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Take what you can from it, but note the things that don’t work or what you would do differently. Eventually you develop your own style.
Nothing more frustrating than working across from attorneys that do this. Fighting on immaterial points doesn’t benefit your clients in the long run, either substantively or by driving up the legal bill
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One of those “true believers.” Yuck.
It’s just a game where you bill hours of your life. Occasionally some theatrics, but no need to be self-righteous about it.
I generally have a discussion with my external counsel about how I expect them to handle requests for extension, courtesies, general attitude towards litigation. Helps avoid a lot of these issues over time.
First, unless I expressly say the matter is unusually critical to the business, I expect lawsuits to be resolved as early and as cheaply as possible. Second, we can be aggressive and professional simultaneously. Absent some real proof of games being played, I expect professional courtesies to be extended and I don’t play scorched earth, personal attacks, sarcasm, etc. It’s not effective and ultimately hurts the business more than it ever helps. Third, my company’s disputes are not my disputes. I have no emotional connection to any dispute. If my case stinks, I want to be told that yesterday. That doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily agree with you, but I want your unfiltered view on the case.
To be clear, partner is super nice internally and very supportive of me, but the bulldog approach just is really tactless and it feels like it has cost us credibility before. Maybe I'm too soft and therapypilled, but it just feels uncomfortable to defend when inevitably motions get filed.
Sounds fun