Attorney at Law Magazine sat down to Bob Latham (partner with Jackson Walker LLP). Bob Latham is a leading trial lawyer in the country. His 39-years of experience, as well as a deep understanding of intellectual property litigation and media law, have earned him a reputation for being a leading trial lawyer in the country. He is also a columnist, author, and sought-after speaker.
AALM What is your top tip for a new lawyer starting their career?
BL Learn from mentors. You should find things that not only pay the bills, but also have meaning.
AALM What made you decide to pursue intellectual property and media law?
BL I strongly believe in freedom of speech, and freedom of press. So it was meaningful for me to work on cases during the first part of my career that required me to uphold these principles. As IP-related issues were also a concern for media clients, IP litigation was born. These types of cases were enjoyable for me, whether it was a music copyright issue or patent cases. My college career was as a physics major. I then switched to liberal arts to study the sciences, so I didn’t find it uncomfortable to work on cases that had a scientific bent.
AALM What’s your greatest achievement in your career?
BL I wouldn’t necessarily place the result in one case above another – although there are definitely cases when you feel like you have pulled a rabbit from a hat. My greatest success would have to be the long-lasting relationships I have built with many clients. If I can provide mentoring for younger lawyers, then that would be my greatest success.
AALM What are some habits that have helped you achieve success?
BL Be prepared. Preparation is the best preparation. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture and stop obsessing over the small details.
AALM How can you maintain balance between work and home life?
BL This is always a challenge. There is a tendency to believe that to achieve balance, these two parts of a person’s lives must be completely separate. You can achieve a balance by integrating them. You don’t have to be distant from your work colleagues or family members. However, it is important to reserve personal time for yourself – I do this.
AALM What do you love most about your job?
BL No day is the same as any other day. And you never know what tomorrow may bring. It keeps the world fresh. There are always new challenges.
AALM Can you tell us more about your involvement in ARTICLE 19?
BL My involvement with ARTICLE19 is a result of my belief and advocacy for freedom of expression. Through my interactions with media law practitioners from around the globe, whom I had met at conferences or otherwise, I was introduced to ARTICLE 19. It was a new experience to be involved in the promotion of freedom of expression in areas without the First Amendment to U.S. Constitution. In 2018, I was invited to join and was elected as the chair after Paddy Coulter, the former chair, was resigned.
AALM How are you involved with your community? Do you support a particular group?
BL I have been involved in a lot of sports-related activities. I served on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s board of directors, and I continue to be involved in the Olympic movement. I was a rugby player for many years, and served two terms in the position of chairman of USA Rugby. Now, I am a member of the World Rugby executive board. This governs the sport around the world. Also, I was the former president of Dallas All Sports Association. This association brings together professional sports teams from the Dallas area to raise funds for students in need.
AALM Who are your mentors What can you do to imitate them?
BL The trial section of Jackson Walker LLP was where I started my career. They were excellent partners. They helped me understand the importance of my professional approach and taught me how to avoid it. They also taught me how important it is to maintain your integrity and credibility. Not by accident, I also had great mentors in rugby – people who were respectful of the game and respected their opponents and brought out the best in their players. Without my parents, I would not be able to answer this question. Their example of honesty, sincerity and compassion inspires me to this day.
AALM What is the most exciting deal that you have ever worked on during your career?
BL I had a libel case that was telecast live by Court TV for seven consecutive weeks. It was a fascinating dynamic to have live coverage. This was before the U.S. had a more common media format. I was there to represent Barney the Dinosaur.
AALM Tell us about yourself. It has nothing to do your career as an attorney.
BL I played rugby my first 12 years of practicing law. I have remained involved in the sport because of the joy and the freedom from the pressures of my law practice. The relationships that I formed during those 12 years are what keep me hooked on the sport. My favorite karaoke song, “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan is my number one.
AALM Is there anything you’d like to add?
BL It might be worthwhile noting that ARTICLE19 filed an amicus brief that I co-authored in the Gonzalez v. Google case, which the U.S. Supreme Court heard this morning.
Attorney at Law Magazine published the post Bob Latham – Fighting for Justice and Scoring Attempts.