7780 Westmoreland Drive 

(On U.S. 41 by the Airport at the corner of Westmoreland)

Sarasota, Florida  34243

(941) 358-5400

Fax (941) 358-5477

Why You Should Choose a Young Doctor and an Old Lawyer by Tom Hudson The Hudson Law Office My father was one of the best and most admired trial lawyers that the City of Cleveland ever produced.  He died in 2000, but among the lawyers of that midwestern city, they still tell "Jack Hudson stories."  He was not just a lawyer, but also a registered pharmacist. His pharmacy background made him formidable in the courtroom in drug cases and other cases in which medical or pharmacological evidence was at issue. As a man with expertise in both Law and Medicine, one of the things my father told me was: "You should always get a young doctor and an old lawyer." At first I didn't understand what he was saying.  (Maybe as a young lawyer, I didn't want to understand.)  But as the years have gone by, I've begun to realize what he meant. Medicine and law are two of the classical professions, along with teaching and the priesthood.  But there is a big difference between medicine and law.  Medicine is based on science (which doesn't change) and technology (which changes every day). Law, on the other hand, has very little to do with technology.  Sure, law offices are computerized now, but the essence of the courtroom is human nature, which changes as little as the underlying laws of science.  A lawyer is a person who has studied human nature.  Like an athlete, the trial lawyer knows when he can win and when he cannot. The old doctor who has lost touch with the latest techniques is almost a cliche. Every year, technology advances faster and faster. Older physicians have been shown to be less likely to start CPR, to perform the latest imaging, to prescribe generic drugs, and to discuss end-of-life issues. A doctor who has not grown up on video games is a distinct disadvantage in a world dominated by computerized treatments. These disadvantages, however, do not translate into the legal setting.  Here's a story my father told me: One day an old German Shepherd started chasing rabbits.  Before long, he discovered that he was lost. Wandering about, he noticed a leopard heading in his direction with a hungry look in his eye. The old German Shepherd thought to himself, "Oh, oh! I'm in trouble now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settled down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat.  Just as the leopard was about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaimed loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder, if there are any more around here?" Hearing this, the young leopard halted his attack in mid-strike. A look of terror came over him and he slunk away into the trees. "Whew!" says the leopard, "That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!" Meanwhile, a monkey had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree.  The monkey figured he could put what he had seen to good use.  He decided to trade his knowledge for protection from the leopard.  So, off he went.  But the old German Shepherd saw him rushing after the leopard, and figured that something must be up. The monkey soon caught up with the leopard. He spilled the beans and struck a deal for himself with the leopard. The young leopard was furious at being made a fool of. He said, "Here, monkey. Hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine! Now, the old German Shepherd saw the leopard coming with the monkey on his back. He thought to himself, "What am I going to do now?" Instead of running, the dog sat down once again, with his back to his attackers. Just when the leopard and the monkey got close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd said loudly-- "Where's that damn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!" Moral of this story.... Don't mess with the old dogs... age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Thus, the benefit of an old lawyer. Direct from a lawyer with 30 years of experience. At the Hudson Law Office, over thirty years of legal experience goes into evaluating your case, and pursuing it aggressively.  Remember, at the Hudson Law Office, when everyone else is on your back, we're on your side! Back to our Home Page