Our system is an adversarial system.  Too many lawyers confuse the term adversary with that of enemy.   Why is this so?  Perhaps it is because law schools do not teach us how to deal with clients in a way that is constructive for the client (and ultimately destructive to our own well being).  We have to learn that on our own.  Some lawyers learn and others never do. 

     When I got out of law school I was very fortunate to work for Dean Christoffel and Gib Zickerman.  Dean still practices domestic relations law, the most contentious practice of all.  Gib was suing commercial debtors at the time, not much easier.  The first thing they taught me early on was to intellectualize the problem at hand and not to get emotional.  The second thing was that the lawyer does not have to agree with the client and if he does not agree it is the lawyer’s obligation to tell the client.   Gib and Dean always seemed to enjoy what they were doing and that was not lost on me.  I was lucky because I had  good teachers who were willing to take the time and energy to mentor me.

     Tucson is now a big city and most young lawyers do not have much chance to meet with judges and older lawyers who can have a huge impact on formative attitudes that will carry with them for their entire careers.   Those of us who have been practicing for awhile should take the time and meet with younger lawyers and let them know that being honest and frank with clients is the single most important service that we can render to them.  They might also thank you years later when you will be surprised that your kind words had a much larger impact on their lives than you ever could have imagined.  So thanks Dean and thanks Gib, you certainly had impact on mine.

     I can be reached at 624-3000 or ed@laberlaw.net