Friday, November 21, 2003
WISE WORDS
Last week the new crop of lawyers in our firm got sworn in. We were lucky to have Judge Ken Wise of the 152 District Court do the honors. Judge Wise is a sometimes skeet/sporting-clays shooting buddy of mine (although not since he's gone on the bench despite our best efforts to schedule it) and, although we certainly don't share many political and cultural opinions, I think he's a fine example of the best of the legal profession. Judge Wise gave a very brief little talk to our new lawyers, the text of which he was kind enough to send to me. here it is:
Good Morning. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be a part of this important day. I thank Kevin Peter for inviting me to be here. It is always an honor to swear in new lawyers but it is particularly special to do so at the place where I began my legal career not that long ago.
When I was sworn into the bar by Judge Hill, before he gave me the oath, he, “laid some words on me.” So I likewise am going to lay some words on you. I have a word of caution, a word of advice, and a word of encouragement.
My word of caution is to never confuse the business of law practice with the profession of practicing law. Too often I have seen lawyers substitute what is efficient for their business for what is effective for their client. Don’t be that kind of lawyer. Don’t ever substitute what’s good for business for what’s good for your client. If you are at all times cognizant of your duty as a professional, the business will come.
A word of advice. Seek the wisdom and experience of older lawyers. When I started my career I was so blessed to be raised in the law by Walter Zivley, John Hill, Jess Hall, Bruce LaBoon and others. Without my even knowing it at the time, they also raised me in life. They enabled me to gain much deeper experience than a mere nine years would normally yield. You, too, must find mentors and regularly seek their counsel. This profession is about judgment and yours will develop much faster and much better with the benefit of the wisdom of those around you.
Finally, a word of encouragement. You are entering a profession that is laden with opportunity. You have the opportunity to prevent problems in the lives and livelihoods of your clients. You have the opportunity to right wrongs on behalf of your clients. You have the opportunity to be part of the very fabric that binds our society together. I encourage you, this very afternoon, to read the Constitution of the United Sates. You will discover that our founding fathers, in what has proven to be infinite wisdom, designed for us a system of laws. That’s what our society was founded upon. As lawyers, you are in a very unique position to not only shape those laws, but to protect the entire system.
Important words for lawyers of any level of experience.
GB, THHotA
posted by Greg 10:21 AM
