 |
|
||
| |
FROM THE EDITOR
Avoiding Becoming ‘The Lawyer In The Elevator’ One of 2007’s most critically acclaimed films is Fracture, starring Anthony Hopkins as a wily murder defendant. The protagonist of the film is the “rising star” young prosecutor. Prosecuting Hopkins’ character is to be his last case at the district attorney’s office. He is set to take a job in private practice with the large downtown law firm, Wooten Sims. At a key plot point in the movie, he approaches his future supervising senior associate at the firm’s elevator bank about the desperate need for a referral to a pro bono guardianship attorney to help save the life of an incapacitated woman. As the elevator door closes on him, her reply is to ask, “What does that have to do with Wooten Sims?” The first instinct of those of us in downtown law firms is to complain that such portrayals contribute to the negative public perception of lawyers so often written about in recent years. However, I viewed that scene in the movie as a reminder. As the pressures to keep our firms profitable and our clients satisfied mount, we should strive never to be the lawyer in the elevator asking what the plight of the helpless has to do with us. Fortunately, this magazine has consistently been a vehicle to remind its readers about the goals of professionalism, and I am proud to take the reins from our immediate past editor in chief, Michelle Cash. This year’s editorial board is a vibrant group of professionals who practice in a broad range of areas. I cannot imagine anyone on our board being that lawyer in the elevator. Our first issue for this bar year is one of general interest. We have substantive legal articles on a range of topics. The Houston Bar Association’s Fee Dispute Committee has written an article composed as a group effort which outlines the goals and functions of that committee. New editorial board member, Nelson Ebaugh, has written an article on the areas of securities regulation dealing with Texas’ new rules for finders. Sofia Androgue has authored a discussion of the role of the Texas Medical Board in regulating health care in Texas, with an eye toward the impact of tort reform on that role. On the topic of tort reform, Kevin Cain has written a look back at the facts behind the notorious “McDonald’s coffee case” which inspired many calls for such reform. If you have an article idea that you feel would be of interest to our readers, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our board. On a personal note, I would like to add that my grandmother, Sara Dell Binion, edited an award-winning magazine, The Teller, in this city during the 1960’s. My grandfather, Clayte Binion, served as managing editor, then executive editor, of The Houston Chronicle during the 1960’s and 1970’s. I am gratified that a member of the family is once again serving as editor of another fine Houston publication. I want to thank this year’s HBA president, Tommy Proctor, for this opportunity. Enjoy the issue!
|
