Pursuits of Happiness |
JEB : That is the # 1 issue when you talk to Mike Kennedy or read about malpractice ; it ’ s setting expectations . The # 1 issue with lawyers is disappointing their clients , and in some ways that sets you up for malpractice--you have to set the expectations early that you are not going to answer them at night . MK : And that is what you do .
JEB : And it ’ s really helpful .
MK : I do under certain circumstances , of course , give my client my cell phone number or depending on what is going on , they will have access to me if they really need it . But I generally set these expectations in some form at our first meetings , I say , “ just so you know , I am ordinarily not available after 5pm and if it ’ s an emergency situation …
JEB : 5 ? MK : Yeah , 5 !
JEB : 5 ? MK : 5 !
JEB : That ’ s impressive . MK : I have got to be there for the kids at 5:15 .
JEB : But Vermont is a hard place to make a living . People say that they have to work that much more than somewhere else because of what the clients have for money and what else is out there .
MK : You know , I guess what I am going to say is that it is working for me . I have only ever worked in Rutland , so I really don ’ t have anything to judge that against . In terms of my own career .
JEB : True .
MK : But , I guess I am just really blessed , I don ’ t worry about money , sometimes that makes me a bad business woman , and sometimes that means I have months that are a little less abundant than others .
JEB : But you don ’ t need much here , that ’ s the other thing .
MK : Yeah , I just am thankful that it is not something that I have really had to worry about . I feel like being able to pay my bills and provide for my kids and still have some fun in life is enough ; that is where I am at . I should probably do more forward planning and strategic planning for retirement , and yes I have some of those things in place , but it is just not something that consumes me . I come to work every day and I do the best I can for my clients , and people keep calling .
JEB : That is the important thing . Younger lawyers get a bad rap from the older
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lawyers who say ‘ well I was there until 3 in the morning …’
MK : Right . That is not a life I live , or want to live , but you are absolutely right . Growing up , my parents worked very hard , very hard . My mom owned her own business with a couple of partners and my Dad was on the road with a sales company , working really , really long hours and I have a lot of respect for that , but from my own perspective , they have missed such a huge portion of their lives . We spend so much time at work , which is important and it is meaningful , but if you can find some purpose and meaning in your work , then that is just icing on the cake .
JEB : Enjoy your work , but keeping balance is the most important thing .
MK : I think that my generation and probably the generation below me , most of the professionals in this age group are really hard workers , they do actually have a really good work ethic , but they get the big picture , they get that we only have one life here and if you want to spend it until 3am every night , researching a project ok , that is fantastic for you , enjoy yourself , I hope you love it , but the rest of us are saying , no , a balance is what makes you feel centered in life .
JEB : It is a huge generation shift , because you still hear so much of it , how the young lawyers don ’ t work as much but I mean , you are here every day , you get your job done , and , more icing , if you have more balance then I ’ ve found you are more focused when you are here . MK : Absolutely .
JEB : I have seen that happen a lot with younger lawyers .
MK : I saw some of that in other law firms that I have worked for , that the priority regarding work is different . The priority used to be your career is everything ; it defines who you are , it provides for your family , it is your status in your community , which all 3 of those things are wonderful , in fact can help define who you are , but I just have seen a shift in our generation that recognizes that piece can be very important and fulfilling , but there has just been this sort of blind eye to fun .
JEB : Yeah , right--fun . MK : Fun . It ’ s like , what happened ? I don ’ t even know how that happened .
JEB : Well in all of our surveys , the lawyers say they want to have more fun , but we just cannot seem to get them to come and have fun together ….
MK : I think it comes down to a matter of what your priorities are .
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JEB : Right .
MK : It really is and if one assesses your ultimate priorities and arranged your life around those priorities , then there becomes a balance in a way that meets you where you are . I wouldn ’ t know how else to live . I would go crazy doing just one thing .
JEB : Right , and you are very busy so you would think that is a high level of stress , but because you have so many pieces of joy that you do because of your passion , it keeps you centered .
MK : Right , and I think that is what I mean by building your life around your priorities . I , at this point , I love my job , I love my clients , I love it when I get a client walking into my office with a gift in their hand , crying because they are so thankful for what I was able to help them accomplish , and being a person on their journey and on their path to have assisted them in something meaningful and helpful feels amazing . That is the gift of this job . Working with very difficult circumstances and really high , intense and emotional situations is the other side . But I can walk away from it because it doesn ’ t define me . I can walk away from the office and say , now I get to go coach my son ’ s baseball team today and we are going to hit the field . I couldn ’ t be more grateful .
JEB : Right , this is my life , not theirs .
MK : That ’ s right . We are going to hit the field and we are going to play ball and then we are going to go home and we are going to fight about getting their homework done , and getting them to bed on time , and they go to bed and I go to bed and I wake up in the morning ….
JEB : And you are refreshed and you are ready to fight for your client that has difficult circumstances .
MK : Yes , and then on the weekend , I get my music time , and I get to hang out with my friends . You just have to prioritize .
JEB : It seems like everybody who has chosen to live here appreciates the outdoor pursuits … do you do anything outdoors for fun ?
MK : Definitely . I love hiking and recently I went and hiked at Mount Zion in Hubbardton , where the Japanese zen garden is . You need to go , it is amazing ! I went 2 or 3 weekends ago , and the gardens are not even in bloom and it was gorgeous .
JEB : So you will have to go again . MK : I will definitely go again . It was a fairly intense hike and sort of rock climbing hiking , up the side of the mountain , but once I got up there the views were intensely beautiful , so yes , I love being outdoors
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