Biggest Challenges Faced by an Attorney at Fisher Phillips
Ryan from Fisher Phillips finds the biggest challenge in their role as an attorney is dealing with unprepared and unethical opposing counsel, especially "bombastic characters...not necessarily motivated on doing the right thing," requiring them to maintain composure in contentious situations like depositions where opposing counsel may resort to "pot shots" and "discriminatory remarks" to derail focus. A key skill for Ryan is recognizing these tactics as "red herrings" and remaining focused on achieving objectives.
Workplace Challenges, Ethical Dilemmas, Professionalism, Resilience, Communication
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Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
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Ryan Harrison, Sr.
Attorney
Fisher Phillips
UC Davis
CSUS - MS Criminal Justice; UC Law SF - Juris Doctor
Anthropology, Sociology
Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Dealing with unprepared or unethical opposing counsel is a significant challenge.
2. Maintaining composure and professionalism in the face of unprofessional behavior is crucial, especially during depositions.
3. Recognizing and avoiding distractions or 'red herrings' from opposing counsel is essential for staying focused and achieving goals.
Transcript
Q6: Biggest challenge in your role.
The biggest challenge in my role has to do with dealing with attorneys on the other side who are not prepared, who maybe don't understand the law, and who maybe don't exercise the same level of humility that I exercise. I experience a lot of bombastic characters in this area of law, people who are money motivated, not necessarily motivated on doing the right thing.
Having to temper my reaction and respond in a professional way can be challenging at times, especially in a deposition. This is the part of a case where you get information from the other side. You're sitting in a conference room, the witness is testifying with a court reporter, and there's no judge.
The attorneys are supposed to be on their best behavior, but they take potshots at each other. You get opposing counsel making remarks, sometimes discriminatory remarks, so that I can be upset and lose my focus and train of thought.
You've got to call it for what it is: it's a red herring. It's a way for you to lose your focus. You just have to keep focused, know what you need to do, and just get it done.
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