Some lives deserve to be studied. They're examples to be followed. Such a life was Emmet J. Agoglia's. Born November 18, 1930, he died on July 24 at age 87 following a short battle with leukemia.

Emmet, a leading trial lawyer from Long Island, was a role model for all who came after him. He was always more about giving than getting.

After both of us served in the Army, we first met in the 1950's at the Hartford, working as investigators while going to St. John's Law School at night. We both had been Brooklyn Eagle Carrier boys, we both went to college in Brooklyn, he to St. Francis where he later became a board member, I to St. John's. On admission to the bar, we both went right into the Hartford Legal Department as new lawyers in a firm known as Lawless and Lynch. Yes, we made it into “Ripley's Believe it or Not.” We were always together after that.

He set a great example. Only a few months older than me, he brought more energy and joy to work than I'd ever seen. He said, “Some days, Henry, I can't wait to get into the office.” How different than those who say, “Oh, another day! Is it Friday yet?” I've tried to counsel young lawyers who are looking for the path to follow to try to find the one where you can't wait to get to the office in the morning. Find the joy and go for it.

He was always a little ahead of me. He married Carroll. Sixty-one years later, it's the best thing he ever did. Then I married and bought my first house. Emmet, a Renaissance man, even knew how to do closings so he represented me. At the closing, we had to write checks. I ran out of money. The house was expensive, $44,000, we're talking big money. I panicked. He said, “Don't worry, I'll pay for it.” And he wrote all the other checks. Now that's the kind of lawyer you want to represent you.

He was my mentor. How to make this argument. How to cross-examine. I looked to him for it all and followed in his footsteps. But he always outdid me. I had five children, he had seven. I had ten grandchildren, he had fourteen. He always led the way. He left the Hartford first and joined Riley and Riley, led by the legendary John Riley, known as Eyebrows, a teacher of many fine trial lawyers. But at the end, Mr. Riley told me Emmet was his best. Riley loved all things Irish like Emmet's first name, but what was he to do with Agoglia? He finally gave in and nicknamed him, “The Mediterranean Mick.”

When the state bar asked me to do a one-day seminar on the trial each year, I told them I wanted Emmet to be on the program with me. And he, of course, said yes. He always told the attendees about the big picture. He told the lawyers to remember they'll never be complete until they dedicate part of their career to the service of others. He dedicated his life to that goal. He saw the law as a life of service.

When I was president of the state bar, I had the great joy of naming him the chair of the committee on volunteers for which he received the pro bono award of the state bar.

Here's his secret. He became a lawyer not just to make a living – although that was important – but to help others. His view of the lawyer's life was to give back. Intensely religious, his faith animated his entire life and filled him with hope to make a better world. But his main focus was always charity. To give to others. The law was a ministry where we paid back for the many blessings we have.

That's his gift to us. He taught us the joy of a life of giving. No greater life exists. He believed we are measured not by the money we've made or the awards we've been given, but by the good we've done for others.

Yes, Emmet was a gifted trial lawyer, a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. But he wanted nothing to interfere with his work for others. His favorite charity, unsurprisingly, was his leadership of the charity New Ground which cares for those in need. The world is a better place because Emmet was in it. It's my hope his example will continue to inspire us.

Thank you, Emmet, for making our lives better. We were blessed to have you. But don't think you're finished yet. We'll continue to reach out to you. A great example like you is forever.

Henry G. Miller is a senior member of the White Plains law firm of Clark, Gagliardi & Miller.