Law: David Shekhter, Esq.

Pushing forward past Challenge & Change

Mr. Shekhter, I understand you recently joined the current Law Firm you are working with. Please, tell me a little about the type of law this firm practices and why you chose to join this team.

On January 1, 2011, I joined the Politis Law Firm and took a position as an Associate Attorney. Our firm primarily handles Accident and Injury cases, Criminal Defense, and Immigration. Our main focus remains the Injury cases whether it was a result of a car accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or any other injury caused by the negligence of another.

I chose this firm because of its history, reputation, and the opportunity to work on the type of cases I enjoy with the necessary resources to handle any type of case in our practice areas. We have a large and experienced staff and our senior partner and founder, Michael Politis, has a wealth of experience in the areas of Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Law and as such is a great mentor.

Because of our reputation in the community, we pride ourselves on the cases we receive via referral, which accounts for most of our best clients.

What do you perceive you have to offer this firm?

I offer the firm my skills as a trial advocate, my experience in Criminal and Traffic Law, my reputation as an honest attorney who works zealously for his clients, and a referral source to keep clients hiring our firm.

As an attorney, what have you found to be most challenging in the field of law today?

Honestly, the calendaring can be such a nightmare for a trial attorney; especially when practicing before many different judges in different courthouses. Aside from that challenge, truthfully, the major challenge is having the emotional strength to deal with the battles that occur in the courtroom and the effects after. Sure, the victories keep me happy and motivated, but the defeats cannot affect me to the point that I cannot continue working zealously for my clients. It is about knowing what you are getting yourself into and maintaining the focus to persevere and move on.

When things don’t go the way you expect, how do you remain motivated?

It’s knowing that not all cases will lose and occasionally fixing, or reversing, the bad outcome of a hearing, a case, a meeting, etc. is still an option. Its like the analogy with fishing, not all the fish that bite are going to hook, not all that are hooked are going to be big enough to keep, and when you do catch that big one, it’s a feast for everyone. Law is very similar. When the big case is a winner, it keeps me motivated. The people I help keep me motivated. And even if an outcome doesn’t go our way, it is knowing that we did everything in our power to resolve a matter in our favor so that the client can rest assured that he/she made him or herself heard and tried their best. Trying is oftentimes better than not doing anything at all.

What strategies have you found work for you to help in “pushing forward” toward your business goals?

I like to look at my job as a continuous learning experience. I know that if I work hard, stay positive, and don’t shy away from the tough cases, I will become better. That leads to being better and better outcomes the next time a tough case hires me for the job. Other strategies include living a healthy lifestyle that promotes excellence in the courtroom or in the office meeting. It’s about building on your skills and keeping a good reputation in the community.

How might these be different (if they are) from the way you push forward towards your personal goals?

Life is a learning experience. I employ the same philosophy personally as I do in the professional world because in essence, I am a lawyer 24/7. People who see me outside of the office or courtroom still know me as the attorney, a problem solver.

How do you “plan ahead” for change or unexpected circumstances?

Staying in top shape emotionally, physically, and mentally are the best ways to cope with unexpected change. I love the scene in the movie “Gladiator” when Russell Crowe and his new Gladiator buddies are waiting for the gate to open for their first battle. They have no idea what to expect, they just know its going to be a tough fight. It is similar in my job, where the outcome could mean life or death (literally). I can only be the best person I can be, and when that gate opens, its time for battle.



How do you manage the impact of “change” on your clients on a daily basis?

I keep up with current events and I am an active listener. The “client” loves to talk about himself and it is important to respond in a manner that keeps them comfortable. I try to put myself into their shoes and provide them with advice that lets them know I am listening and trying to help them to the best of my ability.

Human Capital “the people of business”

What could you identify as the top two most important qualities in a person (i.e., a judge, opposing attorney, client, etc.) you must deal with that you believe would lead to your best possible outcomes?

Experience and Efficiency in unison will lead to the best possible outcomes. Experience and Efficiency in unison will lead to the best possible outcomes. In reality, the practice of law will usually lead to an outcome that can be predicted at the very first meeting with the client. I can already assess the merits of the case and know what the likely outcome should or will be. The experienced and efficient person would see the same “light at the end of the tunnel “and will work towards a fair resolution to occur as quickly as possible. Lacking these qualities are the things that lead to prolonged litigation, frivolous lawsuits, and more trial time. It’s the “been there, done that” attorney that knows what legal steps are necessary and what factors can influence a settlement, no agendas on the side. This is a rare thing to find in law but it is a great thing when it does happen.

After working with many business partners, in different capacities, what have you discovered to be the least promising qualities- those that give you a sense that success is not likely?

Having another agenda besides the settlement is a bad quality that hinders success. For example, it is the people who use the system to prove a point or to rack up their clients bills or get revenge against another attorney at their client’s expense. It happens and one has to be ready to deal with those situations. Unfortunately, those bad qualities can be masked by “good faith” or having a “tough client”. It is understandable when the client is creating the difficulty. That is excusable and happens quite often. It’s not right when the lawyer creates the difficulty with his agenda and it’s even worse when they know they are doing those bad things and trying to tell me they are doing them in good faith. Fortunately that rarely happens in today’s world where money is more important than ever.

If someone were to describe you as an attorney, what might they say?

They would say that I am charismatic and hard working.

Leadership

How would you describe yourself as a leader and what traits do you feel enable leadership in yourself?

I would describe myself as a natural leader. The traits that enable such leadership is the charisma and hard work ethic and the fact that I cannot sit on the wayside and watch something go wrong without getting myself involved in providing a solution. I naturally want things done correctly and efficiently and with my knowledge and charisma I normally take on a task with such passion that it naturally makes me the leader in the situation.

What has been your most challenging leadership decision in the past few years?

It was very difficult to decide to run a solo practice after only practicing law for 2 years and never having my own business in the past, but I took the challenge and placed myself into a leadership position voluntarily. I started my own law firm in 2005 as a solo practitioner. This entailed the practice of law and the practice of business all at the same time. My company survived 3 years (and would have continued to function successfully) before I chose to join my new firm. During my time running the company, I was the boss, the leader, this was challenging yet fulfilling as well.

Who has been your biggest influence with regards to leadership? Why?

I looked to those people in my life that also started their own business, an example would be a prior interviewee, Carlos Gutierrez. He, along with many of my college and law professors, friends, and family, was collectively responsible for teaching me how to be a successful leader. If I saw success, I would not hesitate to absorb their advice and information. I can’t point to a single source, it was done collectively.

Operationalization (making it happen)

Is there a particular strategy, series of behaviors, or tactics that you use to guarantee that you “make it happen?”

Because I am so imaginative and dramatic, I create a situation in my mind that tells me “you either do this or you die.” It all started when I learned how to surf off the coast of Daytona Beach. During hurricane season, the first objective was to paddle out beyond the breaks, a very difficult task. As you paddle further, you consume energy, get tired, but the huge waves continue to crash down. It’s do-or-die, you either paddle or get stuck in the whitewash in the middle, only to be pounded by wave after wave.

I try to image a dire consequence if I fail to “make it happen.” In law, I like to use the Gladiator analogy, you either win or die. It’s a dramatic way to think of things but it works for me. When I won my first trial competition as a freshman law student, I pretended the trial was against my dad. If I lost, my dad would go to jail forever. On the flipside, I was also prosecuting the person who hurt my father. This method of acting worked and I took first place at numerous trial competitions and I always used the same technique.

What advice could you offer to a new graduate of law or an entrepreneur that is full of “great ideas,” but has not yet “made it happen?”

This person needs to focus on the things that are relevant to achieving the goals. Plan your work, then work your plan, and your plan will work.They should become goal oriented and make a plan. “Plan your work, then work your plan, and your plan will work”. They should also use their personal motivators to make sure they continue to have that desire to achieve the goal.

What leadership strategies, behaviors, or tactics have you found are not successful for you in your line of work? Why?

Negative reinforcement and vocal emotional outbreaks are only good for personal stress relief, not good for motivation. Bad emotions tend to be contagious and when the team is in a bad mood, things go wrong.

Final Thoughts

If there is one solid piece of advice you would offer to other leaders and striving entrepreneurs in the community of Daytona Beach, what would it be?

Don’t lose the faith. Things in life oftentimes do not go the way we want them. This should be the fuel that keeps the leader/entrepreneur going. They should learn from their failures, treat them as positive learning experiences and move on. In today’s economic and social climate perseverance and focus will get you through. If you don’t have the will to go on, you probably weren’t meant to be a leader in the first place.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, be sure to always make sure you take the time to enjoy life. Leadership is very rewarding but the work involved can be tremendous. You need to make time for the things you like to bring a balance to your life. Work Hard & Play Hard.

David Shekhter, Esq. can be reached at:

Nationwide: (800) 351-0911
Port Orange: (386) 767-0911
Flagler: (386) 437-0911
Orange City: (386) 228-0911

or visit:

www.hereforyou.net