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Bar News - July 25, 2003 Russell Hilliard Talks of Bar Service, Outside Interests By: Lisa Segal Interview with the President – Part 2 IN PART TWO of our interview with the new Bar president, Russell F. Hilliard talks about Bar volunteerism, his lawyering style and life outside the practice of law. Part one of the interview with Hilliard appeared in the July 4 issue of Bar News, which is available in the Publications/Archives area of this site. Q: You’ve served on the Board of Governors and on a number of other Bar committees for years – what has your Bar service taught you about your fellow attorneys, their needs and wants? A: Most New Hampshire lawyers recognize that the tradeoff of having the privilege of practicing law in this state is the obligation to give some service to the public. Most lawyers believe that, and to a greater extent than in other professions. They involve themselves in the community, in charitable organizations, public service. At the same time, lawyers are trying to make a living, and successful practice is foremost on their minds. The Bar Association needs to do all it can to help them achieve that success through member services. Q: And what has it taught you about volunteerism, and why attorneys should get involved in Bar affairs? A: Being involved is, one, a lot of fun. It’s a good time. Two, it is professionally rewarding to volunteer for Bar-related efforts. It reminds you that you’re part of a profession, that your sole aim is not just to be successful economically. Q: You are a Rule 170 mediator – what is your dispute resolution persona, so to speak? How do you try to work through conflict, as a mediator and as an attorney? Similar approach? A: As a mediator, I am apparently a facilitative mediator – versus evaluative, where you assess for the client who will win or lose, how the case will turn out. I use my knowledge of lawyers and of other cases to encourage people to find reasonable ways to settle. I go over the strengths and weaknesses of clients’ cases and talk to them about the value of settlement. I’ve had a fair amount of success. I’ve been doing dispute resolution for five years and have done about 100 a year. Rule 170 has spawned a lot of private mediation, too. It has had an incredible impact on civil dockets. It’s been an incredible success. Does my mediation approach contrast with my own lawyering style? I guess you’d have to ask my opponents. I end up trying a lot of cases rather than settling, but that’s the nature of my practice rather than my personal style; it’s not because I’m a difficult person. My cases – professional liability cases – are not as easily settled. People’s reputations are on the line. Q: When you’re not working, you enjoy reading and hiking. You also like to play hockey? A: I’m part of a group that’s been playing hockey at St. Paul’s on Sunday mornings for about 25 years. There aren’t many left from that original group. Chief Justice (David) Brock was the goalie on my team for a long time – maybe 15 years, until about 10 years ago. We play November through March, when the ice is down. It’s a no-check, no slap-shot setting. I learned to play during pick-up games on the pond behind by parents’ house, and I played on an intra-fraternity team at RPI and on a law-school team for three years. But I’m not a good hockey player. Q: Are you a casual or serious hiker? A: Closer to serious. With a group of several friends I’m finishing up the 4,000-footers in New Hampshire, then we’ll do the 4,000-footers in Maine and Vermont. My favorite trail is the Bald Face Circle trail, which is on the border with Maine. It’s an absolutely beautiful trail. The views of the entire Presidential Range are beautiful. And there’s Diamond Pool at the foot, which is a good place to jump into after a hike. Q: What do you like to read – what kinds of books, magazines? A: Fairly new fiction novels. My favorite authors are John Irving, Sue Miller, Anne Tyler, John Updike. And Scott Turow for novels of a legal nature. Q: You said in your "Meet the Board of Governors" profile that if you weren’t a lawyer, you’d be a teacher. What would you be teaching? A: High school or above. I really enjoyed some student teaching I did in high school, then in law school, I taught environmental law in the engineering school. I’ve always loved teaching. It’s something I’d like to do later in life. Q: Tell me about your family. A: I have two daughters. Julie is going to be a junior at Bates College, she’s studying teaching and is working this summer as a Girl Scout camp counselor. She’s 20. Marie just graduated from Derryfield and will attend Mt. Holyoke in the fall. She’s 18. She has a beautiful singing voice and will probably do crew or equestrian activities at Mt. Holyoke. Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share – either about your upcoming Bar presidency or personally? A: I’m looking forward to a challenging and fun year. (Being Bar president) is something I’ve looked forward to doing for a couple of decades.
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