EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR'S
REPORT
-By William A. Martin
Eight C's pius two X's equal C squared, or how to practice law and get a life - this is a formula for success as a person and as C1 lawyer which David L. Nixon, former President of the New Hampshire Bar Association, shared with attorneys attending an Ethics and Products Liability Litigation seminar at last summer's American Bar meeting. Each letter stands for the beginning of descriptive words that provide us with images of goals, approaches, attitudes, and achievements we should strive for. What follows is my distillation and of embellishment David Nixon's words and ideas. Commitment. When we enter into any activity, be it the practice of law or family activities or community involvement, we must have the commitment to be the best we can be. Representing clients with "Olympian Zeal" is the only acceptable standard. Competence. Ethical standards
demand we be competent when we undertake to handle another's problems and causes. Constant study, practice, planning and observation are necessary to maintain it. Along with being competent we must know our limitations, know when we are not competent to handle a particular problem and when we must refer the matter or
associate someone who is competent
on that subject. Compassion. Clients deserve to know by our acts and our words that 46
ARKANSAS LAWYER
JANUARY 1993
we are concerned and care about their problems. Genuine welcome to our office, continual follow-up and explaining what is happening to their case are ways we make sure we care and they know we care. Civility. Courtesy and being considerate and thoughtful are other descriptive words for this attribute. Civility toward opposing counsel, their clients and the courts lubricates the judicial machinery. We can do much through cooperation and agreement on providing Wormation, time extensions, and stipulations rather than use extensive formal discovery and motions to contest everything. It behooves us to work together to narrow the issues which a judge or jury must decide and save everyone time, money and anguish. Another side of this coin is being ever alert to say "thank you," "congratulations," "good job," and similar things which make living and working together easier.
Charity. In many ways what we give away we possess more than what we keep. We have been so blessed to be lawyers that one way we recognize that blessing is to give of our money, our possessions and, even more importantly, of our time in charitable endeavors, including pro bono work, to those individuals and organizations which need our charity. Concern. There is no place for apathy or selfishness among lawyers. We must think about and be concerned with making our
profession and our comn1unities, local, national and global, better and then translate that concern into works.
Confidence. In everything we undertake we can project confidence when we know we have prepared, have practiced and are ready to complete properly the tasks we want to accomplish. Common Sense. We probably never would have gotten this far if we didn't have common sense. It remains for us to always use it-to say and do what makes sense and, in Shakespeare's words: "To thine own self be true." To these eight C's we add two XiS: Extra-Curricular Activities, things that have nothing to do with the law, fishing, golf, recreational reading, travel, church involvement, and a multitude of other activities that clear and refresh our minds, along with Exercise, walking, ambling, jogging, swimming, tennis or other vigorous activities which benefit both our body and our brain. Add up Commitment, Competence, Compassion CivilitYI Charity, Concern, Confidence and Common Sense plus throw in ExtraCurricular Activities and Exercise. The results equal C2, Completeness as a lawyer and a person and Contentment with what we are and what we have achieved each day whkh provides an ability to handle stress and enjoy life. l