Legal MindsE By Lydia Lum
How Pursuits of Passion Can Boost Careers in Law
IN RECENT MONTHS, Richard Q. Russeth has noticed patterns in the content of depositions and other documents involving a manufacturer that his employer, Leprino Foods, is suing. The patterns are within a mountain of complicated evidence that delves into metallurgy, chemical reactions and engineering, all areas that Russeth, who has worked in-house at various food and ingredient production companies for 30-plus years, has limited familiarity with.
But he credits skills honed in his photography hobby with sharpening his legal abilities. “I’m far better able to manage outside counsel as we prepare for trial,” said Russeth, referring to how photography has helped him as vice president and general counsel at the Denver-based Leprino. “In order to shoot street photos, I must react quickly. After a while, I can see patterns to a good photograph and shoot without thinking. Similarly, I have become more skilled (at work) at catching patterns in the evidence when reviewing depositions related to lawsuits and contractual matters.” Russeth and others say that pursuits of passion outside of their jobs in the legal realm can often build proficiencies and experiences transferable to their careers. Just ask Khiara M. Bridges. A freelance, classically trained ballet dancer, she began lessons at age three and never gave up her pointe shoes. Nowadays, she performs almost monthly with one of the many dance companies in the Northeast. When she was an early-career law school instructor, Bridges gauged students’ facial expresRichard Russeth, vice president sions and body language to deterand general counsel at mine whether her lecture style Leprino, uses his photography was effective. hobby to spot patterns in “Just as I saw how my dancing the evidence when reviewing engaged an audience, I could see depositions related to lawsuits and contractual matters.