French Lick

I am sitting on the front porch of the French Lick Resort on warm Summer’s evening in Indiana. Being from rural Wisconsin, this feels very much at home — though our front porch was no where near as grand.

I’m speaking with the Solo and Small Law Firm Section of the Indiana Bar, about 300 in attendance. Many are from rural areas. At least rural as a lawyer from New York City, Seattle, or Chicago would look at it.

Rural America, a classic resort, and small firm lawyers, many from smaller towns. And I’m here talking about how to use the net and mobile devices to become the lawyer you’ve always wanted to become. Through professional development and business development.

Very neat. This is what I love doing. All of us want to make a difference in others’ lives and I feel I can help lawyers and the people they serve by being out doing things like this. And by having a team of about 30 back in Seattle giving their all to empower lawyers to network through the net.

Also neat because these lawyers enjoy being lawyers. Sure, they have the same stresses about practicing law as everyone else. But they like what they are doing, they enjoy the camaraderie, and they enjoy serving others.

Maybe it’s corny, but it’s a real honor to use my law degree, almost 20 years of practice, and my passion for using the net to build relationships to help these lawyers and others around the country.

The Internet, and how it could help improve the lives of others, including lawyers, was the farthest thing from the minds of the people who built French Lick (pop. 1,807). Heck, it’s the farthest thing from the minds of the other folks on the porch with me.

But today, the Internet, and its ability to empower professionals to help themselves and to serve others, is part of the fabric of America. To me, every bit as much as this recliner on a grand porch.