Kellerman on the Practice of Law


I have had a blessed career. I really have. As I write this, it is 40 years from graduating law school and as a middle class kid growing up in Windsor, Ontario (and staying there for university) I had no idea where this career would take me.

I have met people and gone to places along the way that I really never imagined, a few people in addition to my mother thought that I became a pretty good lawyer. While the jury may still be out on that one, I figure I have learned a few things about the practice of law over that time.

This blog is not about the law per se. There are plenty of other resources for that prepared by people far more qualified than myself. This though is about the practice of law. To my eye, as a profession, we may be falling a bit short on teaching young aspiring lawyers how to actually practice law. I don’t think there is a course in law school on that. This is my own attempt to try to be part of the fix to that. (I don’t like the word “solution” I once hear someone in a meeting years ago use the apparent word “solutionize”).

I would not be sitting here at a keyboard doing this if it were not for the great mentorship and sponsorship I had received along the way from truly great lawyers and business people alike. As I was one late night last week cleaning out my office and uncovering long forgotten hidden treasures (at least to me), it was not the files or transactions that brought a smile to my face (and a tear or two to my eye) but of the people who I have engaged (I like that word) over the years who have influenced and shaped me into the lawyer and person I became. This is in part an homage to them. Thank you.

And now, I hope to give back in some small way by coaching young lawyers (and aspiring industrialists) who may not have yet received what I had received by way of this. This exercise is part of that.

While you may not agree with everything I say, I hope you enjoy the read that in some small way it will help you develop your own uniquely practice and approach. You will let me know.

– Jay C. Kellerman

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    K-0005 – Be a Mench

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    Of the billions of words we hear, if is funny in a strange sort of way that we have the ability to remember (or at least think we remember) word for word conversations or exchanges of  years and years ago.  I guess that is what is referred to as making an impression. I have shared a few already in other posts like K-0004 (Learn Your Craft)

    This is another one. 

    At a funeral of a cousin I attended a good 30 years if not more ago, I was struck by a few words said by the Rabbi presiding over the service. She said, “I have never regretted going to visit someone in the hospital, only not.  I have never regretted going to a funeral or a shiva, only not”.   Those simple words have stuck with me to this day. 

    This is not about the practice of law.  This is about the practice of being a mench – a kind and compassionate person, someone who does the right thing, even when difficult.  

    This is more than simply being nice. (K-0001 – Be Nice). This is about being a member of the larger community. And we do it not for glory, not for reward, but because it is the right thing to do. 

    Do the right thing within your firm or organization.  Do the right thing and get involved within your community,  whether it be with your time or your pocketbook, or both.  Coach your kid’s team and  help your local charitable organizations. They need your help.  And take that extra time to go visit that someone who means something to you who cannot come and see you.  The Rabbi was right ; you will not regret it.