A Law Firm Partner and a Navy Seal Share Tips for Thriving in Big Law
Nixon Peabody's Phil Taub and former Navy SEAL Jason Kuhn say a shift in mindset and the application of some SEAL tenets can go a long way in overcoming the challenges of Big Law.
January 03, 2023 at 04:38 PM
8 minute read
While most lawyers and Navy SEALs lead much different professional daily lives, there are several fundamental SEAL tenets that can be applied to the legal profession and help lawyers be more effective and productive in their careers.
This topic arose when I complained to my Navy SEAL friend how being a lawyer means we are grinding it out every day. Whether in the courtroom or the boardroom, every day brings a lot of stress and pressure. Former SEAL Jason Kuhn offered that if I were to adjust my mindset, that grind would suddenly become easier and more enjoyable. I was immediately intrigued. Here is what Jason explained using key phrases that he learned from his time serving as a member of one of our country's most elite special operations team.
"The only easy day was yesterday." Every practicing lawyer should be able to relate to this phrase. It originated not in the legal world, but from Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training (known as BUD/S), the most difficult military training in the world. "The only easy day was yesterday" is one the most iconic phrases used by the Navy SEAL community and most often associated with students going through BUD/S training.
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