Another attorney and I battled it out in court for almost three hours. It was a case that had to be heard by the court. What I liked was that the other attorney was kind of like me. 
We’re throwbacks to a time when cases were tried when necessary, not settled or continued. The Magistrate did a good job of ruling on objections. I think I know the outcome, but that’s up to the Magistrate, not me.
Sometimes, I hear people complain that attorneys have some buddy system. Are we friends outside of court? Yes. Do we do what we can against each other in court? Yes, we do. I point this part out only because clients see their attorney talking to the other attorney, and oftentimes, it’s a friendly conversation. That part of it ends when we walk into the courtroom.
I use the analogy of boxing. For 12 rounds, two guys pound on each other and then embrace(attorneys don’t do the last part). It ends; we go our separate ways and can be friendly toward each other again until the next time we meet in court.
Folks, please believe there is no collusion regarding your case. Most of our business is by word of mouth, which requires us not to cut secret deals but to fight for the rights of the people we represent.
Originally written on March 25, 2013