California Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., Courtesy of the Riverside Press Enterprise Newspaper, and Jennifer Fraley of Sunshine Photography

Here it is January 25, 2011, and this really the first substantive article that I have written for 2011.

About a week before Christmas 2010, I was hit with a couple of health issues that all but ruined the holiday season for me.

I also disassociated myself from a motorcycle riding group that I was with for about 2 years or so. I have no resentments or hard feelings whatsoever against any of them, nor do I have anything bad to say about them. The issue for me was really about participation.

Thankfully, I will be moving on to be with a group of more serious motorcycle riders.

I wish my old group well as I move onto greener pastures so to say.

I look at one of my health issues as a godsend. It was a wake up call that has forced me to watch my diet and to start really working out again, which I have done. God willing, I will be here for quite a long time helping all of you with your cases, and writing good articles.

My goal is to get back to my optimal physical form in the next few months. This will involve a strict diet, cardio training, lifting weights, and doing my martial arts. Brother Vic will get me back to my Kenpo roots.

I would like to welcome all of my new clients who signed up during the holidays and this month, to our law firm family. There are quite a few of you, and I am happy to be here to help.

As a client of mine, and my firm, The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates, I will go to war for you to get you what you are entitled to in your case, or to help you win your case depending upon what area of the law we are representing you on.

Those who know me including opposing attorneys know I do not play games. I am a very aggressive attorney who loves to fight in the trenches.

Either give my clients what they are entitled to, or we will go to Court and get it. I do not run a settlement mill, we are a litigation law firm with the time, resources, and expertise to go to battle for our clients when the need arises.

To my many motorcycle accident clients, motorcycle passenger accident victims, car accident victims, slip and fall/ trip and fall clients, and other clients, you know we are here for you through thick and thin. Hang in there. Once we get you back on your feet and get your motorcycles and cars either repaired or replaced, and get you the money you deserve, you will be back in the saddle and invited to my annual ride/barbecue as are all of my past motorcycle accident clients. As usual, I will ride tail gunner. 🙂

My law firm is many times, the only way my clients who are victims of 3rd party negligence can get medical treatment, get back on their feet, get their lives back, and be compensated for their losses.

We know this, and we are here for you. I am truly blessed to be able to provide this kind of service to you.

This is not a money game for me, I from the bottom of my heart love to help people in their time of need. There is nothing that gets me off more than helping people in need. I think this is what sets me apart from the hoard of other attorneys out there.

I love going up against for profit insurance companies who do their dammdest to not pay you for your injuries, simply so that their profits remain high. I am the bain of their existence.

On to some personal issues, thank god my good friend and private investigator Scott Shaw of FinCIS Corporation is out of the hospital. He almost passed away on us during the holiday season.

Scott is a true brother and a close friend, of the type that would drive many miles in the middle of the night to be there to help you if you needed help. He is the kind of man who would stand by you, and back you, even if he is sick.

He was one of my best men at my wedding. Above all, he is a brother that can be trusted, and is an honorable man whom any organization would be, and should be proud to be associated with.

Scott we have many more rides ahead brother. Continue on your path to get your health back, and you will be back in the saddle again soon. We love you man.

I am truly blessed to have brothers like Scott, my partner Larry Moy, Len Chaitin, Motaz Gerges, Moe Mehrin, Allen of my San Francisco office, my brother Hollywood Bud, Grand Master Vic LeRoux, Senior Grand Master Chuck Sullivan, and many others who are my closest friends, brothers, partners, and confidants that are too numerous to mention here, in my life.

Happiness is not about how much money or possessions you have when you die; it is about your relationships with other human beings that matter most.

If you are an asshole, you will be treated like an asshole. If you are a nice guy, you will be treated as a nice guy. It is about Karma; treat others as you would like to be treated; and whatever comes around will most certainly go around.

Above all I would like to thank my wife Elizabeth. She has been with me for going on 10 years.

Our 1 year wedding anniversary is on January 30th of this month. We may not get along all of the time, but she is my main friend, associate, and partner.

Although just last night she told me that she did does not like the “Little Puppet” riding nickname I gave her 10 years ago.

She thinks it is condescending, although I gave her the nickname, because she used to have this little finger puppet that she messed with all of the time. It was not meant to be condescending.

Hell I have gave an ex who liked cats the nickname Kat. Many of you of you probably remember her from back in the day.

My wife likes dogs. I have told her that maybe we can call her “Mutt” or “Bark.” (It is an inside joke)

Although this year has started out tough and very busy, especially on my family, Scott, my injured clients, and I, this will still be a be a good year.

The glass is half full. I look forward to an exceptional year.

God be with you all.

By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2011

The post What a Start to the New Year; It Has Been Hectic. first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

Norman and Elizabeth tying the knot

Well on January 30th, 2010, I married the love of my life Elizabeth.

If you do a search on here for “fiancé” you can find many articles that I have written that include her.

She has been an integral part of my life since 2001.

She has stood by me through thick and thin, she is my other half. She is the angel on my shoulder.

It is very rare to find a person that will stick by you no matter what. Elizabeth is that type of gal. We have had our ups and downs over the past nine years, but who hasn’t.

Hell on our first date, I picked her up on my motorcycle, and we rode to the Rainbow in Hollywood. She loved it. Since then she has been my backseat companion on rides for over a hundred thousand miles all over the country.

Reverend Don, Norman, Lawrence, Bud, Leonard, and Scott waiting for Elizabeth to come out

Everyone that has known me since 2001 also knows Elizabeth. She is always there with me on rides; she is my right hand, my sidekick. (She says I am the sidekick 🙂  ) While all of my brothers and friends ride by themselves all of the time because their old ladies do not like to ride, I got one who will not let me go without her.

She is something special.

Anyway getting back to the wedding story; we did our wedding the old fashioned way; I did not see her the night before our wedding. She stayed at a Hotel in her hometown of Burbank the night before. I stayed at our house.

Maids of honor, Reverend Don, Norm, and the groomsmen waiting for the bride to come out

We had a grand affair at The Castaway’s in Burbank, California, where the ceremony was held on the back patio with scenic views of the San Fernando Valley, followed by the reception in the Lagoon ballroom.

Both Elizabeth’s family and my family were present to witness the affair, along with colleagues and friends. We had about 200 people at the wedding. It could have been much bigger had I invited my many brothers from the motorcycle and martial arts world. We decided to keep it a small affair.

Norman and Elizabeth exchanging rings

There were members of a few motorcycle clubs present at my wedding, all of whom came dressed in traditional wedding garb with no cuts. Hell some of these guys looked fantastic in shirt and ties; one even had a tuxedo on.

My groomsmen consisted of most of my law partners, and a couple of my very best friends.

The actual wedding started about 1 ½ hours late. Unfortunately I got stuck in traffic on the way to the wedding.

On the way to the wedding, there was actually a rear ender car accident two cars in front of me on the 5 freeway. Two days after the accident and my wedding day, the guy who got rear ended in the car with his family called me about his case, and I am now his attorney. No shit, talk about coincidence!

What are the chances of this guy calling me when I was only two cars behind the accident he was in! Anyway, my law firm and competent staff will take care of him!

Norman and Elizabeth at the reception

Getting back to the wedding; it was great.

Since I was running late, I called Elizabeth who was busy getting ready at a nearby hotel with all of her bridesmaids, makeup and hair people, and the photographer. She was relieved since she was running late as well. Turns out neither of us slept very well the night before.

I finally arrived at Castaway’s an hour late. Yes traffic was bad. Most of the guests were still in good spirits. There was not a cloud in the sky and the view was fantastic. A couple of my friends were buying my mom drinks as well as themselves. Let’s just say that a few people were real tuned up when I got there.

I was walking around in my fancy tuxedo with tails and bow tie talking to people, while waiting for Elizabeth and her party to arrive. She was still running late. I guess the makeup artist and hair person had a hard time doing all of the girls in a timely manner.

Elizabeth and Norman's first dance as a married couple

I look at it this way; she waited 9 years for me, so waiting an extra hour for her was not a big deal. Let’s just say that I was not in my normal frame of mind the entire day. Most grooms know what I am talking about.

I finally received word that Elizabeth had arrived at Castaway’s with her wedding party.

We were told by the wedding coordinator to get in our positions. Myself, Reverend Don, and my groomsmen Lawrence A. Moy, Leonard E. Chaitin, Bud, and Scott Shaw lined up next to me. The audience got their cameras out and started to take pictures. Everything was great. However, Elizabeth was not coming out. My best man, and law partner Lawrence A. Moy went in to find out what was going on.

It turns out that Elizabeth had been up all night the night before, and she was not only sick with nerves, but she was freaking out inside Castaway’s. I guess she had looked through the glass, saw everyone outside and the crowd coupled with her being up all night really got to her.

Elizabeth and Norman's first dance as a married couple

So we stood there, and we waited; and waited; and waited. Finally The D.J. started to play “hear comes the bride” over the speakers. First her bridesmaids came out. Then, I could see her slowly walking down the stairs to the patio, with her cousin, who gave her away. The entire crowd had their eyes on her.

She looked awesome. This was the first time I had seen her in her wedding dress. She looked like the perfect bride. I took in her beauty up until she stood next to me. Then it was time for the nuptials. I was surprised that she grabbed my hand during the nuptials; I did not know that was allowed.

After the part where we both say I do, and I put her ring on, she started to wipe her eyes. There was a bit of a breeze outside, and I figured that she must have gotten something in her eyes. She kept on rubbing her eyes. I did not know it at the time, but she was crying. Stupid me, you see, Elizabeth never cries. She is one of the toughest women I have ever known in my life except for my mom and sister. I never see this woman crying.

Elizabeth tossing the bouquet

All I can say is after the nuptials and the part where I kissed the bride, my damm mouth hurt from smiling so much. It was crazy. Too many people at the wedding, too many people wanting to take pictures.

Poor Elizabeth, there was a line of people wanting to congratulate her, and to kiss the bride. I had it no better, but luckily I did not have to kiss as many people as she did.

After doing all of the after nuptial greetings, all of the guests went into the Lagoon Ballroom. We were held outside by the photographer and the wedding coordinator. We were told that we were supposed to make a grand entrance in the ballroom after everyone had been there for a bit. Great.

It was kind of a trip doing the grand entrance into the ballroom, and being introduced as Mr. & Mrs. Norman Gregory Fernandez. I have been with Elizabeth for so long it just felt like a natural progression.

Norman and Elizabeth cutting the Groom's cake

The reception was fantastic. Elizabeth and I had our own table at the head of the room, where we could observe all of our friends and family. Of course they could all stare at us as well. We had some good chow. Many of my groomsmen all had something to say with the microphone, and so did Elizabeth’s bridesmaids.

After chow, Elizabeth and I had our first dance to the theme song from the movie “Titanic” with Selene Dionne. I could hear all of the females in the crowding oohing and awing. It felt good to dance with my new wife.

After that, everyone joined in on the dance floor. Eventually, someone started the ubiquitous conga line. I am not a conga line kind of guy, so I went back to my seat and watched the shenanigans while I sipped on some lemonade.

We then did the traditional cake cutting; Elizabeth threw her bouquet of flowers, I got the garter, and there was a lot of dancing.

Norman and Elizabeth cutting the Groom's cake

Eventually the party died down and it was time for Elizabeth and me to depart as husband and bride.

Unlike most newlyweds, Elizabeth and I have had a rocky 8 months since the wedding. You see she is a first year law student. Now I know that there are many attorneys’s who read my blog. Anyone who has ever been through law school knows that law school is the worst friggen nightmare in history.

I have been through Air Force boot camp; I have been in the military. I used to play Varsity Football, and have done many sports in my lifetime.

Nothing was as difficult as going to law school for 4 years at night, working full time during the day, and then passing the California State Bar Exam.

Poor Elizabeth has been going through that nightmare since we got married, and even a few months before as well.

She is doing as well as can be expected. I am doing my best to support her. It will be dynamite when she becomes an attorney. It will be good to bring her on board in my law firm.

It took me a while, (9 years) and probably the longest engagement in modern times before I took the plunge and married Elizabeth.

I think I got lucky, but only time will tell.

By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © August 2010

The post I got hitched first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.