We have moments in our careers that we will remember forever; some for good reasons, some for bad. I had one of those “paralegal career moments” early on when I drafted a pleading for Matlock.
Here is a little back story for my more youthful readers. Bobby Lee Cook is a famous criminal defense attorney from Georgia. The long running legal drama “Matlock” starring Andy Griffith is widely believed to be based on Mr. Cook who is also famous for saying, “If you can railroad a bad man to prison, you can railroad a good man.” Bobby Lee Cook has a persuasive way with juries that seems to be as innate to him as breathing. The ABA Journal published an excellent article about the legal legend that is a very entertaining read, well worth your time.
My first encounter with Bobby Lee Cook was at a political event my family had been invited to when I was about 15 year old. I had not yet set my sites on a legal career, but I was intrigued by the man because he had a larger swarm of people around him than Georgia Governor Zell Miller. I decided to get in line to meet Mr. Cook and see what the fuss was all about. I walked away completely baffled by the man’s popularity. He talked like a hillbilly and defended murderers.
Fast forward eight years. By the time I graduated from UGA and finished my paralegal program, I knew a lot more about the famous defense attorney and found him brilliant, fascinating and entertaining. I was working at a small law firm in downtown Atlanta. One day my supervising attorney explained we would be doing a case with Bobby Lee Cook. Because of his talent and fame, people with all types of cases flocked to the law offices of Cook & Connelly. Mr. Cook would farm the cases out to attorneys working in the particular area of law at issue. He would keep his name on the case; stay abreast of the progress; and come in for hearings, negotiations, and most importantly a trial if necessary.
My attorney explained the facts of a wrongful termination case, handed me a thin file and said, “Draft the complaint, Bobby Lee Cook will be here to sign it in the morning.” What? Less than six months of paralegal experience under my belt and I was drafting a pleading for Matlock! I was terrified, excited, and extremely nervous. I drafted the complaint making sure everything was in perfect order. Looking back, it was a very basic task and there was little I could have done wrong. But at the time, it seemed like there were a million mistakes I could have made if not careful.
The complaint was reviewed and signed by the attorneys without revision. I got another quick handshake from Mr. Cook, my perception of him was much different this time. I felt like I had just written a hit song for a rock star. It was a paralegal career moment.
The case settled during discovery so I never had the opportunity to see the real live Matlock in action. I believe the sheer force of Bobby Lee Cook’s name and the thought of facing him in court made the case go straight to negotiations. Or, maybe it was the skillfully drafted complaint that made opposing counsel shudder. (Hey, a paralegal can dream.)
If you have a paralegal career moment you would like to share, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or contact me here.
Misty L. Sheffield is a freelance paralegal helping solos and small law firms in civil litigation. She has been assisting attorneys for over 12 years. 
