The Bench & Bar magazine is published to provide members of the KBA with information that will increase their knowledge of the law, improve the practice of law, and assist in improving the quality of legal services for the citizenry.
Issue link: https://kentuckybenchandbar.epubxp.com/i/382597
A I have practiced with and against lawyers who have graduated from schools all over the country. A good K entucky lawyer graduate of any of our three law schools will hold his or her own with a graduate of any law school in the country. Q The system by which lawyers are disciplined will al- ways be under scrutiny. How well is the profession in Kentucky doing in protecting the consumer of legal services from misbehaving lawyers? A The discipline of lawyers should always be under public scrutiny. The practice of law is engaging in a profession that renders service to the public. We must be trusted by the public. A misbehaving lawyer brings hurt to the profession and must be dealt with appropriately by the Board of Governors and the judiciary. We must let the pub- lic know that lawyers who act improperly will not be permit- ted to practice law. Q A follow-up: is the organized bar concerned that lawyers subject to the disciplinary process are being adequately represented? A Lawyers who take the time to defend or mitigate the charges against them generally employ counsel to represent them. I am often surprised at lawyers facing disci- plinary proceedings who do not respond to the charges. A lawyer facing disciplinary charges is given every opportu- nity to defend. Q The profession seems engulfed in revolutionary tech- nological change. Many of the programs at the KBA convention in June concerned integrating technology into practice and meeting the challenges clients are facing in the digital world. The court system in Kentucky is moving rap- idly in the direction of electronic case filing. The security of electronic data is near the top of the list of concerns for business and the professions. Can you give any advice to the workaday Kentucky practitioner on how to manage in this era when major technological innovation seems to happen every few months? A The day of ignoring the use of technology in the practice of law is past. Legal documents are now being filed electronically. This is more difficult for the older practitioners who did not grow up in the computer era. However, one has to learn how to use the computer in this modern time. Fortunately, the learning tools are available. Q You have practiced for 57 years. Many of us would have, long ago, headed off to a golf course, to a fish- ing hole, to volunteer work, or to the back porch with a good book. What keeps you motivated to keep practicing? A I have always tried to organize my time so I can do those things I want to do. Being a lawyer is one of the things I want to do. I continue to find great excitement in representing people who need my service. I can think of nothing more fulfilling. Q Is there a personal regimen you observe to stay healthy and keep you fresh for the work every day? A I try to walk a mile each day. I do a few exercises each morning. I read three newspapers daily except on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when I add the New York Times. I average reading a book a week. I take a drink of liquor when I want to do so. Q Is there a particular lawyer, teacher, or other mentor who inspired you when you were young to have the career you've had? A Growing up on a farm, suckering tobacco, plowing behind a mule and working in a hay field caused me to believe there was something better to do. I have always loved to read history, and it speaks of lawyers who played important roles. I read A "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court;" "The Great Mouthpiece" and Earl Stanley Gardner novels. I liked what I read. Two high school teach- ers inspired me to get an education. I am a blessed man. Q What is the key for a lawyer to maintain a fresh per- spective and a good attitude about the practice of law? A I believe that if you feel you are here to work and help your follow man and woman, you will strive to do good work in helping that person in a time of need. Good hard legal work will make a lawyer a good lawyer. Good lawyers are compensated in many ways for the good they do. This should be the goal of every lawyer. Q You have been ensconced in Frankfort for decades. Certainly, you must have had opportunities to work in bigger cities. What brought you to Frankfort, and what has kept you here? A I have had opportunities to practice law in much larger cities. However, I have always loved living and working in Frankfort. There is always opportunity and ex- citement here because of state government and the peo- ple you meet. I have also attracted clients from other counties in Kentucky. I have been involved in cases in other states and represented clients in proceedings in St. Croix and Dubai. My experience in practicing law in Frankfort has been wide and varied. Frankfort is a great place to live and work. James P. Dady is a senior associate in the Cincinnati branch of Mapother & Mapother, P.S.C. A former reporter and political consult- ant, Dady lives in Bellevue. A frequent contrib- utor, Dady is editor of the Bench & Bar. 7 B&B; • 9.14