Lerch Launches Practice Tips

(monthly post by Bev Lerch Nored and Jenny Cochrane)

Pro bono service provided me a smooth landing as I ventured in to unknown – the practice of law. After hanging out my own shingle, my role as a pro bono attorney fostered personal and professional relationships I cherish to this day.

By training, dicta brings to mind information, other than a holding, in case law. As a writer contributing to this blog, I challenge my own perceptions of Pro Bono Service and of the function of Dicta.

In praise of effective, colorful, even poetic dicta, I offer from a recent case the following quote: “Presumptions are the bats of the law, flitting away in the light of evidence.” Kudos to anyone who can tell me which month this opinion was written and what Division it came out of.

So you may wonder how this “space shot of a lawyer” (pun intended) relates to my 5 Practice Tips.

(1) Have fun in practicing law. Watch for and note beauty, irony, and tragedy for this is the stuff that makes up life and the practice of law.

(2) Do not take yourself too seriously. Speaking from experience, when I take myself too seriously, I miss a great source of humor and joy.

(3) Accept challenges (both paid and volunteer).

(4) Under promise then over deliver in all commitments.

(5) Collaborate with peers.

(*extra* = 6) Respond to blog posts. Please join us in our support of the community and each other by posting your comments, then keep coming back. Our success in blog land depends upon you.