Good Judgment, and the Difference Between Knowledge and Wisdom
July 2, 2009
Good judgment and problem-solving skills are related to creativity, and some people are just better at that than others. I see many brilliant young lawyers come out of the best law schools in the country. If you look at their academic records and test scores and talk to them, they’re as smart as whips – but not all of them become great lawyers. One reason is that it takes good judgment and problem-solving skills and some of the other things I mentioned to become a great lawyer in any field, not just corporate law. I call this the difference between having knowledge and having wisdom.
Acquiring wisdom as a lawyer takes a lot of experience. When I came out of law school, I thought I knew a lot. I was disabused of that notion quickly. One thing I learned is that you can have a lot of knowledge, but the ability to apply it, the ability to solve problems and exercise good judgment, comes with experience.
There’s no easy way to get experience and develop good judgment. Obviously, it takes time to gain experience, and much of the essence of good judgment is either developed (or not) before you ever become a lawyer. Understanding the client’s perspective can help. Thinking ahead and considering the likely implications of your advice is important. It’s like a chess game where you must think many moves ahead.
The role of others in helping you develop good judgment is vital. I was very fortunate to have close mentoring relationships with more senior lawyers who were great teachers and role models. People like Keith Shay and Milton Cohen – senior partners at Schiff Hardin & Waite when I started with the firm – took me under their wings and nurtured my development as a lawyer. They both were nationally recognized corporate lawyers who took the time to mentor me. Not only could I learn from watching them in action, but I could test my tentative judgments against their seasoned experience. At first, we would reach decisions by consensus; as time went on, I gained more confidence in my own decisions.