PLAN No. 653. AN ATTORNEY BECOMES A COURT CLERK
This attorney thought it was important to first serve as clerk for the court, so he worked in this capacity for a year. In that manner he became familiar with all the abilities of the men at the bar in that community. He watched and observed how they conducted cases, and discerned what abilities each possessed. He also became familiar with their standing before the judges of the court, as well as their standing before the bar. In other words, he learned many tricks of the trade, and also became familiar with all the records of the court house, which in after years was to be of advantage to him. He also enjoyed the association of a judge who afterwards turned out to be a real leader in national affairs.
With this training he went in business for himself. He possessed high qualities as a business man, as well as those of a good lawyer. He was not anxious for the trial work, and settled his cases as best he could out of court if possible. He realized that being in court continually would net but little money for him and his client. He was not a trial lawyer, and did not care to make a reputation in that direction, but he was well liked by all of his friends and close acquaintances: in fact, they would do almost anything for him. He was a member of a church of his neighborhood, and when it was necessary to have a certain man from their district, he was selected by his friends to run for the office of state representative and won by a large majority, and each time the election came along he was re-elected representative, and finally state senator.
He has built up a good, substantial law practice, and he has succeeded financially in a way that is a surprise to all, however his fees were not invested until after he had made a careful study of the business into which he launched. Many lawyers believe that when they are in the practice that it is not credible to them to know about the rules of business, but this is a serious mistake. They should study those as well as the law and know what their business opportunities are. If a man is good enough to reach a right course in a lawsuit, there is no reason why that man should not be as successful in reaching out and securing for himself the right course in business.