The Significant Lawyer
The Pursuit of Purpose and Professionalism
William S. Duffey, Jr.
The Significant Lawyer
Lawyers pledge to honor the shared values of their profession when admitted to practice. In the past few decades, lawyers lost this values-based mooring. Law practice is just another business with "success" measured by the profitability of a practice. But it is serving clients, seeking just and fair results, and treating others with dignity that makes law practice meaningful—and a lawyer significant. That is what this book is about.
The Significant Lawyer describes changes in the legal profession beginning in the mid-1980’s when lawyers began to judge success by the profits they and their firms generated. Law became a business, not a profession. Integrity, efficiency, strong client relationships eroded. Lawyers found themselves professionally unfulfilled. The suicide rate for lawyers skyrocketed. They forgot their oaths, oaths that require civility, commitment to justice, fair play, and respect for the courts. Practice would look vastly different if lawyers aligned themselves with the shared values of their profession and their own values and priorities. Clients would be treated differently, colleague relationships would be strong, legal fees would be controlled, and interaction with courts would be productive and respectful.
Significance: What is it?
In 2007, two law school scholars surveyed every major study of lawyer satisfaction published in bar journals, law reviews, and scientific publications. They summarized what they found: "What emerged was not a pretty picture—what we termed ‘high paid misery.’” Richard Delgado and Jean Stefanic, "Can Lawyers Find Happiness?", Syracuse Law Review 58 (2007): 241-247. Things have not changed much since then. They may even be a little worse. But, we can make sure these findings do not apply to us. We should love practicing law; we can be fulfilled in what we do. This book tells how.
The decision to practice aligned requires commitment and courage. It requires change that begins with a lawyer deciding to live by the oaths they take when admitted to practice, and by deciding to practice law according to their personal values and priorities. When a lawyer makes these commitments, they serve others well, do so with integrity, competence, and compassion. The aligned lawyer finds significance in practice. The result? A gratifying professional and personal life.
What People Are Saying
“Bill Duffey’s book tells us, with persuasive conviction, how lawyers can best obtain gratification from their chosen profession—by aligning their practice to focus not on profits per partner but on the basic values of integrity, trust, fairness, civility, commitment to clients, service to the public and mentoring younger lawyers. It is a valuable book for all lawyers, but especially law students and younger lawyers starting out in their careers.”
Honorable Robert B. Fiske, Jr., Senior Counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell; former United States Attorney, Southern District of New York; Independent Counsel, Whitewater Investigation; and President, American College of Trial Lawyers
“A must-read for anyone interested in a thoughtful discussion of the state of the legal profession."
Julie R. O'Sullivan, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Law, Georgetown Law
“The Significant Lawyer powerfully explains the values of the legal profession, their central importance to the practice of law, and how to implement those values professionally and personally. Bill Duffey’s book brings us back to the core. It reminds us of what clients—from large corporations to small businesses, from paying clients to pro bono ones—should expect from their attorneys, and what lawyers should demand of themselves."
Blaise Warren, business strategist and operations officer at Invesco, Ltd., graduate of Harvard Law School and The Wharton School
"This book is the quiet voice lawyers hear when they stop to think of their profession and the role they have chosen in this life. How to do it well? How to do it true? How to live up to the privilege of being a lawyer—facing tough problems and helping people through. This is a soul-searching book that challenges lawyers to live a value-driven life, not just to aspire to it, but to do it. To go the hard way. To reach even though our reach may exceed our grasp. It is a reminder that we are members of a noble profession—and that there is in fact a map to get you there. Griffin Bell, the 72nd Attorney General of the United States, told me Bill Duffey was born a straight arrow. In this book, Duffey lays his arrow on the ground and waves us on to follow the lessons learned from a lifetime in the law.”
Richard A. (“Doc’) Schneider, Senior Partner, King & Spalding LLP; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; Trustee, United States Supreme Court Historical Society
Speaking Engagements
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Robbins Law Firm
1/12/22 Wednesday
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McInerney Inn of Court
1/20/22 Thursday
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Baker Donelson
1/27/22 Thursday
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John Marshall Law School
2/16/22 Wednesday
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Norfolk Southern Railway
2/22/22 Tuesday
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Korean Bar Association
2/24/22 Thursday
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Women’s Sr. In-House Leaders
3/23/22 Wednesday
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Georgia Bar Association
3/24/22 Thursday
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Georgia State Univ Law School
3/30/22 Wednesday
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Bench & Bar Academy: William D. Missouri Civility Lecture
4/5/22 Thursday
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In House Counsel Conference: ACC-Philadelphia Chapter
5/4/22 Wednesday