I’m Still Learning…by Chuck Boyk
After 42 years of practicing law, I still get reminded that I do not know everything.
We recently had a slip-and-fall case come through our office that taught me that lesson all over again. The case involved a serious injury, but from day one, I believed liability was a major problem. Michigan handles these cases far differently than Ohio, where
the “open and obvious” defense often makes recovery extremely difficult for plaintiffs.
Over the years, the case passed through multiple attorneys at our firm as team changes happened. More than once, I questioned whether we should continue pursuing it at all because the liability hurdles seemed insurmountable.
Eventually, one of our younger attorneys inherited the appeal after the trial court ruled against us on summary judgment.
I told him exactly what I thought: “Good luck. I think this is a waste of time.”
He faced an incredibly difficult three-judge appellate panel. And then he won. I could not believe it.
After four decades in this profession, I’ve learned that experience matters, but so does remembering that sometimes you can still be wrong.
Sometimes younger lawyers see angles others miss.
Sometimes persistence changes outcomes.
And sometimes, the law reminds you to stay humble. 42 years later… I’m still learning.
