For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 93,000-plus attorneys and do a Q&A. We’ve found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?

Best thing about being a lawyer: The thing I like about being a lawyer, especially a patent attorney, is the intellectual challenge in finding ways to help your clients achieve their goals.

The part of my job I do best is: I get satisfaction out of helping solo inventors and small companies obtain value for their inventions.

When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? In addition to my hobbies, I enjoy helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hence my involvement with the Arc and Special Olympics.

Age: 56

Family: Widowed, 3 adult sons.

Areas of practice: Intellectual Property, licensing

Education: BS – Biology Lehigh University, JD – Fordham University

Is not good at: Golf

Culinary talent: I make great ribs on the grill, and I like to create my own dishes.

What kind of car do you drive? Ford Explorer 

Community Involvement: I currently serve as Board Secretary for the Arc of Texas, and I volunteer with the Special Olympics.

Mentor: My Father. Dad was a successful patent attorney for almost 50 years. I seek his advice.

Most important career lesson: Listen more, speak less

Favorite play: Inherit the Wind

Favorite TV programs: M*A*S*H and Law and Order

Favorite composers: Mozart, JS Bach

Favorite musician: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Favorite movie: The Longest Day

Favorite food: Roast Duck

Hobbies: Sailing, snow skiing, reading, travel

Generally likes to read/Current reading material: History and mysteries. I’m currently reading the Guns of August about World War I.

Memorable vacation: A week at the Westin La Cantera with my girlfriend doing nothing.
 
My favorite weekend retreats are: My sailboat

If I had more time, I would: Travel more

If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? Chief Justice Roberts

If you weren’t an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? I would have stayed in the Army as a career.

What’s the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? While on active duty, I had the opportunity to serve on several courts-martial. Watching the attorneys at work sparked my interest. 

What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? The advent of email, texting, and smart phones has caused clients to expect almost immediate responses at almost any hour of the day or night. This leads to increased stress and can rob an attorney of much needed personal time. Lawyers need to turn off their phones and take time for themselves whenever they can to avoid burnout.

Any words of wisdom or advice for the new president of the State Bar of Texas? Encourage our fellow lawyers to take time for themselves whenever they can.

 

John is Vice President of Acacia Research Group LLC in Plano.

You can also view John’s TexasBar.com profile.

Prizes
It’s not every day that you’re randomly picked from among 93,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt.

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Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects – not the State Bar of Texas.