By David Daggett on 5/5/2008 7:01 AM

Law Day, Plus a Graduation

     Fifty years ago President Eisenhower established May 1 of every year as "Law Day." Law Day is a national day of recognition of the principal of government under law, as opposed to rule by individuals.

     Government under law is essential for a free society. We will discuss further next week how the law is the founding principle of our country.

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By David Daggett on 4/7/2008 6:56 AM

Transforming Impact

     Have you considered whether you ever have a transforming impact on the lives of others? Perhaps one of the highest callings we can have is to have a transforming impact on another.

Students Signing the "Do it Right!" Pledge

     Having a heart for others seems to be a prerequisite to having a transforming impact. This is where we are so proud of our L & D team. They are able to step out of their daily jobs in order to make a difference. They have a heart for students - I’ve seen it!

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By David Daggett on 2/18/2008 7:31 AM

The Unexpected

     How often do really face the unexpected? Of course, many times the unexpected is a pleasant surprise, or even something beautiful. Last Thursday morning we woke up to an unexpected covering of snow. While we may have had to adjust some plans, it certainly was a beautiful morning!

Early Valentine’s Morning

     Unexpected beauty, unexpected surprises, unexpected visits, and unexpected treats are all fun to experience. The unexpected is many times part of what makes life so much fun. Presents during the holidays are always better when unexpected.

     Of course, as with most areas of life, there are also unexpected things or events that are not quite so positive or pleasant. As humans, we just hope that the positives outweigh the negatives so we are able to keep a bright outlook.

     At Lewis & Daggett we help people who encounter a different type of unexpected. We many times work with folks who are dealing with the worst unexpected event of their lives. It is our job to deal with the unexpected and try to obtain the best possible result.

     An automobile accident that causes serious injuries can be devastating. An illness or other condition that turns into a lifelong disability changes everything. Or, getting hurt at work not only can threaten your job, and your income, but also the well being of your whole family.

     Children and families who suffer life changing injuries or events need our help. I am always amazed at the quality, caring concern of our team of lawyers and professional staff. We are proud of the way they really take care of those who need us.

     Our L & D team embodies a collective ability to assist people with the unexpected in ways well beyond just the law - they care and want a just resolution so folks can have dignity and respect to continue even with their difficulties. Perhaps in today’s world that is an "Unexpected" positive we can all appreciate.

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By David Daggett on 2/11/2008 7:44 AM

Values and Culture

     Do you consider what causes any organization or group to well? What motivates any group to perform successfully? This was an interesting topic of conversation at a recent lawyer conference. We spent a good bit of time just listening.

L&D Team members Gail Fisher and Elvis Horning

     To us it seemed interesting that a large percentage of the conference focused only on business, numbers, costs, and expenses. The bottom line was that these were all money matters. While we certainly believe it is prudent to be financially responsible, we felt deep down that we were a bit different.

     So, the curious side of us pulled back out some of our old books on motivation and leadership. We also looked at models of what makes organizations really effective and have meaning. Our reading, I suppose, confirmed what we already knew and felt deep down - the strongest organizations are based values and culture, not just money and profit.

     Organizations appear to work best when the core or fundamental values and ethics are the driving forces. The organization then surrounds itself with individuals who believe in those values. Those values then become the culture, or feel, of the organization. Interestingly, research shows that organizations with money as a driving force have lessor continuity and tend to burn out more quickly since this is a rather weak "value."

     Then, from a business point of view we develop strategic plans that support those values and the culture derived from them. We previously discussed our Lewis & Daggett strategic plan in Renewal of Purpose. This supports our values and beliefs so there is really no effort to get folks to buy into our firm mission.

     If you have been reading here over the past several weeks, or if you have come into our office, you may have a bit of a feel for our driving values and ethics. We are proud of our team’s concern for folks who are seriously injured, disabled, or hurt at work. Certainly our Safe Sober Prom Night campaign is consistent with our firm culture. This caring is just part of our overarching values of caring, concern, compassion and respect for individual dignity resulting in client service.

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By David Daggett on 2/4/2008 6:54 AM

Always Under Construction

     Are we always working on something in our lives? Are we building for a better future? One of the exciting things about our work at Lewis & Daggett is that we are always working and improving how we do things, on each client we represent, and every case we work on.

     This past week was a bit of a tough week in our Lewis & Daggett family. We had two extended relatives of folks here at the office pass away. Those sorts of times are always difficult. At the same time, we are always impressed how we all come together in support of each other.

     The pastor at one of the funerals delivered a very interesting, heart warming, and even motivating message. He used construction as a metaphor for building in our lives. The lessons are worth sharing.

     All good construction begins a plan or blueprint to guide you along the way. Just like building a house, we need a plan or blueprint in life to guide us along the way. The plan is something we can refer back to and use to keep us on track. Perhaps that is one of the benefits of the resolution journal we are offering.

     Of course, all quality construction begins with a strong foundation. Our personal foundation is the principles and values upon which the rest of our lives are built. Our foundation usually includes our families, physical self, spiritual self, and our work. Supporting and building a strong foundation seems to allow us to have strong structures like friendships and relationships that we can build upon and continue to work on.

     Quality construction requires us to use good material, equipment, and tools. For example, at Lewis & Daggett we believe we have built a strong team of good people who use technology and processes to make us as strong as possible.

     As a building progresses, it is important to continually measure to make sure we are on track and that everything fits together properly. Likewise in life it is prudent to take time to measure to make sure our pieces are correct and that they fit together properly. I've noticed that successful people tend to measure and adjust frequently.

     On construction projects everyone works together. Of course there's a foreman or leader, but everybody works together with scheduling, timing, and doing their separate roles. That spirit of cooperation certainly makes our own personal and professional lives more fulfilling and more successful.

     There are always things that are not in our control, like the weather, that can affect our construction projects. Just like in construction, success in life will be dictated by how we react to unforeseen problems. Our ability to adapt and make good decision when the unexpected arises certainly applies to our legal profession. As things change, or we find new evidence, we adjust the plan so that the project will continue to be successful.

     Life, unlike a physical building project, is always under construction. However, having good plans, building a solid foundation, working with good materials, remembering to measure, and being able to adapt will allow our lives, careers, and relationships to be strong. The improvement and growth of the building process is exciting!

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By David Daggett on 1/28/2008 6:57 AM

Play Doubles Tennis

     How well do we adapt to different and complementary roles in various aspects of our lives? Are we able to be flexible, cooperative, supporting, or yielding as the case may be? Perhaps these are some areas we can all work on.

Mike & Dave - Safe sober Prom Night Event

     Mike Lewis has been an avid tennis player for as long as I’ve known him. In fact, he and his wife Kathy have been among the top players in the Southeast since before I joined Mike in 1985. Their specialty is doubles tennis, and mixed doubles in particular. They play really well together as a team.

     During the recent conversation with Mike he used the term "doubles tennis." Crack! The term and the concept were metaphorically ingrained in my mind. He might not have realized the significance at the time, but I think he hit a winner!

     So, another goal for our firm in 2008 is to continue playing better "doubles tennis." For example, we have a buddy system at L & D so we are there to cover for each other. We also need to continue to work to recognize the ideas and accomplishments of others.

     Our law firm is full of fast paced, self confident, results oriented, effective people that get things done. Most of the folks on our team are already pretty good at playing "doubles tennis." We have discussed some of this previously when the subject was Teamwork.

     To continue to play better doubles tennis we will need to actively work on not always taking the lead, recognizing areas to be more complementary in action, perhaps yielding at times, and help the other person to better get the ball over the net when in the best interest of the team.

     "Doubles tennis" probably ends up being more fun, makes other people better, encourages team work, and maybe even helps us become better people along the way. Most importantly, it makes us better at serving our clients who are injured, disabled, or out of work.

     Thanks for joining us. We look forward share our "doubles tennis" experience with you!

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By David Daggett on 1/14/2008 7:44 AM

Renewal of Purpose

     In last week’s article we indicated that we would be writing about L&D goals or resolutions in future postings. Does the firm have some that can be made public? Of course we do - we can start with reviewing our firm philosophies and renewing our efforts in pursuing them.

Birthday Lunch - Tomisha Gladman, Susana Muniz, and Stephen Hamilton

     One thought we have about goals or resolutions in 2008 is tied in with that whole concept of newness, or starting fresh. After the stress of holidays some people experience the post holiday blues, a real let down from the busyness of November to December. Instead, we can look at the opportunities we have to start again on whatever we are working toward. We have a clean slate, a fresh page, to paint on how we picture our law firm, or our lives.

     Our L & D strategic plan attempts to summerize our purpose. We use this plan as a way to bring us back to the items that are important as we go about our daily tasks. We also believe this makes us unique amongst law firms in our goals and our focus. So, let’s quickly review them.

     First, we need to make a profit to stay in business. This isn’t a greedy goal; rather, it is a reminder that we need to be financially responsible to our employees and to stay in business. We are proud that in the history of our firm we have never had layoffs or cutbacks. This is important to you because our employees have confidence in the continuity of our firm.

     Next and probably most importantly is client service. Client service is a hallmark of our firm. We focus on it and review it every week. We do surveys, and sometimes these surveys present learning opportunities. This is something we pledge to always work on and always keep foremost in our pursuits.

     A close corollary to client service is our internal service and development. This means that we help each other, and help each to become better people along the way. We believe this makes us better at what we do, and better at serving our clients.

     Lastly, we strive to take advantage of processes and technologies. Our adversaries are bigger, better funded, and more powerful. So, to equal the playing field so that we can stand toe to toe with them in representing our clients we have to be smarter and more efficient. We not only do this as a team, but also by taking advantage of tools that can make us better and faster.    

     To help make resolutions have more meaning as we go throughout the year we invite you click through and leave comments on our Blog. We are also offering a Lewis & Daggett Resolution Journal. It is not fancy, but it may help you keep track of goals and resolutions. We’ll send it to you for free....all you have to do is click here, on the front page of our website, call or send an e-mail.

     Whew! That is quite a review. If we can accomplish this renewal, our resolutions, and purpose, will certainly be successful! Thank you for joining us!

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By David Daggett on 11/26/2007 11:45 AM

     Are We Thankful?

     Are we really thankful? The Thanksgiving holiday probably makes many of us think a little deeper about that. On Thanksgiving day it is easier to get in touch with all we have and to be thankful. The challenge seems to be the days in between when we have the routines of "life." Some days it is easy to be thankful . . . others maybe it seems impossible.

     It is interesting also to study the history of Thanksgiving in our country. Although the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the pilgrims in the early 1600's, and George Washington declared a day of "Thanksgiving" in the late 1700s, there were many lapses in the celebration of Thanksgiving. It wasn’t until Abe Lincoln’s 1863 "Proclamation of Thanksgiving" that Thanksgiving then became official.

     Perhaps we too "lapse" in our personal Thanksgiving. I have written elsewhere articles entitled Pursuit of Happiness and Have a Happy Heart, and although being thankful may be part of those perhaps it has another component. Thankful people appreciate what they have.

     Sometimes it is amazing to us at Lewis & Daggett how seriously injured and disabled folks can seem to be so thankful even in their most difficult of circumstances. People who are in seemingly, to us, in very bad situations still can be thankful. Perhaps we can learn from them.

     As I was observing and wondering about some of our clients who remain thankful during what most of a would consider bad times, a common theme seemed to be developing. These people tend to look at what they have, instead of looking at what they don’t have.

     I suppose human nature causes many of us not to be so thankful during tough times. Maybe we can work to be super human and learn to see all we do have instead of what we don’t. Let’s be thankful!

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By David Daggett on 11/19/2007 8:45 AM

     Keeping ‘em Honest

     Many times people who have never been through a fight with an insurance company may wonder why we are needed . . . once you've been through it you probably understand. People who are wrongfully injured, disabled, or hurt at work probably ought to be able to assume they will be treated fairly. The truth is that most times the insurance claim is handled by trained personnel whose job it is to save the company money, not treat you fairly.

     Our firm believes that you are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, to be told the truth (even if it is tough), and to be treated fairly in obtaining a just result. Unfortunately, many folks simply don’t get treated that way when they have a claim. That is where we come in - our job to is work hard so you can be treated fairly.

     Recently Anderson Cooper 360 broadcast a program on some of the underhanded tactics of the multi-billion dollar insurance industry. These tactics attempt to keep you from getting the medical payments and benefits that you deserve following an automobile accident or injury. The report also mentions one particular insurance company that is known to fight virtually all claims.

     Building on their previous story revealing the "Three Ds" of insurance tactics to deny auto accident victims due compensation, CNN reported on a bill recently passed that would require insurance companies who refused to pay a claim and lost in court to pay up to three times the initial claim value and attorney’s fees. Insurance companies immediately started a nationwide advertising campaign to try to defeat any limitations on their practices. Watch the report here

     Unfortunately, dealing with an insurance company usually is not on a level playing field. We do our best to help even out your side of the equation, treat you fairly, and make sure someone is on your side.

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By David Daggett on 10/8/2007 1:19 AM

     Momentun Shift

     Last weekend we were at a law school event and got to chatting with a Federal Judge and his wife. The topic quickly shifted to Wake Forest football. The Judge and I are both big Wake Forest fans, and after last year’s stellar season culminating with the Orange Bowl our hopes were high for this year. However, the Deacons got off to a bit of a tough start with a 1 - 2 record.

     Things weren’t looking too good in Wake Forest’s last home game against Maryland. But, it turned out to be a thriller to the last second when our beloved Deacons pulled it out in overtime. Wow - I’m sure glad we stayed ‘til the end!

     This game was really interesting because Wake was way behind 24 - 3 with one minute left in the third quarter, and Maryland was getting ready to score again! But, the Deacons intercepted a pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown - the longest in the history of the school. You could immediately feel what the Judge and I dubbed as the "Momentum Shift."

     As we further discussed the "shift" the conversation then turned again. It turned to how the same principle applies in what we do professionally. "Momentum Shift" is exactly we try to do for our clients when they have been wrongfully injured, hurt at work, disabled, or has their land taken.

     The other side is usually bigger and more powerful, so our clients need help on their side. That is where we come in and apply our knowledge, understanding, work, and experience. We try to put the law on their side in order to do what is right, just, and fair. We are proud that our team at Lewis & Daggett takes this obligation so seriously.

     We hope the Wake Forest can use the "Momentum Shift" as the season continues. At the same time, our pledge is to always try to give a momentum shift to those who need our help.

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