[WSBAPT] Life in general

Mon Apr 5 10:43:17 PDT 2021

I like your mileage Philip.

For what it's worth, I definitely understand Tom's perspective and his assumptions, because there are far too many of us lawyers whose time and energy to the practice comes at the expense of other things in life. I saw that when I was a paralegal in the 90s, and I've seen plenty of it as a lawyer since. Personally I discovered long ago that my enjoyment of the practice depends on whether or not I feel pressured to work more than I want. It's not the content of the work, but my control over time, that dictated whether the work felt fulfilling. So after about 7-8 years of too much work and starting to really hate the practice of law, I arranged things to keep better control over my time. That resulted in six months in a Mexican beach town followed by four months in Thailand, working 10-15 hours a week with a beer next to my laptop and lots of time to swim, surf, read, lounge, wander.... After that, I felt so much better, so much more in in control, that I discovered new energy and real desire to work more. Now (10 years later) I work close to full time but seldom more than about 35 hours a week, and take a day or a half-day off on the spur of the moment if I feel like it, and I swear I get more done and do better work than I ever did when I was feeling the pressure and working more hours. And I'm even a litigator, not an EP attorney. Even litigation, when kept under control, can provide for flexibility of schedule most of the time.

I'm sorry to clog everyone's inboxes with personal reflections, but since the topic came up, I think it's important to acknowledge that Tom's assumption about the cause of weekend posting is a valid one, even if Philip and I may be exceptions to it. And if anyone who reads this is feeling that horrible pressure to work all hours and is learning to hate the work and wants to get off the treadmill, just know that it can indeed be done, and the work can become enjoyable again.

Sincerely,

Eric

Eric C. Nelsen
Sayre Law Offices, PLLC
1417 31st Ave South
Seattle WA 98144-3909
206-625-0092
eric at sayrelawoffices.com

Covid-19 Update - All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.

-----Original Message-----
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Philip N. Jones
Sent: Monday, April 5, 2021 10:06 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Life in general

I am in a firm of about 15 estate planners.  The firm was founded in the 1930s.  In the entire history of the firm, only three attorneys have retired.  All the rest left with their boots on, sometimes feet first.  They either died, had a stroke, or some other medical event that forced them out.  But they were still working.  Admittedly, most were working only a few days a week when the grim reaper (or the grim cardiologist) caught up with them.
Why did they keep working and not retire sooner?  Lots of reasons.  Some did not have hobbies or play golf or play bridge.  Some enjoyed the work.  Some needed the money.  Some had spouses who did not want them hanging around the house.  Unlike trial attorneys, estate planners can easily work part time.  And now with the pandemic, most of us are learning to work at home.
Personally, I now work at home due to the pandemic, and I am one of the people who often posts on weekends and holidays.  I enjoy the work, as I hope my posts reflect.  When I post on a weekend or on a holiday, I am usually lying flat on my back twiddling with my Ipad, often at the beach or in the mountains.  Also, during the week I do not work long days.  In fact, some of my weekdays are very short.  I do whatever I please.  And on weekends and holidays, I do the same.
Life is good.  I do not feel the need to get a different one.  As for others, your mileage may vary.
Phil Jones
Portland, OR

Philip N. Jones
Duffy Kekel LLP
900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Suite 2500
Portland, OR 97204
pjones at duffykekel.com
(503) 226-1371 – office
(503) 853-1482 – cell
(503) 226-3574 - fax

-----Original Message-----
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of tom tsh-law.com
Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2021 12:12 PM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBAPT] Life in general

After 45 years of watching the toll lawyering has taken on many of my colleagues, it is disturbing to continue to receive  this section’ s postings every Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and every Saturday and Sunday. Think about it.  Let’s all get a life. 

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝'𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 
(𝐖) 𝟐𝟎𝟔 𝟔𝟖𝟐 𝟒𝟓𝟎𝟏
(𝐂) 206 𝟓𝟗𝟓 𝟏𝟔𝟐𝟏

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