by Scott Bonder
President, DeKalb Bar Association

Manners matter. Manners influence what others think of us and through their development as habits ultimately influence what we think of ourselves. Model the behavior you think best represents the competent professional and you will begin the transformation into that professional.

I do not mean to suggest altering your personality or changing your speech patterns. Instead, focus on those social manners that will project positive engagement with the community and people around you. For births, deaths, and significant events, try to send cards and personal notes. For illness and hardship, send meals or otherwise offer assistance. Do not limit these activities to your immediate circle of friends. Instead, expand your circle of friends by engaging in this conduct widely. These practices and manners were taught to me by several outstanding mentors and I have yet to regret one bouquet of flowers, meal or chore.

by Scott Bonder
President, DeKalb Bar Association

The pervasiveness of common errors does not render them acceptable. Lawyers should be models of proper speech and writing, which were developed to foster clarity and economy of communication. By offering these examples I do not suggest that I am error free. To the contrary, the following are but a few examples of improper usage that I struggle to remove from my communications daily (including those typos and errors that will inevitably and unintentionally end up in this article). Also, these are guidelines and exceptions may exist.