Monday Mentors with Austin Litigator Steve Skarnulis

Austin litigator Steve Skarnulis of Cain & Skarnulis

Steve Skarnulis of the Austin law firm Cain & Skarnulis is our guest today. Steve talks about committing to learn the business and industry language of a case, why job-hopping can concern future employers, and what 15 years in the restaurant business taught him.

  • Steve / The firm/ the practice
    • 13th year and up to 14 lawyers (grown at a comfortable/organic pace)
    • Began purely business litigation, and recently added a transactional practice with a new real estate partner
    • Gone to an automated document management/discovery system which has allowed them to handle matters that as a small firm they might not have been able to handle otherwise
      • some lawyers adapt quicker than others, but the younger lawyers have really stepped up
    • He was in the restaurant business for 15 years, owning some of them for 10 years
      • Lawyers think they have it tough, but the restaurant hours are insane and not at all in your control...the trial never ends in the restaurant business!
      • Gave him the discipline to focus when the work/hours get tough
      • Also a business sense that helps with financials, etc.
  • Advice to lawyers
    • Commit to diving into the experts work on the financials so you can know the business piece of the case
    • Learn the language of the business/industry
      • Closeology in oil/gas example from TJ Turner
    • Be a decent human being along side being a tough lawyer; treat opposing side with respect
      • Daniel gives Kobe Bryant example
      • Plaintiff lawyer with private plane who picked up defense counsel on the way out to El Paso for depo/hearing
    • Learn to communicate as a normal person with plain language; check out Chad Baruch books/articles/briefs.
    • Always be willing to take on something new / be eager
  • When hiring lawyers into their firm
    • Red flag on resume - someone who can't stick with something for a reasonable period of time (several short stints at places give cause for concern)
    • performed reasonably well in law school and/or breadth of experience
    • solid writing sample matters
    • looking for those who are eager and hungry; likable and able to get along with
    • candidates should have done their homework and then have questions in the interview about the type of work they could expect to be involved with; shows you care about the firm
  • Austin legal practice
    • The construction boom continues, which equals lawsuits and litigation
    • New courthouse is going up
    • May be a few judges turnover in the 2020 election
  • Broadway Show Recommendations: Dear Evan Hansen; Come From Away
  • Rapid Fire Questions
    • Important trait for associates: grit
    • Key habit: calendaring everything
    • Favorite app/tool: Centerbase
    • Favorite Legal Movie: To Kill A Mockingbird

Bonus COVID-19 Segment

  • Immediately went remote/online
  • Virtual depos can work, but not for all
  • Work has been steady
  • Grateful to be able to continue working, and believes its important to support those who can't work
  • Expecting a busy second half of the year
  • Lots of outreach to clients and giving free advice on employment and economic stimulus program
  • Oil/Gas businesses have been hit extra hard, and likely will result in large numbers of bankruptcies
  • Opposing counsel very understanding and people are working together
  • Courts doing all they can to move cases forward, but there are limits to that
  • Austin Bar communicating well
  • Advice for lawyers
    • Work cases all the way up for trial (timelines, jury charges, etc.); take advantage of the additional time
    • Write short articles
  • Favorite social distancing activity - wine walk: take a walk around the neighborhood with wine in plastic wine glasses and talk with neighbors at a safe distance