Book Review

• Publication year: 2022
• Pages: 0076
• Citation: Vol. 27 No. 6 Pg. 0076

Book Review No. Vol. 27, No. 6 Pg. 76 Georgia Bar Journal June, 2022

The Significant Lawyer: The Pursuit of Purpose and Professionalism

By Hon. William S. Duffey Jr.

185 pages, Mercer University Press

REVIEWED BY KEVIN PATRICK

"The Significant Lawyer: The Pursuit of Purpose and Professionalism" begins with a quote from Hon. Griffin B. Bell about his belief that "honorable service is the highest conduct of a lawyer." These initial remarks about honoring the profession establish the framework of Hon. William S. Duffey Jr.'s book about the true meaning of the practice of law and the paramount importance of professionalism throughout a legal career. Judge Duffey draws on his experiences of more than 40 years in practice, including 14 on the federal bench, to illustrate the importance of alignment to lead a fulfilling and meaningful legal career.

After these introductory remarks, Duffey first examines "Lost Lawyers" and reflects on the ways the legal profession has oftentimes prioritized profits above the profession itself. Judge Duffey then transitions to "The Aligned Lawyer," which reveals one of the greatest satisfactions in life is aligning conduct with values. He asks the readers to consider...