Legal professionals often find that skills obtained outside the courtroom can translate into valuable assets in their legal work. One unusual yet illustrative example of this pertains to Marshall Huebner, a restructuring lawyer at Davis Polk, who doubles as an emergency medical technician (EMT).
Huebner articulates that the experiences he gained as an EMT, albeit occasionally distressing and intense, have equipped him with valuable skills – triage, empathy, and preparedness – that are highly transferable to his legal practice. (Huebner, 2024)
One of the primary responsibilities of an EMT involves triage – quickly diagnosing and prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries. This echoes many realities of corporate law; legal issues inside corporations often need immediate evaluation and prioritization, much like medical emergencies.
Empathy, another essential trait for an EMT, tends to be a valued skill within the legal field as well. The ability to understand and adapt to the emotional contexts of clients can often result in better assessment of cases and more strategic decision making.
Similarly, the EMT’s emphasis on preparedness – keeping equipment checked and ready and ensuring knowledge is up-to-date – also has pertinent correlations in the legal sphere. Staying updated with the latest developments in law and being prepared to tackle fast-paced changes can decidedly be beneficial in the long run.
Marshall Huebner’s professional life, straddling both legal practice and emergency medical services, is exemplary of how experiences and skills from diverse fields can foster a more comprehensive approach to legal profession. (Huebner, 2024)