Sunday, June 12, 2011

On Experts

"He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches."
-- George Bernard Shaw. Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"

"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym."
-- Woody Allen

"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym.  And those who can't teach gym, become experts."
-- Roseanne

"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym.  Those who can't teach gym, become experts.  And those who can't become experts become experts in expert opinions."
 -- Gary Freedman

Why do I work hard?  "Because if I don't work hard at this country club of a law firm, I won't end up getting fired -- then get certified insane and be able to retire at age 37!"

1 comment:

My Daily Struggles said...

7. Some time in early April 1988 a legal assistant named Sandra Sussman, with whom I shared office space for a few days, told me that it was her perception that prospective legal assistants were hired more for their social skills and ability to fit in the group than for their professional ability. She may have used the phrase “country club” to describe her perception of the Akin Gump legal assistant environment.

She stated that she felt she did not fit in because she was older (about 28 years old), more mature, and had a different background than the other legal assistants. Ms. Sussman had served in the armed forces, and, if I recall correctly, was stationed in the Netherlands.

Ms. Sussman voluntarily resigned from the firm a few weeks later, in April 1988.

["Mobbing is typically found in work environments that have poorly organized production and/or working methods and incapable or inattentive management." The D.C. Court of Appeals in the disbarment proceedings involving Akin Gump attorney Michael X. Morrell, Esq. chastised the firm's senior managers for their lax management style.

I was 34 years old when I was assigned to Akin Gump by a temporary agency in March 1988, considerably older than other firm paralegals. I was hired as an Akin Gump temporary in June 1988 because I had existing skills that the firm needed.

Akin Gump fired a 50-year-old attorney Donald G. Gross in 2004, citing as a reason for the termination the "lack of fit" between Gross and other attorneys at the firm. When I was terminated in October 29, 1991 by hiring partner Dennis M. Race, Race told me there was a "lack of fit" between me and other firm personnel.]





http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sandra-sussman/5/1a1/207