Legal Minds
How Pursuits of Passion
By Lydia Lum
Can Boost Careers in Law
IN RECENT MONTHS, Richard Q. Russeth has noticed patterns in the content of depositions
and other documents involving a manufacturer that his employer, Leprino Foods, is suing.
The patterns are within a mountain of complicated evidence that delves into metallurgy, chemical
reactions and engineering, all areas that Russeth, who
has worked in-house at various food and ingredient
production companies for 30-plus years, has limited
familiarity with.
But he credits skills honed in his photography hobby
with sharpening his legal abilities.
“I’m far better able to manage outside counsel as
we prepare for trial,” said Russeth, referring to how
photography has helped him as vice president and gen-
eral counsel at the Denver-based Leprino. “In order to
shoot street photos, I must react
quickly. After a while, I can see
patterns to a good photograph
and shoot without thinking. Sim-
ilarly, I have become more skilled
(at work) at catching patterns
in the evidence when reviewing
depositions related to lawsuits
and contractual matters.”
Russeth and others say that
pursuits of passion outside of
their jobs in the legal realm can
often build proficiencies and
experiences transferable to their
careers.
Just ask Khiara M. Bridges.
A freelance, classically trained
ballet dancer, she began lessons
at age three and never gave up
her pointe shoes. Nowadays, she
performs almost monthly with
one of the many dance companies
in the Northeast.
When she was an early-career
law school instructor, Bridges
gauged students’ facial expressions and body language to determine whether her lecture style
was effective.
“Just as I saw how my dancing
