Before and Now

• Author: Kenneth P. Nolan
• Pages: 149-154

Before and Now

149

I began practicing law as the sun popped over the horizon, chas-

ing the dark and warming the tranquil bay. Before the late 1970s,

law was a fraternity on an orange-bright autumn afternoon, with

boys in striped ties strolling across a lush green to a noisy stadium,

carelessly smiling at the wonder of their world. Oh sure, some guys

with sharp elbows and minds from Flatbush or Woodside climbed

out of the subway downtown and entered those polished rooms

where deals were negotiated with a few polite words, a nod, and a

firm handshake. The hurricane of the 1960s and early 1970s rattled

this serene corner of America, but strong oak doors and tightly woven

oriental rugs kept the rabble outside.

A profession, that’s what it was way back when. Battles oc-

curred, but in soft, crooning voices and respectful tones. Contracts,

briefs, and motions were typed by proper, efficient women from

the Grace Institute. Letters were dictated in confident words from

three-piece gray suits. Carbon paper blackened your hands and oc-

casionally your white shirt. Pockets were stuffed with dimes so a

call from court could detail the judge’s decision. It was “Mad Men”

practice law.

It now seems like the Dark Ages. When cute, nervous secretar-

ies skipped a word or phrase, the result was audible sighs and groans,

for the page had to be retyped. Everything took time, from dialing

the phone to Shepardizing cases to opening the mail. Typewriter