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Partner's Perspective: Lessons in Leadership and Life Learned Through Raising Children
- Jimerson Birr Managing Partner Charles B. Jimerson interviewed by the Columbus Dispatch
- Two Jimerson Birr team members pass the Florida Bar Exam
- Jimerson Birr recognized as top litigation firm for accessibility, results, and reputation
- Blog Highlights
- Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz
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PARTNER'S PERSPECTIVE
Austin T. Hamilton - Lessons in Leadership and Life Learned Through Raising Children
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Being a parent is great—in fact, it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. And at times, it is one of the most difficult. However, through the process, I have learned a lot about myself, about life, and about leadership.
Growing up, I came from a large family. I have two brothers and a sister. I was the second in line and had to fight for everything. I knew early on that I wanted to have children when I grew up, and while I always envisioned having 3 or 4 children, I currently have two sons, at this point, I am content with two. The thought of having another child and moving from man-to-man defense to a zone defense gives me nightmares. However, it also makes me smile just thinking about it because having children has really changed my perspective on life and what is important to me.
By raising children, I have learned a lot about myself and about this wonderful thing we call life. I have learned to be more patient (even though my wife may disagree). I have learned to put others first, to give up the last bite of ice cream, to reluctantly give up the remote when it is “movie time” at night (even when the Purdue game is on), and to enjoy the little moments that will not last forever. I have also learned to listen more and at the same time to ask more probing questions.
I cannot even begin to tell you how many times my children ask me “why?” While I admit that this can be extremely frustrating at times, it is also pretty telling. My oldest son is at the point where he is interested in learning as much as he can. Once you get past the frustration of being questioned about everything you say, you realize that asking “why?” is a perfectly legitimate question. In fact, asking “why” is something that I have incorporated into my daily life and has allowed me to think more critically and question what I read and what I am told.
In addition to learning about myself and about life from my children, I have also learned a lot about leadership. While everyone has their own leadership style, my leadership style has always been to lead by example. I have always worked hard, and I expect others to work hard as a result. While I am not always as direct as I should be, and as direct as others I know, raising two boys has taught me to be direct when it matters and to stop sugar-coating everything.
Many years ago, one of the attorneys I worked for told me that children will tell you the truth even if it hurts. I have come to realize that he was spot on. Recently, one of my children spent the day with his grandfather. We told him to stay at grandpa’s house and not to ride in the car with grandpa. We may have also provided further reasoning in this regard. I learned later that evening that grandpa asked my son if he wanted to go to the pet store. In response, my son said: “No, I’m not allowed to ride in the car with you because you are a bad driver. I don’t think you are a bad driver, but mom and dad said you are.” While my initial reaction was to laugh out loud, I later thought further about this incident. My son was just being direct and telling the truth. And he was sincere in his response.
I think there is a lesson here for all of us. Being truthful, sincere, and direct are good qualities and qualities that should be rewarded. Rather than sugar-coating the truth, it may be easier and a better practice to be direct and honest. While there are always exceptions to the rule, deep down, honesty, sincerity, and being direct with others are important qualities and are qualities that we should all expect from ourselves and from others.
For all of those readers who have children, I hope you take the time to reminisce on what you have learned from your children and how your children have helped to shape your life both personally and professionally. I also hope that you will take the time to share those stories with your children.
Until next time, I wish you and your family a Happy Easter and a memorable 2022.
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Austin T. Hamilton
Partner
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Managing Partner Charles B. Jimerson Interviewed by the Columbus Dispatch |
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On Monday, April 11, 2022, the Columbus Dispatch published an article in its crime section about the comparative ease of removing a presiding judge over a trial in Florida as opposed to Ohio. Managing partner Charles B. Jimerson, who has written extensively on the subject, was interviewed for the story and weighed in on the considerations meriting a judge's recusal in Florida.
"Husel trial: Removing a judge from a case in Ohio is different from that in Florida" by Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch
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Two Jimerson Birr Team Members Pass
the Florida Bar Exam
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Jimerson Birr is extremely proud to announce that two of its own, Joseph R. Luna and Melissa G. Murrin, have passed the Florida Bar Exam. Luna, who is licensed in other states, and Murrin, who is licensed in Canada, have worked tirelessly for this moment.
Of the 1,348 applicants who took the full bar exam, only 44 percent passed. Induction ceremonies to swear in new attorneys will be held on Monday, May 2, 2022.
We are pleased to congratulate Joseph and Melissa on their accomplishment and look forward to their continued success with Jimerson Birr.
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Jimerson Birr Ranks Among Top
Litigation Attorneys
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Expertise.com has ranked Jimerson Birr among the top litigation attorneys in the region, based on availability, qualifications, reputation, experience, and professionalism. The firm received the highest possible grade, an A+.
Jimerson Birr prides itself on service and achieving the best possible results for clients. The firm's Seven Superior Service Commitments create benchmarks from service values, including quick response time, accountability, and dedication to the communities the firm serves.
The honor adds to a growing list of acknowledgments for the firm, including a Platinum Readers Choice Award from the Florida Community Association Journal, recognition as a Best Law Firm in America by US News, and being honored by Florida Trend Magazine as one of the “Best Companies to Work For in Florida.”
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Jimerson Birr Legal Blogs |
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Are you keeping up with the latest information in business and law? Jimerson Birr publishes weekly blog posts covering topics from construction law, real estate development, sales and leasing law, banking and financial services law, community association law, and everything in between. Click here to subscribe today and stay up-to-date on the latest legal news from the industries we serve:
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Real Estate Development, Sales & Leasing Industry Legal Blog |
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Riparian Rights and Florida Property Owners' Rights to an Unobstructed Water View
Among the many attractive features of owning real estate in Florida is the possibility of having a waterfront view of one of the numerous scenic bodies of water throughout the state. However, property owners in Florida are often under the mistaken impression that they have an absolute right to a view of the water once they purchase a piece of property. However, this right—known as a riparian right—is limited, and it is crucial that people understand whether riparian rights apply to the property they purchase...
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Community Associations Industry Legal Blog |
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Condominium Board Members: The Business Judgement Rule and Its Protections
One Florida court recently addressed the scope of the business judgment rule, as applied to a condominium association board’s decision-making power. See New Horizons Condominium Master Association, Inc. v. Harding. In New Horizons, the Florida appellate court was faced with a dispute involving cable services for various condominium associations and the associations’ respective allocation for payment for those cable services. The master association condominium board ultimately settled the dispute with the cable provider but ratified a budget for those same services that was more than the settlement amount with the cable provider. A homeowner and one of the associations then filed suit against the master association, alleging, in part, that the budget for those costs was improper and lacked legal authority...
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Construction Industry Legal Blog |
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Construction Contractors Beware the Consequences of Consequential Damages
Consequential damages for breach of a construction contract are a significant risk that contractors need to understand and be aware of in connection with construction projects. This blog explains the difference between consequential damages and direct damages for breach of contract, and provides recommended ways for construction contractors to mitigate their exposure to liability for consequential damages as part of contract negotiations...
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Banking & Financial Services Industry Legal Blog |
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Florida's New Mini TCPA: Changes to the Florida Telemarketing Act and the Florida Do Not Call Act
This year, through Senate Bill 1120 (SB 1120), Florida adopted its own version of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which has been referred to as Florida’s Mini-TCPA. Florida’s Mini-TCPA has striking similarities to the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227, et. seq. Florida’s expansion of its telemarketing laws harmonizes Florida law with the federal TCPA by creating a private cause of action...
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Professional Services Industry Legal Blog |
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New Florida Rule Authorizes Immediate Appeal of Orders Permitting Punitive Damages
By: Melissa G. Murrin
On January 6, 2022, the Supreme Court of Florida adopted an amendment to Rule 9.130, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, authorizing the immediate appeal of nonfinal orders that grant (or deny) a plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend its complaint to assert a claim for punitive damages. This new rule takes effect on April 1, 2022...
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Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz |
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April JB FOR ME Highlight Reel
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We all know that April’s showers bring May’s Flowers – but they also bring a slew of events allowing us to recharge, connect, and enjoy our time together in this calamitous world.
Nothing gets a crowd to the breakroom quicker than an email saying that pizza has arrived, because who doesn’t love a good slice of pizza? We use these team lunches as an opportunity to support local, and while we may have picked up our pizza order, Carmines in Riverside sure did deliver on flavor.
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Always keen to make new friends and expand our team, Talent Acquisition Manager Stephanie Maynard pays in-person and virtual visits to campuses across the country to talk with up-and-coming students eager to get into the legal field. Whether or not you’re soon to be graduating or years into your career, we have a myriad of openings, and one is sure to be right for you. You can view those openings here.
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Wacky national holidays are an office fan favorite, and national licorice day gave us the opportunity to argue over the best (and worst…) flavors. Key Lime was the most controversial—there are some things that are too sacred to be flavored artificially.
If you think JBFORME may be for you, view our recent openings as our firm expands.
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