One of the greatest fears for aging attorneys is Alzheimer’s. We spend our entire lives using our mind to advance our careers. The thought of the erosion of our memories due to this disease is alarming. Luckily, neuroscience has shown that there are effective ways to battle the onset of Alzheimer’s at any age. Professor […]
The year that I passed the bar exam, the economy was tight and there was a glut of new lawyers. My wife and I were responsible for two teenagers in High School, and could not relocate without uprooting them. I hung out my shingle and took a contract attorney position to earn a small amount […]
Ah Unicorns…those mystical, magical, one-horned creatures that many of us searched for as kids. We thought that if we could catch one, we would be given magical powers. As adults, we know they do not exist and have given up chasing unicorns. Or have we? Many of us are not fully satisfied in our chosen […]
In addition to coaching, I am still a practicing trial lawyer. Every morning before a trial, I get extremely nervous. I worry about not putting enough work into the trial prep. I fret about what my witnesses will say on the stand. I cringe about voir dire. Whatever negative thoughts there are, they will go […]
Last year a local play was produced in Portland, Oregon, called Note to Self. The play presents a series of actors portraying the characters’ younger and older selves. Each would write notes to the other. The younger actors would contemplate what will occur in their lives over the next 40 years. The older actors would […]
“Get’cha Head in the Game ” Over a decade ago, Disney released High School Musical and it took the tween world by storm. Somehow, my wife and I were roped into watching. One song in particular has remained with me ever since. “Get’cha Head in the Game” performed by Zac Efron. It was not the lyrics, […]
The art of email etiquette is not taught in law school. Students are taught how to “think like lawyers,” but are left clueless how to most effectively use email. Below are seven email etiquette tips that are often forgotten: Subject Line Etiquette Make sure your […]
An inexpensive way for lawyers to improve their courtroom skills is to take an acting or improv class. In college, I took an acting class to fulfill arts credit. I learned to be an effective actor, you must be able to get in touch with both your emotions and the emotions of your character. This […]
Without Toastmasters, I would not be the trial lawyer that I am today. Toastmasters International helps people become better public speakers. The organization also offers a very effective leadership training program. Ralph Smedley started Toastmasters in 1924 in the basement of a California YMCA. I am a second generation Toastmaster and have been involved in a […]
Sometimes a person just needs a career break. A client of mine used to love photography. It seemed to help him clear his mind and encouraged his artistic side. When I first met him, he admitted that the last time he worked a camera was 10 years ago. He had become engulfed by his career, […]
