“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.” —Abraham Lincoln

Much has changed about the practice of law since 1850. Social and cultural advancement make for a more diverse and inclusive bar. Technological advancements allow attorneys to better serve a larger number of clients, and economic growth has resulted in fees that would have left attorneys in Lincoln’s time opened-mouthed in amazement. However, today’s bar would do well to return to the values embraced by Lincoln and his associates. Passionate about their profession, they respected fellow members of the bar. And they were expert at helping clients efficiently resolve their disputes.