Stress Be Banished How local attorneys find peace among the chaos By Aleida Wahn
W
ith a hard right hook, a punishing bike ride, the playing of a treasured musical instrument or the exhilaration of the open ocean, stress is magically banished. Hardworking attorneys reveal their go-to formulas for de-stressing during taxing trial days and intense lawyering.
Meredith Levin is a certified family law specialist and knows the deep satisfaction of helping clients through the most difficult period of their lives. Emotions run high in the family court arena, and not from clients alone. Meredith has had to remind more than one opposing counsel that “we are not the ones divorcing.” When stress and frustration rule the day, Meredith turns to boxing. “Boxing is an incredible workout where you burn calories while you learn the sweet science of the sport. Feeling strong can do wonders for your confidence, inside the courtroom and in engaging with opposing counsel. Hitting a bag with my beloved gloves allows me to deal with whatever may be bothering me that day. The act of punching is cathartic, plain and simple. When I am done with my workout, I feel more relaxed and energetic and the best version of myself, so I can help my clients. I would encourage anyone to try boxing. I promise you will feel great and be able to brag about your mean right hook.”
34 SAN DIEGO LAWYER July/August 2018
Keith Greer is a trial attorney through and through, moving from one trial to the next, seemingly without taking a breath. Keith confronts the stress from trial head-on through a razor-sharp focus on winning, and with the unwavering strength bestowed from his wife. “I’ve learned that the key to success is being completely focused and 100 percent committed to winning, regardless of the odds against you. That means there is no time for rest or relaxation during trial. I lost 20 pounds during the recent six-week Rebecca Zahau wrongful death case. During the intensity of a trial, my wife is always an enduring anchor of support. Our connection is unbreakable, and her presence calms me in any situation. After a trial is over, I escape with her to open waters behind the wheel of my boat to clear my head and recharge.”