The Athlete's Lawyer

Sledding can be a fun winter sports activity, but before getting on a sled, make sure you are familiar with the terrain, the course and the sled

As a kid, one of my favorite winter pastimes was sledding.  My friends and I would go sledding whenever school was cancelled for a “snow day.”  We would take the first several runs slowly, so as to familiarize ourselves with the day’s conditions.  We would then walk up the hill, noting where there were “bare spots” or other dangers.  Only after a few “warm up” runs and familiarization with the course’s terrain would we start trying for maximum speed in this exciting winter sport.  So I was saddened to read of the devastating injuries caused by a sled accident.

The plaintiff in the case injured his spinal cord when he slid into a parking sign while sledding Read the rest of this entry »

Top trial lawyers from around the country took part in the "Wheels of Justice" Arizona mountain bike ride

Not content to site on their butts during the Association for Justice (“AAJ”) Winter meeting, over 50 top trial lawyers mounted off road bikes and headed into the Arizona high desert for the first annual “Wheels of Justice” ride.  While the AAJ Continuing Legal Education seminars and presentations are inspiring, wheeling through the desert enabled the lawyers and their families to get an education and experience of a different kind.

High Desert mountain biking featured breathtaking 360 degree views and the magnificent Arizona sky

As I had only ridden my own mountain bike on roads, in triathlons or the W&OD Trail’s cinder horse path, I was nervous about jumping “water logs”, catching cacti needles or crashing.  However, thanks to the experienced Arizona Outback Adventure (“AOA”)
guides, everyone had a wonderful time.  AOA provided well-maintained mountain bikes, gloves, water, cages, friendly, experienced guides and, near and dear to the Triathlon Trial Lawyer’s heart (and head !), helmets for everyone.

Everyone finished the "Wheels of Justice" High Desert Challenge Mountian Bike ride, sponsored by Stratton Faxon, even the youngest bikers from New York City !

There were thrills, and spills, but only minor casualties.  The bike ride, sponsored by the Stratton Faxon law firm should become an annual event.  The AAJ Bicycle Litigation Group has had road bike tours at past Conventions in San Francisco, Maui, and those rides also provided top injury lawyers from all over the country to network, learn from each other outside of the classroom.  The Connecticut trial law firm arranged for an exceptional time for everyone, and considering that personal injury lawyers file “Complaints” in court every day, that is high praise for the High Desert Bike Challenge indeed !  Perhaps I will even get to ride with Michael Stratton and other lawyers from the New England trial law firm team when next I am up in Litchfield County.

Doug Landau and his nephew are getting ready for the Jack Corkey Memorial Aquathon at the Herndon Virginia Community Center. Get your blue goggles on !

It’s official !  Check out the Town of Herndon, Virginia’s web site.  The Town’s site says, “On Saturday, February 25, the Herndon Community Center will be hosting the Jack Corkey Memorial Aquathon. Please click here for information about the event and for the registration form.  Lane availability for lap swimming will be limited in the morning due to this event.” Race information can also be found at the Washington Running Report Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau and the Herndon Aquatics Center staff look forward to seeing all area multisport athletes at this fun event.

Double Down Race Directors presented Herndon Injury Lawyer Doug Landau with his medal after he completed the Runners Den 5km and 10km races in Phoenix, Arizona before the Association fort Justice CLE sessions resumed

Just as the best trial lawyers plan successful case trials well in advance, top endurance athletes often decide on pace, nutrition, gear and even sleep well before the day of the race.  Such was the case with today’s race, where sprint specialist Doug Landau was going to be running over a half-marathon in total distance.  Rather than run with other lawyers at the Scottsdale Convention site, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau chose to run in the competitive 34th Annual Runners Den 5k and 10k races in Phoenix, Arizona.  To do so successfully, the Herndon sports injury lawyer had to contend with Read the rest of this entry »

Too much exercise can be counter productive and put you on your butt ! Plan rest, nutrition and recuperation as carefully as you plan your workouts and you will avoid overuse injury

Having studied exercise physiology, I am often taken aback by some of the extreme forms of training and competition being promoted by so-called “sports gurus.”  The are recipes for injury, disability and worse.  While the human body is indeed a miraculous collection of systems, it is not immortal and our bodies need time to rest and recuperate after the stresses of sports training and Read the rest of this entry »

Every Vasa bike rider gets HOT berry soup, courtesy of the Swedish Embassy located in Georgetown !

OK, I have a confession.  I like Swedes.  I like their embassy in DC.  I like the embassy’s views of the Potomac River.  I like the VASA ride.  But I really like the HOT BERRY SOUP !  So sign up no – there are only 100 spots left, and enjoy a ride through DC, along the Potomac River, up through Maryland and then tour the embassy in Georgetown.  It’s a great winter workout, with several distance options.  And especially enjoy the berry soup !

Vasa bicycle riders gathering at the Potomac RIver in DC for this fun winter bike ride

The 2012 Vasa Ride
 will be Sunday, March 4^th at the gorgeous Swedish Embassy Building right on the Potomac River in Georgetown.  The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (“WABA”) web site says:

 Break out your ski goggles for the region’s first large organized bike ride of the season! The Annual Vasa Ride is WABA’s bicycle-themed tribute to Sweden’s legendary Vasaloppet, the world’s longest running cross country Read the rest of this entry »

While no injuries have been reported, because the fork can break on certain models of Giant Bicycles please check your bike. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Giant Bicycle, Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the 2012 Model Year Giant Defy Advanced and Avail Advanced Bicycles. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of about 900 bicycles imported by Giant Bicycle, Inc. The federal agency found that the fork on the bicycles can crack, increasing the rider’s risk of falling. If you ride a Giant brand bike a cracked fork can posing a fall hazard. Consumers should immediately stop riding the recalled bicycles and contact any authorized Giant Bicycle dealer for a free inspection and replacement of the fork.

Ever one for a unique races and non-matching race kits, I will unfortunately be missing this weekend’s “Cupid’s Undie Run” in Washington, D.C.  On Saturday, 800 runners are expected to strip down for a 1.5-mile jaunt on Capitol Hill.  Hopefully the weather will warm up and no one winds up hypothermic racing to raise money for a wonderful cause.  The run was born in 2010 as a way to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

According to the Washington Post article almost anything goes, except thongs and pasties !  While the DC race is sold out, there are “Undies Runs” in several other cities that you can participate in, according to race organizers.  For more information, go to the race web site.

Melissa and Doug Landau will be participating in the "Double Down" races this weekend in support of Down Syndrome

Ever one for unique racing opportunities and supporting worthwhile charities, Melissa and Doug Landau will be participating in the “Double Down” races this weekend.  The Landaus will once again toe the line for a wonderful cause and “exercise their legal rights” !  Known as one of the best running lawyers in Virginia, the Triathlon Trial Lawyer will be in Arizona for the Association for Justice Winter meeting along with other top lawyers from around the country.  This Sunday Read the rest of this entry »