In a truly unusual set of circumstances, former acting Solicitor General and current Hogan Lovells partner Neal Katyal found himself in the midst of a different kind of challenge at this year’s Burning Man festival.
For those unfamiliar with the event, Burning Man is an annual festival typically associated with art, music and alternative culture. This year, however, the festival was troubled by difficult weather conditions. Heavy rainfall resulted in deadly mud that trapped over 70,000 people at the festival grounds due to road closures and hazardous transportation conditions.
Katyal, like many other festival attendees, was determined to leave before the roads were officially opened again. The lengthy and arduous hike back from the festival grounds brought about some unexpected advice from Katyal – plastic bags may be useful to protect one’s feet from the relentless mud. This advice was gleaned from park rangers who were trying to manage the situation.
While an unconventional tip, it garnered attention with some remarking that the moisture-trapped environment within the plastic bag could potentially lead to foot immersion syndromes, such as trench foot. Katyal later acknowledged the possibility and clarified his stance, reminding individuals that items shared were suggested advisory precautions against the current adverse conditions and he is not a medical professional.
This highlights an interesting reminder of the unpredictability of outdoor events, but also a cautionary note about the importance of expertise in different fields. As a legal professional, Katyal is recognized for his ability to navigate court cases systematically and strategically, not for preventing World War I foot diseases. To that end, the experience serves as a reminder that advice, however well-meaning, should always be taken in context and confirmed by professionals in relevant fields.
While the circumstances of this story are certainly unusual, the underlying takeaways hold poignant reminders for the application and reception of advice, especially outside of one’s established jurisdiction and expertise.
The original narrative of the incident with deeper details and information regarding Neal Katyal’s Burning Man experience can be found here.