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Top 5 Your Voice columns of 2020

From what law students can learn from the musical Hamilton to tips on marketing your practice during the pandemic, the ABA Journal’s Your Voice section hosted a number of fascinating columns in 2020.

In 2018, the ABA Journal launched Your Voice to host and facilitate conversations among lawyers about…




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TV-star-turned-lawyer offers 10 acting tips for trial lawyers

“Son, if you want to be a trial lawyer, you never give up acting.” Those were the words of advice given to me by legendary Alabama trial lawyer Frank Burge when I successfully interviewed for my first job right out of law school.

James R. "Jamie" Holland

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Kids in divorce court: Understanding the impact and how legal professionals can help

A rite of passage into adulthood can take many forms. In some traditions, it might be learning a prayer or important dance, or going off into the woods on a solo adventure/journey.

A more modern rite of passage for kids is going to the courthouse during their parents’ divorce proceedings…


Jude Egan and Lisa Strohman

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5 steps law school deans can take to improve diversity and inclusion

The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor have highlighted to the world that systemic racism exists. It has caused many law schools, law firms and other legal employers to grapple with how to foster more diversity and inclusion as well as what it means to be antiracist.

Leonard M. Baynes

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8 tips for lawyers on how to build resilience

A popular keyword for psychologists and transformational leaders these days is “resilience.” The dictionary definition of resilience is the ability to recover. Synonyms are “perseverance,” “elasticity,” “toughness,” “flexibility” and “durability.”

James Gray Robinson

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Social justice meets Pro Bono Week: What is your plan?

Thirty-five years ago, I was a know-nothing 25-year-old associate at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, where I still practice, when a senior partner asked me to take a case on behalf of a single parent.

Matthew Keenan

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Is the law making you fat? A lawyer and life coach shares her story

Law school taught me many things, but one that stands out for me is this: Chocolate cake reduces stress.

Lin Eleoff

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For minority law students, learning the law can be intellectually violent

Apologies to minority law students feel necessary. The ugly side of the American law continues to rear its head. A few weeks ago, you witnessed a legal system—one that eagerly uses petty misdemeanor offenses to control and ruin lives—abscond responsibility for killing a sleeping, innocent Black woman.

Shaun Ossei-Owusu

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The psychological obstacles to achieving diversity in the legal profession

Last year, I wrote that the legal profession’s failure to retain women and minorities was not a “hard problem,” but rather a character flaw. My intent was not to imply malice; many partners at law firms genuinely want their diversity numbers to improve. Still, facts are facts.

Charles P. Edwards

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You accepted a clerkship; now what? A to-do list for before your first day

‘Tis the season. No, not for holiday shopping (thankfully), but for law clerk hiring. Prospective clerks are hearing back on offers for next year right about now, and it’s never too early to begin preparing. I often muse on my time as a law clerk and the rewards of the experience. And although articles abound regarding the benefits of a clerkship, there are few that offer advice to incoming clerks on what they should do to prepare for the experience.

Jennifer L. Eaton

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