The Focus and Fun in Practicing Law is Nothing Like it Was

I have to tell you that Michael Bowen’s Final Thought article, “The Power of Stories: Finding Patterns in Puzzles,” in the May issue of the Wisconsin Lawyer really hit the nail on the head for me.

It took me back to the time when I joined my father in the practice of law in 1972 and reminded me of how we did it then. I was reminded as to all the cases we took and issues we resolved that often netted little income but made a major difference in the lives of those we helped.

The article further reminded me how the focus in the practice eventually shifted to the point that when my daughter started practicing law a few years back, the environment was exactly as the article identified. I feel ancient as I now try to relate to the article’s description today.

The focus (and probably the fun) in practicing law is nothing like it was. We had time to serve as chairpersons of service clubs, nonprofits, church committees, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and try to make a difference in our communities outside the confines of our offices.

Unfortunately, billable hours drive the train today and while law is now more a business than a profession, in the pursuit of billable hours, so many other opportunities for service and just enjoying life in general are missed.

I’ve been blessed to practice in this profession for 44 years and that will come to an end at the end of this year. Thanks for sharing Michael’s article.

William F. Fale
Fale, Fale & Hemsing Law Offices, Sheboygan

Here’s What you May Have Missed

Not connecting with us online? This month we highlight readers’ comments posted to online articles. Let’s hear what you have to say. Post comments to WisBar News, InsideTrack, and Wisconsin Lawyer articles or respond to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter posts. Or simply email the editors at wislawmag@wisbar.org.

Lobbying for a Stronger, Better-funded Justice System

In April, State Bar representatives President Ralph Cagle, President-elect Fran Deisinger, and Past President and ABA Treasurer-elect Michelle Behnke attended the ABA Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Among the legal issues they lobbied Congress were funding for Legal Services Corporation, federal sentencing reform, and reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention Act. They also advocated in support of preserving the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Read “Wisconsin Lawyers Advocate for Civil Legal Services, Juvenile Justice and Sentencing Reform” in the April 27, 2016, issue of Rotunda Report for details. A reader responded.

Reader Response: Very happy to see that there was lobbying to retain Public Service Loan Forgiveness in its current format. Without it, many of us who provide legal services to low-income people could not continue our work. PSLF gives us hope that we will not be paying our student loans as long as a mortgage.

Karen Bauer
Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee

See more photos from ABA Day on our Facebook page.