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How a Reed Smith Partner Learned Wealth, Power Were the Wrong Priorities

Posted Dec 17, 2007 1:51 PM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss

A. Scott Bolden, a partner at Reed Smith in Washington, D.C., didn’t listen to his lawyers’ advice after an ex-girlfriend called him about his long-rumored daughter.

The ex told Bolden shortly before Thanksgiving in 2001 that his daughter, Shayla, was turning 18 and needed him, Bolden recalls in a lengthy first-person Washington Post article.

Bolden had never believed the child was his. He had previously offered financial help, just the same, but the girl’s mother declined. After the phone call, Bolden decided to take a paternity test. Shayla was his daughter.

Lawyers advised Bolden to agree to pay his daughter’s college tuition while asking her to keep his identity a secret by signing a confidentiality agreement. But Bolden didn’t see the need for secrecy. Instead, he decided it was time to change his priorities and begin a relationship with Shayla.

“I had become a partner in a prestigious law firm—one of the first African-Americans in Reed Smith's history—in record time; had been head of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce; and had the trappings of wealth—luxury cars, an expensive home in Georgetown and a seat at the best tables for some of the most important functions in Washington,” he wrote.

“But hindsight would reveal just how unbalanced my priorities had become. Money, power and political ambition were my holy trinity, my amen and hallelujah chorus. … And before it was all over, Shayla's arrival would shine an even brighter spotlight on the mess I had made of my life.”

Comments

1.

Scott Summer
Dec 21, 2007 5:18 AM CST

Where the heck is the rest of the story?

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2.

Scott Summer
Dec 21, 2007 5:19 AM CST

Sorry, I found the Washington Post link….

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3.

Jay Gatsby
Dec 21, 2007 7:15 AM CST

Although the rest of the story seems to be missing, I do have a few comments.  Mr. Bolden’s sentiments are touching, but they ring somewhat hollow.  He has already achieved “money, power and political ambition”, so of course those things don’t hold his attention as much as they used to in the past.  At this point, he appears to be trying to make up for lost time, but unfortunately it is time he cannot recapture. 

I can imagine that he would likely have felt the exact same feelings towards his career if he had decided to be a father much earlier in Shayla’s life.  In other words, he would have regretted having become a father too early in his life and sacrificed his hopes and dreams.

It’s often the case with those who have achieved greatness, whether in terms of fame, fortune or political office, that they turn to family or charitable causes later in life.  Yet to express such change of heart as an epiphany of sorts is not accurate.  They always knew of their desires for family or charity, but CHOSE to pursue money, power and fame at the expense of such things.

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4.

nanette
Dec 21, 2007 7:48 AM CST

There are just so many things about this article that make me sick I don’t know where to begin. First, why is this news - and in the Washington Post yet - I’m so disappointed. And in the ABA journal - because this is good lawyer behavior. This man not only was working to serve his own interests - he still is. It took him SIX YEARS to realize the importance of his twins and what a big man going to meet his first daughter because he had to be there anyway for the NBA all star game - life is tough isn’t it. And when he does get involved he expects to be reminded about tuition payments for his grand daughter. So I guess he still is pretty self absorbed.
I am so disgusted by this man that there are just no adequate words!

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5.

Myriam
Dec 21, 2007 8:36 AM CST

The story is not complete.  Why is this story in the ABA journal?

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6.

Renee
Dec 21, 2007 9:05 AM CST

<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/12/AR2007121201993_pf.html>

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7.

Trey
Dec 21, 2007 9:17 AM CST

I agree with you all, this man has not learned a thing about family.  However this man still talk highly of his wealth, that’s a good indication that he is still the same person after passing the Bar and obtaining that “Great Job”.

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8.

C. Houston
Dec 21, 2007 9:51 AM CST

PNOT, I’m very proud of you!  Merry Christmas.

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9.

tharris@delonhampton.com
Dec 21, 2007 9:52 AM CST

Hey Darling: You missed your chance to be with this sensitive man.  LOL!

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10.

N. Preece
Dec 21, 2007 10:14 AM CST

I agree with Nanette, above.  This man is extremely shallow, he’s not a very good writer, and the self-congratulatory tone of this piece really put me off.  This man really hasn’t changed his values so much as he has simply gotten older—which happens to everyone if they’re lucky—It’s not news.  And judging by the superficial and pretentious details he adds to amply illustrate his fine and expensive tastes, he is still as ensnared in the trapping of wealth as ever.  A shallow and pretentious man who did the responsible thing (eventually).  Wow.  I’m glad I’m not paying his substantial hourly fee to receive such obvious and self-congratulatory insights.

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11.

Jack
Dec 21, 2007 10:17 AM CST

First the ABA Journal extols the virtues of outsourcing our work to India, now it is tabloid journalism.  Lame.

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12.

Amy
Dec 21, 2007 10:35 AM CST

I read the entire article.  It took a lot of guts to put all that out there publicly, knowing the censure he would face in a profession where responsibility is a core value.  He made a lot of mistakes—some VERY big mistakes—and he’s taken steps to make amends.  It’s the right thing to do, and I wish more people would do it.  Unlike the earlier poster, I don’t sense a self-congatulatory tone; I sense embarassment and shame, which is what he should be feeling.  I also sense hope that he has become a better man.

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13.

Ronald S. Jordan
Dec 21, 2007 11:03 AM CST

I am proud that Scott Bolden took the time to send us all a very valuable lesson,one that so many attorneys fail to heed. Money, political and social stature are not as important as personal responsiblity.
For all you naysayers, I know Scott personally and I am proud that he stepped up and gave us a personal account of his flawed nature. This is a article that should be in the ABA Journal, lawyers need to be constantly reminded that you are only human and because of that one factor and at this time of the year, it is a lesson that no one should ever forget.


Yours Truly,
Ron Jordan
Chair
Carter-White & Shaw LLC
Diverse Attorney Recruiters
www.diverseattorney.org

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14.

Jodi
Dec 21, 2007 11:34 AM CST

Before attacking Mr. Bolden, please read his entire article in The Washington Post.  It’s beautifully written, shows self-awareness and maturity, and brought tears to my eyes.  The ABA Journal does a disservice by reprinting just a short snippet that leaves Mr. Bolden subject to accusations of shallowness and gives no hint that the article referenced is a long, first-person narrative that is well worth reading.  The ABA Journal takes a lot of criticism for the hasty and incomplete way it posts items.  Perhaps it should consider a different style of reporting about and linking to news in other media.  And perhaps readers should not be so quick to attack before reading the articles linked.

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15.

N. Preece
Dec 21, 2007 12:00 PM CST

For what it’s worth, I did read the entire article before concluding that Mr. Bolden was rather shallow and self-absorbed and that this fluff-piece of a story really does not belong in the ABA Journal.  To those of you misting up about this story, it makes me feel a bit disappointed for our profession and our society that it should be so heartwarming that a man (and an African-American man at that) should simply do the right thing and be a responsible father.  If this man were white or Latino or Asian, or—if this man had instead been a FEMALE partner!—would those of you touting his sage virtue be equally moved?

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16.

Carrie
Dec 21, 2007 12:19 PM CST

I am offended by this article, Mr. Bolden and his actions.  He clearly has not changed.  My parents divorced when I was less than 1 month old and my well off father abandoned us financially and emotionally.  My mother raised two children without any support from him.  I am now a successful attorney (paying my own way through school) and mother and cannot believe ABA is promoting this man and his lack of responsibility.  It is outrageous!

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17.

rich
Dec 21, 2007 1:31 PM CST

He sires an illegitimate daughter, gives her no support of any kind, then legitimately sires twin daughters, but divorces their mother just a few years later.  Then his daughter divorces her husband whom she married only after she became pregnant.  Now he brags about how he has changed and how he has rectified all his wrongs of the past by all the “good things” he is now doing.  If he truly were changed, he would recognize that you can’t rectify the past, and he wouldn’t be seeking public acclamation as atonement for his misdeeds.
Self praise stinketh, and so does the ABA Journal for publishing this offensive article.

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18.

Joe
Dec 21, 2007 1:38 PM CST

I am still trying to figure out the purpose of this article.  It seems as if it is just a self-serving piece written by a person who wants everyone to know how great he is.  I agree with other posts that this article, at times, seemed shallow and more focused on his material possessions.  The great thing about this story is the mother, whom he glosses over.  Here is a woman who could have established paternity and received substantial child support, but she didn’t.  She raised her child alone for 18 years, and didn’t bother a man who wanted no part.  Interestingly, after paternity was established, he didn’t run to his child, he talked with his lawyers.  Finally, I wonder if the picture he painted was accurate.  It all seems too pefect.  Everything from the intial meeting to the scene at his father’s house all seems as if it came from a Lifetime movie.

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19.

Robert L. Booker
Dec 21, 2007 1:47 PM CST

There is a saying that “The devil has a different form for everyone.”  I am surprised by the harsh reactions from the bar.  Everyone, and I mean everyone of us has made a mistake or two.  I am yet to meet an attorney, who has not neglected something in his or her life at some point in time. 

We can only start from where we are right now.  We cannot go back and “undo” things and we cannot change the past.  But we can attempt to make the best of circumstances as they presently exist.

As an African-American attorney, who also attended Morehouse College, I am glad that the ABA ran this story.  I do not know Mr. Bolden; but he sounds like an o’kay fellow.

Happy Holidays to all; and good luck Mr. Bolden.

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20.

Alvin D. Chimpunkski
Dec 21, 2007 3:43 PM CST

This is sad.  What is so unusual about a black guy impregnates a girl, then doesn’t fess up until after the kid reaches majority.  In the meantime, some law firm hires him, he is “successful” (i.e. not a complete oaf), and then decides to pay tuition for one of his brood.  This happens at least 10x per year.  Do we really need to hear about it?  Didnt Kobe Bryant do the same thing?  At least he can shoot hoops.

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21.

Candice Baker Leit
Dec 21, 2007 5:53 PM CST

From my perspective, I think every unmarried guy should have a paternity test to double check that the child is in fact his own.  While defending men in a child support contempt context, I met too young men who blindly signed “acknowledgements of paternity” without any certainty that they were in fact the father and without any knowledge of what this little piece of paper would mean in their lives.

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22.

joe
Dec 22, 2007 6:14 AM CST

I wonder if he regrets using his wealth and power to steam roll good people whose only mistakes were to stand in his way?  We reward scum like him while ignoring that our system is increasingly only for the rich and powerful.  But, hey, he gets father of the year and an article in our paper and otherwise.

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23.

Justin
Dec 22, 2007 10:46 AM CST

A heartwarming story, but a critical question was left unanswered:  Had he chosen the right suit that day or not?

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24.

Mike Hunt
Dec 22, 2007 5:29 PM CST

Did you get a gander at this pecker?  I can’t believe any woman could get drunk enough to let this guy impregnate her.  He wasn’t a supersuccsssful at the time, either, just some DA somewhere.  Now a law firm is paying this guy big bucks to be window dressing?  I should have done something different.  I’m just a schmo making $85K a year, and this guy is rich?  Howard Law school! it’s not HARVARD.  Why does this guy deserve the big bucks?

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