Readers Seek Stein’s Monthly Legal Insight
As a member of the D.C. Bar for more than 40 years, the “requirement” that I receive the Washington Lawyer every month and the absolute joy of reading Jacob “Jake” Stein’s “Legal Spectator” column have been among the major benefits of being part of the “compulsory bar.” Jake’s columns are thoughtful, informative, historical, and gently humorous essays. There used to be a legal printer in town (when there was no such thing as desktop printing) whose motto was, “We never disappoint.” That’s Jake’s essays—they never disappoint.

Uniformly, my contemporaries at the Bar tell me that when a copy of Washington Lawyer serendipitously arrives at their offices, the first thing they do is turn to the last page. They are never disappointed but, often as not, are surprised. While Jake regularly serves up a dollop of historical nostalgia, recalling often the Damon Runyon-esque characters that inhabited the Bar when it was truly a “small town” operation, he also offers observations on the modern scene. They are never a pompous screed, but rather, a gentle reminder that the law is a profession and lawyers who remember this will find their work ennobling.

I was particularly taken by Jake’s most recent essay on clients—and the types we should avoid. As I followed the list from 1 through 14, compiled by Jake and his unnamed companion on a snowy train ride to New York City, I ruefully recalled one or more clients I had met for each category who fitted Jake’s descriptions to a T. I wished I had that list 40 years ago. If I were a young lawyer starting out now, I would have Jake’s list framed and mounted right next to my Bar admission certificate.

I am now waiting for that happy moment when the next Washington Lawyer issue arrives to see what the master has up his sleeve this time. I am starting to think as well that it is time for the Bar to put together a new compilation of the “Best of Jake” to add to the others that are a permanent part of my law library.

I hope Jake goes on forever.

—Daniel E. Toomey
Washington, D.C.

I would like to add two categories to Jake Stein’s excellent list of clients (July/August 2009) to be avoided:

Board Restrictions Need to Stay
I fully support the view stated so well by Mr. Nathan Dodell in his letter published in the July/August 2009 issue of Washington Lawyer. The scope of action for the D.C. Bar Board of Governors, presuming that it speaks for the organization, must be narrow indeed to guard against the problems Dodell so rightly identified. As Dodell’s (and now my) letter make plain, all members of our organization are free to speak on just about any subject, but we do not want and will not tolerate others presuming to speak for us except in the few instances where they hold a specific charter to do so.

—Bruce Dalcher
Hitchin, Herts, United Kingdom

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