A Farewell To Above The Law

Columnist Keith Lee bids goodbye to our pages. Here's where you can find him online in the future.

Keith Lee

Keith Lee

Last week I wrote about the importance of creating opportunities, not just waiting for them to fall into your lap. I was offered the opportunity to write for AboveTheLaw back in 2013 and have been doing so ever since. Week in and week out, I’ve turned in my weekly column. Turning in a column on a regular basis, while also: having a family, practicing law, writing for my own site, speaking, teaching, hobbies, etc. makes for a full plate. Most people don’t think they have enough time. But everyone has the same amount of time. People just lack the discipline to prioritize their life.

Discipline.

It’s one of the things that separates professionals, who exhibit the essence of a professional, from those who are in a profession, but have the reputation of “being all over the place.” This can be the result of having a practice where organization takes a back seat to being busy, or having a life where there’s just too much going on – too many cases, as well as too many committees, too many networking events, too much going on at home – no ability to cut out the things that need to be cut.

The above was the sign off from Brian Tannebaum, who was a “small firm columnist” in these pages before me. Tannebaum went on to emphasize the importance of saying “no,” something that lawyers often lack the ability to do. It’s so easy to just continue to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. But discipline often means doing less, not doing more.

I have enjoyed the time I spent writing here at AboveTheLaw and the interactions and relationships it has led to. I’ve received countless emails, messages, etc. from people over the years. I even enjoyed the adoration contempt from the now-banished commentariat (though I often rolled my eyes). But after years of writing here, I think I’ve said my piece. It’s time for someone else to have the opportunity.

But make sure the opportunity is right for you. If you’re a motivated and diligent person, you’ll usually be able to create or find new opportunities as they arise. You don’t have to take the first one that is presented to you. Nor the second or the third. Finding the right opportunities is almost as important as being presented with any opportunities. Just because you are able to do something does not mean that you are a good fit for it. Don’t forget about the power of “no.”

I’m not done writing, of course. I have far too inflated of an opinion of myself for that. Your best bet is probably to follow me on Twitter (@associatesmind) if you want to keep up with what I’m doing in the future. Associatesmind is always waiting around too. If the occasion calls for it, I might pop back in here to ramble on about something.

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So long, and thanks for all the fish.


Keith Lee practices law at Hamer Law Group, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama. He writes about professional development, the law, the universe, and everything at Associate’s Mind. He is also the author of The Marble and The Sculptor: From Law School To Law Practice (affiliate link), published by the ABA. You can reach him at keith.lee@hamerlawgroup.com or on Twitter at @associatesmind.

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