Author: Murray Gottheil

Categories
Mental Health and Work/Life Balance

Justifiable Paranoia – Nothing New Under the Sun

Woman sitting back to back with herself. The second version of herself is whispering to her.
Photo by Cottonbro Studio at Pexels.

“All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again.”

Battlestar Galactica, Peter Pan, and Ecclesiastes 1:9

It is not often that I quote the Bible, but when the Bible is validated by both Peter Pan and Battlestar Galactica, it has to be right.

In 1994, which may as well be back before the beginning of recorded history as far as people entering law school now are concerned, the Los Angeles Times ran an article written by Amiram Elwork under the following title, “‘Justifiable Paranoia’ Afflicts Lawyers, Psychologist Says.”

read more about mental health and the legal profession “Justifiable Paranoia – Nothing New Under the Sun”
Categories
Client Development

The More Things Change, the More Lawyers Still Screw Up Marketing

A fully clothed skeleton sitting at a desk and typing at a computer.
Photo by Oussama Bergaou at Pexels.

“Either you follow-up or you fold-up.”  

Bernard Kelvin Clive

I recently observed a law firm doing some impressive online marketing. At the same time, to quote Shania Twain, when it came to the follow-up, “that [didn’t] impress me much.”

Here is my story:

I was doing a bit of research, hoping to find an answer to a legal question to solve a personal issue. I quickly came across a great website for a boutique firm which appeared to have all of the expertise that I need. Great articles, videos with a lawyer who has personality plus, and the offer of a free discovery session. Clearly this firm had the expertise that I required to solve my rather discreet problem.

read more about bad marketing follow-up “The More Things Change, the More Lawyers Still Screw Up Marketing”
Categories
Client Development

Never Trust a Lawyer Who Doesn’t Make Mistakes

A sign which says, "Work Hard, Stay Humble."
Photo by Maddie Freddie at Pexels.

Back in the day, I would have an Associate join a client meeting with instructions to speak up if they thought I was getting something wrong. Of course, they would only do so occasionally because I was not wrong all that often. When they did, if their point was not so great, I would respectfully acknowledge it and move on, but if it was valuable, I would say so and say to the client something like, “that’s why I had her sit in.”

read more about being humble to win clients “Never Trust a Lawyer Who Doesn’t Make Mistakes”
Categories
Retirement

You are Old. We are Greedy. Get the Hell Out!

Older man with a white beard and a cap.
Photo by Pixabay at Pexels.

Since professional firms are usually partnerships, the well-compensated people at the top of the pyramid are partners, not employees. As a result, all of that stuff that protects employees from discrimination on the basis of age in the Human Rights Code does not apply to them, at least where I live in Ontario, Canada.

With that over-simplified but pithy summary of the law, I have explained how partners in accounting firms and law firms can be squeezed out in their early sixties.

read more about ageism in the legal profession “You are Old. We are Greedy. Get the Hell Out!”
Categories
Legal Fees

Silent Stupidity

An older man holding a finger up to his lips to make the silence gesture.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio at Pexels.

“Fools believe silence is a void needing to be filled; the wise understand there’s no such thing as silence.”

Michael J. Sullivan, Age of Myth

Client: Why do I want to pay for two lawyers to be in this meeting?

read more about how lawyers anwer that question “Silent Stupidity”
Categories
The Mentality and Attitudes of Lawyers

Too Nice For This World

A somber looking stone angel.
Photo by Francesco Ungaro at Pexels.

Before you read this story, I should let you know that this is a sad story which does not end well.

Long ago I had a great professional relationship and friendship with Laurence.  I liked Laurence a lot.  He was honest and ethical. He cared about his clients, his family, and his relationships. He taught me valuable lessons about dealing with clients and co-workers.

read more about our actions affecting the mental health of others “Too Nice For This World”
Categories
Legal Tech

Musings of a Medium-Tech Lawyer about Cruise ships, Technology, and Mental Health

Musings of a Medium-Tech Lawyer about Cruise ships, Technology, and Mental Health
Categories
Client Development

Bah, Humble

Serious looking young woman whose face is partially obscured by a tree trunk.
Photo by Amirr Zolfaqari at Pexels.

I spoke to a young lawyer the other day who hails from another country. I will call her Natalie.  Natalie explained to me that where she comes from, the culture is such that self-promotion is frowned upon.  In her country, people do not think much of braggarts and blowhards. They respect people who are humble.

read more about self-promotion “Bah, Humble”
Categories
Mentoring

To Thine Own Self Be True

Woman packing a box marked "Fired"
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA at Pexels.

“This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” 

Hamlet – William Shakespeare.

I drove into the Big City the other day and had brunch with an old friend who I will call Sandy, because that is her name.

read more about being an employee or a business owner “To Thine Own Self Be True”
Categories
Law Students and Young Lawyers

What Danger Lurks in the Shadow of Brilliance?

Yellow Dead End sign.
Photo by Dustin Tray at Pexels.

Now that I have been retired for a few years, I sometimes wonder whether my experience as to how law firms work remains valid. Also, since I spent my days with medium-sized firms and not in Big Law, I occasionally worry that my view of what goes on in Big Law is not correct.

But then I speak to lawyers working in Big Law and they invariably confirm that Big Law is exactly what I always thought it was (which is just Medium Law on steroids, with worse side effects), and nothing has changed, and likely never will.

read more about the danger of working in the shadow of brilliance “What Danger Lurks in the Shadow of Brilliance?”