Over 600 Years of Wisdom

“Being an attorney or a judge is an extension of who we are, but not who we are.”—Elizabeth Bleakley

“Pick your battles. Don’t argue with opposing counsel over little issues. Only stand your ground when it’s necessary.”—Judge Julie Katz

“Go to lunch when asked. When I was starting my practice two other lawyers with their own practices went to lunch together almost every day and would invite me along. They had each been practicing 20 years longer than me. Most of the time I didn’t go because I thought I was too busy or didn’t have the money to go out for lunch. I wish I would have gone to lunch with them every time they asked. Looking back, I was short sighted. I missed out on their lunch discussions – 40 years of collective wisdom and legal knowledge.”—Kimberly Duda

“Add value.”—Judge Michael Chmiel

“Be kind to others, but also be kind to yourself. For if I am not for me, who will be for me? And if I am not for others, who will be for them?”—Judge James Shapiro

“Be true to your word and demonstrate your positive personal values in all that you do. We know that attorneys work hard and sometimes have difficult clients. Do what is right. Always act with integrity. Your reputation is everything.”—Judge Maureen Schuette

“When someone tells you who they are, believe them.”—Mike Cortina

“Care about Google reviews. Online reviews are the primary selling points (or deal-breakers) for potential clients shopping for the right attorney. Lawyers who represent clients with an eye toward future feedback will find themselves going the extra mile for current clients, both in terms of communication and case outcome. Lawyers who shrug off online reviews do so at their own peril.”—Evan Bruno

“You have the right to tell anyone to stop harassment. You can say, ‘That makes me uncomfortable, please stop.’”—Laura Josephson-Bernat

“Make someone smile today.”—Judge Patrice Ball-Reed

“Grow and develop talent and succession planning to fortify the committees, section council, and ISBA. This is built into the elected roles of the Assembly and the Board of Governors, where after a specific term, you sit off the group, and then you can run again if you choose to do so. So I hope people realize that is the reason, not because the valued/tenured member is being ‘cast aside’ which I think is a dreadful thing that the ISBA is definitely not doing. It also gives our tenured and valued members the opportunity to explore other interests they have with the ISBA.”—Ava George Stewart

“When you meet people, don’t just shake their hand, but ask what you can do to help them.”—Judge (Ret.) Barbara Crowder

“Get young lawyers involved in the ISBA Young Lawyers Division.”—Albert Durkin

“Never be afraid to advocate for yourself. Also, if someone is too busy to answer your question, go back when they’re not busy or ask someone else; do not allow yourself to fail at a task out of fear of ‘bugging’ someone else for help.”—Louisa Nuckolls

“No matter how you are feeling during the day, take a moment and say this might just be the best day ever.”—Judge Mary Colleen Roberts

“Continue being proactive.”—Edward Casmere

“Subscribe to the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”—Dennis Orsey

“It is OK to ask for what you want or need (i.e. a raise, a promotion, time off, etc.).”—Justice Debra Walker

“Build relationships and give unselfishly. Building relationships will increase your satisfaction with your professional experience, improve civility in our profession, allow you to help others, and create a lasting impression in our profession.”—Anna Krolikowska

“From Commander Kelstrom, the first judge before whom I ever appeared, ‘My head can only absorb what my ass can endure.’”—Judge Brian Weinthal