Barton embraces cooperation

John J. Barton, partner and founding member of Barton Gilman LLP, has been honored by the Rhode Island chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates with the Seth E. Bowerman Civility Award. The award recognizes a member of the state bench and bar who exemplifies the spirit of cooperation, camaraderie and civility epitomized by the late Bowerman.

What influenced you to practice law, and later open your own firm?

Like many folks who went to college in the [1970s], I was something of a social activist. The practice of law seemed empowering and a good way for a young idealist to make a difference. Trial work, in particular, allowed me to use creativity to compensate for my average intellect. The characterization that I “formed my own firm” gives me too much credit. I have been blessed with highly motivated colleagues who shared with me a common desire to chart our own course.

The Bowerman award recognizes a person who exemplifies cooperation, and civility. In what ways have you applied these tenets to your work?

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Many years of marriage to a tolerant woman have taught me that cooperation, kindness and compromise are key ingredients to success in life. This is also true in a litigation practice such as ours, where the prudent decision is more often settlement than trial. Settlement is more easily accomplished if you can see things from the opponent’s point of view, and you conduct yourself professionally without burning bridges in the process. Besides, life is too short to be doing battle day in and day out.

You have won more than 50 civil jury trials, with a 97 percent success rate. What advice would you give to up-and-coming lawyers or law students?

I tell law students to think hard about whether they truly want to become trial lawyers. We are a vanishing breed, and the opportunities to learn our craft are much less available now than they were when I started 35 years ago. It can be an exhilarating experience to try a case, but there is a lot of drudgery and personal sacrifice involved in getting ready. I advise young lawyers who want to try cases to latch onto some aging gladiator who is anxious to share his or her wisdom and workload. •

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