DOWNTO BUSINESS
DOWNTO BUSINESS
IS THE LAW A‘ JEALOUS MISTRESS’; DOES IT HAVE TO BE? By: Guy O. Kornblum
“ The law is a jealous mistress and requires a long and constant courtship. It is not to be won by trifling favors, but lavish homage.” This is a phrase I have heard since law school. The message was clear: Be prepared to commit yourself to a lifetime of work while neglecting other activities and distractions as you needed to devote all your energies to client matters. As a student in law school, I accepted this message and was prepared to devote my energies to helping others with my legal advice and guidance. Since, I have learned that ignoring your personal health and family is neither desirable nor necessary to be successful as a lawyer and practitioner, which is what I have been during my over 50 years of practice in a civil trial and litigation specialty. Setting goals and keeping them as best you can will, in my view, lead you to achieve a more‘ balanced’ professional and personal life, and will also make you a more valuable person for those close to you as well as your clients. While a career as a lawyer is demanding, it does not have to take over your life. With effort and attention you can maintain a balance between work and your other responsibilities and still fulfill your professional responsibilities to your clients. Here are my thoughts regarding our commitment to being a successful practitioner without compromising goals for seeking a quality of life:
22 The Trial Lawyer