Bench & Bar November/December 2025

YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

BY KYLE R. BUNNELL THE WORK YOU DO, THE PERSON YOU ARE: ADVICE FOR YOUNG LAWYERS

A s I began to think about what “advice” I could offer to young lawyers, I reflected on a not-so-distant memory: the day I took my oath to become an attorney. Among the solemn affirmations, one line always stood out to me: …[t]hat since the adoption of the pres ent Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God. 1 Whenever this oath is administered, it usually draws a few laughs. It seems anti quated—some relic of a bygone era before LexisNexis and Westlaw, when lawyers trav eled the circuit on horseback and read cases by candlelight. But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the deeper meaning behind that dueling clause. It embodies the higher calling and duty we have as lawyers to revere and uphold the law. It reminds us that we are to resolve disputes not with violence, but with discourse—through reasoned argument before judge and jury. Our oath provides the backdrop for a few key lessons that young lawyers—and frankly, lawyers of any vintage—should remember:

• We must respect the law, the lynchpin of our institutions and social contract. • And we must remain zealous advocates—not just for our clients, but for our society and ourselves—arguing our points with tact and integrity.

Morrison did not take her father’s advice as shying away from hard work or not giving it her all – but allowed it to provide her per spective in four guiding principles: 1. Whatever the work is, do it well—not for the boss but for yourself. 2. You make the job; it doesn’t make you. 3. Your real life is with us, your family. 4. You are not the work you do; you are the person you are. These principles offer a framework for young lawyers seeking to build a career without losing themselves in the process. 1. SET BOUNDARIES EARLY —AND DEFEND THEM. The legal profession often rewards over extension. But without clear boundaries, burnout is inevitable. Decide what matters most to you—whether it’s time with family, personal wellness, or community involve ment—and protect it. Boundaries are not limitations; they are affirmations of your values. Strive for work-life integration (balance is a misnomer). The goal isn’t to perfectly divide your time, but to ensure your professional life supports—rather than consumes—your personal one.

Fostering collegiality isn’t a small task, but it can begin with small steps. Pick up the phone and talk with opposing coun sel. Extend professional courtesies when someone reasonably requests more time to answer discovery requests. Go the extra mile for your clients and colleagues—read every case cited in a brief before sending your response and don’t just outline the law—analyze it. Don’t be afraid of wrong answers. Above all, whether in court, a client meeting, a deposition, or in any set ting, strive to be the most reasonable lawyer in the room. Civility isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. These reflections align closely with the wisdom of famed author, Toni Morrison. I remember the profound impact of reading Morrison’s 2017 essay in The New Yorker “ The Work You Do, The Person You Are ” in which she shares a story from her youth about working after school for a wealthy woman. While she found pride in her work, Morrison felt the pressure of the wealthy women’s oftentimes unreasonable demands and reflected on wisdom her father gave her: “You don’t live there. You live here. With your people. Go to work. Get your money. And come on home.”

• We must seek collegiality, even in the most contentious cases.

1

Ky. Const. § 228.

16 november/december 2025