Just good, practical advice….

The best piece of advice I received was from my first boss, on the day I passed the New Jersey Bar Exam. If I could, I would go back and tell myself that this pearl of wisdom should be followed without deviation. John Waters called me into his office, and he bluntly told me, “The most important thing for a young lawyer is to know, is that you don’t know anything.” My initial reaction was shock. It brought me down to earth. He elaborated that I needed to keep my eyes and ears open, and I would learn what it means to be a lawyer. My license represented that I passed the bare minimum requirement to be considered a lawyer. From that point forward, I should observe and listen to other attorneys, judges and most importantly my support staff. I have tried to adhere to that policy, but I would tell myself to do a better job of paying attention and respect every opportunity to learn from others.

Donald F. Kohler, Jr., Esq., Kohler Law Offices, LLC

Time management is everything. No matter how much pressure you feel from anyone; slow down and do it better than right. Do it excellent and push back against anything trying to rush you. Just don’t miss any statutory or judicially set time periods.

Nathan Volpi, Esq.

Return all calls. Clients, other counsel, community contacts, your Mother.

Randall C. Schauer, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

The Perspective of Retirement

Take a gap year. Go get a Masters in Law (LL.M.) at N.Y.U. Law School. Teach for awhile, like for maybe 30 or more years. Don’t try to be something that you are not, never will be and don’t even want to be. Don’t try to be somebody else. Just be yourself. If you are miserable with what you are doing, don’t give up. It will be better by the time that you turn 50. It is of utmost importance in being a recognized member of the Chester County Bar. There are 200 members of the Chester County Bar Association [1976]. Get to know them all, and get them to know you. Always keep in mind that there is an ancient custom of courtesy in the traditional Bar of Chester County. And don’t ever forget it or even let it slip your mind, even in the face of pressure from your client(s) and the everchanging face of America in the midst of an evolving Western World. Where there is anxiety, there usually follows success. Do not let that anxiety and/or depression lead to excessive

Take a time management class early on, maybe after a year or two of practicing.

Thomas X. McAndrew, Jr., Esq., Siana Law

Be diligent about billing for your services and make sure to get a reasonable deposit up front.

Henri Marcial Esq., Marcial & Haye

Work hard to: listen to the client so you truly understand what the client wants. That sometimes takes many questions. Next: work hard to understand what is driving the other side; what are their needs/desires…this will help you advance your client’s goals.

Andrew Bellwoar, Esq., Bellwoar Kelly alcohol use, tranquillizing drugs, eating disorders, tobacco use, gambling or other addictions. And don’t give up your health. Exercise is not only necessary for your physical health, but mental as well. Do plenty of pro bono work for Legal Aid or what other organizations that now exist or may come into existence. And, finally, be happy. Remember, your profession is your life; however, there is other life after law school. Alcohol in moderation is fine. And a healthy diet can be enjoyable. Occasional trips to a casino can be recreational and even relaxing. Just don’t let any of that get the best of you. Zealously represent your client, but do not be overly zealous and never get personally involved with your client’s cause. Do not be intimidated by clients. Money is very important, but equally so is peace of mind and quality of life. Some cases can be extremely stressful. The money isn’t worth the headaches, the loss of sleep and the cost of Prozac. I could go on, but I think that that is enough for now.

My advice would be “Pace Yourself!” I practiced law for just over thirty years and am semi-retired now. I tremendously enjoyed a very rewarding legal career. If I had done a better job of pacing myself, I might have lawyered longer!

Kimberly Smith, Esq.

Be confident. You’re smarter than 90% of the rest of these lawyers.

Peter E. Kratsa, Esquire, MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

Mark Blank, Jr., Esq.

No Fear! Be curious, Be Persistent!

Do not be afraid to fail and take chances.

Robert Jefferson, Esq., Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

Do not be afraid to ask questions and question what is asked. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Steven Koense, Esq.

Don’t be afraid to try cases. Your expertise is valuable and so is your time—bill accordingly. Don’t let the practice of law control your life. Relax, you will survive. Losses are tough— you will survive. Always ask others what they think about your theories for trial. Don’t take every case. Fire clients when you can’t control them with reason. Be kind to all including the idiots on the other side. People look up to you – remember that when you want to respond to unwarranted attacks. Write out a response to hurtful or maddening messages then sleep on it before sending. You represent your client; your actions and appearance count. When you need help professionally or personally ask for it! Help is always there for the asking. We —you—are not alone. When all else fails—pray. Pray before all else fails, too.

Tom Wilson, Esq.

I would tell myself that I am capable of more than I realize, if I only give myself the credit I deserve and work harder than I thought I could.

Erin Bruno, Esq.

Be persistent, educate yourself, read everything, go get clients.

Ted Murphy, Esq.

Follow through on your representations to your clients, to the court, and to your adversaries. You want to develop a reputation as a lawyer who can be trusted in everything you do.

Mark J. Connor, Esq., Law Office of Mark J. Connor

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you don’t know something. I’ve found that colleagues are always willing to help especially within this Bar Association.

And, take care of yourself…..achieving a work/life balance is critical, especially with the demands of this profession and of clients, otherwise burnout is likely!

Kristin A. Molavoque, Esq., Molavoque Law LLC