Part II

TAKE UP PUBLIC CAUSE,BUILD IMAGE,TREAT ALL
CLIENTS EQUALLY & DEFEND CLIENTS TO THE HILT.

Jay Goldberg during his career at the US Bar represented famous politicians,industrialists,entertainers,the American mob and more.One thing he always maintained is his respect and credibility. Most of the time he never met his clients outside the courtroom or his legal office with a few rare exceptions.He could achieve professional success because of his approach without emotions to a client’s case which he maintained all throughout.

Jay Goldberg says that if you have worked on your brief with seriousness and without emotions, then you are bound to earn the respect of everyone. And ‘respect’ is something most valuable that a lawyer should earn during the course of his career. This is the one virtue that will come to his rescue while arguing a case in any court room at all times .

Another helpful tip worth considering from Jay Goldberg that I consider worth sharing is this. In his initial career during his early thirties he realised that there was blatant corruption in the police department of New York. He conducted several investigations and got a number of police officers indicted for indulging in corrupt practices. All this got tremendous publicity and Goldberg was in limelight all the time. When Goldberg felt he had gone as far as he could with this crusader thing , he removed his ‘masked ostensible law enforcement crusader’ uniform and focussed on defending clients. Goldberg says, I quote : “I had garnered so much press from my efforts to end corruption that my name was becoming well-known within the city, which led to numerous potential clients knocking on my office door.Some are everyday people.Others were well-known for their work in politics ,the entertainment industry , athletics or even the New York city mob.I had built a reputation for being tough ,fearless ,and often victorious in whatever or whomever I was representing, and word spread.This would become my life.”

What Jay Goldberg did in his thirties may not be everybody’s cup of tea.But it suggests that every lawyer who wants to succeed should take up genuine public causes in the initial days of their career. Defending public causes will ultimately be the springboard of a legal career. It will build and enhance your respect & credibility. And this in turn will become the strong platform for your future endeavour to be that ‘’serious, no nonsense lawyer’’ you dream to be when you enrol as a fresh lawyer out of grad school.Once again make no mistake that the day you earn that reputation, clients from all walks of like will start looking at you as their sole notable saviour in the court-room.

Jay Goldberg’s first matrimonial case was that of Donald J. Trump. In the beginning of this chapter Goldberg has noted four messages received from Donald J. Trump.ie. “There has never been a lawyer more important to me than you. It is very important to me that you know that.” (January 9, 2012). “I don’t have to be told by this or any other publication to know that you have always been the best” (November 13,2015: Letter to Jay Goldberg following his listing in publications of New York Times & The Wall Street Journal,of the Best Lawyers in America). Again on April 4,2016 : “Rema and Jay,I miss you both”. Then Jay Goldberg throws a question . What Could Have Caused This Show Of Affection ? It may be noted that Jay Goldberg was engaged by Donald J. Trump to represent him in both his divorces in the 1990s. And then he answers this by stating, “Politics aside,I did for him what I do with all clients: vigorously defend their rights according to the law. It doesn't matter if you are Donald Trump going through a divorce, or Charlie Rangel facing House censure.It makes no difference if you are mobster Matty “The Horse” Ianniello fighting charges of extortioner musician Miles Davis, needing me to literally help you stand before a judge because you are high on the drugs you are being charged with using.If you are my client,I will give you absolutely everything I have.A lawyer has a job to do.It should not matter to any attorney what political affiliation a client has or what skeletons are in his closet.As an attorney ,one thing should always remain constant when you decide to take his case : set aside your personal feelings and do your utmost for your client”.

Jay Goldberg lays down simple rule for every lawyer: Treat All Your Clients Equally. Irrespective their social or economic status defend them with all your might. Always keep your emotions, feelings, views, ideology, affiliation aside and then open the brief. You will not be able to do justice to your client’s cause with a prejudiced mind. And when you put your all energy and knowledge at the service of your client then and then only you are entitled to receive such affectionate notes from your clients who believe that you have really done your best to serve his cause.

Read more about Jay Goldberg's fascinating insights into his professional success and advice to lawyers in Part 3 of my forthcoming article.

Writer, Rajiv Chavan, Senior Advocate & Former President of Advocates' Association of Western India (2013-2015, 2015-2018)