This morning's person I appreciate is Peter Cronyn of @NelliganLaw whom I don't believe is on Twitter. https://twitter.com/JMR_Lawyer/status/1328322558752677889

I had a month long trial against Peter in my first year of practice. We had lunch together multiple times through that trial. I don't remember which time it was but Anne Mullins pulled me aside afterwards to say "This is rare. Be aware of that."

The first time I ever called evidence was during that trial. Peter objected to every single question I asked, and appropriately so. My questions were horrible. They were leading, I hadn't laid a proper foundation, and so forth.

Peter, in his voir dire or whether our witness could even provide the evidence we were calling from him did a far better job of establishing the witness's credentials than I did in my chief.

At the end of my humiliating myself before the court (for what felt like 6 days but was actually probably no more than 45 minutes) I sit down. Peter says, under his breath but just loud enough, "Welcome to the NHL!"

I learned my lesson. I needed to be better prepared. I needed to better know how to call evidence. I needed to work from the bottom up instead of from the top down.

All because Peter (again, completely correctly) was on his feet objecting to everything I did.

Peter and I can still laugh about that (I didn't take it as an insult at all). Peter has since volunteered multiple times with Lawyers Feed the Hungry while still doing incredible work as a litigator/mediator.

I will also add that Peter is an excellent mediator. He takes the time to immerse himself in the file and be able to reach the parties, not only the lawyers.

Peter Cronyn of @nelliganlaw is a great lawyer. He is appreciated.