Tuesday, January 5, 2010

From Kyra

I was lucky to have co-counseled with Jack on a case against the State Department of Ed six or seven years back. Calling himself "a recovering Texan," he added much-needed insight, levity, and can-do-it-ness to the litigation effort by doing stuff like whipping up a draft TRO overnight (yes it suffered much editing by moi), regaling us (modestly) with his numerous former legal battles, giving folksy and sage advice, and quoting all manner of folk in his emails (like Neruda, Dylan, Langston Hughes, Townes Van Zandt, Curtis Mayfield, and...himself). Among some of of the gems I found this week in my emails: in response to my bitching about opposing counsel trying to give me litigation "tips," Jack said, "ask if he is a certified MCLE provider so you can get a 'MCLE minute' out of the conversation--they build up slowly at 1st but over the years I have hours & hours of it." Jack could really deliver a compliment and I always felt so honored when he delivered one to me. I think it was because he was always the one that actually deserved the compliment. For instance. He reported that as a young Catholic boy he was told that he could avoid committing sin by avoiding scenarios and people that could tempt. He decided that this made sense, and said that "now I avoid the near occasions of cowardice & stupidity [to both of which I am prone by nature] by being sure that when I am litigation, I am surrounded by brave and smart folks." No, Jack, we were fortunate to be in your brave and smart company and we're muchly (ala Jack) the closer to vice and failure in our efforts without it now.

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