Recent News

March 24, 2006

New Lawyers dialogue with panel of partners

A panel of respected partners spoke with the New Lawyers committee about everything from generating business to family life. Lloyd Fisher, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur; Anne Valentine, Leeseberg & Valentine; Chuck Kegler, Kegler Brown Hill & Ritter; and Fred Ransier, Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease, took time out of their busy schedules to address many new lawyers' questions and concerns.

In addition to giving practical advice about working towards success, each described the passions that drive their professional and personal lives. For Valentine, an early morning row on the Olentangy River prepares her to deal with the challenges of representing seriously injured people and their families. Ransier spoke passionately about his wife and lifetime law partner, Kathy Ransier. He described the many challenges they have faced together in their practices and family life. Kegler described his passion for representing the business client. New Lawyers committee members observed his sincere admiration for their independence and ingenuity and his drive to help them succeed. Fisher described the richness and variety of 56 years of practice in Columbus. His affectionate and witty manner set the tone for this often light-hearted discussion of practice in this community.

Despite the diversity of the panel members and their perspectives, what the new lawyers took away from the discussion is that the secret to successful practice is simple - be happy. Happiness can lead to success, although success will not necessarily lead to happiness. Happy people lead dramatically more successful lives than those who are unhappy and live an astonishing 19 percent longer. Pursuing passions and being honest, humble and generous create happiness.

In response to requests for "must-reads" on living a happy and successful career, Kegler offered several suggestions. He said that if you only have time for one, read Jim Loehr's The Power of Full Engagement. Other suggested reads included Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, David Maister's The Trusted Advisor.

The New Lawyers committee is grateful to the partner panelists for their expert advice, as well for sharing their personal experiences and perspectives. Their careers are the examples of successful and rewarding practices that define this legal community.