November 10, 1990 I was with my friend, Ed Caldwell, who helped me quit drinking at my intervention. We were attending the annual CTLA convention in La Jolla, California; the trial lawyers were having a special late-night candlelight ceremony for those in recovery.

There were five of us who knew each other well in attendance. Steve Pingel, a good lawyer and a friend, was there with a woman. During the ceremony, each of us talked about our experiences drinking and where we were now.

I talked about the reason I left Liz, leaving her with integrity, and how I felt the Universe would take care of me.  When I was finished, the mystery woman spoke up:

“Gary I just want to tell you that I really appreciate your integrity. So many men leave their marriages for another woman. You left because you knew it was the right thing.  .  .  I really wish you the best and simply wanted to say that.”

One of the most hotly debated questions in our society remains age versus youth. In  my series, Trial Lawyers Successful Into Their 70s: A New Generation of Old Warriors, the mission is to interview  the leading trial attorneys still successful in their courtroom battles (at an age when many people retire) and the reasons why they continue to produce a high level of legal excellence. The questions I seek to answer:

• When, if ever, are we too old to try jury trials?
• What about retirement?
• Are you as effective as you used to be?
• Are stamina, energy, memory, and concentration issues?

In my first interview with Browne Greene, Browne credited his longevity and  success to the following:

• “I’ve always invested in good health.” This is important in keeping up energy
• Always exercise
• Avoid excess drinking
• Watch diet and “the kind of foods I eat”
• My active, young, intelligent  wife and children help keep me young

Stan Jacobs: Experience Embodied and Embraced

Stan Jacobs, a Senior Partner in Jacobs Jacobs & Eisfelder, LLP ,73, has had a long career of obtaining large verdicts in Southern California. Stan still carries an active trial load and he feels he is doing as well, or better, than he ever did. Stan said that a huge factor in his ongoing success is experience, which is “irreplaceable.” When I probed further, Stan identified three reasons why he believes he is a better trial lawyer now than when he was a young man.

Stan Jacobs: 3 Keys to Career Longevity

• Respect: he “retires to a neutral corner when his opponent is down and doesn’t try to pummel him”
• Accomplishment: he doesn’t have anything to prove anymore
• Life: at this age, he has a far better understanding of life, which translates into him being a better trial lawyer

Youth vs. Age: Sage Advice

Stan also credits his good health, he works out regularly, and the fact that he always has a second chair working  with him on his cases for his continued success. As for the future? “I am going out with my boots on.”  The answer to the question of age versus experience as far as Stan Jacobs was concerned was clear and unequivocal: Trial experience trumps all.

One of the most hotly debated questions in our society remains age versus youth.

This is the first interview in the series:

Disadvantaged Youth

It’s a well known fact that trial lawyers do not try as many cases now as we used to in the past-mediation has become the norm. Younger lawyers, therefore, never get as much trial experience as those of us who were trying cases in the 1960s and 1970s when most litigation was settled before a jury. Jury trials can be grueling and most lawyers a generation ahead of me frequently quit trying cases by age 65.

Changing Times

There is a whole group of trial lawyers in California who are still actively and effectively trying cases as they move into their 70s. I interviewed 7 of these “Old warriors” and explored such questions:

• When, if ever, are we too old to try jury trials?
• What about retirement?
• Are you as effective as you used to be?
• Are stamina, energy, memory, and concentration issues?

Browne Greene: Keys to Career Longevity

Browne is a former president of the Consumers Attorneys of California and Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. He has a reputation as one of the best trial lawyers in the country; he is 73 and still vigorously and actively trying cases. Browne’s answer to the question of retirement: “No way–it’s not in the picture. . . I will try cases as long as I can go into the office.”  The keys to Browne’s longevity and continued career:

• “I’ve always invested in good health.” This is important in keeping up energy
• Always exercise
• Avoid excess drinking
• Watch diet and “the kind of foods I eat”
• My active, young, intelligent  wife and children help keep me young

Youth vs. Age: Sage Advice

With respect to the value of youth versus experience, Browne responded with a quote from Basketball Hall of Famer, Julius Irving, who said. “I lost a step below (legs) but gained two up here (head). Browne’s experience has made him a better trial lawyer than ever, given his staying power and resilience. Some people have it, others don’t: “I feel I am more dangerous than ever and I’m ready to go into battle at anytime.”