SBAND PRESIDENT
WHAT DEFINES A
SUCCESSFUL ATTORNEY?
IT'S NOT FOUND IN FAME AND FORTUNE
ZACK PELHAM
SBAND President
I’m going to say something obvious: we
attorneys have hard jobs. We juggle a lot.
We try to do it all. But to what end? And
for what purpose? Well, for our clients,
right? To be successful at “winning” cases?
Maybe getting that paycheck to provide
ourselves and families a comfortable living?
Why then do many attorneys lament our
often difficult profession? Many of us are
doing well financially. Many of us are doing
well professionally. We are respected and
held in high esteem among our peers and
in the communities we serve. While our
profession is often subject to some ribbing
by non-attorneys, those folks like us plenty
when we’re representing them!
For many, our legal careers define a large
part of who we are, and that’s okay. But
being an attorney doesn’t define who I am.
Dig deeper with me. What is a successful
attorney?
I can tell you true success is not found
in fame or fortune. These things are nice,
but one is often left wanting more and
more. When are we ever truly satisfied?
That satisfaction may last for a time, but
it ends when we want the next new thing.
Success will not be found in tangible
things or moments of popularity that will
disappear. What we think will satisfy in the
material world will suffice only so long as
the next item we desire comes (and then
goes). Of course, we need affirmation and
material items to live, but our society has
come to over-emphasize this panacea in
being “successful.” It is time we stopped and
realized these fallacies.
I know true success is not found in seeking
to please people. We all want to please –
some to more degrees than others. This is
something in our line of work we should
strive to do, but to what end? Ultimately,
some clients may never be pleased. We’ve
had clients like this (and if not, you will).
This, of course, doesn’t mean we don’t try.
But no sugar coating! As one of my mentors
says to clients at times, “You didn’t hire
a cheerleader, you hired an attorney.” An
attribute of a successful attorney is giving
frank counsel to a client who will not like it.
I believe successful attorneys foster
relationships. With our clients, sure. But
more so with our colleagues and staff. Why
be cross with people who are doing the same
work? Yes, we disagree, but we must maintain
the diminishing art of collegiality with those
on the other side of the aisle. Why? I believe
a core reason for advocating for civility is to
comply with our obligations to our clients.
There are times when motions to compel and
motions for sanctions are appropriate. But
these are last resorts. These types of motions
don’t benefit my client if I could have
reached a solution with opposing counsel
through civil discourse. To be civil means
more to our profession than just getting
along. Civility equals efficiency and best
practice that benefits our clients.
A successful attorney takes many forms –
this article is non-exhaustive. Each attorney
will have strengths and weaknesses and has
(or will) discover through practice what
works. We’ve all got smarts, but smarts will
only get you so far. A successful attorney
is one who stays humble, provides frank
counsel, and strives to remain civil.
SUMMER 2018
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