The nice thing about our arrangement is that the paralegals have power in how the firm is going to be molded, because Ed listens to our viewpoints. But basically, I don't feel that everyone can do everything equally. People are going to shine in some areas and are going to be not so strong in others. What I am trying to do is match people's strengths and have them do mostly those tasks that they're good in. The bottom line for Smith and his team is finding people who thrive on the atmosphere of the firm and enjoy their style and set-up.
Life is too short.
I want somebody in my office that I'm going to enjoy working with. By the time someone is in their 20s, it's not possible to change their basic personality traits. I try to run with the strengths they have. One paralegal I have writes as well as any lawyer I know, but he's not as strong with clients. He's more of an introvert.