Perspective

Sport and Court

by Yvonne Takvorian Saville, Esquire

I am not sure that my parents have ever completely forgiven me for the day I walked in and announced that I had become a Dallas Cowboys fan. Both my mother and father were born and raised in Philadelphia, so you can imagine the ruckus created by my announcement. What had prompted the change was that Erik, my then boyfriend (now husband) had been a Cowboys and Roger Staubach fan for most of his life and I figured it would be fun rooting for the same team. That was about twelve years ago and since then, I have become as rabid a fan as Erik.

Naturally, given the status of our team the last few (ok, seven) years, we have been on the receiving end of a LOT of.... well, let’s call it freedom of expression from our family and friends, many of whom cheer for the local team. This has included some taunting on and off season, ecstatic Eagle fan messages left on our answering machine day and night for the last two years, and what some people (not me) consider to be humorous e-mails on Monday morning. However, as we near the end of summer and approach fall, I know I am not the only member of this Bar excited about the upcoming football season.

I don’t think it is too surprising that if you love football, it follows that you are likely as passionate about the practice of law. The two actually share a number of similarities:

“Players” and “lawyers” are fighters. We want to win. Decisions must be made which are at times, split-second ones, based on our experience in playing in previous games. We each have “colleagues” who play for the same side as us and the “opposing team” whose job it is to prevent us from winning.

There are numerous “plays” on the field during a football game much like those made in the course of litigation - small steps taken to achieve what we believe will get us to the right end result. Often, a “referee” is required to make a “call” on something that has occurred during the course of the proceedings. A “challenge” may be made in “objection” to a call, but it is the field or trial “judge” who has the final word on that play.

Naturally, there are “rules” applicable to all participants. It is the only way to keep things fair, structured and on an even playing field, otherwise you have chaos. If you do not play by the rules in either the sport or court, you expect there will be a penalty which can include fines, suspension, orbeing thrown out altogether.

Without the lifeblood of either organization, the “fans” and the “clients,” the association could not exist. Both of them depend on us to achieve a satisfactory result and hopefully win the day.
There is the supporting “personnel” or “staff.” They make the organizations function consistently, efficiently and it is impossible to imagine a team or office without them.

Perhaps the most important aspect of your sport or legal career is the “coach” or “mentor,” usually a veteran. It is this individual who helps to guide, teach, and encourage you, whether on or off the field, while simultaneously giving you room to grow as you learn from your wins and losses. He/she respects your opinions, supports your decisions and is without a doubt, a key element in making you a better player because of the time and interest he/she takes in both your professional and personal endeavors. I was extremely fortunate to find my coach right out of law school, my senior partner, Michael Weiss, Esquire. My enthusiasm for law is in great part attributable to what I have learned from him. I am sure every member of this Bar who has been lucky enough to have a mentor in our field would agree that it is an essential ingredient for success.

In both the game of football and the practice of law, image is crucial. While the nature of both can be aggressive and contentious, the conduct of all the participants is scrutinized by the public. As a result, we should conduct ourselves accordingly and build a positive lasting impression of ourselves and our chosen profession. One of the best ways to attain that goal is to ensure that we make time to give something back to our communities through “charitable” giving and/or “pro bono” work. Perhaps it will encourage others to do the same.

Whether you are a rookie or a more seasoned player, we must all remember that although winning the game or case is important, in the end it is really 1) the RELATIONSHIPS you form, 2) the REPUTATION you create, 3) the EX-PERIENCES you share, 4) the LESSONS you learn and 5) the PASSION for what you do, that make you the best player, lawyer and person regardless of which team/side you play for or the financial rewards you reap.

This is my favorite time of the year. The weather cools down, the leaves change color and football season starts anew with anticipation of the unknown. Go Tuna and the Big D! And please, don’t send me any e-mails come Monday morning.

Return to September 2003 Table of Contents.