The practice of representing victims of negligence hasn't changed dramatically over all these years. We're still trying to help grievously injured people get on their feet again. Those who come through the doors today aren't any different than those I've represented in the past - they have suffered and have the same needs as when I began practicing in the late 1970's.

What has changed is there is now a concerted effort by the insurance industry to discredit the jury system. That has served to instill a great deal of cynicism in the general public concerning what we do. A lot of money has been spent by the wrongdoers lobby to promote the idea that a jury composed of ordinary citizens, a jury of one's peers, is somehow incapable of making a sound reasoned judgment.

Many people see attorneys in a courtroom and marvel at their presentation, their skills and oratory. But the fact is, there is much, much preparation behind the courtroom drama. Someone once said, there are no lions in the courtroom, just drudges back at the office. There are plenty of 12-hour days, and lots of pressure in preparing a case for trial. Many people just don't see it.

I have worked on many difficult cases in which a client was severely injured. Sometimes I will represent the family of a victim of an accident - one in which a dangerous manufacturer, a negligent doctor or a careless driver caused an injury. Some of those cases have taken years to resolve, but in every case we've been able to do what's right and what's in the best interest of our client. Unfortunately, many of those cases are settled with confidentiality agreements - so we can't disclose the problem that caused the accident and injury in the first place. And that is unfortunate because society would be much better off if we abolished confidentiality agreements so that the wrongdoer's conduct could be exposed for all to see.

There's one aspect of our work that's really changed - and that's the way we attorneys interact. Every week we'd have "Motion Friday" when we'd have to show up at the courthouse to argue motions - even those that were uncontested. There was plenty of slow time on those Fridays, and lawyers interacted on a personal level. Knowing attorneys personally promoted congeniality in the practice and would often facilitate settlement negotiations. It was a healthy forum for the profession. But today there is less personal contact, somewhat less congeniality and less of a likelihood that we'll get to know our opponent other than in an adversarial setting. That's unfortunate, because I've met some wonderful people and made some great friendships over a cup of coffee in the courthouse while waiting for a motion to be heard.

I enjoy what I do - working within our civil justice system to help obtain for my clients a fair and just resolution of their case.