Number of employees you oversee: 9

Where did you go to law school? What inspired you to pursue law? 

Gonzaga Law School. I was inspired by my late father’s best friend, the late Jim Leavy. His name is still in the mast head at Leavy, Schultz and Davis.

Describe your career and how it led to your current role. 

I actually started my career at age 24 in Mr. Leavy’s law firm, then known as Leavy, Taber, Schultz, Bergdahl and Sweeney, at that time in Pasco, and now in Kennewick known as Leavy, Schultz and Davis. I then transferred to a Kennewick firm once known as Raekes, Rettig, Osborne, Forgette and Brecke, and then started my own firm 40 years ago in 1983.

What legal issues will you be keeping a careful eye on as we roll into 2024? 

I am watching the U.S. Supreme Court closely. There are several election issues and individual rights issues coming before it this term.

Last year you received the Benton Franklin Legal Aid Society’s Al Yencopal Award. Can you discuss what the award meant to you and the importance of pro bono work in our community? 

I limit my practice to handling injury claims, so over the years, I have sent a lot of cases to Benton Franklin Legal Aid. I make annual contributions to the organization and raised a bunch of money for them a couple of years ago. Legal Aid provides important help to the less fortunate and maintains societal equilibrium. Incidentally, I also refer cases to Small Claims Court and maintain their forms in my office. I tell folks to watch our local small claims court or “Judge Judy” to prepare.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess? 

The ability to focus, both in listening (empathy) and expressing (esteem). If one’s mind is wandering, it is not living in the moment.

What is the biggest challenge facing business owners today? 

Labor shortage. Many workers of all kinds did not return to the labor force after the pandemic so we are seeing generational turn over.

If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your field? 

Years ago, the King County Bar Association adopted a Code of Civility which I think should be statewide. Excessive gamesmanship, personality conflicts and bullying reduce trust and respect for our civil justice system. I’m not that qualified to discuss the criminal system but I understand some improvements, such as more judicial leeway under the sentencing guidelines, should be considered.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Don’t let it go to your head. Remember you are not the center of the universe.

Who are your role models or mentors? 

The late James Leavy, Duane Taber and Diehl Rettig. John Schultz is still practicing and Phil Raekes is a retired, respected elder. There were a few professors, attorneys and a judge in Spokane who also influenced me.

How do you keep your employees (or team members) motivated? 

We measure the firm’s weekly production and write it down using six criteria. I meet each of my staff every 10 days, fondly called WIP (work in progress) meetings. We have staff meetings and celebrate birthdays and special occasions. Bonuses help, too.

How did you decide to pursue the career that you are working in today? 

I always wanted to be a lawyer in civil litigation. I started on the defense side and switched to the plaintiff side because of the satisfaction of helping people who may not be able to help themselves. Years ago I finished a case involving an industrial accident where the workers' compensation system paid the victim $58,000 for the loss of use of her dominant hand. After five years of litigation, I added $700,000 to that, after paying me. She deserved it, gave me a hug and offered to take me out for Thai food. I humbly accepted but said we should go Dutch, because I got paid too.

How do you measure success in your workplace? 

We evaluate ourselves in terms of Production, competence, integrity, and likeability. Usually in that order.

What do you consider your leadership style to be? 

I like to consider myself a player-coach. I always work on the more complex cases to set an example and teach. As a coach, I help our case managers and paralegals in WIP meetings move matters forward and provide guidance, sometimes similar to the suit-and-tie basketball coach who yells at his players from the sidelines to help them win.

How do you balance work and family life? 

I have to work on this. I have owned my building on Clearwater for 30 years and treat it as a second home. My family is small so I get away with this.

What do you like to do when you are not at work? 

I have some hobbies, a social life, exercise regularly, enjoy live sports and concerts, and streaming entertainment.

What’s your best time management strategy? 

Spend the first hour of the day making the rest of the day go smoothly; do the most complex project first, keep working ahead when you’re on a roll, avoid time traps, don’t carry too many details in your head, combine personal chores or business into set time periods. I do some of my best planning after church on Sunday.

Best tip to relieve stress? 

Exercise, education, hobbies, a pet, a support group, friends and meditation.

What’s your favorite podcast? Most-used app? Or favorite website? Favorite book? (Feel free to choose one or all) 

I have only listened to “Bag Man” and “Ghost Herd” podcasts. My Needles database and Outlook are my favorite apps. My favorite website is Amazon.com. My favorite books are either biographies or exploring philosophy. I love Cicero and just finished “Elon Musk.”

Do you have a personal mantra, phrase or quote you like to use? 

This varies frequently. Currently, I like the late Norman Lear’s mantra: “Over. Next. Live in the moment.”

To that I would add that being kind has much more spirit than being right (from the late Allen Johnson, Ph.D.); find increased reasons to entertain hope and more power to find beauty (from my horoscope).