The Athlete's Lawyer

The sculpture “The Awakening,” a fixture on the end of Hains Point in Washington, D.C. is there no longer. This artwork, now featured in running ads, was of a giant’s head, legs and arms emerging from the ground. Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau rememberes when the Potomac RIver flooded, the giant looked like he was drowning ! The sculpture is being moved to its new location in the District. Runners will miss this unique landmark.

Shown here is Landau and United States Maccabiah Triathlon Team member Steve Shulman of New York. These teammates had just finished racing in a 5km. around Hains Point. Landau managed to win the Citizen’s Award at this event sponsored by the American University Law School in Washington, D.C.

TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau & Steve Schloss after teh National Age Group Championships

TriathlonLawyer Doug Landau at the Transition area

TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau beginning the Bike course

Doug Landau checking in at Hagg Lake for the National Age Group Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships. Also shown beginning the bike leg and post-race with Maccabiah teammate and age group award winner Steve Schloss of Muttontown, New York. This was a very challenging venue with narrow, rolling bike and run courses. The 2008 race will be contested in September, which should make for warmer water temperatures. Definitely a course to preview and hopefully the race directors will eliminate road traffic during this National Championship, to make it safer for contestants.

On Saturday, March 8th, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau will again participate in the 9th Annual Shamrock 5k Run & 1 mile fun run/walk. This year, In the past, he has taken part in the early morning Masters Swim practices at the George Mason University Freedom Fitness facility nearby, and made his own “aquathlon” with International triathlon star Laurent “the blue turtle” Rouad. They have put in the yardage in the pool, run the 5km, and then, sometime returned to GMU for a session in the weight room ! TheAthletesLawyer does not foresee anything so gruelling. Abrams Landau trial lawyer Doug Landau will simply ride his racing bike for an hour or more, and then jump into the 5km ! He will do this “brick workout” in order to get ready for the National Duathlon Championship in Richmond on April 27th. The Race sponsored by G.C. Round PTO. Warm ups will be at 9:30 AM, followed by the 1 mile fun run/walk at 9:45, and the competitive 5k race at 10:00. The Reston Road Runners Club has done the timing and event management of this growing race. For more information, Contact: Kristen Whatley 703-257-8069 shamrockrun@comcast.net

On Friday, February 29th, 2008, join the DCRRC at 12:00 noon for their Quaddrenniel “Leap Year 3km.” This FREE, FUN and FAST (just under 2 miles) event presents the rare opportunity to set an age group, gender, Clydesdale or other record that cannot be broken for years !

That’s right, just like the monthly noontime 3km. around the Jefferson Memorial tidal basin, the DCRRC (703-241-0395 for recorded event messages) has a unique, FREE event lined up for the leap year day. Noon, Friday, February 29th, at the Roosevelt Memorial Tourmobile stop and Ohio Drive , SW (where many big D.C. races start/finish) is the place to be. This is an excellent time trial opportunity. Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau hopes to be there to see where his winter fitness is (or is not !). Some hardy souls may want to bring their bikes and ride the Hains Point Course in order to get in a “Brick Workout.” Unfortunately, the “Awakening” sculpture will not be there any more. There are, however, runners of all abilities expected for this once-in-4-year event, just as is the case for the 3rd Wednesday of the month runs, which are year round. For a map of the Tidal Basin course, go to: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=489441

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau will not only be racing at BOTH Reston Triathlons, but he will be a volunteer again as well this year.  Landau, of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., will be a participant at the VTS Reston Sprint Race in June, where he won his age group and finished in the top ten last year en route to a winning season in the Virginia Triathlon Series (“VTS”).  He will help the staff at Set-Up Events at registration the day before this pool swim, early season Sprint Distance competition.  Landau has indicated that he will not be racing in the series this year, but may take part in several events if his “Race, Case & Place” schedules permit !

In September, TheAthletesLawyer will not only help at registration at South Lakes High School, but he will also compete in the 25th anniversary Reston Triathlon.  While injury lawyer Landau has never cracked the top 20 at this very competitive nearly Olympic Distance race, he has a personal best of under 2:09:00 and many instances of almost missing his wave start !

Ever one for tradition, Doug Landau re-instituted his family’s tradition of attending the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York City at last years 100th anniversary.  He returned, with family members from New York and New Jersey in tow, again this year.

Hall of Fame Trial Lawyer Norman Landau had taken the family and friends for years to what many consider “the indoor Olympics.” Norman Landau had even competed as a high school student in front of the thousands of sports fans in a handicap race that was held at The Garden in the 1940s.  Doug Landau finds that this indoor track and field competition is almost like theater, with something for everyone. There is often a running race going on while another athlete is throwing, jumping or vaulting. In other words, just like the offices of ABRAMS LANAU, LTd., there is never a dull moment !

Doug Landau of Abrams Landau, Ltd. had the opportunity to meet with Nicolas Jafarieh of the Jafarieh Law Group this week. Attorney Jafarieh founded “SportsLegalForms” the nation’s first and leading provider of legal forms for sports and activity professionals, and the active individual. All of their forms are carefully drafted, reviewed and regularly updated by experienced attorneys, according to Jafarieh. Furthermore, this is done at a fraction of what it would cost to have the same form drafted by a lawyer !

While TheAthletesLawyer Doug Landau had served on the Tri-Fed USA Lawyers Committee years ago, Nicolas Jafarieh has more recently served as a member of the board of directors of the United States Triathlon Association (USAT) for the Mid-Atlantic region. He is also an Ironman Triathlon finisher, and a founder of the DC Triathlon Club, which has grown to become one of the most active and innovative triathlon communities in the country with nearly one thousand members.

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau is often contacted by injured Virginians who want to bring a claim against the person who caused the accident. While the injured cyclist may have significant injuries and the motorist or trucker who caused their brain injury and disability may have a terrible driving record, the case can be dismissed by a Virginia Court due to the affirmative defense of “Contributory Negligence.” This is any fault on he part of the injured biker (the “plaintiff”) that was A cause of the crash, no matter how small !

The doctrine of contributory negligence is an affirmative defense to a bike, car or truck crash accident claim. It is typically raised by a defense attorney in order to Read the rest of this entry »

The Annual Meeting of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (“VTLA”) takes place at the end of March. While The Athletes Lawyers spends most of his time there at lectures, meetings, moderating programs and conferring with co-counsel, Doug Landau manages to sponsor a Tennis Tournament and participate in the “Fun Run” sponsored by his friend and colleague Steve Garver, of Reston, Virginia. The weather is usually cold and wet, but the venue is superb for networking and learning about changes in the law, trial techniques and products available to help injured and disabled clients.

The VTLA Fun Run, sponsored by Reston Trial Lawyer Steve Garver (kneeling, in hat) is a favorite event at the Annual Convention, even when it rains !

The Athletes Lawyer Doug Landau has sponsored the VTLA Annual Tennis Tournament for many years. Here, the frozen participants are all smiles after warming up with a hot cup of tea at The Greenbrier in

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While Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau has written about crashes and injuries caused by motorists, there are reported cases where the injury was due to a defective bicycle, improperly designed path and even a cyclist striking another rider, not in a peoloton !
The Athletes Lawyer found this report: “Bike path crash results in lawsuit,” Read the rest of this entry »