The Last E-Mail by Doug Roland

This is the e-mail I sent to my coo-workers on the last day:


I left my hometown of Richmond, Indiana in January, 1969. It was a nice enough Midwestern town and a wonderful place to grow up. 40 years later, it was named an All American City, beating out a number of contenders including the City of Tampa! In early 1967, I defended my master’s degree thesis at Indiana University before a committee of three professors. In 2009 the chair of the committee became the first women to win a Nobel Prize in economics. I conclude from this that the longer I stay away, the more likely something special will happen. So mourn not my departure. Better times are on the way. First though, a look back at my years of practice.

I’ve had a few articles published, none of which resulted in a note, letter, or phone call. My name is associated, for better or worse, with a few dozen homeowner associations and a large development or two. I’ve tried to contribute to the profession, but I’ll be mostly remembered for the number of checks I’ve signed – a prize for showing up for work every day. That’s the sum of a 35 year career.

These things will pass into and out of memory quickly. It is less about what I have accomplished and more about the people I’ve met along the way, whether in close relationships or a singular encounter. I’ve tried to be an example, a reflection of what I believe, though I’ve had some miserable failures. It’s all a part of taking a risk to get to know people well. In the long run, it’s worth it. This firm is the sum of its people, and it is an extraordinary group. That didn’t just happen. You have to work as it, as you do in any relationship. It has been a privilege to labor at your side. This memory will not soon fade.

Finally, a law firm is maybe the last place to leave unsolicited advice, but here it goes anyway: I challenge you to become involved in something bigger than you are, preferably something dedicated to the well-being of other people. The possibilities are endless. It is really very simple – serving others shifts your attention to them and away from yourself. It’s a little scary, but the rewards are boundless. So, get outside your comfort zone. Playing it safe is living in neutral.

Doug
May 21, 2010