Legal Grounds | Gary Miles

If it feels like we touch a lot on the myths surrounding the legal profession it is because there are many, and because they often contain at least some elements of truth. 

Just think of the stereotypes of The Ambulance Chaser with a desk full of papers in an office that’s too small. 

Or the Righteous D.A. who always knows the right thing to say. 

A lot of these myths are harmless, comical, or FAR too flattering, but there is one myth - or perhaps trope would be the better word - that follows legal professionals around like the Charlie Brown cloud. 

The Hard Drinking Lawyer. 

When I was cutting my teeth in the late 80’s, liquid lunch was not uncommon. 

Or at least it wasn’t frowned upon. 

But as more and more awareness has been raised (and more data gathered), the “glamor” that surrounded this lifestyle is fading. 

But just because irish coffee isn’t office appropriate doesn’t mean the problem has gone away. 

And as my guest today will tell you, people can get pretty good at hiding it - especially from themselves. 

Gary Miles has been a high-level trial attorney for over 40 years in a variety of areas including transportation law, serious personal injury, and family law.

He has been the managing partner of Huesman, Jones, and Miles for over three decades and an active member of many professional associations, but he will be the first to tell you he’s learned as much from his failures as he has from his success.

I know few lawyers – though the numbers are growing – who will openly admit the parts of THEIR lives they regret, and I know even fewer who will share their struggles when it comes to one of the few taboos we still have in our profession and our culture at large: addiction. 

But that struggle is not Gary’s entire story, and in fact it is the story of those lessons learned that have made him into a more effective attorney and mentor. 

It’s a shorter episode this week, but don’t confuse brevity with lack of depth, because Gary has it in spades.

Enjoy the Show! 

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The Free Lawyer Podcast