Brandon Waddell, construction lawyer and managing shareholder at Waddell Serafino in Dallas, joins us on today's show. Brandon talks about representing design professionals, your one reputation, and the importance of integrity.

His firm/practice

Represents design professionals (architects, engineers, etc.) from the start of a project (contract drafting) to litigation matters pertaining to professional liability
Brand new offices with lots of collaboration space and a massive coffee bar.
Hot button topic right now is the doctrine that allows contractors to be liable for the conduct of design professionals. Texas is the only one that has it, and a current senate bill 219 could do away with it.

COVID update (as of March 24, 2021)

Fortunate to have a high-tech firm that was already virtually paperless
Tough to replace site visits for investigations but have adapted with technology

Advice for lawyers in practice

You have one reputation
Try to think if you were the shareholder, how would you want an associate to handle this project
Don't come in and say "what do you think about these legal issues," instead say "Here is what I think about these four legal issues and the strategy I think we should implement to address them."
Be proactive
Be a professional; get your work done whenever/however
If you mess something up, tell someone. Don't try to hide it. It's an integrity issue. Perfection isn't the standard.
Take advantage of the collective wisdom of your colleagues

Advice for lawyers on the job search

In his practice, you are going to have to learn architecture, engineering, etc., so he looks for people who are learners
Just because you graduated law school doesn't mean you are done learning
If you love the Discovery channel, great, because that's 50% of the practice
Integrity; looking for people who are true to themselves and true to the firm
Looking for a good fit; it's a family at their firm
He is the first one to talk in interviews, and he tells candidates they should be interviewing him as much as anything else. He wants candidates to know exactly what the job is and what they are in for.
Candidates should feel comfortable they are going to enjoy the work and enjoy the people
He is going to be selling his firm and practice to the candidate, but ultimately the candidate needs be honest with themselves about whether they are qualified and a good fit. You can fake your way through an interview, but you can't fake your way through a job
People need to have a passion for the work
Before taking an offer, talk to people in the industry who know you and see if they think you would be a good fit with a firm.

Rapid fire questions:

Name one trait or characteristic you most want to see in an associate: Integrity
What habit has been key to your success: Diligence
Favorite app/productivity tool: Spotify
Favorite pen: Pilot Precise V5 (extra fine for marking up plans)
Favorite social distancing activity: playing with his kids
Favorite legal movie: The Firm

Thanks again to Brandon Waddell for joining us on today's show!