My partner, Denis Kenny, and I spent five weeks this summer trying a case before a jury. It was an immensely rewarding professional experience, and having the opportunity to do it alongside Denis, my colleague of fifteen years, mentor, and now law partner, was a particularly meaningful milestone in our professional relationship.
Most days were every bit as long as their reputation suggests. We typically began our work between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. The jury would be seated at 9:30 AM and adjourn at 4:30 PM, after which our workday often continued back at the office late into the evening as we prepared for the next day’s witnesses, arguments, and evidence.
Technology played a significant role in the trial, as it now does in nearly every aspect of our professional lives. We relied on a variety of technology tools for daily tasks, from legal research platforms and online searches to our firm’s enterprise-level Copilot for discrete assignments and administrative work. These tools undoubtedly improved efficiency and allowed us to focus more of our time on strategy and preparation.
Yet the experience also reminded me that some of our most important institutions and processes remain fundamentally human. At its core, a jury trial is telling a story to a group of people. Jurors are prohibited from using their phones during proceedings and are expressly instructed not to conduct outside research about the case, the parties, or the witnesses. While they may take notes, most of their time is spent listening, observing, and evaluating. They watch facial expressions and body language, listen for tone and nuance, and assess credibility in ways no transcript can fully capture.
When the evidence closes, jurors deliberate together in person, relying only on the testimony they heard, the exhibits admitted into evidence, and the instructions provided by the judge. Apart from documents displayed on a screen or projector, the process remains remarkably analog. For a legal tradition that has endured for centuries, it was striking to see how little technology can substitute for human judgment, communication, and intuition.
For me, the experience reinforced how meaningful personal connections remain in an increasingly digital world. We are constantly told that technology is changing how we live and work, and perhaps it is. But whether through jury service, an in-person client meeting, a board game shared with friends and family, or even a brief conversation with a stranger, we continue to have countless opportunities to connect with one another.
I have been fortunate to build my career at a firm that continues to value those connections, both among our colleagues and with our clients. We spend time together in person, collaborate closely, and remain committed to providing thoughtful counsel rather than simply answers. Over the years, many of our client relationships have grown into partnerships that span years and decades, and those relationships remain among the most rewarding aspects of what we do.
As summer gives way to fall and another busy season (and school year!) begins, I find myself grateful for that reminder. While technology will continue to evolve and undoubtedly transform many aspects of being a lawyer, the qualities that matter remain unchanged: trust, judgment, integrity, and the ability to forge human connections. We are all thankful for the relationships we have built with our clients and communities, and we look forward to serving as trusted advisors in the months and years ahead.