It takes just one, he says over and over. You hear that…
““It takes just one, he says over and over. You hear that all the time in this business. One big case, and you can retire. That's one reason lawyers do so many sleazy things, like full-color ads in the yellow pages, and billboards, and placards on city buses, and telephone solicitation. You hold your nose, ignore the stench of what you're doing, ignore the snubs and snobbery of big-firm lawyers, because it takes only one.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques the legal industry's focus on a single big case as a shortcut to wealth, encouraging unethical behavior and moral compromise.
In simple terms: Lawyers chase one big case, ignoring ethics.
Key Takeaway
Beware of shortcuts that erode integrity.
Themes
ethics
law
ambition
corruption
culture
Mood
cynical
critical
reflective
Type
advice
cautionary
professional
When to use this quote
- law firm marketing
- client acquisition
- career planning
- professional conduct
Key Concepts
legal ethics
risk reward
moral hazard
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the pursuit of a single win affect long‑term reputation?
- What alternatives exist to sustainable, ethical success?
A Different Perspective
The pressure to secure a single lucrative case can lead to systemic unethical practices.