Defining Moments: Insights Into the Lawyer's Soul: Insights Into the Lawyer's Soul

by Melanie Bragg

Overview

This book serves as a roadmap for leadership and personal growth applicable to all audiences. Interviews by Melanie Bragg revealed that each lawyer has a "LEAD Line," or success principle, that he or she has lived by on their road to success. This unique compilation is organized into Bragg's own leadership model consisting of L–Legacy, E–Excellence, A–Authenticity, and D–Determination. Touching upon every aspect of our lives, the LEAD Lines are practical and inspiring principles that can take any aspiring person from where they are to where they want to be in life. The stories are told by a wide range of lawyers - past ABA presidents, judges, big firm lawyers, small firm lawyers, non-practicing lawyers - what they all have in common is their ultimate success was driven by their defining moments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641054195
Publisher:	American Bar Association
Publication date:	06/07/2019
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Melanie Bragg, Bragg Law PC, of Houston, Texas, is a general civil practitioner with an emphasis on probate, family, small business, and mediation/arbitration. She is known as one of Houston's fiercest attorneys in her representation of children, the elderly, and mentally disadvantaged people. Bragg is the author of Crosstown Park, an Alex Stockton legal thriller, and it has quickly become a favorite among lawyers and courtroom drama lovers alike. Her first book was HIPAA for the General Practitioner published by the ABA. Her writing credits further include chapters, articles, and columns. She is a frequent motivational speaker with interactive workshops to a variety of audiences.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jack Canfield xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Introduction xix

Part 1 Legacy

One Hand Extended Can Make a Difference Judy Perry Martinez 3

Be Just and Fair to Everyone Mark Lane 8

Lift Others as You Climb Hon. Pamila J. Brown 12

Stretch Yourself Karen J. Mathis 17

Just Do It Laurel G. Bellows 21

Integrate Faith into Action Dr. Artika R. Tyner 25

Lead a Productive Life of Public Service Sandy D'Alemberte 29

Your Legacy Is the Number of Lives You Change Alan Kopit 33

Try the Unusual in Your Pursuit of Excellence Jeffrey M. Allen 36

Make a Positive Difference in the Lives You Serve Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson, III 39

Part 2 Excellence

Be Ethical, Return Calls, Keep a Clean Desk Dennis W. Archer 47

Out of the Hottest Furnace Comes the Hardest Steel Jim Perdue, Sr. 52

Fill Up the Boat Before You Take Off R. William "Bill" Ide, III 56

Find Your Unique Abilities and Build Your Life on Them Robert Armstrong 60

Get Outside Your Comfort Zone Alan O. Olson 65

Maximize Your Opportunities Kathleen Hopkins 69

Practice Law with Passion Talmage Boston 73

Surround Yourself with Good People and Good Things Will Happen Hon. Jennifer Rymell 76

Speak up When Something's Not Right Michael S. Greco 80

Speak Truth to Power Leslie H. Lowe 86

You Can Come Back from a Mistake Raquel "Rocky" A. Rodriguez 90

Part 3 Authenticity

Find Your Voice Because No One's Going to Give It to You Barbara Mayden 97

Be Transparent Hon. John V. Singleton, III 101

Tell the Truth No Matter What the Cost John McKay 106

Think Anew John W. Clark, Jr. 111

Be the Solution Pamela Pagan Hutchins 115

Use Your Past to Shape Your Future Tabitha Charlton 119

Practice Gratitude Daily Hon. John Kralik 123

Know Thyself and Always Have a Team Nina L. Kaufman 127

Prioritize Human Connection Wilson Adam Schooley 130

You've Got to Be in It to Win It Robert J. Grey, Jr. 134

Part 4 Determination

Adapt to Change Benes Z. Aldana 141

The System Does Work Alan Yamamoto 145

Failure Is Not an Option Cindy K. Hide 148

Your Possibilities Are Limitless Scott C. LaBarre 151

Define Your Path and Fulfillment Will Follow Laura V. Farber 155

Practice Empathy Christopher L. Griffin 158

Persistence Pays Off Kent W. Spence 162

You Determine Your Own Success Scott E. Rozzell 165

Don't Get Discouraged, Believe in the Law: Richard "Racehorse" Haynes 170

Freedom Requires Perseverance Walter H. White, Jr. 174

Never, Ever Give Up Melanie Bragg 181

Conclusion 187

Biographies 189

Editorial Reviews

"Inspirational! At every turn, Melanie Bragg meaningfully touches the reader. Lawyers and non-lawyers who read this book will be changed for the better."-Randall O. Sorrels, Partner, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, President, State Bar of Texas, 2019-2020

"Melanie Bragg's Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyer's Soul is an incredible collection of stories by lawyers about lawyers. The stories strip away the law, the education, the role of the attorney and rather uncover the real person underneath the lawyer. The reader gets the insight of what motivated or compelled each individual to study and practice law. The stories display the historical angst around gender, race, and age from a very personal level. I was swept up in each one, wanting them to last longer and then refreshingly engaged with a brand new one. I'll be a customer and keep it on my bookshelf for years to come."-Elizabeth Pudwill, Assistant to the Editor, Houston Chronicle

"With her book Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyer's Soul, Melanie Bragg masterfully proves that attorneys do their work in a heartfelt and empathetic way. Bragg gives us living proof that the law and love go hand in hand to serve our people."-John Koehler, publisher at Koehler Books, author of seven books

"Prepare to take a journey of self-awareness and enlightenment. Melanie shows us how to embrace adversity and to use it as a springboard for personal growth and resilience. How we rebound through seemingly impossible waves will define us and help propel us forward. Defining Moments presents a deeply personal and candid anthology of lessons learned over several lifetimes. It instructs us on how to find our own points on the horizon to guide us through anything life throws our way. Each inspirational chapter teaches us how to look beyond our near-term challenges, to embrace the experience and grace of others, and see the uplifting and lasting effect of caring for and helping others—which is, after all, the touchstone of our great profession."-Arvin Maskin, Attorney, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, New York, New York

"Defining Moments is a magnificent book that shares inspiring stories from numerous legal luminaries. Melanie Bragg's love of the law shines through on every page and her wisdom serves as a beacon of bright light for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. This is a must-read for everyone in search of practical insights on how to put passion, possibility, and purpose to work."-Kathleen Welton, Producer, aka Associates, Chicago, Illinois

"Melanie Bragg serves up a big bowl of nourishing chicken soup for the soul of all lawyers, from those starting out to those nearing retirement. In Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyer's Soul, lawyers of all stripes share personal experiences and life tips in short essays that will delight and nurture everyone, all wrapped up delightfully with Melanie's own brand of optimism and can-do spirit. A must!"-Robert C. Paul, Attorney, East Hampton, NY

"Melanie Bragg's Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyer's Soul is a chorus of unique voices singing in harmony with inspirational, uplifting, and empowering stories reminding us that the practice of law is truly a service profession. In keeping with this truth, Bragg serves her fellow lawyers by presenting their wisdom and insights in a two- to three-page format that is perfect for use in a five-minute daily mindfulness routine."-Kellye C. More, Partner, Walker Hulbert Gray & Moore, LLP, Perry, Georgia

"In Defining Moments, Melanie Bragg explores the human side of the lawyer's psyche. As she breaks through the stereotypes associated with attorneys and their attitudes toward the world, she exposes the experiences that shaped each of those interviewed. The stories reveal moments in each lawyer's past that led them to what Bragg calls LEAD: Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, and Determination. This book should be added to every law library in the country so that new barristers can aspire to the greatness of each of these attorneys and realize the sense of balance that is possible in their budding careers. It can also serve any author aspiring to write legal fiction as a deep dive into understanding what motivates attorneys and how they think."-Manning Wolfe, Attorney and Author of the Merit Bridges Legal Thriller Series

"An inspiring and entertaining read. Attorney and author Melanie Bragg interviewed many of the country's leading lawyers and has masterfully woven their diverse tales of how and why they chose the legal profession around the central theme of how leaders are made. She has found that the common traits of these lawyers can be found in the acronym LEAD: Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, and Determination. Do yourself a favor and read Defining Moments today!"-Lynn Allingham, Attorney, Anchorage, Alaska

"Defining Moments captures hundreds of inspirational thoughts and ideas that lift and encourage us at a time when the reputation of our profession is tarnished by the disheartening choices of a few. . . . Truly a gem, these stories will remain with you long after you've read them. Some bring smiles, some tears. They all help us remember why we work so hard to ensure that equal justice for all is not a concept but reality."-L. Terry, Attorney Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyer's Soul, is a literary masterpiece 'for such a time as this.' Sharing stories that change lives and reshape the narrative of a profession is no easy task. It takes courage and skill to identify pertinent life chronicles that humanize and lend a transparent dignity to the legal profession. Melanie Bragg is a master storyteller and evidence of her ability to recognize a good story that will leave a literary legacy for young lawyers in the decades to come is exhilarating."-Sharon C. Jenkins, Inspirational Principal, The Master Communicator's Writing Services, Houston, Texas

"Defining Moments is an inspiration. It will not only help young lawyers identify their passion but will uplift and encourage every reader to live from their heart. Bragg's wisdom and compassion shines through in each interview."-Susan Jeffrey Busen, bestselling author of Bridging Medicine and Miracles and Tormented by Technology, Chicago, Illinois

From the Publisher