Hi there,
Some names you remember for decades.
Especially when they taught you a valuable — albeit very painful — lesson.
Like Michael Robinson — the Managing Partner at the time of one of Australia’s premier law firms, then called Arthur Robinson (now Allens).
The year was 1988.
I had just finished law school and it was time to select a firm and partner for my year-long clerkship of on-the-job training to qualify as an Australian lawyer.
My resume will tell you that I kicked off my legal training and career with Baker & McKenzie.
What it doesn’t tell you is that before Baker & McKenzie, I had already committed to another firm for that clerkship 😳.
And yep, you guessed it. That firm was Arthur Robinson.
Like a lot of young people — and especially those who, like me, are first in their families to go to university and enter the legal profession (or really any profession) — I had made a commitment without much thought or understanding as to what it really meant.
But I was about to find out.
Shortly after receiving Baker & McKenzie’s offer, I found myself in Michael’s office, squeezing out what was undoubtedly a pathetically inarticulate and roundabout way of saying:
“I’ve decided to do my clerkship at Baker McKenzie and not Arthur Robinson.” 😣
[Dramatic pause here.]
Michael folded his arms, slowly leaned back in his chair, and looked me square in the eyes.
“So Jim. What you're saying is that you would like me to release you from your current obligation to undertake your articles at this firm. That’s what you're asking of me. To release you from your obligation. Is that correct?”
Right then and there, I understood what it mean to make a professional commitment, and to break it.
Of course, Michael’s framing of the commitment I was breaking as a contractual one was deliberate. Boy did it work on the naive law graduate in front of him.
“Yes, I suppose that’s what I’m asking, Mr. Robinson.”
Embarrassed. Ashamed. Mortified.
It’s hard to describe the nauseating feeling in my stomach as I got up and walked out of Michael’s office realizing only then the significance of making a commitment. A promise. Giving my word. And breaking it.
It’s a feeling I will never forget.
Some lessons you only need to learn once.
Holding oneself accountable for doing what we say we’re going to do. Delivering on our promises.
Making good on our commitments.
Michael Robinson passed away some years ago. I never saw or spoke to him after that meeting in his office.
I regret not doing so. I should have called to let him know the impact of the lesson he taught me.
And to apologize for breaking my commitment.
Cheers,
Jim
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You can learn more about our Legal Advisory and ask them all of your most pressing questions here.
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