Folks who know me well know I enjoy teaching new lawyers. Given the frequent procedural, ethical and strategic questions such lawyers bring to me, I decided to try to formalize the process. Thus, August 18th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., I am going to host a “class” for such newbies at my office. If it goes well, the intent would be to do something similar the second or third Thursday of every month. This “school” is free and is open to anyone who meets the following three criteria: self-employed, of counsel or marginally employed; practices family law in tri-county area; licensed under three years. Attendees can ask me questions regarding family law or appellate case strategy and procedure, attorney-client relations, attorney-attorney relations and rules of professional conduct, and I will try to cite rules and case law when I can.
Four ground rules
1. Don’t mention client names when asking questions
2. Don’t conflict me out if the other side later wants to retain me
3. Be prepared to offer your own suggestions to your colleagues if you have had similar experiences/problems
4. If you are asking questions about a case and opposing counsel is also present, let me know so that I can make sure opposing counsel doesn’t object to my answering
Within those constraints, the goal is simply to assist new lawyers in becoming better lawyers. Anyone who plans on attending should email me so that I can make sure we have enough room.
Thank you, once again, for donating your free time and allowing so many of the newer local attorneys pick your brain last night. I truly believe we all got something out of it. Even those of us who didn’t ask direct questions were able to grab a quite a few words of wisdom and practice tips from listening to you answer the other questions. I am definitely looking forward to Session #2!
I really enjoyed the Newbie class last night. I particularly appreciate that fact that I was surrounded by a considerable number of newbies who eagerly posed questions or concerns that I share now or know I will face in the future. The atmosphere was collegial and relaxed. There were neither egos nor feelings of inadequacy by participating members. We were all there to learn and help each other with your guidance. Thank you for giving so selflessly of yourself to make us better attorneys and adversaries. I look forward to the next class.
Excellent learning session, Greg. Thanks for including me. We’re all pretty thirsty for some strategic knowledge, and this was like drinking from a fire hose. Thanks also to everyone who participated and allowed others to learn from their questions. I’m looking forward to our next meeting.
I concur with all of the above– what a wonderful opportunity! Thank you, Greg, for sharing your wealth of experience and knowledge with us and providing another forum for us to establish a connection with our colleagues. The atmosphere was not only collegial and relaxed, but it was also fun. I am certainly looking forward to our next meeting.
Thanks, Greg, for an entertaining and informative class! Not only did you provide answers to questions about nuts & bolts procedural matters, but you also unselfishly shared strategic wisdom, reminding us to always ask, “Why?” and “To what end?” that will make the newest members of the bar much better practitioners. I am looking forward to the next session. Thanks again for donating your valuable time.
As the responses above make clear, we are all tremendously grateful to you for taking the time to host these Q & A sessions. I recognized most of the faces in the room and I know we are all eager to learn. I especially appreciate you following up with links to the cases and topics we discussed. Sincerely, thank you for taking time to advise and educate us.
Greg:
Thank you, once again, for donating your free time and allowing so many of the newer local attorneys pick your brain last night. I truly believe we all got something out of it. Even those of us who didn’t ask direct questions were able to grab a quite a few words of wisdom and practice tips from listening to you answer the other questions. I am definitely looking forward to Session #2!
Greg:
I really enjoyed the Newbie class last night. I particularly appreciate that fact that I was surrounded by a considerable number of newbies who eagerly posed questions or concerns that I share now or know I will face in the future. The atmosphere was collegial and relaxed. There were neither egos nor feelings of inadequacy by participating members. We were all there to learn and help each other with your guidance. Thank you for giving so selflessly of yourself to make us better attorneys and adversaries. I look forward to the next class.
Excellent learning session, Greg. Thanks for including me. We’re all pretty thirsty for some strategic knowledge, and this was like drinking from a fire hose. Thanks also to everyone who participated and allowed others to learn from their questions. I’m looking forward to our next meeting.
Greg:
I concur with all of the above– what a wonderful opportunity! Thank you, Greg, for sharing your wealth of experience and knowledge with us and providing another forum for us to establish a connection with our colleagues. The atmosphere was not only collegial and relaxed, but it was also fun. I am certainly looking forward to our next meeting.
Thanks, Greg, for an entertaining and informative class! Not only did you provide answers to questions about nuts & bolts procedural matters, but you also unselfishly shared strategic wisdom, reminding us to always ask, “Why?” and “To what end?” that will make the newest members of the bar much better practitioners. I am looking forward to the next session. Thanks again for donating your valuable time.
Greg,
As the responses above make clear, we are all tremendously grateful to you for taking the time to host these Q & A sessions. I recognized most of the faces in the room and I know we are all eager to learn. I especially appreciate you following up with links to the cases and topics we discussed. Sincerely, thank you for taking time to advise and educate us.