CBA Record March-April 2022

PRESIDENT’S PAGE BY E. LYNN GRAYSON Success in Law: Don’t Worry, Be Happy

The Chicago Bar Association www.chicagobar.org

OFFICERS

what success in law means to him, and more importantly as his mom, making sure his personal and professional pri orities remain front and center, so he is a happy and healthy lawyer. What I know is that the practice of law is about people and our relationships with one another. I believe that long-term success and happiness in law is associ ated with how we feel about, and how others perceive, our personal integrity and reputation. I understand that the practice of law is a marathon and not a sprint. I have come to appreciate that some of the lessons we learn as children are equally important as lawyers. I fi rst read All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten , by Robert Fulghum, shortly after I graduated from law school. Th e concepts of sharing, being kind, cleaning up your messes, and living a balanced life of work, play, and learning continue to resonate with me. Th is book reminds us that the golden rule is not just for chil dren but should be a guiding principle for lawyers too. Distinguished CBA members were recently interviewed and asked to re fl ect upon their successful, long-standing careers and the life lessons learned along the way. Th ey commented on the signi fi cance of civility and maintaining a good reputation. Th ey agree it is essential for lawyers to be thoughtful and considerate to everyone. Respected lawyers under stand the importance of sympathy and understanding, along with civility and patience in communicating with clients and lawyers. Kindness, civility, and treat ing one another with respect re fl ect the essence of the rule of law but also should

President E. Lynn Grayson

First Vice President Timothy S. Tomasik

Second Vice President Ray J. Koenig III

Secretary Kathryn Carso Liss Treasurer John C. Sciaccotta

W hat does it take to be a suc cessful lawyer in today’s legal environment? What attributes identify a successful lawyer? What does success in law mean in the fast-paced, competitive, and ever-changing legal profession? If you are like me, your thoughts on how to measure success have likely shifted over time. Career ambitions and opportunities may have altered your original preconceptions, but perhaps not nearly as much as coming to understand what you need to be happy in your career, and more importantly–in life. In watching our son Joe’s progress through law school and seeing the legal profession anew through his eyes, I have given more thought to what success in law means to me. Th e advice I have shared with him along the way may seem a bit Pollyann-ish compared to the professional career counseling from his law school. Law school focuses on gainful employ ment and short-term achievements upon graduation. In contrast, my thoughts are more in keeping with long-term planning, focusing on fi nding a place where he will enjoy the practice of law, fi guring out

Immediate Past President Maryam Ahmad

Executive Director Elizabeth A. McMeen

BOARD OF MANAGERS Michael Alkaraki

Hon. Charles S. Beach II Alexis Crawford Douglas Octavio Duran Nina J. Fain Robert W. Fioretti Malcolm “Skip” Harsch Risa R. Lanier Patricia L. McCarthy Hon. James M. McGing Hon. Clare Elizabeth McWilliams Juan Morado, Jr.

Brandon Peck Ashley Rafael Antonio M. Romanucci

Hon. Maria Valdez Sandra S. Yamate

6 March/April 2022