Talking Like a Lawyer - Former U of Penn President Liz Magill Did Herself In

Smart, successful lawyers always think like lawyers. And part of that thinking-like-a-lawyer mindset is to size up carefully if they should "talk like a lawyer." After all, dating back to the time of William Shakespeare there has been extreme antipathy toward those who act like lawyers. The talk is a major piece of the lawyerly persona. 

Somehow former President of the University of Pennsylvania Liz Magill, who had graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law, hadn't absorbed that fundamental of how to present herself effectively. That especially pertains to highly controversial highly emotional contexts like Congressional hearings about alleged anti-semitism on university campuses. As The Wall Street Journal reports even her supporters such as former board chair Scott Bok admits she blew it in how she handled her testimony and had her step down. Explicitly, Bok observed about that: 

“Over prepared and over lawyered given the hostile forum and high stakes, she provided a legalistic answer to a moral question, and that was wrong.”

Could she have survived? Maybe. Admittedly money talks. And that was the narrative put in play by Apollo CEO Marc Rowan when he first called for Magill's resignation soon after the Hamas early October attack of Israel. We also recall he aggressively campaigned for other deep pockets to withhold donations to the University of Pennsylvania. They perceived the University's stance against anti-semitism not strong enough. 

However, history is full of crises as serious as the one created by Rowan being resolved by wise handling. 

Recall how James Wood settled a lawsuit against Kent Hospital where his brother had died because it responded in a human way. 

The late Queen Elizabeth II again saved the monarchy by caving to express public grief about the death of Diana. 

Social pariah Monica Lewinsky reset her brand through the public service of reforming social media.

The macro takeaway here is for us not to be become victims of our professional training. Instead journey a career with a heart open to mankind's suffering. Magill will be on the faculty of the University's law school. Perhaps she will pass on that lesson to future lawyers. 

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com) 


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