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Attorney
By
Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession
Who?
Name:
Paul G. Ulrich
ulrichpc@aol.com
What?
Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
State and Federal Civil Appellate Practice and Related Litigation.
When?
In Practice Area:
Since 1964.
In the Legal Profession:
Since 1964.
Where?
Employer:
Paul G. Ulrich, P.C.
http://www.lawyers.com/ulrich&anger
Size/Sector:
One lawyer/private practice.
City/State:
Phoenix, Arizona
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Law School:
Stanford Law School (J.D. 1964).
Undergraduate School/Degree:
University of Montana (B.A. 1961) (liberal arts major).
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Why?
Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Working with clients and other lawyers either to affirm or reverse a trial court decision. Every appeal involves new legal issues, facts and procedural background that must be learned and presented. Presenting the client's position most favorably in written briefs and oral arguments in relation to the record and issues to be decided by the appellate court is always challenging. In an appellate boutique setting, it's also necessary to develop good professional relationships with trial lawyers outside the firm to be able to work together most effectively for the client's benefit.
Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Written and oral advocacy through writing and speaking skills; knowledge concerning trial and appellate procedure; ability to place specific factual, legal and procedural issues within more general perspectives; ability to manage multiple competing projects and deadlines.
Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area:
Develop your writing and speaking skills through trial court motions and arguments, writing articles and teaching at legal seminars. Learn the applicable rules of appellate procedure and cases applying them. Read any relevant appellate practice treatises. If possible, work under the supervision of experienced appellate lawyers to learn and develop practical appellate skills and experience.
How?
Career Path to Current Position:
Law clerk to Hon. Ben C. Duniway, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1964-65); Associate (1965-70) and partner (1970-85), Lewis and Roca, Phoenix, Arizona; Shareholder, Paul G. Ulrich, P.C. (now Ulrich & Anger, P.C.) (1985-present).
Influences and Mentors:
Influences: High school and college public speaking and debate; college student politics; managing editor, Stanford Law Review. Mentors: Hon. Ben C. Duniway (Ninth Circuit); John P. Frank (Lewis and Roca).
Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
Arizona Appellate Handbook (Hon. Sheldon H. Weisberg & Paul G. Ulrich, eds., 4th ed. 2000); Ulrich et al., Federal Appellate Practice: Ninth Circuit (2d ed. 1999).
Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
My Ninth Circuit clerkship and Lewis and Roca positions were found through the Stanford Law School placement office. I created and developed my present firm, with my wife's encouragement and participation as our legal administrator, simply by deciding to do so. No "search" was required.
Bar Affiliations and Activities:
American Bar Association: Chair, Committee on Utilization of Non-Lawyer Personnel (Law Practice Management Section, 1979-81); Member, Standing Committee on Legal Assistants (1982-86); Bar Co-chair, National Joint Project on Appellate Handbooks (1983-85); Bar Co-chair, Federal Appellate Handbook Project (1985-88).
State Bar of Arizona: Chair, Legal Economics Committee (1980-81); Bar Co-chair, Arizona Appellate Handbook Project (1976-2000).
Maricopa County Bar Association: Member, Board of Directors (1994-96).
National Honorary Professional Organization Memberships: American Law Institute (life member), American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and College of Law Practice Management.
Recent Professional Publications:
Arizona Appellate Handbook (general co-editor and contributor, 4th ed. 2000);
Federal Appellate Practice Guide: Ninth Circuit (editor and co-author, 2d ed. 1999);
Life, Law and the Pursuit of Balance (contributing editor, 2d ed. 1997);
Arizona Healthcare Professional Liability Handbook (1992).
Recent Professional Presentations:
"Thinking Like an Appellate Lawyer," Arizona State Bar Convention, June 2001.
"Preliminary Considerations for Appeals," Arizona State Bar Convention, June 2000.
Ninth Circuit Appeals, Federal Bar Association, Phoenix, October 1999.
Memorable Career Moment:
Presenting 44 state appellate practice handbooks as co-chair of the ABA National Joint Project on Appellate Handbooks to Chief Justice Warren Burger at a ceremony held at the U.S. Supreme Court in July 1985 as the culmination of that Project's efforts to encourage publication of such handbooks in every state.
Intriguing Interests:
Playing the piano and clarinet. Writing song lyric parodies for musical revues and to commemorate special occasions.
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