The Power of Presence | Sacramento Estate Attorney

Woody Allen says, “Showing up is 80 percent of life.” He also said that once you start your project “you are half way towards something good happening.” Now I can’t say that I view Woody Allen as an exemplar of great wisdom, but he really has a good point when it comes to showing up. I think that my mother actually taught me this lesson at a young age.

In forty years of practicing law I’ve had to show up at a lot of events, hearings, and meetings. I’ve traveled the country – appeared in court in eleven different states and personally met with associated lawyers in four foreign countries on their home turf. At one time we had clients in thirty-one states and I visited all of the states. I knew that showing up is 80% of success even before Wood Allen took credit for it.

Showing up is really about the power of presence. There is nothing like being able to look the other person in the eye – even if the person is an adversary. Meeting in person allows us to take the measure of each other and more often than not makes further communication easier.

I’ve waited in more than one office to meet with someone who would not take my call. It’s far more difficult to escape a personal meeting with someone actually present than having your assistant refuse a phone call. This is not to say that I stalk – it is just that when a client asks us to accomplish a task we use available ethical and responsible means to achieve success. I find it appalling when opposing counsel will not take calls and refuses to meet. This, in my judgment, is not professional and makes more difficult our ability to resolve differences.

If you are seeking counsel in estate, trust and probate litigation in Northern California, call us. If you hire Hackard Law, we’ll show up at the times and places that are necessary for your case. We may be reached at 916 313-3030.