Chair's Column: Introduced and Hooked

Continuing one of the themes for this bar year that I established last July at the Leadership Meeting, it is important to tell individual stories about the personal meaning and impact of the Section. As I have said in a number of previous columns and communications, one of the most common stories from individuals is having a colleague or friend strongly recommend attending a Section event and then getting hooked in.

To reinforce the theme of being introduced and hooked, let me introduce you to James Peacock. James is Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, joining a long line of prominent Section leaders from across Texas. Within the Section, James is currently Chair of the Healthcare Facility Operations Interest Group. How did James get to his current position within the Section?

When I posed that question to James, he immediately went in the direction of name dropping within the Section. James remembered that his then-colleague David Ellenbogen, the current Vice Chair of the Section, suggested (required) that James go with him to the Emerging Issues in Health Law Conference. From that first introduction, James was hooked into the Section. Since attending that first EMI, James said he has not missed an in-person EMI. Aligning with many descriptions of someone attending a Section conference for the first time, James said he was instantly drawn in and everyone was very welcoming. James’ memory echoes so many stories within the Section, which underscores our strong community.

As a quick aside, James mentioning that he hasn’t missed an EMI since his first one sparked a tangent between us about trying to remember our respective first EMI. That, in turn, led to reminiscing about different meals and other interactions James and I have had together at each EMI we have both attended. That is also a common occurrence because those shared memories become so embedded within everyone’s experience.

Back to James’ story: After his first EMI, he received an appointment to the Litigation and Risk Management Interest Group as a means of securing his spot within the fold of the Section. James started as a Vice Chair and worked his way up the ranks within the IG to eventually become Chair. James stated that his fellow leaders instantly became friends and individuals he could call to bat ideas around. Even though each of them have slightly different practices, James said that it was easy to learn from each other and use the engagement opportunities enabled by the Section to brainstorm and come up with new ways of solving problems that each of them were facing.

Following his time in the Litigation and Risk Management Interest Group, James received the opportunity to move over to the Healthcare Facility Operations Interest Group, which he now Chairs. Similar to his first IG experience, James said the leadership group gelled, opening up opportunities for James to grow and learn from a new group of connections.

The commonality in experience underscores that personal and professional benefit that arises within the Section by meeting and interacting with fellow health lawyers across the country from varied practice settings. The Section offers a foundation to build a relationship on and gives the implicit acknowledgment that the individuals you are working with are open to connecting and helping out.

Beyond involvement in leadership, James provided a few other reasons that he remains involved in the Section and the benefit he derives. First, James pointed to the education opportunities. Whether the content is provided in person at a conference or remotely with distance learning, James identified the Section as a great vehicle for staying current on issues in healthcare. Given the pace at which forces in the industry can swirl (even if healthcare on the whole doesn’t pivot quickly), it is essential to have a trusted source of information.

The second benefit that led to an in-depth conversation was the chance for business development. James pointed out that business development may not be the driving reason for involvement, but it comes up organically because of the connections and friendships that are created. It is commonly said and true in business that everyone wants to do business with their friends and will think of their friends first when making a referral. If that axiom applies, then the Section is a fertile breeding ground because of the personal interactions and relationships it enables.

James talked about a recent experience of being invited to an internally sponsored and run conference by a connection he developed within the Section. He said the topic he spoke about stretched a little bit beyond his normal practice area, but that in and of itself was a great chance to dive into related concepts. However, James said through conversations he had at a networking event that was part of the conference, he started a discussion with the potential to gain a new client. James did not intend for that to happen, but when you’re open to new experiences, then those chances will come when you least expect.

James’s last point on business development helps support the internal case at a firm for the financial investment that underlies involvement with the Section. The financial investment is in the form of dues and costs of attendance as well as potential sponsorship. A law firm is a business, so if a return on the investment can be demonstrated, then it is easier to get approval. All of this ties back to the power that is generated through the relationships and connections fostered by involvement in the Section.

James’s story is yet another example of why involvement in the Section is meaningful and important. However, remember that it still comes back to the community. Without the open and welcoming nature of the Section, none of these benefits would be possible.