Antwoin Wall is a senior associate specializing in labor and employment law and litigation at Pearlman Brown & Wax’s Encino office. In addition to a law degree, he has an MBA from Pepperdine University.
What has the pandemic changed at your firm?
How we interact and maintain (as well as build) rapport with clients. The former model of building rapport through in-person lunch, dinner or seminars has not been an option for two years, so we have learned to be creative to keep our clients not only satisfied with the service they receive but engaged with the attorneys handling their matters. For example, our attorneys regularly host virtual breakfast and lunch. They send food to the client in advance and then meet via Zoom to simply touch base or cover a particular topic or issue.
How has it affected your clients?
All our clients’ bottom-lines have been affected by the pandemic, which in turn, has impacted billing for the client, as well as the firm. Additionally, from a management standpoint, our clients had to learn how to oversee remote and hybrid employees.
What’s your favorite part of being an attorney?
Seeing my clients satisfied from the hard work and effort I put in to resolving their legal issue. A happy client means that I have done my job effectively.
What will change in the post-pandemic market for legal services?
I believe that most clients and firms have adapted to working during the pandemic. However, from a post-pandemic perspective, I would say that the nature of the legal services requested will change. That is, the type of claim, injury, and damages associated with lawsuits will be unique, without precedent, leaving counsel to navigate and litigate cases, and courts to reach decisions of first impression, at a frequency not seen in recent years.
What qualities in your personality make you a good lawyer?
My listening skills make me a good lawyer. I listen first, speak second. My clients appreciate my ability to understand their circumstance fully by listening to and understanding their legal issue before providing advice and/or defense strategy.
What is a memorable experience from your law career?
Perhaps not unusual, but certainly a very memorable experience was when I represented a client (owner of the company) being sued for sexual harassment (among other claims) by a subordinate. The case is memorable because everything about the relationship at issue was consensual. From text messages to posts on social media, there was no question that the parties were in a mutual relationship. Yet, given the nature of the employment relationship (i.e., owner-subordinate), and assuming the case went to trial, the exposure for the employer was substantial, and as a result, the case still settled for an undeserved, significant amount.
What are your favorite out-of-office activities?
Travel with friends and family. And while I complain about how it consumes my weekends, I truly enjoy watching my children play competitive sports, especially soccer.
If you could change one legal rule or practice, what would it be?
Without question, I recognize and appreciate the importance of written discovery. That said, it is often the most arduous and contentious part of my practice. Thus, my one change would be to revamp how written discovery is handled, particularly the meet and confer process.
What’s the one thing you wish your clients would do more often?
Disclose everything upfront. One of the most challenging aspects of being a defense attorney is being blindsided with information that the client was aware of, but chose not to share out of concern that the information would negatively impact the case.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in law?
Find a mentor before going to law school. Besides the challenge of the coursework and high cost involved, three years is a significant amount of time to spend preparing for a career that may not be a match. A mentor can provide practical advice, share the “pros and cons” of the industry, and explain the skill set required to be successful.
– Antonio Pequeño IV