PRESIDENT ' S MESSAGE
What Do Lawyers and Children Have in Common ?
L et ’ s face it , children are really just short lawyers who still get to eat snacks and take naps every day . # jealous . Let ’ s explore , shall we ?
Powers of observation : Lawyers are trained to notice the nuanced differences in language and analyze the implications . As such , most lawyers notice small things that non-lawyers would typically gloss over . Likewise , if you have spent any time , any time at all , with a young child , you know what I mean . Children notice everything . Usually , the things you were hoping they would gloss right over . Which leads us to the second similarity …
Boldness : Lawyers tend to say things like it is a given ; like there is no way we could possibly be wrong . Even if you are pretty certain , but not 100 %, just say it with conviction and dare someone to challenge you . Children , too , have a certain innate boldness - or perhaps it is a lack of fear . Notice something about a stranger in public ? Ask the nearest trusted adult , in a very loud voice , why it is that said stranger did / does / is doing that thing . “ Why did that person just cut in line ?” ( I can feel you cringing ).
CHRISTINA M . BAUGH Barnes & Thornburg LLP cbaugh @ btlaw . com
Inquisitive : Lawyers ask “ why ” all day long . Why does our client want a desired outcome ? Why did our client take a past action ? Why is opposing counsel making this request ? Why did the judge ask that question during the hearing ? Well , kids do the same . All . The . Time . Sometimes the questions are fun (“ why is the sky blue ” or “ why is ice cream so delicious ”), while other times less so (“ why is Grandma gone ” or “ why are you and mom not together ”). Either way , the search for the knowledge is a constant .
Negotiation skills : Lawyers literally get paid to negotiate , whether it is the leading M & A attorney working out the final details of a deal or a litigator reaching a settlement . We learn early not to show our whole hand , to hold certain things back , and find the other side ’ s motivation . Kids are no different . “ May I have two cookies if I eat a second serving of broccoli ?”
4 January / February 2022