There's no secret to how I built my practice - it was hard work and preparation. As students, we all want to score well on tests. Well, preparing for a court case isn't much different - you get ready by studying. It took me a while growing up to realize that, but once I did, everything else worked itself out. Sure, you're going to have your tough - even bad - days in court. But you stay the course, and you get rewarded for that.

Still, if I hadn't started when I did I'm not sure I'd have had the long and steady career I've had. I jumped into trial work early on, and took risks in starting a practice at a time when I didn't know better. I feel fortunate.

Our age of mandatory sentencing means we're trying fewer cases. In fact, I think mandatory sentencing has made our jobs more difficult than ever. Telling a client about options and outcomes today really makes it tough for us. Attorneys can get mentally worn down by it. But these days I feel absolutely invigorated by my work - and it's just a matter of maintaining focus and energy. Remember I've been at this for a while: My experience only makes me a more effective attorney for all of my clients.

I don't try as many cases as I used to, but part of that has to do with the strategic advantage of avoiding a conviction that could lead to a long sentence. The system is now geared to the defense to seek the best offer right away. While mandatory sentencing is certainly a needless burden - there are a lot of bad laws on the books -- it's had the effect of cutting down on the number of trials in the court system. But if I think that our best outcome will be from trying a case, I'll try it.

My skills really are as much personal as they are legal - for one thing, I have an ability to relay difficult news in a way that won't upset clients. And I don't paint a false picture for them. They are always going to get the case presented to them in a realistic and complete manner. You can never shade the truth with a client. I've lived by that - and it's worked for me.