As I stood atop the Roman Colosseum during a recent trip, emotionally gripped by its horrific history, I couldn’t help but make the connection between the ancient gladiator and my role as an in-house attorney. I know a lawyer’s life is just a bit more privileged than a gladiator’s, but philosophically the comparison is not as far a stretch as one might think.
For starters, lawyers are often referred to as mercenaries and hired guns. We are protectors, defenders and guardians–the corporate gatekeepers. We shield and protect companies from liability, and we engage in fights and battles on behalf of our clients. One colleague actually called me his gladiator after a particularly successful contract negotiation.
