"Every leader has a secret weapon. Mine?

I call it knowing their currency".

- Sheri Middlemas

In the legal world, our work is high-stakes and high-pressure. Deadlines are immovable, the details matter, and the clients we serve depend on our best work – every single time. But the truth is, even the most talented teams need motivation that goes beyond job descriptions and paychecks. 

That’s where understanding someone’s “currency” comes in. 

Currency is what truly motivates a person – what makes them want to go the extra mile. For some, it’s public recognition. For others, it’s professional growth opportunities. And for one law clerk I once worked with, it was … a morning cinnamon bun from the vending machine. 

Here’s how it worked. 

Every morning, “Vinnie” would walk by my office to drop his backpack at his desk and pass my office again within a few minutes as he headed straight for the break room.  I knew “Vinnie” loved that cinnamon bun. So, whenever I had a project that I needed prioritized, I’d put my request on his desk – away from the pile of other assignments – and I would place that warm, spiral-shaped bribe (let’s call it an incentive) right on top. I’d add a quick handwritten note: Thanks in advance, looking forward to seeing your magic on this. 

The result? My projects were always completed by midday. No chasing, no reminders, no stress. And he didn’t just deliver quickly, he delivered well. 

Why does this matter for leaders, and for every member of a law firm team? 

• It builds trust. When you recognize and honor someone’s motivators, they feel seen and valued. 

• It increases productivity. People work harder and faster when they feel appreciated in ways that matter to them. 

• It strengthens culture. When leaders practice this, it creates a ripple effect, team members start recognizing and respecting each other’s “currency” too. 

In our field, the stakes are too high for leaders to assume that one-size-fits-all motivation works. Understanding your team’s currency doesn’t require a budget line item – it requires observation, listening, and a genuine desire to see each person thrive. 

So, here’s your challenge for the week: Look around your team. Figure out their currencies – big or small – and see how you can spend them wisely. Because when you pay people in the currency they value most, you’ll find the return on investment is unbeatable. 

As for “Vinnie”? That cinnamon-bun-loving law clerk is probably running a courtroom as a star attorney, sitting on the bench as a great judge, or maybe he is calling the shots in a corner office as a CEO. Wherever he is, I like to think those vending machine pastries helped fuel more than just his mornings, they fueled his momentum. 

Know their currency. Spend it well. Watch them soar. 

Texas Board of Nursing v. FD

Facts: Our client, FD hired us to assist in obtaining his

Texas nursing license. Our client passed  but his

eligibility exam after four year period established by the

Board, and as a result the Board denied his nursing

license.  

Outcome:  The firm analyzed the relevant documentation, enabling Statute

and Board rules. The Statute and Board rules did not inhibit the Board’s

discretion to issue a license due to Board error. After presenting the client’s

position based on the facts and law, the Board granted a license to our

client.   Client can now pursue his career passion in nursing.

Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council v. JS

Facts: JS engaged our firm to defend her career and reputation against unlicensed practice of counseling allegations. Our client faced revocation of her credentials and damage to her highly regarded reputation in the community.

Outcome: The firm evaluated the available evidence and submitted a robust response addressing both the facts and applicable law. We demonstrated that the Council did not have a valid basis for pursuing disciplinary action against our client. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Council dismissed the complaint. JS’s credentials and reputation remain intact and she can continue to serve her community.

Texas Education Agency/State Board of Educator Certification v. SF

Facts:  SF engaged our firm to defend her 28-year career against allegations of neglect and abuse of a child.  Our

client faced revocation of her credentials, limited

employability and damage to her highly regarded

reputation as an educator.  

Outcome:  The firm evaluated the available evidence and submitted a robust

response addressing both the facts and applicable law.  We demonstrated that

the allegations were baseless. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the

Agency dismissed the complaint and  immediately removed the inquiry notice from the State Board of Educator Certification’s website. Our client was able

to return to the classroom and the career that she loves.

Texas attorneys face busy lives with constantly moving deadlines, new laws and urgent matters impacting their clients’ businesses, lives, families, health and careers. Amidst this backdrop of important work, it is easy to become overwhelmed. It’s important not to lose sight of the key issues that can keep you out of trouble, avoid angering clients and reduce your risk of receiving a state bar grievance or a malpractice suit. Pausing to address a grievance or litigate a malpractice claim takes precious time, resources and energy away from your busy law practice. Stay mindful of these important items in your law practice to reduce the risk of grievance or lawsuit from an unhappy client: 

Keep Clients Happy – Happy clients who are pleased with your work, thankful for your attention and understand what is going on with their legal matter are much less likely to file a bar grievance against you. Maintaining a good rapport with clients helps reduce the risks of a bar grievance or a civil suit involving malpractice allegations. 

Communicate – Keep your client well-informed about what’s going on in their case. A client who receives communication and understands where there legal matter stands is less likely to become upset, frustrated or concerned about their matter. Even a message letting a client know you haven’t forgotten about them can go a long way if the legal task has not yet been completed or has had delays. 

Remain Diligent and Be Mindful of Deadlines – Staying focused on client tasks and completing them timely can be difficult with lots going on, but is essential to avoiding misconduct allegations. Utilize an effective case management system or process that includes a calendaring function with remainders, so you are not caught by surprise with imminent or missed deadlines. Conducting a regular audit of all your clients and their legal matters also helps you look ahead and plan. 

Records Management – Keeping good records to document the facts and events in a legal matter is critical to protect against a grievance or malpractice claim. Utilize written and signed fee agreements, document client communications and meetings, and save e-mails, text or portal messages in case they are needed later. Responding to a grievance or a malpractice claim is never fun, but having the records to show what took place is invaluable when your professional reputation and bar license are under attack. 

Supervise Your Support Staff – Utilizing paraprofessional and support staff in today’s legal world is essential to a well-functioning and successful law practice. However, you are ultimately responsible for what occurs in your practice. The disciplinary rules of professional conduct require attorneys to supervise their support staff and ensure that legal tasks are completed timely and appropriately. Having periodic check-ins for your staff and a process for evaluating paraprofessional work before it leaves the law firm is critical to reduce your risk profile. Remember that it is your name on the pleading, motion, contract, opinion letter or other legal work product. 

Written Processes / Procedures – Develop written processes that detail your firm’s standard operating procedures and expectations and provides direction to employees about how to handle common situations. Not only does this provide clarity and direction to office staff, but it can be an important piece of evidence to demonstrate your due diligence when addressing a grievance or malpractice claim. 

Leverage Technology to Reduce Risk – Utilize technology effectively so client communications are documented and available for posterity if accusations are later raised in a grievance or malpractice lawsuit. Recording client teleconferences or virtual meetings can also be an invaluable piece of evidence when facing accusations of misconduct. Automate components of your law practice management and leverage developments in AI to help with client communication, calendaring and diligence obligations. Today’s law offices have so many creative and efficiency-generating tech tools that can help take your practice to the next level and reduce your risk profile. 

In summary, attorneys lead busy lives with heavy caseloads and commitments. It is easy to lose sight of critical issues due to busy calendars, and client needs. While risk cannot be eliminated completely, it can be mitigated with deliberate effort. Utilize these 7 key items to reduce your risk of a bar grievance or a malpractice lawsuit, keep you clients happy and stay out of trouble 

Welcome Amy Cadwell: A Powerful Advocate Joins the team!

Bertolino LLP continues to grow as one of Texas’s leading administrative law firms, and we’re excited to welcome Amy Cadwell!

Amy brings an impressive range of experience and strengths, including:

• Complex Litigation
• Case Management & Strategy
• Negotiations
• Legal Research & Writing
• Motion Practice
• Client Advocacy

A 2007 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Amy earned her B.B.A. from LeTourneau University and was published in the Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy during her second year of law school.

Over the past decade, Amy served as a criminal prosecutor in Nacogdoches and Navarro Counties before joining the Texas Attorney General’s Office in its specialized criminal prosecution unit. She has tried more than fifty jury cases with an impressive 85% success rate. Her diverse background also includes work as a contract attorney, where she sharpened her skills in discovery, motion practice, workers’ compensation, and insurance defense.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys playing guitar, spending time with her nieces and nephew, and being entertained by her cats, Ducky Rose and Scout Lee.

We’re thrilled to have Amy on board and confident she’ll make an immediate impact for our clients and our team.