The Art of Advocacy and Eating: More in Common than You Might Think
As 2024 begins, I have been giving a lot of thought to two of my passions in life: helping my clients put their lives back together after a tragic loss and smoking and eating food! After much thought, I realized that my passions have much more in common than one might think. Let me share a few of these common characteristics.
Preparation. Representing an injured person in a lawsuit and smoking meat both require careful preparation and a plan. You can’t just jump in and wing it. You need to think about what you are doing and understand why you are doing it. In my representation of an injured person, I must thoroughly investigate the case, gather evidence, perform legal research, and get to know my client. Just like a pitmaster, I must meticulously prepare our “case ingredients” to build a foundation for success.
Similarly, smoking meat involves the same level of meticulous preparation. For a successful “smoke,” I have to carefully select the cut of meat, the proper marinade or rub, the sauce, the wood I will use, the particular cooking technique that will give the best outcome, and get the smoker ready. Just like representing my clients, a well thought out plan is essential.
Patience. Both of my passions require patience, no matter how hard it is to wait. Being in too much of a rush to get to the end will usually result in a less than ideal outcome. In the legal arena, cases can often be protracted, with twists and turns that have to be navigated. As your attorney, I must properly navigate the legal “ins and outs,” make use of the various civil procedure techniques available, and implement our recipe for success, all to ensure the best possible outcome for each of my clients.
Smoking requires patience to cook the meat “low and slow.” This allows the meat to fully absorb the smoke, which is essential to maximizing tenderness, flavor, and the overall mouth-watering result. As with my clients, rushing the end result will not deliver the best results.
Attention to Detail. Both representing a personal injury client and smoking meat demand unwavering attention to detail. In law, every piece of evidence, composing arguments, and negotiation tactics must be carefully analyzed and implemented. The smallest details can help build the strongest case.
Smoking meat likewise requires attention to details. I have to monitor the temperature of the pit, the internal temperatures of the meat, adjust airflow, know when to feed the fire or when to slow the burn down, and, of course, monitor the color of the smoke rolling from the smoker. Inattentiveness to the smallest of details can have disastrous results.
Mastery and Experience. Both representing my clients and smoking meat thrive on passion and mastery. For my clients, I am driven by a desire to seek justice and make a difference in their lives. As a smoker of meats, I am driven to give my family and friends the best serving of smoked meat that I can. In both, I constantly refine my skills, learn all that I can, and rely on my experience.
Whether you find yourself in a courtroom or operating a smoker, understanding these shared concepts will lead to success.
If you have been injured by the fault of others in Illinois, contact us at Prince Law Firm. We’re committed to helping victims and their families move forward after experiencing a serious car accident injury, slip and fall injury, workplace injury, or any other type of injury resulting in serious consequences.
If you have an idea on smoking meats, let me know!
