Attendees Share Best Advice

During the GBA meeting on Sept. 15, the Membership Committee posed a question as part of an icebreaker activity.  Attendees were asked to share their best advice received pertaining to the practice of law.  Below are some of their responses:

• Always do the right thing.
• Remember that the most valuable thing you have as an attorney is your credibility.
• Be candid and transparent.
• See your clients in jail as much as you possibly can.  You may be the only one they see.
• Don’t comment too much from the bench.
• If you mess up, fess up!
• Slow & steady.
• When dealing with parties before you in court, remember that human beings are fallible,
  and they are there because they screwed up–but they remain human beings that should be treated with dignity.
• Make sure to be involved in activities unrelated to the law that you have a passion for and do the best you can with it–you need balance!
• In doing trial work, use the restroom at every break–you don’t know when the next recess will be called.
• Return calls the same day.
• You have two ears and one mouth–listen often.
• Don’t take thing personally in litigation. It is business.
• Take your reputation and work seriously when
  you work with a group that took years to build
  its reputation.
• Your word is your bond.
• Don’t cry over spilled milk;
  it could have been whiskey.
• Be patient and don’t panic.
• When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
• As a lawyer you won’t get wealthy, but you’ll
  enjoy yourself, eat well & enjoy the camaraderie
  of good people.
• If you fail to prepare, then you prepare to fail.
• Get paid up front.
• If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not doing anything.
• If all parties are unhappy, then you’ve reached
  a good settlement.
• Upon graduating from high school, my great uncle sent me a long letter of advice
  which included not needing to know everything and not to be dismayed at not mastering all dance steps.
• Get a good night’s sleep; the quality of your life
  is 10% what happens to you and 90% your attitude!
• Pick up the phone and call.