Why do some litigators not get involved?

I work in a medium sized firm. Since I started, I always wondered why the Litigator Partner seemed distant from the case during litigation.  He seemed to have the attitude “you track it, you kill it, skin it and prepare it, and then I’ll come in at the end serve it and take all the credit.” I mean, here are a bunch of newbie associates. What do we know?

And here I am. I’ve been working on this case two months.  In that time, I’ve been placed in charge of coordinating all of our experts, preparing the protective order, and among other things have been given the task on more than one occasion to talk to the other side.  I’ve also been given the most important task of “preparation” or sifting through all the documents to create the “THE BOOK” that will guide those that actually continue the case in front of real people.  In some major firms, there are fifth year associates that don’t handle these tasks. Hell, there are some that have never even seen a complaint.

However, I realize from my own experiences why the Litigator Partner is distant.  I take all of this very personally. My finely crafted protective order got bounced back from the other side today. “You did not satisfy the requirements of the 7^th Circuit,” wrote Mr. Clients R. Losers.  What kind of reasoning is that? Neither did you, you ass.

I finally got others to agree that we should just file mine. I’ll vindicate myself in front of the judge, at least I hope so. As the song goes, “MOTIONS COST MONEY,” and now your clients, Mr. Loser, are going to pay more than they would have in the first place. Mr. Clients R. Losers, you should thank me, you might just be able to now pay the rent on that hole you call an office.

See what I mean. But, this is the wrong stance.  Litigator Partner probably learned the same lesson long time ago. He is distant because he doesn't want to deal with this crap that gives most lawyer jokes a subtle hint of truth. .

Moral of my tale: Life is short. Don't kill yourself in litigation by making it personal.

Comments

[Prophet]

This has been brought up before... but who is going to moderate the moderator when he drunk posts? A little help here, please.