Practicing Law Sucks

Your word is your bond

Five Blue Birds were sitting on the branch of a tree.  Two decided to fly South for the Winter.  How many Blue Birds remained?

If you answered "three," you are WRONG !

Actually, all five remained on the branch.  You see, "deciding to fly" is not the same as actually doing it.

Making the decision to do something - - wanting to do something - - saying you will do something - - is not the same as ACTUALLY doing something.

Too many busy lawyers have all the right intentions when they say (to clients) that they will do something, but (for various reasons) don't actually do what they say they will do.

When I served on the Client Relations Committee (the committee that heard complaints against lawyers) for our local Bar Association, one of the most frequently heard complaints was that lawyers did not carry out the promises that they had made to their clients.

Many years ago, an old adage was that "a lawyers word was their bond."  One doesn't hear that being said much any more.

Nowadays, lawyers tend to pick and choose which of their promises they decide to keep.  They rationalize that by saying "it is a matter of priorities" when, in fact, priorities has nothing to do with it.

Why don't you grow DOWN !

By the time most of us are adults, we've unfortunately learned to suppress our natural joy and creative spirit.  As they might say down home, "The piss and vinegar in us has all dried up."

This is particularly true with many lawyers.  We tend to take life much too seriously.  Sure, "life" (and the type of work that we do) is "serious business."  But come on now, too much "serious" is not good.  We know too many lawyers who are no fun to be with.  And, worse yet, they seem to have lost their sense of "joy."

Getting back to that innate capacity is the key to tapping into our innovative output, says creativity and breakthrough ideas expert Joey Reiman.

Just think about it for a moment.  If you were to ask a child to dance, or sing, or draw a picture, chances are they would do it and, more importantly, ENJOY doing it.  But, ask the same of people who are over 40 (and most lawyers), and you will no doubt get a stare and maybe a choice comment.

One way to improve your creativity and "love of life" is to strive to reconnect to that part of yourself you may have shut down merely because you have grown up and no longer feel "cool."

So, instead of acting "gown up," perhaps you should "grow DOWN"!!!

Can lawyers attain that heavenly feeling?

An article appearing in the Wall Street Journal on March 10, 2008, written by Lucette Lagnado, had the caption, "A Touch of Grace: Massage Therapy Aids Retired Nuns."

Apparently, the Providence Rest Nursing Home of the Bronx, which is run by an order of nuns and caters mostly to retired nuns and devout Roman Catholics, has a program whereby a professional Massage Therapist gives massages to the Nuns and residents - - who have spent a lifetime shying away from this kind of physical contact. 

The massage program is an alternative to the use of antipsychotic drugs.  These controversial drugs are often used as chemical restraints to sedate agitated patients. Instead of antipsychotics, the Providence Rest Nursing Home has developed regimens involving aromatherapy, long, soothing bubble baths and these massages.

Most of the patients (who are Nuns) arrive to the massage sessions in long dresses, support hose, and bulky long-sleeved sweaters that they do NOT allow to be removed during therapy.  The massage takes place over the clothing.  In rare cases, the patient will allow the therapist to massage a bare ankle or elbow - - when the latter are in extreme pain. Most of the patients arrive to the massage sessions in wheel chairs and never disrobe or lie down.

Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for the patient to cry out, "Oh, this is heaven," or, "I'm in heaven!"

The results of this massage therapy havebeen startling.  Nationwide, some 30% of nursing home patients are put on antipsychotices, according to federal data; but, Providence Rest has cut its own use down to 2-3%.  That's the lowest rate of any nursing home in the country.

Sooooooo, if this works for Nuns and the "very devote," could it also work for lawyers?

When lawyers get "up tight" (very "stressed out") and are ready to shoot the client or, heaven forbid, themselves, perhaps a massage would change their outlook.

In this modern day and age, massages are quite common and an accepted means of relaxation.

However, if asked, we are certain that the majority of lawyers - - particularly, male lawyers, would not think to consider such an alternative.

Just pass the bottle, Bartender !!!!

Panic - - our worst enemy

Last week, our U.S. Legislature (out of panic, in the minds of many) granted a $700 Billion bail-out package to Wall Street.

The expressed purpose of that bail-out was to "easy financial conditions."

But, to the surprise of many, the stock market has been going DOWN (way down) ever since.  Today, it went down -800 at one point on the DOW; although, at the end of today, it bounced back to a mere -369.

I am certain that, as a result of today's market loss, many will take action out of panic in connection with their portfolio's - - which they may later regret.

Although we lawyers are believed to be "level-headed" for the most part, circumstances frequently arise (particularly in litigation and transactional situations) that test that belief.

And when such situations do arise (as they most certainly will), we may make decisions or take action out of panic that we may later regret.

So, the question I put forth is this, "What is the best way to avoid that panic (to "fight that fear") when such circumstances present themselves?

That panic is all the more enhanced when (a) the client is "in your face," or (b) the judge is "starring you down" in court.  But, even in these situations, the lawyer must keep their calm and remain level-headed. 

It is NOT easy to do, but essential to pull off.

Excellence

Paul Newman died this past week.

The world knew him as a distinguished actor, a successful entrepreneur, a race car aficionado, and a philanthropist.

For several days following his death, his life was highlighted by a number of news and entertainment commentators on the radio and television.

What was most interesting to us was the playback of an old interview in which he explained his deep interest in car racing.  Newman explained that his fascination for race cars and track racing centered around his belief that "excellence" is clearly demonstrated by Winners of (car) racing events.  In other words, professional race car drivers who win major events clearly demonstrate excellence in their field.  That fascinated and intrigued Newman.

Being "competent" or "good" is NOT a display of excellence. 

Excellence is not a matter of ability, knowledge or practice.  It cannot be taught, imposed, or wished into existence.  Excellence is that trait that results in performance that surpasses what was previously possible - - it is a performance that oftentimes defies old limits and maps new territory.

This raises the question: How many lawyers do you know that truly display "excellence"?  or, "do YOU display "excellence" in YOUR role as a lawyer?"

We are acquainted with many lawyers who are quite competent, and considered good; but, we would not consider them to be "excellent" in their field. 

Obviously, defining excellence requires a high degree of subjectivity.  Like "beauty," it may be in the eyes of the beholder.  But, again, like beauty, we all know excellence when we see it.  And, when we do see it (in a lawyer), it is (like beauty), a thing to behold.