25 Lessons for 25 Years

We are thrilled to mark 25 years of serving injured Mississippians and beyond. What began as a small office in August 1999 with rented furniture has grown into a firm with 40 dedicated staff and attorneys licensed in five states. A heartfelt thank you to our clients for trusting us with their cases over the past quarter-century. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to share 25 key lessons we’ve learned along the way.

 

1. Address Issues Head-On: Don’t wait to tackle problems; handle them promptly to avoid escalation.

 

2. Communication is Crucial: Clear and effective communication with clients is key to achieving successful outcomes.

 

3. Be Courteous to Court Staff: Building good relationships with court staff can make a significant difference in your practice.

 

4. Manage Your Time Wisely: Time management is essential in balancing a busy workload.

 

5. Maintain Work-Life Balance: It’s important to find a balance between work and personal life to avoid burnout.

 

6. Long Routes Can Be Efficient: Sometimes taking a more extended approach can lead to better results.

 

7. Set Expectations Early: Establish clear expectations with clients from the start to avoid misunderstandings.

 

8. Develop Case Plans: Use consultations to create comprehensive case plans that guide your legal strategy.

 

9. Prioritize Health and Well-Being: Taking care of yourself is crucial for long-term success and effectiveness.

 

10. Learn from Criticism: Even when criticism feels harsh, look for valuable lessons that can aid your growth.

 

11. Outwork the Competition: Dedication and hard work can set you apart in a competitive field.

 

12. Don’t be afraid to try a case and don’t take a case you are afraid to try.

 

13. Treat all clients like you would treat your own family when it comes to giving advice.  People don’t always need the lawyer advice.  Sometimes they need human advice.

 

14.  It’s easier to return a call quickly than it is to deal with someone frustrated about not getting a return phone call.

 

15.  Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can get done today.

 

16.  Surround yourself with other lawyers that don’t always agree with you so that all ideas can be vetted, and the best idea be executed.

 

17. Don’t play games with other lawyers or judges.  Honesty pays more dividends than gamesmanship.

 

18.  Prioritize balancing family and self-care with work.  A lawyer is no good to a client if they are not good to themselves.

 

19. Work with people you plan to work with forever.

 

20.  If you can’t make an argument in a few sentences, come up with a better argument.

 

21.  Do what you are good at 95% of the time and spend the other 5% learning new things.

 

22.  Listen to what is being said before trying to formulate your next thought.

 

23.  Volunteer.  Help people.  Not everything is about money.

 

24.  Don’t use fancy language just because everyone before you did.  Speak in relatable terms that everyone can understand.

 

25.  If law could be practiced with forms, we wouldn’t need lawyers.  Be creative with writing.  Always do it better than the last time.

 

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary at Chhabra & Gibbs, P.A., we reflect on these lessons and look forward to continuing our service to Mississippians and clients nationwide. Here’s to many more years of advocacy and growth!