"Oh the places you'll go (as a clerk)"

        When Larry Rice hired me back in March of last year, I asked him, “What will I have an opportunity to learn from you while I clerk, and how will that help me transition from student to an attorney?” He quickly assured me that clerking at his office will prepare me to transition as seamlessly as possible, and that his clerks are provided with endless opportunities to learn and observe meetings, mediations, hearings, trials, and even appeals. During my first few months, I often thought ahead about how what I was doing at that exact moment would help me become a more efficient and competent attorney. Little did I know, though, that the day to day habits I honed while working with Larry Rice of being prepared, thoroughly researching arguments, and putting my all into each project would culminate and lead me to have one of the most memorable and exciting experiences of my entire law school career.

        After I made the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law National Moot Court Team, Larry sat me down and said, “If you want to be really good, you need to focus, be prepared, and give it all you’ve got.” That’s exactly what I tried to do. After spending 40 hours a week practicing the entire month of November, our entire plan changed when we lost our swing teammate. Because of our hard work and preparedness, however, my other teammate and I already knew the opposing arguments and were ready to head to the Regional Competition in Knoxville, just the two of us. After beating Mississippi College, Louisiana State University, and the University of Tennessee, we had the opportunity to argue in front of Justice Wade of the Tennessee Supreme Court. In a minor panic attack before the final round, I remembered Larry’s advice and was able to revel in the opportunity rather than be intimidated by it. Presenting an appellate argument to Justice Wade and engaging in conversation with him regarding the state of the law is an experience I will never forget.

        As my teammate and I prepare to compete against the Top 44 Moot Court teams in the nation in New York City this February (all expense paid trip- thanks Cecil C.!), I can practice with peace of mind, knowing that I have a competitive advantage over them all- I am a clerk for Larry Rice. Win or lose, I walk away with a boss that encourages me in my academic endeavors, prepares me for success in law school, and provides opportunities that will allow me to be as prepared as possible for when I enter into the legal field.

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Parenting Issues in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the importance of not involving children in the divorce process. He recommends still parenting together by emphasizing each parents' love for their children and by not criticizing the other spouse in front of the children. Larry Rice also addresses the main components and faults of the Child Support Worksheet in Tennessee. He concludes by reiterating his point to parent together and to not talk badly about the other spouse.

 

Simple tasks v. complicated tasks by Justin Steele

Since starting work here at Rice Amundsen and Caperton, I have been fortunate enough to put my accounting background and minimal legal knowledge to hard work; building book cases, assembling dollies, and moving file cabinets up and down the stairs. 

You might think that sounds a little bit sarcastic.  That’s probably because it was a little sarcastic, but in reality I am glad that I have been given the opportunity to do not only the small tasks but also tasks related to legal work.  Since beginning work here, I have gotten to do all the things that one imagines doing when they watch a movie like Paperchase: running to court, running errands, getting coffee, sending correspondences, and becoming best friends, but also mortal enemies, with the copier.  I have gotten to do all these things and have learned an important lesson for life and legal practice.

Although it might not be the most profound, I’ve come to an important realization.  Most days, it turns out, are spent doing simple things, talking in nice tones to the copier, and are not spent making groundbreaking arguments in court.  However, these small tasks are of equal importance to the big ones and they should be given a similar appreciation.  Like Oswald Chambers says, “We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life - those are simply meant to be moments of inspiration.  We are made for the valleys, and the ordinary things in life, that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.”

Introduction to Divorce by Larry Rice

Larry Rice discusses divorce, emotions and reasonableness. Explaining how the reasonable control of emotions makes the divorce process more efficient, more effective and less painful.

 

“Thankful Every Day” by: Jennifer Bicknell

    Veterans’ Day is coming up next Monday and I wanted to take a moment to offer my thanks to all the Veterans, both those who have served in the past and those who serve today.  I am thankful for the sacrifices not only they have made and continue to make for our country, but also the sacrifices of their families.  As a former high school U.S. History teacher, I taught my fair share of lessons on the various wars that occurred throughout our history as a nation, and even those that occurred before there even was a United States of America, and I always tried to foster a respect and understanding of those sacrifices to my students. 

            So if you know a veteran, say “Thank you!”  If you see a veteran, say “Thank you!”  Be thankful for our veterans, not just on November 11^th but every day.

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Divorce Trial in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the divorce trial process. You have gone through the entire divorce process and things couldn't get resolved, so you have made it to the last and worst step. Mr. Rice emphasizes on the importance of telling the truth. Tell your lawyer everything from the very beginning. Telling the truth makes it much easier. Tell the court the truth because it will probably come out anyways and will destroy your lives about one thing and destroy the truth your telling about everything else... so, tell the truth. Mr. Rice informs you on how to prepare for trial. We don't know what the Judge is going to do until the Judge does it, and then sometimes we still do not know what the Judge is going to do. So, if you have your case tried, work with your lawyer, tell the truth, and realize the system isn't always perfect. Judges are trying to do what they think are right.