William Duffey Writing

Lawyers write a lot whether as advocates, transaction lawyers, or judges. What they write requires reason, insight, wisdom, and organization. Lawyers sometimes write outside of their work. Sometimes they write articles, book chapters, or their thoughts about the profession or the culture generally. Judge Duffey has written and studied writing all of his life. As an English major in college, he read and wrote about great works of literature. As a member of the speech department, he learned to write and speak plainly. As a lawyer and judge, he honed his ability to synthesize, analyze, and logically present information. He developed strong reasoning skills and the ability to communicate clearly to other lawyers and the public. In his work, especially in presiding over trials, he developed a deep understanding of why people do what they do and how they think. His mantra to young lawyers has always been—you need to know what happened—but you also need to understand why a plaintiff or defendant engaged in the conduct being litigated. It is this intellectual and practical curiosity that led to this book. A keen observer of lawyers and the legal profession, Judge Duffey asked "why do so many lawyers find their work such drudgery and so unpleasant?" His conclusions, and his insight into the profession, informed what he wrote in The Significant Lawyer.

This is Judge Duffey's second book about the legal profession. In 2009, he co-edited A Life in the Lawyer: Advice for Young Lawyers in which he authored two chapters. That book was a collection of personal reflections about being a lawyer authored by prominent lawyers across the country.

Judge Duffey also has a creative side. He is known to write poems for special occasions for friends or retirement ceremonies for work colleagues. What has most interested him is writing lyrics for songs put to music by his song-writing collaborator and friend, Doc Schneider. While their library of songs is small, this creative work is fun and fulfilling. Here are the lyrics of a song Judge Duffey wrote. Of course, it is about cycling.

Wheelin’

Lyrics By Bill Duffey

Wheels turnin’ round and round
The clacking of the chain
Quick adjustments, changing speed
Cadence steady gain.

Rollin’ rollin’, trying not
To miss the world gone by
Out here along the open road
Face pressed against the sky.

Turnin’, turnin’, turnin’
Round and round they go
Spokes fast chasin’ to the ground
Flying down the road

Rollin’ rollin’, trying not
To miss the world gone by
Out here along the open road
Face pressed against the sky.

That constant driving, rhythm sound
Of metal kissing guide
Steady effort, attacking hills
Then celebrating glide.

Rollin’ rollin’, trying not
To miss the world gone by
Out here along the open road
Face pressed against the sky.

Pressing hard
Mind consumed
Momentum still is building
Black asphalt now
Before me stretch
Cares behind I’m leaving

Turnin’, turnin’, turnin’
Round and round they go
Spokes fast chasin’ to the ground
Flying down the road