Abe Goren, with Wilson, Cribbs + Goren.

Abe Goren is a Texas real estate attorney with nearly 40 years experience. He is a co-founders of Wilson Cribbs + Goren, one of the largest commercial real estate boutique firms in Houston, and was one of the first attorneys to become board certified in commercial real estate law by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Texas.

The legal profession is constantly evolving and that evolution only seems to have accelerated in recent years. What's the biggest change you've seen in the profession during your career?

The extraordinary speed at which issues, information and documentation are received, analyzed and processed by attorneys is incredible. Correspondingly, the computer and communication technology and attorneys' mastery of that technology is absolutely astounding. Thirty-five years ago, I could not have imagined the work that I and practically every other practitioner routinely does preparing and editing legal documents on our computers.

What is one thing about the profession that has remained unchanged over the years?

Acting with courtesy, integrity and respect for others (i) at your office with all who work with you, (ii) in your encounters with other practitioners and their assistants, and (iii) in public generally continues to be essential to your ability to achieve your professional goals, to overcome challenges, to accomplish difficult tasks, to effectively represent your clients' interests, and, most importantly, to have an impact on our profession and a career of meaningful service to others.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone entering into the profession that you wish you had as a young lawyer?

You become a far better practitioner by carefully listening to and analyzing the opinions and thoughts of others than by always striving and feeling the need to have your opinions heard and approved by others. I have participated in numerous negotiation meetings and conference calls with both highly and less experienced attorneys. It continues to amaze me what concessions and compromises I receive by simply listening to the position statements by the opposing counsel and his/her reasoning and justification for same. Before I even have an opportunity to respond, I hear a compromise or concession offered on the issue by the opposing counsel. Less experienced attorneys within my firm sometimes participate with me in those discussions and learn the value of listening as a key negotiating skill.