Originally posted on 12/3/2019 (reformatted).
“Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?”
Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda
The idea of legacy is sometimes contemplated in our more senior years. It certainly may not rank high on your list of priorities as a young lawyer. You may be thinking, “Legacy? Dude, I’m just trying to keep my head above water with billables!” So before waxing too many poetic thoughts about who we are and what we wish to become, thoughts on the topic will be kept somewhat brief. After all, it is never too early to start planning for who we are and who we want to become.
What we do
Often people can be defined by what they do. Have you ever experienced a certain reaction from someone simply by virtue of the fact you say you are an attorney? Some may be impressed. Some may expect you to be wealthy. Conversely, others may be completely disgusted as a negative image of the role attorneys play may be the only example some may carry with them. Regardless of what others may think of the work we do, we can only control our own actions.
Being an attorney is so much more than a certain image or a specific role. Inherently engaged in serving others, the myriad of opportunities one has within this profession is vast. As new or young attorneys, we face unique pressures, different from our more seasoned counterparts. Often given assignments no one else wants or has to complete, seemingly insurmountable billable hours, carrying the least amount of clout, survival may be the main focus. However, it should not necessarily be the onlyfocus. The work we do – right now – is important. The people we serve matters – right now. And, the way we lead by example starts right now.
Who we are
Perhaps more importantly, who we are will be more defining than any amount of work we ever do. How do we interact with our opposing counsel? Are we honest in our dealings, both professionally and personally? Do we treat others well?
In the legal field, being assertive, aggressive, demanding, and a host of other “strong” attributes are coveted. And, to an extent, they are very much warranted. Our work, my friends, is not for the faint of heart. We need to be strong to stand up for justice, our clients, and for those who need us in their hour of need. Yet, our strong characteristics may need to be tempered with humility, generosity, and displaying graciousness toward others.
I want to avoid using the term “good.” Of course, a lot of us want to be “good” people. But what does it mean specifically? More importantly, what does it mean to us individually? Survey ten people and you may receive ten different answers. Rather than provide an opinion of what I think this means to me, I encourage all of us to live our best lives. And, overall, it can be a combination of the qualities discussed above.
Don’t take it from me, just another young lawyer. Rather, I challenge us to think about the answer to the quote above. Who will tell your story? And what type of story do you want to leave behind when you’re gone? The foundation to our legacy starts right now.
Kristina Bilowus
Kizy Law
Southfield, MI
Inter Alia 