Merriam-Webster.com defines the word compassion as “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”

As trial lawyers our job is to be there to help our clients in their time of need.

And that means more than just knowing the law or being a legal tactician. It means caring about your client and showing that you are there to understand and help.

Karen J. Mathis, Esq., the former president of the American Bar Association, put it this way: “Ultimately, lawyering is a delicate balancing between a constantly evolving world and the fundamental principles that define our legal system. It calls upon your compassion as well as your intellect, your heart as well as your head. . . . Caring is as much a part of the legal profession as intelligence. . . . It is every lawyer’s responsibility in every setting to serve others.”

Having compassion for our clients makes us better lawyers.

When a client feels that you understand and care about them and their situation it makes them feel more comfortable with you and more willing to share information or feelings that can be useful tools in trials.

When clients feel that lawyers care about them and understand them that creates a better environment and helps us be better advocates.

For some of us, compassion comes easily, while for others it is more difficult. Either way, showing compassion to clients can be taxing and add to lawyers’ stress.

Stress for lawyers and how to handle it will be one of the topics addressed during the upcoming Meadowlands Seminar 2023, taking place Wednesday – Friday, November 15 – 17.

As you will see elsewhere in this issue, the subject is part of the Matrimonial Law program on Friday, November 17.

The Meadowlands Seminar 2023 features 21 terrific programs on a wide array of topics. It is three days of terrific learning and networking. You can register online.

Make sure you get all of the lawyers in your firm as well as other attorneys you know to register.

The Meadowlands Seminar 2023 is a reminder that the holiday season will soon be here. That is a time when NJAJ shows its generosity through our philanthropic efforts.

We are conducting the 19th annual NJAJ Turkey Drive to raise money for food banks in the north, central and south regions of our state.

The Minority Trial Lawyers Caucus will be conducting a coat drive to benefit Jersey Cares. You can bring lightly used coats to the Meadowlands Seminar and drop them off.

Also at the Meadowlands Seminar, the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus will be holding a First Night Kit drive for Jersey Cares to collect hygiene supplies for people spending their first night in shelters or foster homes.

Lastly the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus is conducting the annual NJAJ Holiday Project to collect toys and gift cards for the children of YCS, Youth Consultation Service. The collection point will be the NJAJ Holiday Party that takes place on Tuesday, December 5 in New Brunswick, NJ.

We members of NJAJ have a proud history of giving generously to all of our charitable drives.  Please consider supporting these efforts so we can keep up with past drives. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Meadowlands Seminar.

Until next month…