In this blog, I continue the consideration of my “annotated” Code of Whole-Person Professionalism with six more pledges from the Code and their associated “annotations,” i.e., pertinent quotes that support each pledge:
- To consider my overall duty to the legal system and to society as a whole when formulating and implementing my advices.
The practice of law is more than a mere trade or business, and … those who engage in it are the guardians of ideals and traditions to which it is right that they should from time to time dedicate themselves anew. Hugh Patterson MacMillan
- If blessed with children, a spouse and/or other family, to be an involved, loving, devoted and caring family member, eschewing the myth/copout referred to as “quality time” in favor of a lot of quiet, talking, just hanging out time.
For a long time, the myth was called “Quality Time” — as long as the time you spent together was really good time, it didn’t matter how much time you spent. But it’s a myth: What if you fed a child 100 calories a day…but really quality calories…what would happen? Your child will starve. And that’s what happens when parents impose a strict diet of quality time on children. Children starve — for love, for attention, for limits, for guidance, they starve. Rabbi Edward Feinstein
You can’t go to work today. We have lots to talk about. Paul Hood III (at age four)
- To remember how truly blessed with fortune, friends and family I am.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein
Statistically, the probability of any one of us being here is so small that you’d think the mere fact of existing would keep us all in a contented dazzlement of surprise. Thomas Lewis
- To put myself into the shoes of others with whom I interact daily so as to more fully and fairly comprehend their reactions and viewpoints.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia
Everyone is a potential winner. Some people are disguised losers, don’t let their appearances fool you. Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson
- To efficiently manage my time and to remember that I have a life outside of my office and, to that end, endeavor mightily to work only weekdays, and not to work weekends unless absolutely necessary.
The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat. Lily Tomlin
Getting ahead in a law firm means a hefty amount of evening and weekend work…Wall Street lawyers still like to recall an anecdote about the late Hoyt A. Moore, a partner in Cravath, Swaine & Moore. A colleague once told Moore that the firm ought to hire more associates because the staff was overworked. “That’s silly,” Partner Moore replied. “No one is under pressure. There wasn’t a light on when I left at 2 o’clock this morning.” Time January 24, 1964.
The graveyards are full of indispensable men. Charles de Gaulle
In making a living today, many no longer leave room for life. Joseph R. Sizoo, D.D.
There is more to life than increasing its speed. Mahatma Gandhi
People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness. John Wannamaker
Work smarter; not harder. Ron Carswell
It’s not enough to be busy…the question is: What are we busy about? Henry David Thoreau
- To consider the risks that I have been asked to bear in a particular matter in the overall fee that I charge, and to explain this cost element to my client, and to, if need be, walk away from an engagement for that the fee that the client is willing to pay won’t cover that risk.
- If I am in a firm, to remember that it is the little things that separate the good firms from the great ones, and to resolve to do the little things.
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. Michael Jordan
Inches make champions. Vince Lombardi