Advice from a Lawyer Who’s Been There, Done That
Joseph Flom is the last-named lawyer in Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and he’s the only lawyer who is still with the law firm since it was formed 60 years ago this month.
Flom, 84, had advice and reflections on everything from client service to the economic downturn in an interview with the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). His advice:
On client service: Lawyers should return all calls “hopefully in an hour but no longer than one day.”
On ethics: Ask the client, “How would you like to read this on the front page of the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal?”
On the economic downturn: Economic problems can help restore financial discipline to law firms. “Businesses need to go through hard times every once in a while, otherwise you get fat and happy. You stop and think, ‘Do you need two secretaries, or one?’ ”
