Tag: experience

“The harder you work, the luckier you get.” -Gary Player

“The harder you work, the luckier you get.” -Gary Player

In 2017, I had just finished representing a client at a Mandatory Settlement Conference at the Orange County Superior Court. Walking through the lobby on the first floor, I was approached by a stranger.

He asked, “Are you a lawyer? If so, can I ask you a quick question?”

With my curiosity piqued, we chatted for a few minutes and I steered the conversation in a helpful direction, offering guidance and advice. Grateful for the support, he asked for my contact information before inquiring about my experience as a lawyer.

On the drive back to the office, I took a moment to reflect on the specifics of my legal career. Arriving at my desk, I started crunching the numbers beginning with first client and jury trial way back in 1986.

Together with my partner, Lisa Wilson, these were the combined numbers back in 2017. All I can say is time flies when you’re having fun!

✅ 124,800 hours of combined experience practicing law (the real number is more);

✅ 2,640 hours of combined court and jury trials. This number jumps up to 5,200+ if you take pre-trial preparation and litigation into consideration;

✅ 2,000 hours of combined mediations and arbitrations (again, probably more);

What a crazy ride it’s been!

Looking back, Gary had it right. The more we do something the luckier we get!

I’m now available for private mediation and arbitration. Details here.

Time Flies!

Four years ago after finishing a pre-trial Settlement Conference down at the Orange County Superior Court, a young man stopped me in the hallway and asked if he could ask a legal question.

I had a couple of minutes and said, “Sure, what can I do for you?”

Once we were done, he thanked me for answering his question and getting him going in the right direction. He then asked, “How long have you been practicing law.”

I answered, “Well, my partner, Lisa, and I have been lawyers for about 30 years. We’ve pretty much seen it all.”

On my drive back to the office, I thought about his question a bit more. I ran the numbers for both of us later that day, and what I saw caught me by surprise:

      • 124,800 hours of combined experience practicing law (this was a conservative estimate, and the real number is much more);
      • 2,640 hours of combined court and jury trials. This number jumps up to 5,200+ if you take pre-trial preparation into consideration;
      • 2,000 hours of combined mediations and arbitrations (again, probably more).

Because almost half a decade has passed since I was asked this question, these numbers are even higher today.

What are your numbers? Regardless of who you are or what you do for a living, how much time have you put into your craft, education, job or profession?

It’s crazy when you really think about it but time really does fly!

Mitch

BTW, if you need to find a lawyer, here are three good ways to find a great lawyer.