Category: Personal Thoughts

Conflicts of interest?

One rule for us and a different rule for everyone one else?

Interesting and well-written article in today’s LA Times, written by Sam Farmer. He describes the scramble in the passing-oriented National Football League created by Peyton Manning’ search for a new team. His indecision to date has created chaos for other quarterbacks in the free agency pool. Until Manning gets settled, other free agent quarterbacks aren’t sure of their future.

But one case is of particular note.  Manning interviewed quietly with San Francisco 49ers, and took a physical exam; meanwhile, Alex Smith, their quarterback last year (his best season to date) and currently a free agent, has been talking with the team about a new contract.  But, if Manning signs with SF, Smith is out of a job.

So far, business as usual.   ….  But, both Manning and Smith are represented by the same agent, Tom Condon. Shouldn’t Condon be pushing SF to sign Smith? Or is o.k. for an agent to act as nothing more than a distributor carrying several competitive products with no loyalty to any?

A lawyer who did this would definitely be guilty of violating the rules of professional conduct … Obviously, sports agents are not governed by such "rules." But, isn’t there a degree of professionalism and ethics violated by such an agent. Shouldn’t he have to withdraw or create a "Chinese wall?" Something just doesn’t smell right … at least not the way Sam Farmer describes it.


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Happy Leap Year

Do you feel as though you’re being given a gift, a free day? Best wishes for a great day! Today, we leap forward.  Make it a very special day!


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Language is Everything …

Dodge City

 

We couldn’t wait to "get out o’ Dodge!" 

Now I know the origin of the expression. No offense intended to the good people of this community, but it was hotter than H… when we were there and the people in this business were not dog friendly. 

What do you do with your pet when it’s over 100 degrees in the shade? Can’t take your dog into the mall, into a restaurant, into a movie and not even into this outdoor museum.

Quaint city with some nice features, but not in this heat!  🙂


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Stress can be a killer

Dr. Oz, the popular television medic, recently said that high blood pressure is the "silent killer." Stress, he said, is one of the major causes of high blood pressure.

Lawyers I talk with almost universally tell me about the stress under which they labor. Because of this, I am on the lookout for ways that my advice about improving the lawyer’s operations may also have the impact of reducing his/her stress level. Thus, I am always viewing the practice from a holistic perspective, addressing revenue improvement, operations changes that impact profit, and stress reduction that improves both the professional and personal life of the lawyer. Just knowing that you now have an accountability partner (me as the coach) goes a long way to reduce the stress. For the first time, you really have someone to talk with who can be objective and with whom you can show vulnerability.

In the February 13th edition of the L.A. Times, an article featured a lawyer who clearly is a workaholic. But, she has a marvelous and somewhat unusual perspective of her workload. As the headline says, "stress can hinge on attitudes about work." In other words, if you love what you’re doing, it’s not work; if it’s not work, you may be exhausted at the end of the day, but you won’t be stressed out and unable to cope with your environment. Clearly, this lawyer enjoys what she does. Of course, the feature article didn’t hurt her publicity efforts either.

With this article, came a new word or label, at least for me:  "engaged workaholic."  Said differently, if you are engaged with what you’re doing, if you love what you do, then it’s not "work." It’s play … and how can you get too stressed when you’re playing.

Or, as my father used to say about his work, "… This is my hobby. This is what I love to do."

My hope for you (and therefore your clients) is that you love what you do … and enthusiastically show your clients how to successfully address the challenges they bring to you.


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Language is Everything …

Abel Law Firm

Are you Abel or Able? 

Are you “for sale?” (See the sign in the background.) 

Is this a sign or is this a sign? 

The building and the land on which it sits are equally large. 

Must be a personal injury law firm.


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