New ABA book shares how lawyers’ defining moments paved the path for success and leadership

CHICAGO, June 4, 2019 —  The American Bar Association’s recently published book, “Defining Moments: Insights Into the Lawyer’s Soul” by Melanie Bragg, includes 42 inspiring essays told by accomplished lawyers whose success has been driven by their moments of truth. Bragg thoughtfully interviewed lawyers from all walks of life and different practice settings to discover the critical moments that motivated them to broaden their horizons and pursue a career in law.  

This practical manual is organized into Bragg’s original leadership model “LEAD lines,” consisting of Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity and Determination. Bragg found that each lawyer has a success principle that he or she lives by. The essays included in the book are told by a diverse group of lawyers – past ABA presidents, judges, big firm lawyers, small firm lawyers and nonpracticing lawyers – but they all attribute their ultimate success to the defining moments that shifted their worlds. Readers can flip through the pages to learn invaluable life lessons, such as “Surround Yourself with Good People and Good Things Will Happen” and “Use Your Past to Shape Your Future.”

Bragg is a general civil practitioner with an emphasis on probate, family, small business and mediation/arbitration at Bragg Law PC in Houston. She is known as a fierce advocate in her representation of children, the elderly and the mentally disadvantaged. Bragg is the author of “Crosstown Park,” an Alex Stockton legal thriller. Her first book was “HIPAA for the General Practitioner” published by the ABA. She is a frequent motivational speaker with interactive workshops for a variety of audiences.

Editor’s note: Author interviews and review copies of this book are available by emailing Dean Pappas at [email protected]. If you publish a review of this book, please send tear sheets or a copy for our files to Dean Pappas, ABA Book Publishing, 321 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60654.

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