Thomas Salerno
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Law360,
Lexology,
Bloomberg Tax,
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Law360 UK
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Articles by Thomas Salerno
How St. Augustine Helped Me Recognize My Unhealthy Spending Habits
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been somewhat of a packrat. In my youth, I collected action figures, trading cards, and comic books. Even as an adult, I still enjoy collecting pop culture memorabilia. But as the amount of products advertised to collectors has exploded, I’ve become increasingly disenchanted with the hobby. The breaking point came for me last year, during the lead-up to Christmas.
St. Maximilian Kolbe's Virtues Come to Life in 'Triumph of the Heart'
Recently, a friend invited me to a special private screening of “Triumph of the Heart,” a remarkable new biopic about the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish Franciscan priest, media evangelist, and prolific writer who was arrested by the Nazis and imprisoned in the notorious concentration camp at Auschwitz. The film opens with the famous moment when Kolbe chooses to lay down his life for a stranger.
Being a published author brings with it many exciting new experiences, but also some unexpected challenges. The personal and professional aspects of any creative endeavor are inextricably blended together and it can be hard, sometimes practically impossible, to disentangle them. When my debut children’s book was published, I discovered that I began to crave the recognition, affirmation, and praise that came along with it.
Horror and the Catholic Imagination with Author Gary Jansen
Gary Jansen is an executive editor at Loyola Press and the author of Holy Ghosts: Or, How a (Not So) Good Catholic Boy Became a Believer in Things That Go Bump in the Night, a memoir about his unexpected encounter with the paranormal. He is also the author of Meditations at Midnight: Poetry and Prose, a collection of essays and verses that touch on the mysterious and uncanny side of life through the lens of literature. In this discussion, Gary shares how the theme of good vs.
LegendFiction Founder Dominic de Souza on Faith and Storytelling - Word on Fire
Dominic de Souza is the founder of LegendFiction, a writing community for Catholics and Orthodox Christians to share their love of faith and fantastic fiction. This October, LegendFiction is holding its third annual online convention, LegendHaven. In this discussion, Dominic shares his thoughts about imagination, evangelization, and storytelling in community.
‘Heart of a Servant’ Shows Us a Saint for Our Time
Until recently, I knew very little about Fr. Edward J. Flanagan (1886–1948). Of course, I had heard of Boys Town, the community outside Omaha, Nebraska, that Flanagan founded for the education of homeless and neglected youth. And I was familiar with the iconic 1938 Boys Town film (starring Spencer Tracy in an Oscar-winning performance as Flanagan).
Round-Canopy Parachuting Makes Me A Better Lawyer
By Thomas Salerno (September 25, 2024, 11:18 AM EDT) -- In this Expert Analysis series, attorneys discuss how their unusual extracurricular activities enhance professional development, providing insights and pointers that translate to the office, courtroom and beyond. If you have a hobby you would like to write about, email expertanalysis@law360.com.... Law360 is on it, so you are, too.
Round-Canopy Parachuting Makes Me A Better Lawyer
By Thomas Salerno (September 25, 2024, 11:18 AM EDT) -- In this Expert Analysis series, attorneys discuss how their unusual extracurricular activities enhance professional development, providing insights and pointers that translate to the office, courtroom and beyond. If you have a hobby you would like to write about, email expertanalysis@law360.com.... A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence.
Pier Giorgio Frassati, a Patron Saint for the Lay Apostolate
There is a saying of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati that I keep tacked up on the bulletin board above my writing desk.
Pray, Fast, Give: My Decision to Part with a Possession Each Day of Lent
One of my favorite little moments from J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece “The Lord of the Rings” is when the ranger Aragorn returns to Pippin a treasured brooch that the hobbit had cast by the wayside as a clue after he and his cousin Merry were captured by the evil orcs. “It was a wrench to let it go,” said Pippin, “but what else could I do?” Indeed, if Pippin had not had the good sense to drop the brooch, his friends might never have known that the two young hobbits were still alive at all.
3 Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions Inspired by St. John the Apostle
Above the altar of my hometown parish church, there is a beautiful stained-glass window depicting the Crucifixion. I couldn’t possibly count the number of times I’ve seen that window, but one day at Mass, as I knelt in my regular pew after Communion, my eyes noticed, as if for the first time, a humble figure standing just to the side of the Cross, not far from the Blessed Mother — a young man, holding a book, gazing up in sorrow and awe at his crucified Savior.
How the Liturgy of the Hours Helped My Prayer Life Flourish
After the isolation of the 2020 COVID lockdowns, when all the churches in my area were closed and it was impossible to attend Sunday Mass in person, I decided that I needed to find a way to participate in the life of the Church and remain close to Jesus in prayer, even when I did not have access to the Sacraments. I am a creature of habit; I thrive on structure and routine. Spontaneous mental prayer and reflective meditation just don’t work for me.
How Decluttering My Office Created Space for New Career Goals
Before I began writing professionally, I worked as a volunteer fossil preparator at a prestigious natural history museum. My childhood ambition was to become a paleontologist. I wanted to attend graduate school, perhaps earn a Ph.D., and devote my life to studying fossils. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I was working in a promising museum internship that I hoped would be the beginning of a long and fulfilling career in paleontology. Then the 2020 pandemic struck.
As Crypto Bankruptcies Continue, Crypto Miners Strain Power Grids
The crypto winter is overshadowing spring. If crypto continues to falter in 2023, as it did in 2022, the ramifications will be felt in numerous adjacent industries—and bankruptcy filings will continue to rise. Prominent bankruptcy filings of numerous crypto exchanges—FTX, Voyager Digital, BlockFi and Celsius Network—hedge funds with substantial crypto holdings—Three Arrows Capital—and crypto lenders—Silvergate Capital—signify this substantial shift in the market.
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The Prodigal Son: How to Overcome the 3 Lies We Tell Ourselves
Earlier this year my home parish welcomed a new associate pastor. He’s a friendly and vibrant young priest and a gifted preacher. Indeed, one of his recent homilies deeply affected me.
Prayer for the USA from its first bishop
John Carroll wrote this prayer around the year 1800. As Election Day approaches in the United States, the polarized rhetoric and partisan vitriol emanating from the news networks and on social media is sure to reach a fever pitch. In these times of division, strife, and momentous change in our country, it is even more important for American Catholics to be humble witnesses for peaceful and constructive dialogue, no matter what our political leanings.
How St. Teresa of Avila Helped Me Overcome the Fear of Failure
For many years, I struggled to overcome a paralyzing fear of failure. I was living a circumscribed life, afraid to take risks, unwilling to step out boldly and develop my talents in the service of God and neighbor. The painful memories of past mistakes and failures almost smothered my desire to be a professional writer.
The Road goes ever on: A novice writer’s journey with J. R. R. Tolkien
I was thirteen years old when I first encountered J.R.R. Tolkien’s amazing world of Middle-earth. Director Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings were about to take theaters by storm, but at the time I would not have described myself as a fantasy fan. Unlike many kids of my generation, I wasn’t immediately enthralled by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. For whatever reason, the adventures of the boy wizard just didn’t do much for me.
Building up evangelization and disability awareness-with LEGOs
LEGOs aren’t just for kids anymore. The simple, colorful plastic bricks have given birth to a vibrant hobby enjoyed by all ages and spawned countless elaborate sets. They have taken to the silver screen with the huge success of the LEGO Movie franchise and to television with the British and US “LEGO Masters” shows. Public displays by talented LEGO artists have also become popular.
How I’m Learning to Stop Comparing Myself to Others, With the Help of Humility
This past New Year’s Eve, I decided it would be helpful to compose a year-in-review post for my personal blog detailing my accomplishments as a freelancer in 2021.
My “God Moment”: You (and I) are Worth More Than They
Like most “God moments,” this one snuck up on me when I least expected it. It was the middle of Lent, and, truth be told, I felt miserable. Frustration and disappointment had been building up in my heart for a while. My career in museum science was put on indefinite hold thanks to the COVID pandemic, so I had decided to pursue my lifelong ambition to be a writer. But after two years of hard work and struggle, my nascent career as a wordsmith appeared to have plateaued. I was barely making ends meet.
How St. Augustine Helped Me Recognize My Unhealthy Spending Habits
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been somewhat of a packrat. In my youth, I collected action figures, trading cards, and comic books. Even as an adult, I still enjoy collecting pop culture memorabilia. But as the amount of products advertised to collectors has exploded, I’ve become increasingly disenchanted with the hobby. The breaking point came for me last year, during the lead-up to Christmas.
A Pathway to Holiness: A Single Man’s Search for Vocation
For most Catholics, the single life is a transitional state during young adulthood leading to either marriage, the priesthood, or consecrated life. But for a growing number of young people, these traditional vocations seem out of reach. As a single Catholic man in my early 30s, I’ve often wrestled with discouragement. I have never felt the call to the priesthood, and for various practical reasons, the consecrated life or marriage are not viable options for me at this time.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is rewarding for fans, difficult for newcomers
Zendaya and TimothÈe Chalamet star in a scene from the movie "Dune." (CNS photo/Warner Bros.) Director Denis Villeneuve first came to my attention when I saw his outstanding science fiction film Arrival (2016), a visually stunning and philosophically profound story about mankind’s first contact with extraterrestrials. Villeneuve then went on to acclaim with another sci-fi hit, Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
How the Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy Reinvigorated My Faith
Photo by Jerry Wutkowski A couple of years ago, I was in a spiritual rut. I was receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist regularly, but I could tell that I wasn’t growing spiritually. Sunday Mass had become routine, just another item on my weekly to-do list. I was going through the motions, reciting the memorized responses. My mind wandered during the Liturgy of the Word; the Liturgy of the Eucharist passed by in a blur. All this changed after I encountered the Divine Liturgy of Byzantine Catholicism.
‘Dune’ Helped Me See the Strength of Prayer in the Face of Fear
Frank Herbert’s epic novel “Dune” is often considered science fiction’s answer to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” While die-hard Tolkienians such as myself may balk at this bold claim, certainly, in terms of sheer scale, the “Dune” series merits the comparison. Over the course of six books, Herbert wove a galaxy-spanning saga of death, betrayal, heroism, and sacrifice. In “Dune,” the galactic empire rules people across many planets in a feudal system.
Heeding Pope Francis’s call to rediscover the 'Divine Comedy'
Need another reason to join this free online reading group? The pope himself wrote an apostolic letter urging people to read the great Italian poet. This September marks 700 years since the death of Italian poet Dante Alighieri, whose Divine Comedy is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of Western literature.
How Julian of Norwich found peace amid suffering
The centuries-old writings of Julian of Norwich still offer consolation to readers today. The writings of the medieval anchoress and mystic Julian of Norwich will doubtless seem strange to many modern readers. In the opening sections of her Revelations of Divine Love, Julian recounts how she prayed earnestly for a vivid perception of Christ’s Passion and also that she might experience bodily suffering and sickness.
Astronomy and the Catholic Church: Looking at the Universe through a Lens of Faith
Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash I’ve had a passion for science from a young age. This childhood fascination has remained with me into adulthood, thanks in part to my voracious reading habits. Particularly in recent years, I’ve sought out books that discuss the Catholic Church’s relationship with science.
St. Columba and the Loch Ness Monster: Spiritual Lessons From a Strange Story
Almost everyone knows the legend of St. George slaying the dragon, but you may not be aware that several other saints are reputed to have clashed with mysterious beasts. St. Columba, a sixth century Irish abbot credited with spreading Christianity in Scotland, is even supposed to have been among the first people to encounter the Loch Ness Monster! Since childhood, I’ve had a fascination with unexplained sightings of mystery animals, or “cryptids” as they’re often called.
7 Ways St. Benedict's Rule penetrates the human psychology and spirit
It's 1,500 years old, but full of ideas that can help us today. The Rule of St. Benedict was composed over 1,500 years ago by St. Benedict of Nursia, considered to be the father of Western monasticism. While the strictures of the Rule could at times seem harsh or even unreasonable to contemporary readers, they actually illuminate timeless spiritual principles that can be of immense value today. 1Spirit of service The Rule stresses again and again the importance of obedience and service.
“Chronicles of Faith: David”—Introducing Scripture to a New Generation - Word on Fire
Are we twenty-first-century Catholics in the middle of an exciting renaissance of the Christian creative genius? It seems so. Thanks to social media and crowdfunding sites, it is easier than ever for independent artists, musicians, and writers to share their work with audiences who are hungering to be entertained and inspired.
What CS Lewis and Augustine might say
Today's success and the whole mission can point to something deep within us. On the afternoon of February 18, 2021, I was one of the many people around the world tensely watching the livestream broadcast from mission control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Mankind’s latest robotic explorer was about to arrive on the planet Mars. Several anxious minutes of updates passed as NASA received signals from the spacecraft indicating it had begun its perilous descent through the Martian atmosphere.
Paycheck Protection Program - What Has Changed? | Lexology
Previously we reported on the various types of loan relief available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law on March 27, 2020.
From Seneca to Therese: Why I'm looking at those around me with new eyes
Of course we have Christ as our Model, and the saints to encourage us. But is there something close at hand that we're missing? Recently I became interested in familiarizing myself with the works of the Greco-Roman Stoic philosophers. What, you might be wondering, could those ancient pagan thinkers possibly have to say that would be relevant to our bustling, harried lives as 21st-century Christians? Quite a bit, as it turns out.
Be Careful What You Ask For: The Unintended Consequences of Creditor Remedies in Bankruptcy Cases
To anyone practicing bankruptcy law more than a month, the scenario of a lender secured by a lien against real property, as well as an assignment of rents (“AOR”) is pretty standard fare. Default on the debt occurs, threats (and counter threats) are tossed about, notices of foreclosure are filed (and perhaps receivership proceedings were begun), and the borrower files the inevitable bankruptcy proceeding where all is stayed to be dealt with under the watchful eye of the bankruptcy court.
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