Bench & Bar November/December 2025

in order of need, taking into account both the severity of the patient’s condition and the amount of time the patient has been waiting for care. How can lawyers apply triage principles to case management? Most of us can’t (and probably shouldn’t) operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Our “critical” clients pres ent with time-sensitive issues, impending deadlines, and other situations that require immediate attention. This may mean other less sensitive matters are temporarily put to the side or transferred to a colleague with greater capacity. Of course, this should always be communicated to the client, so expectations are appropriately managed. Conversely, we should take advantage of a lull in urgent matters to clear the deck of lingering cases that can be progressed or resolved with a few hours of focused atten tion. We are all guilty of letting a select handful of cases hang around longer than they should. The undesirable tasks that have been hanging over your head will not take as long as you think to complete, and your efforts will be rewarded not only by a clear conscience, but also by the capacity to take on new matters. LESSON 3: TEACH AND BE TAUGHT. The Pitt is a teaching hospital, and Season 1 conveniently takes place during the first shift for several new student doctors. Dr. Robby and his medical staff use the rap id-fire ER setting to increase the young trainees’ competence and confidence. These teaching efforts pay off later in the shift when the hospital confronts a mass casualty situation, and everyone must step up to the plate. Those of us fortunate enough to practice in a firm setting with newly minted associ ates are also teachers. The adage that “law school teaches you the law, practicing law teaches you to be a lawyer” rings true. Find opportunities for young attorneys to attend and lead client meetings, depositions, and motion hearings. Even if the client will not pay for two attorneys to attend the same billable event, the practical experience will pay future dividends for the trainee and the tribunal. Indeed, certain federal courts in Kentucky now explicitly state in their

scheduling orders that oral argument will more likely be granted when it will be deliv ered by a less-experienced lawyer. Experienced practitioners should also keep an open mind to new techniques and tech nologies that young attorneys may bring to the table. The legal AI tech revolution comes to mind here. A decade ago, AI-assisted research and writing was not even part of law school curriculum; now, it is a reality of everyday practice. Recent graduates who have grown up in the profession with these tools are equipped to teach the rest of us how to use them ethically and effectively. Finally, we would all do well to heed Dr. Robby’s reminder that “shaming, belittling, and insulting are not effective teaching tools.” For most new lawyers, the self-dis appointment that accompanies a mistake is enough to teach the lesson. BONUS: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. The climax of The Pitt is a mass casualty event that sends the hospital into crisis management mode. During the height of this emergency, Dr. Robby is sidelined by PTSD flashbacks from another traumatic episode that occurred in the ER several years prior. By repressing rather than confronting his trauma, Dr. Robby places himself in a situation where he is unable to deliver effective treatment to his patients in

it is asked for. To quote Dr. Parker Ellis, senior ER resident in The Pitt , “the only way out is through. And the only way through is together.” Season 2 of The Pitt premieres on January 8, 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

COLTON GIVENS joined Kerrick Bach ert in 2018. His practice is primarily focused on civil litigation, including

insurance defense, business litigation, employment law, higher education law, and personal injury. Givens reg ularly appears in Kentucky's trial and appellate courts, both state and fed eral. Before joining Kerrick Bachert, he served as a law clerk to the Honor able Thomas B. Russell, Senior District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Ken tucky, and to the Honorable Eugene E. Siler, Jr., Senior Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Givens is a 2016 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was a member of the Kentucky Law Journal editorial board and the school's National Trial Competition team. He received his undergradu ate degree in political science from Murray State University in 2013.

their time of greatest need. Likewise, we as lawyers cannot effectively rep resent our clients if we are mentally unwell. The KBA has focused much attention in recent years on lawyer wellness and well-being. These efforts are laudable and have drawn attention to an issue that is sorely over looked in our profession. Recognizing a problem, however, is only half the equation. Taking action is the other half. This means being strong enough to ask for help when you need it, and selfless enough to offer help when

CLE COMMISSION MEMBERS 2025-2026

JENNIFER S. NELSON First District Representative jennifersnelsonlaw@outlook.com KELLY K. RIDINGS Third District Representative

COLTON W. GIVENS Second District Representative cgivens@kerricklaw.com MEGAN P. KEANE Fourth District Representative mkeane@grsm.com FRANK K. TREMPER Sixth District Representative ftremper@arnzenlaw.com JUSTICE ROBERT B. CONLEY Supreme Court Liaison

kridings@hmrkylaw.com NEALY R. WILLIAMS Fifth District Representative nealy.williams@uky.edu ROBERT STEPHEN MCGINNIS, CHAIR Seventh District Representative stephenmcginnis@mcginnisleslie.com

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