Today is my one-year anniversary with Kenneth J. Allen & Associates in Northwest Indiana and Chicago.
Having spent more than 40 years as a journalist/editor in the newspaper business, I was somewhat acquainted with the legal profession having served on the Illinois State Bar Association media law committee, and the Indiana Judicial Center media sub-committee of its Community Relations Committee.
I was also named by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard to an advisory position of the state’s “Fire Brigade” charged with mediating potentially explosive disputes between the courts and the press.
And of course during my somewhat lengthy career, I was involved in numerous First Amendment legal cases, and Freedom of Information issues and was chairman of the Illinois Associated Press Editors FOI committee.
That aside, now working with unquestionably Indiana’s premier injury attorney Kenneth J. Allen, I am getting the flavor of the driving force behind those words that KJAA firm uses: Passion, Commitment, Excellence.
Until I began working at Kenneth J. Allen & Associates, I didn’t realize the parallels between journalism and this law firm. Both subscribe to, and practice, those basic tenants with exuberance.
While this firm is quite selective in the cases it takes – only one in about 10 – once it says yes Mr. Allen and his firm’s talented attorneys tackle each case as a group, meeting twice each week to review, strategize and decide a course of action. Mr. Allen welcomes spirited debate during these early morning – very early – regular meetings.
I’ve had the honor of attending on more than one occasion to present information on particular cases. Watching six or seven attorneys kick around specifics on a case is very impressive.
Obviously, the model works. Anyone who doubts it only has to check out his website at kenallenlaw.com and review news clips, press conference videos, or other volumes of information about the firm.
So, not surprisingly I suppose, I feel right at home working on those fundamental issues that journalism and law have in common – righting wrongs. And if we raise hell in the process, too bad. The ordinary man – or woman – sometimes needs an advocate to fight for justice. So the mission for the press, and KJAA is the same.
I am at home working for the best, just as I was as a journalist. Being second best just doesn’t cut it.
Maybe that should be Kenneth J. Allen & Associates new motto.