A record of achievement may be impressive, but the fact is, after a while an attorney can't rest on his laurels. Laurels can evaporate.

Still, it is the record that builds a reputation, and people's confidence. Most of our clients learn of us through word of mouth. When a prospective client calls us, we won't make any promises or guarantees. The only thing I'll promise that person is that I'll make my best effort - of myself and my firm.

Our office is a busy place; we may have 400 open files, and scores of active cases. I like to see people work well, and I think our office does. We answer - and return -- every phone call. In any profession, providing good service is simple: It's about having respect for people. When I look in an office, and see people doing their jobs well, I get a big kick out of that.

I'm very fortunate. One of the reasons I'm able to focus on the law effectively is that we have a tremendous team, and an outstanding office administrator. Not every attorney has that kind of support.

But I'm no elitist. I'm probably the opposite of an elitist; I don't think I'm any better than anyone else. I served as president of the County Legal Aid Society for 13 years, and that experience only reinforced my own instincts for fairness and justice, of serving all kinds of people. I think that attitude has helped make me a better trial lawyer. Humility is essential.

Surveys suggest that 50 percent of lawyers would rather be doing something else. You know something? I'm not in that 50%. I love what I do. I always have.