Steve Skarnulis of the Austin law firm Cain & Skarnulis is our guest today. Steve talks about committing to learn the business and industry language of a case, why job-hopping can concern future employers, and what 15 years in the restaurant business taught him.

Steve / The firm/ the practice
13th year and up to 14 lawyers (grown at a comfortable/organic pace)
Began purely business litigation, and recently added a transactional practice with a new real estate partner
Gone to an automated document management/discovery system which has allowed them to handle matters that as a small firm they might not have been able to handle otherwise
some lawyers adapt quicker than others, but the younger lawyers have really stepped up
He was in the restaurant business for 15 years, owning some of them for 10 years
Lawyers think they have it tough, but the restaurant hours are insane and not at all in your control...the trial never ends in the restaurant business!
Gave him the discipline to focus when the work/hours get tough
Also a business sense that helps with financials, etc.
Advice to lawyers
Commit to diving into the experts work on the financials so you can know the business piece of the case
Learn the language of the business/industry
Closeology in oil/gas example from TJ Turner
Be a decent human being along side being a tough lawyer; treat opposing side with respect
Daniel gives Kobe Bryant example
Plaintiff lawyer with private plane who picked up defense counsel on the way out to El Paso for depo/hearing
Learn to communicate as a normal person with plain language; check out Chad Baruch books/articles/briefs.
Always be willing to take on something new / be eager
When hiring lawyers into their firm
Red flag on resume - someone who can't stick with something for a reasonable period of time (several short stints at places give cause for concern)
performed reasonably well in law school and/or breadth of experience
solid writing sample matters
looking for those who are eager and hungry; likable and able to get along with
candidates should have done their homework and then have questions in the interview about the type of work they could expect to be involved with; shows you care about the firm
Austin legal practice
The construction boom continues, which equals lawsuits and litigation
New courthouse is going up
May be a few judges turnover in the 2020 election
Broadway Show Recommendations: Dear Evan Hansen; Come From Away
Rapid Fire Questions
Important trait for associates: grit
Key habit: calendaring everything
Favorite app/tool: Centerbase
Favorite Legal Movie: To Kill A Mockingbird

Bonus COVID-19 Segment

Immediately went remote/online
Virtual depos can work, but not for all
Work has been steady
Grateful to be able to continue working, and believes its important to support those who can't work
Expecting a busy second half of the year
Lots of outreach to clients and giving free advice on employment and economic stimulus program
Oil/Gas businesses have been hit extra hard, and likely will result in large numbers of bankruptcies
Opposing counsel very understanding and people are working together
Courts doing all they can to move cases forward, but there are limits to that
Austin Bar communicating well
Advice for lawyers
Work cases all the way up for trial (timelines, jury charges, etc.); take advantage of the additional time
Write short articles
Favorite social distancing activity - wine walk: take a walk around the neighborhood with wine in plastic wine glasses and talk with neighbors at a safe distance