My son-in-law, John Day, a trial lawyer in Brentwood, TN, publishes a newsletter every quarter that goes out to other lawyers. We print and mail it for John so I often read it. The subject on his latest newsletter is about Reputation. Reputations can be good or in some cases bad. A quote in John’s newsletter is “ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right”. (Potter Stewart) That says a lot about any business or person. Is doing what is right always the easiest, not it is sometimes the hardest thing but in your heart if you know it is the right thing to do, then do it.
I had an example of this today. There was some confusion about a mailing date for a customer and we thought that we knew when he wanted his post cards mailed. Turns out we mailed it a little earlier than he wanted, so I told him we would print another post card for him to be mailed on the date that he desired. Did I lose a little money, yes, but the most important thing is that I have my reputation as a company intact and that means everything to me.
John’s reputation as a good lawyer is know state wide and beyond, but he is one of the most ethical men that I know. He is a good Dad, husband and family man.
