Articles
“One major reason for going to law school was to help my wife realize her dream of becoming a professional chef,” said Glenn Warren. Now beginning his ninth year with a 15-attorney firm in Jacksonville, Florida, Glenn, a personal injury lawyer, worked previously in finance, at a bank, and as a claims adjuster with the State Farm Insurance Company. “My wife and I were both in the insurance business, and after several years, I realized that the best way for both of us to move on with our dreams was for me to take the first step,” he said.
Glenn exhibited a tenacity for achieving goals by earning his law degree in three years while working fulltime at State Farm. He attributes his success to staying committed to a routine, which included taking “off” from school and work every Saturday. “I knew that the only way we were going to take control of our lives was to take matters into our own hands,” he said. “When people complain to me that they are not ‘getting a fair shake’ in life, I tell them that making a change for the better lies in their own hands.”
Stuff Happens
One year out of undergraduate school, Glenn was laid off from his job at a bank. He and his fiancé applied for a job—the same job at State Farm. The company liked them both, and each ultimately received a job offer, becoming the first married couple to attend State Farm’s Claims School. “People joked that the claims school was our honeymoon,” he laughed. Glenn advanced within the company but not as quickly as he desired. Having spent time with lawyers, he was drawn to the idea of becoming one. “I always liked helping people,” he said, “and one of my managers at State Farm taught me how to ‘go the extra mile’ to get good, balanced results.”
Finding a Niche
Working in the insurance business gave Glenn the edge he needed to land a job with a plaintiffs’ firm. In fact, he never applied for the job he now has because he received a call from the firm as soon as word got around that he had passed the bar. His previous experience paid off in his new position as a litigator because there were times in the beginning when a mentor was not available. “My prior business perspective made me a better lawyer,” Glenn said. “Knowing what’s going on behind the scenes, I can empathize with the stress the opposing party feels.”
“My salary at the law firm was a base plus commission; in three months, I was making twice what I made at State Farm, because the firm put me in a position to succeed,” he continued. Glenn added that young lawyers often make the mistake of viewing their cases as “legal problems” instead of seeing them as “people with legal problems”—and the difference in perspective is significant.
Defining Success
Glenn credits his father with helping him define success. “My father worked in management for BellSouth, and when he retired, many people in the company said he was ‘the nicest boss’ they had ever had,” Glenn remembered. His father was friendly, reliable, and respectful, and this “Golden Rule” approach to life gave Glenn the foundation to become a student body president in college and earn leadership scholarships as well.
“My wife is now employed as a chef, my daughter is a joy, and my career is going well,” he said. “To me, that’s achievement. I know I can always strive for more, and I hope someday to be the attorney that other attorneys call upon to assist them with their complicated cases. But, right now,” he concluded, “life is good.”
