Lessons Learned: Reflections from a Retiring Lawyer

LESSONS LEARNED: REFLECTIONS FROM A RETIRING LAWYER By: John Eldridge

YOUR REPUTATION

Your reputation is everything as an attorney. It determines what other lawyers in the Bar think of you, how judges treat you, and even whether the public has a clue as to who you are and what they think of you.

So how do you create a good reputation? The simple truth is that you create your reputation with every interaction you have throughout the course of the day.

When you tell another lawyer something, can she rely on you to keep your word? Are you honest and forthright in your dealings? Do you return all your phone calls? Do you leave other lawyers hanging, hoping they won’t realize you are ignoring them?

Some attorneys think that their reputation comes from the cases they get or the trials they win. Yes, that is true, but your reputation is so much more than that. When you make that first phone call of the day (and perhaps it feels like practicing law is all about talking on the phone), do you greet your adversary with respect? With interest in him or her as a person? Early in my practice, I recall suing someone in a car wreck case, and Bob Cheek (now deceased) called me representing the insured defendant. He welcomed me to the case and then spent about fifteen minutes just “jawing” with me. At the time, I was buffaloed by those extra fifteen minutes of “jawing”. But now I see Bob Cheek was establishing a relationship with me that would go well beyond that case. Smart man.

Your reputation is everything that goes out of your office with your name on it as well. Remember, others read your pleadings and gain a sense of you from your written words, particularly judges. When they get a well-drafted pleading, even if they don’t agree with you, it makes an impression and becomes a part of your reputation.

Other lawyers read your letters, your pleadings, and briefs. Well researched? Well written? Open communication? Yes, all of this is a part of your reputation.

What about the Bar? Do you do your fair share of labor for the good of the Bar and the community? Do you donate some time to pro bono causes? Believe me, other lawyers pay attention to your involvement in the Bar and legal association activities. Throughout my career, I have been involved, in one way or another, in getting to know other lawyers through committee work or social events, and it has only helped my practice.

In short, you are developing your reputation with everything you do; from the way you treat the person on the other end of the line, what you submit as the written word, how you handle yourself in court, and even how you trust your office staff.

You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Make it one that will enhance your reputation!