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A PROFILE IN PROFESSIONALISM
I recently attended the funeral of a trial attorney who had practiced law for over fifty years. As various speakers described his career, I realized I was more affected by the stories of his personal kindness than I was by those of his professional victories. As an attorney, what legacy do you wish to leave? When you reflect on your legal career, of what will you be most proud? I hope I will be proud of those instances in which I truly helped someone who faced great difficulty. I hope I will be proud of the quality of the representation I provided. But I am certain I will be proud of every moment in which I comported myself at the highest level of professional conduct. When I was a young lawyer, I must confess I was preoccupied with legal results. Then I matured both personally and professionally, under the guidance of several exemplary attorneys with whom I have been privileged to practice law. As a result, I came to appreciate the importance of earning and maintaining a reputation, not just for good results, but for honesty, courtesy and integrity. Lawyers such as Tommy Proctor, Rusty Hardin, Charles Hurd, the late L.S. “Bob” Carsey, and Ed Blizzard have taught me that while results are certainly important, the most enduring legacy we leave is that of decency, kindness and thoughtfulness.
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