

The holiday puts such emphasis on coupledom, that for those who aren’t in a relationship it can remind you of that fact, and in some cases make you feel alone, or pressured to find someone.

But alone doesn’t necessarily mean lonely...

And romantic love isn’t the only kind that should be celebrated. Self love is even more important. After all, it’s only through loving ourselves that we are able to offer anyone else our love. Think about it – you can’t pour another glass from an empty pitcher.

Valentine’s Day may not encourage self love, but we do.

Take yourself out to dinner. Buy yourself something shiny and new. Treat yourself to a spa day. Do whatever it is that makes you feel pampered, because you’re worth it. And when all the coupled up people around you are telling you what they bought their partner, make sure you tell them what you did for the most important person in your life – YOU!

“I can't help anyone else if i'm not taken care of.” – Our very own (and very single, ladies!), Walter Cappillo

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Happy Hour Turned Happily Ever After A decision to skip an optional constitutional law lecture to enjoy happy hour ended up being a life-changing move for this couple!

Last year for Valentine’s Day we gave you Adam’s love story turned showdown between prosecution and defense. This year we want to share another legal love story with you, that of our junior partner, Manny Serra-Jovenich and his wonderful wife, Astrid.

They met in law school at a happy hour all the way back in 2012, and have been going strong ever since. Manny tells us he was very persistent and started talking her ear off. But what set him apart from all the other law students? “I always called instead of texting,” Manny tells us. And we agree that today that is a solid, rare quality in a person.

Thankfully these two practice completely different areas of law, so there’s no risk of a courtroom showdown. Still, we had to ask whether living with another lawyer leads to a lot of sparring at home.

“We’re both opinionated but reasonable. I couldn’t live with someone who wasn’t reasonable.”

Instead of heated debates, Manny and Astrid are more into loving gestures (which you can’t argue is probably a much better relationship strategy!).

One year Astrid surprised Manny for his birthday with a stay at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay in San Francisco. “I always wanted to see the Maverick’s surf break, and that

Fort Lauderdale Office6400 N. Andrews Ave. Suite 505Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: 754-206-0085

Sunrise Office6190 NW 11th StSunrise, FL 33313 Phone: 754-999-2066

—continued on page 34 1

» When Happy Hour Turns Happily Ever After...Check Out Manny and Astrid's Love Story

» A Page From My Playbook: Adam Celebrates his 20th Anniversary Working at Chili's, and Life Skills Working in a Restaurant Can Teach You

» Singles Strike Back this Valentine’s Day!

» Christina’s Rich & Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Make GOOD Things HappenA Rossen Law Firm Publication

February 2019 Volume 3 Issue 2

0102

• Marc V.• Nadia V.• Adam D.• Iris H.

• Roger Z.• Lukas D.• Alex L.• Shawn T.

• Joe N.• Gina R.• Marc B.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS!Starting in December 2017, we began donating one pair of shoes to a child in need for every referral received.

What Happens When Love Turns to Obsession...?You met Dave on OkCupid. He seemed like a nice, easy going guy. You had dinner with him a couple of times but decided you guys didn’t really have any chemistry. You sat Dave down in person (which most people don’t have the courage to do anymore!) and told him he’s a great guy, but you’re just not interested. Back to the OkCupid drawing board. Dave seemed okay in the moment, but a couple of days later the creepy behavior started.

Dave called you four times, leaving no voicemail when you didn’t answer. You let it go. The next day you get a couple of texts telling you he misses you and to please call him. You ignore them. Then you get a flower delivery at your office (when did you tell him where you worked?) with a note telling you you’re the one that got away. Now you’re freaked out.

That’s when you think about filing for a restraining order…

There are many different types of restraining orders, including ones for: stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, and repeat violence. With Dave you’d be looking at one for stalking.

A restraining order (once granted) will mandate that a person is no longer able to contact you via phone, email, text, or by going through a third party. It also prevents the person from having access to a firearm.

You must demonstrate:

1 The person is harassing, following, or cyberstalking you.

2 Multiple acts/course of conduct that shows continuity of purpose.

3 The behavior is causing substantial emotional distress.

4 The behavior serves no legitimate purpose.

Restraining orders can be complicated to prove, which is why having a lawyer on your side is a good idea.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Great job Adam, speaking at the FMHCA conference this month, teaching therapists how to get restraining orders against stalker clients.