Monday Mentors with Houston Trial Lawyer Spencer Edwards

Spencer Edwards, a shareholder and trial lawyer with The Hudgins Law Firm in Houston, joins us on today's show. Spencer talks about how to conduct yourself in trial, being eager to learn, and demonstrating work ethic in an interview.

His firm/practice

• 97 Baylor Law grad (25 years of practice)
• Catastrophic Injury / Wrongful Death trial lawyer (though hasn't tried one since 2019 due to COVID)
• COVID has essentially created a backlog of cases and trials, and that hasn't stopped new cases from coming in
  • Has a case set for trial March 1st
• The shift in the judiciary has made an impact on the practice (R to D in Harris County), which initially meant actual trial lawyers were on the bench which was helpful. But now, there has been a shift in competence, experience, and consistency as well, which creates a different dynamic
• More high dollar verdicts in recent years has injected uncertainty on the defense side in valuing cases as well as emboldened plaintiff's lawyers

Advice to lawyers in practice

• Remember that you are going to work with/against lawyers/judges again, so don't be a jerk!
  • Chill
  • No need to be super aggressive
  • Only takes one moment to damage your reputation
• Throw inside if you must, but don't throw a beanball!
  • If another attorney does that to you, however, you have to be willing to push back, especially in front of the jury
  • If rules of procedure/evidence don't apply, then they aren't going to apply, so don't be the only one confined by them
    • Also have to be prepared for rulings against you, even if they are clearly wrong
  • Do it with a smile on your face; don't lose your cool; don't try to embarrass the judge; you can get makeup calls!
• Keep perspective
  • You are going to lose cases, even some you should have won (you'll probably win some you should have lost)
  • Don't let losses devastate you
  • Exude confidence in the courtroom; act like you feel like you can/should win
• Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions / pride is dangerous to a young lawyer
  • And ask why
• Don't make the same mistake twice
• If something needs to get done right now, that might not be the best time to push back/challenge/ask why...just do it! Find the right time/context.
• The best way to develop business is to do good work; and then watch the way lawyers at your firm develop their business and imitate that
• Learn how to talk on the phone! Older partners/clients expect it and are used to it

Advice to Lawyers On The Lateral Market

• He's not a big resume guy!
• At their firm, a couple of younger lawyers review all the resumes and decide who to interview, and so he rarely sees the resumes. Also, law schools vary with their grading scales, so it is hard to compare candidates based on that
• Impressed with work history (even in high school and college) that demonstrates work ethic
  • Important to bring up these things in an interview if you realize it could help you, since these items are likely not on your legal resume

Final Thought

• From Professor Matt Dawson's speech to his law school graduating class: "I'm a smart guy, but that's not why I have been successful. I am successful because I have always worked hard. Don't get outworked. Don't let the other side beat you by outworking you." Great trial lawyer advice.

Rapid Fire Questions

1. Name one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: Eager to learn
2. What habit has been key to your success: Get some sleep
3. Favorite app/productivity tool: Whiteboard
4. What would be listed first on the interest line of your resume: Baseball / Astros
5. Favorite legal movie: My Cousin Vinny

Thanks again to Spencer Edwards for joining us on today's show!