Page 35 - Pierce County Lawyer - July August 2025

docket call, I am not starting my morning routine of getting
ready at 8:15 a.m. It should be more like the hat goes on at
around 7:00 a.m.
PRACTICE TIP
Vilfredo Federico Damaso Pareto developed the Pareto
Principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) which states that
for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come
from 20% of causes (the ‘vital few’). In a law office, this
could be translated to mean that roughly 80% of a lawyer's
income or revenue usually comes from only 20% of their
clients or cases, highlighting the importance of identifying
and focusing efforts on the most lucrative cases to
maximize productivity and profitability. I have heard other
lawyers,(if I need to focus on a particular client - deadline
approaching), will politely tell other clients I have a court
deadline I have to make and schedule their needs after the
deadline. I know attorneys hate to turn away business, but
if a new client wants something done right now (e.g., a
meeting to discuss and prepare a settlement proposal letter
when I have to get a brief submitted), I am reminded that I
have to consider my priorities and meet deadlines.
David Robert Shelvey is a solo practitioner in Sumner,
WA. He is a member of the TPCBA Pierce County Lawyer
Magazine and CLE Committee. He has been an attorney
since 2015. He also volunteers as a president and cook for a
local nonprofit. david@rockcraft.org.
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Alex
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