Biography
Biography ContentTranscript
Interviewee was John Smith, and the interviewer was Jennifer Johnson.JJ: What is the education background needed to become a lawyer?
JS: First, you need an undergraduate degree and that can be in anything. After that you attend law school. It helps to have some kind of background in accounting or engineering. In law school, it teaches you what you need to know. It will drill into you that you need to brief ahead of time. Law school informs you that as a lawyer you will need to recognize the issues and be prepared. It is important to have all your research done.
JJ: What is your current position?
JS: I am semi-retired. My day includes coming to the office for a couple of hours, then going to the driving range for a while. After that, I go home and eat lunch and take a nap before returning to the office for another couple of hours. I still probate wills but don't handle any major cases anymore.
JJ: How long have you been at a lawyer?
JS: For fifty years.
JJ: Have you always practiced in the Longview area?
JS: Yes.
JJ: What direction do you believe the courts are in?
JS: They are more liberal now then when started. You see more rulings for the plaintiff.
JJ: What type of cases have you tried?
JS: I mostly represented insurance companies. In insurances cases the company sends the file to the attorney and the attorney will do the investigation. After doing the investigation the attorney will present the case.
JJ: What is Judge Ward like?
JS: John is a nice guy. He had a good following as a lawyer. He runs a tidy courtroom. He is a good judge. You can usually tell whether or not the judge is good within two seconds in the courtroom. John was a trial lawyer and most trial lawyers usually will become a good judge.
JJ: Did Judge Ward try insurance cases?
JS: Yes.
JJ: Have you ever tried anything in front of Judge Ward?
JS: Yes. I tried the second case for John. It went to the appeal courts where the decision was reversed.
JJ: Are you allowed to talk about the case?
JS: Yes. It was a case where the railroad cars were blocking the entrance to this guy's nursery. He wanted the cars to be moved so people could get into his business. It was ruled for them to be moved but like I said it was reversed in an appeal court.
JJ: What judges have affected the community?
JS: Judge Justice with the prison system.
JJ: Has Judge Ward affected the community?
JS: Probably not, because he has only been on the bench for two or three years. I believe that in given time he will because he is young enough to have the energy but old enough to have the experience.
JJ: Has Judge Ward influence your career any?
JS: No, he is too young.
JJ: Will you discuss the attorney-judicial relationship?
JS: Yes. Cases you have in front of judges limits socializing between attorneys and judges. You never talk to a judge about a case you are working on. Attorney will usually shy away from judges when they are working on a case.