I'm still here
Reflections on Nevada Lawyering
I’ve been practicing law in Nevada for four years. As I discuss in Neon Law, my latest contribution to Living Las Vegas, I rather enjoy it. .bmp)
And here’s a perfect example of how amusing the law can be in Vegas.
A local lawyer has adopted the practice of providing a pin-up calendar to his clients and colleagues. But it does not contain sedate scenes of lovely landscapes, or views of our fair city, or even kittens. Err – well, not felines, but maybe sex kittens. The photos purport to be members of the firm's staff.
Ron Howard's call to action
Although I don't think I've made any secret of my political affiliations, I usually limit my political commentary to snarky remarks about U.S. Supreme Court justices and the like.
And, popular as the pastime is, forwarding Internet videos isn’t what I usually do.
But I really like this video, which kind of seems especially intended for folks right around my age (just shy of older than dirt):
Why we stay lawyers
Yesterday, I commented our profession’s devotion to discussions of strategies for leaving the profession. I am sure that one reason that exits are so common, especially for litigators, is because of a simple fact – our clients come to us because they have trouble. In fact, in my more cynical moments, I have described commercial litigation as working for wealthy people who can’t get along.
With a daily reality like that, law can sometimes seem a meaningless grind.
Fortunately, there are times when I get to just feel good about what I do. And one of those times occurred last night, when I visited Lavo, the newest restaurant, lounge and nightclub from the people who brought you Tao Las Vegas, Tao Beach, and Tao New York.
Despite my presence, Lavo is clearly a happening place. More importantly, as I walked through the space filled with beautiful men and women enjoying good food, loud music, and intriguing décor, I got a reminder that what we do as lawyers can have real meaning to real people.
The reason I got to feel good so good about being there was because I was part of the legal team that overcame the attempts to prevent Lavo from ever coming into existence. Lavo represented years of planning and millions of dollars in investment by my clients. It employs hundreds of people.
And it is open.
That feels good.
And not only that, but I got to write a few damn good briefs (can you tell I don’t believe in false modesty?), including one in which I used a series of quotes from Machiavelli to establish the theme.
That’s the sort of thing legal writing geeks like me live for, you know.
Sad for the Patriots
Even though I grew up in Pittsburgh during the heyday of those four Superbowl wins, football leaves me pretty cold. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I feel sorry for the Patriots for having a perfect season spoiled by the loss of what I am sure they considered the most important game.
On the other hand, any year in which the Broncos did not go to, let alone win, the Superbowl, is a very good year for football.
Catching up
I’ve obviously fallen behind in my reports on the appellate decision lately. I’ll be devoting the next several posts to catching up – unfortunately, with less detail than I would like. But I am back in the saddle again, so we’ll continue from here.
Happy Anniversary, Steve!
Fourteen years ago today, amidst a pouring rain, in a candlelight service where several of the candles refused to light, Steve Fey and I were married in the beautiful First Unitarian Church in Denver Colorado.
In keeping with our fine tradition where the elements rebel against our union, Steve and I have planned a romantic weekend at a bed and breakfast in Big Bear Lake. That lake is located in the midst of the San Bernadino Forest, currently engulfed by a forest fire.
Steve has a blog, too.
Appellate Overload?
Catch my guest opinion in the Las Vegas Business Press here. The LV Business Press has kindly offered to published my scribbles the first week of each month.
Meanwhile, after a busy August, I am hoping to catch up on the Ninth Circuit's opinions over the next few days.
Learn to write articles
The last segment of Practical Writing fro lawyers occurs this Friday, August 3. I'll present Part 3 - "Win Clients and Impress Partners with Article Writing."
This CLE provides a step by step process for preparing articles for both public and legal consumption. Honest, it really isn't that difficult.
Call the Clark County Bar 387-6011 or go here for info on signing up.
Briefs on Briefs
There 's still time to sign up for the CLE I am giving for the Clark County Bar Association this Friday, July 6, 200, from 1 to 3:15.
Briefs on Briefs will show you how to use fiction writing techniques to grab the hearts and minds of the judges (your readers).
We'll discuss such important brief writing topics as theme, characterization, and keeping prommises to readers, as well Star Wars and The Wizard of OZ. Plus, I have it on good authority that cookies will be served.
Click here for online registration.
While we were out...
While I was in Colorado enjoying my daughter's graduation from CU-Boulder, Adrienne Packer of the R-J had some kind words to say about this blog.
Ian Mylchreest at The Las Vegas Business Press also gave Appealing in Nevada a nice mention, but you'll have to pick up a copy to read that one. Check the Marketing column.
Now that the secret is out, I guess I'll have to try harder to make sense of those darn appellate opinions.
I'm in Colorado today. . .
. . . celebrating my daughter's graduation from CU Boulder. Opinions are expected from the Nevada Supreme Court today, so check in later...
