May It Please the Court!
From Auto Accidents to Agent Orange:
Building a Storefront Law Practice into
America's Largest Suburban Law Firm
Leonard Rivkin
with Jeffrey Silberfeld
Carolina Academic Press
Durham, North Carolina
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The book is a fascinating work — far
more gripping than the countless legal
novels that line the shelves of libraries
and far more instructive than the "how
to" manuals that are offered as part of
the continuing legal education courses
now mandated for practicing attorneys in New York State.
Ellin M.Mulholland - New York State Bar Association Journal 9/2000 (click here for the FULL REVIEW)
May It Please the Court! tells the remarkable story of attorney Leonard Rivkin, who
in 1950, fresh out of the University of Virginia Law School, opened up a one-man
law practice in the back of an insurance
brokerage office in Freeport, Long Island. Thirty-five years later, Mr. Rivkin had built
his practice into the largest suburban law
firm in the United States, employing 250
attorneys in five offices in New York,
Chicago, Los Angeles, and the District of
Columbia.
In addition to chronicling the extraordinary growth of Mr. Rivkin's law practice,
the book provides a behind-the-scenes look
at Mr. Rivkin's involvement in some of the
most compelling and newsworthy civil
cases of the past twenty years, including his
defense of Dow Chemical in the Agent Orange litigation.
In his book, Mr. Rivkin attributes the
growth of his law practice and his success as
a litigator to his aggressive, creative approach
to business development and litigation
strategy. The essence of that approach:
take the initiative!
"Clients will not find you," Mr. Rivkin
writes, "unless you find them first. This
requires you to market yourself and your
talents. Join professional associations. Attend seminars. Publish articles. Make inquiries. Write letters. Use the telephone.
Circulate." In litigation, Mr. Rivkin advises,
"Do not sit on your hands waiting for
something to happen, make it happen. Do
not simply react to your adversary; make
him react to you."
Consistent with Mr. Rivkin's business
and litigation philosophy, the book describes numerous innovative and resourceful methods of attracting and keeping
clients. The book also contains countless
examples of aggressive and creative litigating, both in and our of court. As such, the
book is an invaluable tool for all practicing
attorneys who are looking to develop their
marketing skills and litigation expertise.
The book should also appeal to law students, who spend three years learning legal
principles but virtually no time learning
about the realities of a law practice.
Finally, the book should appeal not just
to lawyers and law students but also to the
general reading public. As Mr. Rivkin
writes in the book's introduction, "It
describes the extraordinary transformation
and growth of a law practice. It peeks behind the scenes at Agent Orange ... and
other compelling cases. It paints a vivid
picture of what it's like to litigate routine
traffic accident cases and headline-grabbing
class actions: the pressure, the suspense,
the unexpected twists, the humor, the ela-
tion and the despair. It takes you into the
conference room, not just the courtroom.
It gives you the reasons, not just the results.
I would think, therefore, that this is a book
that will entertain and enlighten both
lawyers and non-lawyers alike."
Jeff Silberfeld, Mr. Rivkin's coauthor,
practiced law with Mr. Rivkin for thirteen
years, working almost exclusively on
Franklin National Bank, Agent Orange,
asbestos, and hazardous waste. He is
presently a Visiting Legal Writing Instructor
at Hofstra University School of Law. He has
published articles in legal and professional
journals and one short story. He lives with
his wife Laurie and sons Mickey and Willie
in Point Lookout, New York.
"Thanks to our sons, who introduced us in 1984, Len Rivkin and I practiced
law together for six years. During that time, Len's dedication, passion, and
creativity never ceased to amaze me. He was a tireless litigator, a superb
manager, and a good friend. But perhaps the highest compliment I can pay
him is that if I found myself in need of legal counsel, the first person I
would turn to for advice would be Len Rivkin."
- Birch Bayh, former United States Senator
and two-time presidential candidate
"Len Rivkin's book about the remarkable growth of his law practice and the
prestigious law firm he founded should be enjoyed by lawyers and non-
lawyers alike. For law students, neophyte attorneys, and even experienced
practitioners, it offers lessons on practice development, client relations,
and litigation tactics and strategy. For all of us, it provides an entertaining
look at the nuts and bolts of an exciting law practice."
- Stuart Rabinowitz, Dean,
Hofstra University School of Law
"Len Rivkin's straightforward account of his distinguished legal career is
more than simply a history lesson. It is a road map for future generations of
lawyers who seek personal, professional, and financial fulfillment. His
understanding and respect for the traditions of the profession guided his
untiring search for redefining and expanding the scope of the rule of law.
The book is must reading for lawyers of all ages."
- John Dunne, former New York State Senator
and Assistant Attorney General for Civil
Rights, United States Department of Justice
Leonard L. Rivkin is the founding partner of the firm Rivkin, Radler & Kremer.
Biographical Sketch
May it Please the Court! From Agent Orange to Auto Accidents: Building a Storefront Law Practice into America's Largest Suburban Law Firm
April 2000,
444 pp,
jacketed hardcover,
ISBN 0-89089-915-0
Price: $30.00
These three online sources offer substantial discounts over retail.
Table of Contents:
Introduction - page 3 Part One -- The Early Years Chapter One
But Dad, I Don't Want to Be a Doctor - page 11 Chapter Two
Leonard L. Rivkin: Attorney-at-Law - page 23 Chapter Three
The Tote Board, Life with Johnny, and
Other Early Tales - page 41 Chapter Four
The Judicial Inquiry - page 55 Chapter Five
Crossing the Street: Representing Defendants - page 71 Part Two -- Major Clients, Major Cases Chapter Six
The First Dow Case - page 89 Chapter Seven
The Staten Island Gas Tank Disaster - page 99 Chapter Eight
Franklin National Bank - page 141 Part Three -- Agent Orange Chapter Nine
Not Your Typical Garden Variety Lawsuit - page 203 Chapter Ten
Litigation Strategy - page 233 Chapter Eleven
Litigation Chronology - page 247 Chapter Twelve
Settlement - page 303 Part Four -- New Partners, New Offices Chapter Thirteen
Garden City: Transformation, Emergence,
and Growth - page 347 Chapter Fourteen
Chicago and Washington - page 391 Chapter Fifteen
EAB Plaza - page 407 Sources and Footnotes - page 417 Index - page 429
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