As I write this month’s message, the very “popular” film adaptation of (a Broadway show adaptation of the book) “Wicked” has recently been released.  I am not always willing to share my full nerdiness with the world but today I confess that as a child, I read all 14 books about the Land of Oz published by L. Frank Baum and the progeny authored by Gregory Maguire. I am such a geek that I actually found out through another popular website that I am a 13th cousin to Mr. Baum.  But I digress, the point of this message is to address the theme of Good versus Bad, or “Wicked,” if you will indulge me.

So often in the practice of law we are faced with this question, “Am I on the good side?”  We hear others describe us as “being on the dark side.” I choose to ask myself, “am I doing the right thing?”

Last month we had an amazing event for our new members exclusively sponsored by the Law Firm of Carpenter & Zuckerman. The night before our event, I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Zuckerman. In 25 years of practicing personal injury defense in LA, either he and I, or our respective firms, had worked on many, many files together and yet we had never met in person.  Zuckerman and I discussed this very concept. We acknowledged that the one thing we could count on from one another was that, although we would always zealously represent our clients, we knew each other would always “do the right thing.”  

Every day, each one us needs to do the right thing—for each other, for our families, and for our community and that includes our legal community. Ask yourself, are your emails to opposing counsel harsh? Direct is fine, but what’s your tone? Consider offering the other side a little grace instead of accusing them of “stringing you along.” Consider picking up the phone when there’s a conflict so they can hear the tone of your voice when you genuinely, sincerely ask, “how can we resolve this?” Consider being the solution to the problem instead of the problem itself. Ask yourself whether using the term “respectfully” when you start off a sentence is actually respectful.

I had a mentor in law school, my Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Brother, Sandy Rae. He passed almost 14 years ago but I still remember the words of the inspirational speeches he used to give about civility. I am paraphrasing, but I remember him saying, the practice of law is not a job you work from 9 to 5, it is a profession, a profession.  We, as lawyers, are held to a higher standard.

So, I could speak negative here and start telling you some “wicked” stories. I will instead, in the spirit of the season that is fast-approaching, ask you each to turn to each other, give a little more, grant the extension, be courteous, be kind, do a mitzvah, just do the right thing. And if you aren’t sure what to do, then I refer you back to Mr. Baum who wrote in his famous novel of Good Witches and Bad Witches, “You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.”—The Wizard of Oz.

If you are feeling particularly “good” this year, or if you have been especially “wicked” and need to make up for it, I ask that you consider donating to the WLALA Foundation’s Annual Giving Fund whose theme this year is “It takes a Community to Build Champions”. As a legal community we depend on each other to light the path for others, to provide equal access to justice to all, and open the doors for the next generation. Go to: https://wlala.org/product/general-donation-wlala–wlala-foundation/ to make your donation.

Finally, as we head into this Holiday season, I wish you all so many blessings, but most of all I wish you well, and I wish you will be changed “for good,” in this coming year–“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return…Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? [But] Because I knew you I have been changed for good.” Lyrics from “For Good” from Wicked Original Broadway Soundtrack.

Noelle Natoli
President, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angel