The Superbowl and The Law

For my avid readers, you will remember that around this time last year, I wrote an article relating to lawyers and the Superbowl. More specifically, it was about this college girlfriend who told me she was getting married to some guy in her hometown of Rochester, New York. He was “in the family business”. I was in or just out of law school and thought I was king of the world. I had visions of her spending the rest of her days in dreary Rochester with some guy whose father probably owned a used car lot or something. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But I was a lawyer.
Stupid me, it turns out he was one of the five Glazer sons, whose dad Malcolm owned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last year’s winner) and Manchester United Soccer team. Some “family business”. We all can agree she traded “way up”.
Anyway, this year, in watching the Rams edge it out over Cincinnati, the thought I had was this: The Superbowl is actually antithetical to the best practice of law. That is because the best practice of law results in a compromise, the only way both parties truly win.
With the superbowl, and most sporting events, there is but one winner. It is all about being “the best”. Except for maybe those people who watch the game for the commercials or the half time show. And what a show this year for you middle age rap fans! I have but one question: Where was Run- DMC?
As you regular readers know I tend to digress a bit in each one of my articles. This month’s digression was how I was scarred over the menage a trois Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Commercial from the 2014 superbowl which you can watch at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUQfealM99Q). Those poor children and adults forced to watch!
Having digressed, I now return to my main point. People come to see a lawyer to resolve a dispute they cannot resolve on their own. Personal injury lawyers sometime talk in turns of “winning”, getting the most money from their unfortunate accident. But isn’t that really just a compromise with the insurance company?
You win with your lawyer if you have an advocate that can settle your case on the terms most favorable to you. What’s the alternative? Well, you can go to trial. But it doesn’t necessarily end there. You have motions for a new trial, motions for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Then perhaps an appeal or two. If you get lucky, maybe a remand back for another trial?
No. The best outcome is almost always (see the lawyer in me) a settlement in the law. For all of your family law and litigation needs, contact the Law Offices of Richard A. Marcus (661) 257-8877.