Playing in the Sandbox: A Lawyer's Guide (Second Edition)

By Charles J. Goldman Esq.

Playing in the Sandbox is a practical guide for the soon-to-be and all lawyers outlining situations they will likely encounter during their legal career. Some chapters may also be a trip down memory lane for experienced attorneys, hopefully not bad memory lane. The author presents each topic in an easy-to-read and engaging manner. The information that he provides applies to sole practitioners, midsize and large firms as well.

His chapters include:

• Beat the Clock
• Courtesy Counts
• Write What You Mean and Mean What You Write
• When in Doubt Don’t! Remember the Advice, “Stop,
Look, & Think!”
• Don’t Research for an Hour When a One Minute Phone
Call Will Get You the Answer
• Just Say No!
• New Client? Go With Your Gut
• Don’t Break Back into Alcatraz

This book is a wise investment in your career as a successful and well-respected attorney.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9781490798097

Book preview

Copyright 2024 Charles J. Goldman, Esq.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9808-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9807-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9809-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019917285

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Illustrations by: Matt Barnard

Trafford rev. 05/06/2024

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North America & international

toll-free: 844-688-6899 (USA & Canada)

fax: [phone]

INTRODUCTION

Irwin, this sequel to Playing in the Sandbox is written to reemphasize our responsibilities as attorneys to the profession, our clients, the court system, and everyone that all of us encounter in our careers.

Corey, as a full-time attorney, and part time Professor, with no class, (don’t say it) for a semester, I decided to start this sequel several years ago. A special thanks goes to all the creative consultants for their input.

Chris, please don’t be Cross reading our word game. For some like Jacqueline, Once is not Enough and for others like Dudley, once will be Moore than enough.

Roseanne, have a Laugh or two connecting the "dots" forward and back when you go Back In Time with songs, history, places, t v shows, movies, characters, famous and infamous people, sports stars, and film stars. Think of lawyers you respect and others. Some you’ll choose to remember and some you’ll choose to forget.

Suzanne, I thought it might be helpful to address with humor situations we all can face as attorneys without skirting the main issues. Perhaps this helps to prevent you from getting socked with problems, being tied up dealing with them and hopefully not getting the boot and losing your shirt. If you find the book to be corny, give me an earful.

Chandler, some of the names refer to Friends like Ms. Summers, and family. Hopefully they will remain that way after they read the book.

To all, health, and happiness for a good life with enjoyment in your career.

What isn’t corny is my promise to donate between 25% and 33 and1/3% of the royalties from the book to legal aid, attorney assistance programs and law schools, but the amount to be donated is contingent upon how many people buy the book. I hope I can donate a lot.

What is sad, is the casualty list in the Bar news every month.

Warning! If you don’t have a sense of humor, this book could be hazardous to your health.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my wonderful family and also to the Profession of Law, for the opportunity to help people and entities, while guided by ethical responsibilities.

This opportunity to serve in this Profession and make a living is always to be honored and never taken for granted.

I want to acknowledge with respect and appreciation everyone within the court system and all other government agencies for their daily efforts that makes our work as attorneys possible.

Please take a moment to be very thankful that all of us can practice in this profession with all its inspiring victories, disappointing defeats, exciting, frustrating, and inspirational times that all of us experience. Let us always respect, protect, and constantly strive to improve this great profession.

Illustrations by: Matt Barnard and the author.

Creative Consultants:

Jason Goldman Esq.

Myriam C. Goldman, Industrial Psy.

Barrett T. Goldman

Seth Finkel, Esq.

Patricia Rehring

Diana Tafur, Esq.

Alan F. González. Esq.

Gail Pierris

Dr. Sergio Tafur, Physicist

Christopher Bailey, Esq.

Stanislav A. Shamayev, Esq.

Ted D’Apuzzo, Esq.

Keith Grumer Esq.

Michael Greenwald Esq.

Charles Rubenstein Esq.

Rebeca Rojo

Daniel Campo

Frank Davis Esq.

Chose to remain anonymous.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1You Are Always An Officer Of The Court

Chapter 2Operate A Business, But Act Like A Professional

Chapter 3Practice Hard, Practice Ethically, Win Or Lose Shake Hands And Come Back Next Week And Do It Again

Chapter 4Courtesy Counts

Chapter 5Write What You Mean And Mean What You Write

Chapter 6Don’t Go Into Business With Your Client Remember: You Are Their Attorney Not Their Partner

Chapter 7When In Doubt, Don’t! Remember The Advice: Stop, Look & Think!

Chapter 8Don’t Be Lazy Check The Court Files And Everything Else

Chapter 9A Voice Is A Voice Is A Voice

Chapter 10Storm The Castle

Chapter 11Court Orders: Follow Them Or Appeal Them. Any Other Good Options?... No

Chapter 12Don’t Go Into The Alamo The Day Before The Mexicans Come Over The Wall

Chapter 13Prove It

Chapter 14Don’t Research For An Hour When A One Minute Phone Call Will Get You The Answer

Chapter 15Don’t Ask For The Three Dollars

Chapter 16Make It Easier For The Judge To Rule In Your Clients Favor

Chapter 17Beware Of The Fast Track

Chapter 18The Best Advertising Is Other Attorneys

Chapter 19General Denial

Chapter 20Maximize Your Secretary’s Potential

Chapter 21Beware Of The Lawyer Who Never Learned To Play In The Sandbox

Chapter 22A Practice Is Not Built In A Day, But All Roads Lead To Clients

Chapter 23New Client? Go With Your Gut

Chapter 24Truth Is Not A Last Resort

Chapter 25Don’t Promise What You Can’t Deliver

Chapter 26Beware Of The Client Who Wants Revenge?

Chapter 27Keeping Your Clients And Keeping Your Clients Happy

Chapter 28Vacations Are There To Be Taken

Chapter 29Staying Current

Chapter 30Follow Up Not Down

Chapter 31Just Say No!

Chapter 32Under Bill-What??

Chapter 33Remember: It’s A Privilege

Chapter 34Don’t Date Your Client

Chapter 35Don’t Touch What Isn’t Yours

Chapter 36Its Small Potatoes, Don’t Peel Them

Chapter 37Even A Lawyer Can Do A Random Act Of Kindness!

Chapter 38Beat The Clock

Chapter 39Don’t Be Count The Money

Chapter 40Loose Lips

Chapter 41So Let It Be Done So Let It Be Written

Chapter 42To Pro Bono Or Not To Pro Bono Is Not The Question!

Chapter 4350 Ways To Lose Your License

Chapter 44Cash Is Still King

Chapter 45Don’t Be A Terminator

Chapter 46Witness Quest

Chapter 47Knot Guilty

Chapter 48Split Happens

Chapter 49Greet The Client

Chapter 50Don’t Cut Corners

Chapter 51Don’t Break Back Into Alcatraz

Chapter 52Cc: Who???

Chapter 53You Never Forget What You Don’t Have To Remember

Chapter 54Don’t Drink Your Lunch

Chapter 55Net__________working?

Chapter 56Dress For Success Not For The Coffee House