I’ve been practicing for over 20 years now. Amazing. So I thought I would list some of the pieces of advice I’ve gotten over the years that have helped me become a better lawyer and (maybe) a better person:

• Learn the client’s business

• Ask the client questions

• If the client wants to help, let him

• Don’t let the client tell you how to try the case

• Do let the client control the facts

• you don’t have to repeat yourself

• when the judge talks shut up

• say “thank you” even when you don’t agree

• if you don’t try cases you have no business telling others how to try cases

• there is no mistake that can’t be fixed. The trick is knowing how to fix it

• if you do criminal defense work: it is not you who needs to bring a toothbrush to the courthouse

• You get into more trouble talking too much

• get paid. Money or satisfaction but get paid.

• As I get older I yell less

• If you ever are less than candid with a judge the whole world will know it and you will never ever get another chance in court. Judges know.

• stretch yourself

• Moderation is for monks. To enjoy life take a big bite.

• quantity is not quality. Don’t mistake number of pages for quality of arguments

• check their citations. Sometimes they make mistakes

• put it in writing

• take lots of notes

• know when to shut up

• No case is perfect, find the flaw

• there’s always something new to learn

• there is nothing “civil” about “civil litigation”. That’s why I call it “business brawls”