Believe In The Skinny Man (The Friday Ficks S5 E4)

Litigation usually pits big versus little. The fat man versus the skinny man. A game of attrition.

Behemoth companies, and governments, outspending their adversaries. Grinding, grinding, grinding. A high stakes, and expensive, game of chicken.

I’ve even heard the saying “before the fat man gets skinny, the skinny man dies.”

I usually represented the fat man.

Sure, there were kudos, metaphorical back slaps, more case referrals and the ubiquitous high-end steakhouse dinner for the “big” wins.

Rewarding?

Intellectually, yes. Emotionally, no.

But then came the call from a friend who needed a lawyer to represent him in a deeply personal matter. The skinny man, asking for help.

He had no leverage. He had no money. He had no voice.

I did not hesitate, despite some internal headwinds at my firm. I helped my friend, resolving the matter to his satisfaction.

He later sent me a handwritten note which simply said “thank you for believing in me.”

Just six words. Words which drove one of the most emotional highs of my career. Words which packed more punch than a jury verdict in favor of a Fortune 500 client.

And it will remain so forever, echoing in my head and routinely making me smile.

Many people have no leverage. Many people have no voice. But they need you.

Believe in the skinny man. It will pay dividends in perpetuity.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl