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Pamela DeNeuve

Lawyer & Law Firm Peak Performance Strategist

Lawyer of the Week, Episode 2, Jacksonville, Florida

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Edward Birk
News Media Attorney and Shareholder at Marks Gray, P.A.

Interview Transcript

Pamela : Hi my name is Pamela and I’d like to welcome you this week to lawyer of the week and I’m very pleased today to have Edward Burke from Jacksonville Florida. I want to tell you a little bit about Ed. But first I want to say hello to him. Hello Ed how are you doing?

Ed Birk: Good Pamela how are you?

Pamela : I am doing great. Thank you so much for being the Lawyer of the Week.

Ed Birk: Oh it’s really an honor. Thank you.

Pamela : Yeah I know you’re busy and I appreciate you taking the time. I’m going to tell you a little bit about Ed Birk.

Ed has been with Marks Gray for over 18 years and his practice focuses on Employment law for employers and individuals; Fair Labor Standards Act wage and hours claims and compliance, trademark and copyright registration and infringement litigation; Civil litigation with concentrations in products liability, Employee Retirement Income Security Act plans and claims.
And I know there is more Ed. I also want to tell you a little bit about his honors, he has been with the Best lawyers in America employment for individuals. 2013, 14, 15 and 16 and he’s a member of this sort of Super Lawyers 2013, 14, 15, 16 and 17. So thank you so much for being with us.

Ed Birk: Glad to be here Pamela, thank you.

Pamela : I’d like to go ahead and ask you the Lawyer of the Week questions and the first question is, what made you decide to become a lawyer?

Ed Birk: Always a good question. So I worked for about 10 years in journalism and in that position you know in that job I was a spectator. I saw courts, legislatures, government areas executive officials all from the side-lines. And it was very interesting to me how all of those different institutions worked. So after about 10 years I said it’s time to be a participant not just a spectator. And I ended up in law school.

Pamela : Oh that’s really something. So you actually wanted to be a part of that process?

Ed Birk: Yes. Yeah it was very interesting to me. You know as a journalist to see laws being made see the courts interpreting laws, to watch trials criminal trials or trials involving other important policies of the day. Learning about government was always very interesting to me how our government works. Law school enhanced that understanding obviously and it allowed me to be a participant in the legal court system.

Pamela : That’s great. Now I notice that your practice focuses on media, does your having been in journalism for 10 years have anything to do with that?

Ed Birk: Oh certainly it does. And that gives me a unique value to client’s news media clients. Having been a journalist I understood the processes that journalists have to go through, the news gathering challenges that they have. Having worked under deadlines you know and I understand the concerns of news media organizations. I come from that come from those roots and so that gives me an automatic understand what my clients are. What their concerns are.

Pamela : Okay, so I imagine that you have a lot of passion for that area of law.

Ed Birk: I love this work. I really do. To me especially now more than ever we need a strong news media. It’s not just a business. It’s part of our democracy. Thomas Jefferson, one of our founding fathers wrote about that. But if we don’t have a strong independent news media in our government we won’t know what our government is up to and we won’t be able to challenge our government when government either deviates from what our public with the electorate wants from our elected officials or when our government misbehaves. We know that happens from time to time.

Pamela : That’s great. Well that brings us to the next question. What can you tell us about your biggest wins and maybe your biggest challenges?

Ed Birk: Sure. We in Florida here have a wonderful set of laws having to do with open records and public meetings and open courts and we are the envy of many other states and jurisdictions. Yet there’s constant pressure on those open records and open meeting laws to narrow them because, it’s frankly inconvenient for state agencies and public agencies to comply with these laws. It’s expensive, they don’t like it many times. And so and then there are other reasons that legislators and others are trying to create exemptions to the openness that we have. So it’s a constant battle.

It’s a constant and requires constant vigilance to oppose efforts to close down these public records and public meetings laws. And, so we’re lucky to have different organizations in the capitol in Tallahassee that lobby and monitor legislation. And then of course of course almost every week you see a new opinion out of the courts around the state having to do with public records. Many of them are very good, the courts recognize the openness of the laws and that these public records of meeting laws are to be construed broadly. A few of them are not. Sometimes the courts get it wrong just like any other organization but it requires constant vigilance. It’s something that we enjoy. But we cannot take it for granted.

Pamela : Wow that’s really important and I didn’t really realize that. Well tell me what kind of legacy would you like to lead in your law practice?

Ed Birk: As an attorney and representative advocate for news media organizations. I’m going to advocate and push for open government, push for access to our government institutions, clear the way for news gathering to take place, and do whatever else I can defending in court if necessary for news organizations when they when they’re sued.

News media law, news gathering law is really very broad based area it includes copyright trademark privacy, trespass and defamation, libel. Public records open meetings. Contract law. Employment law. You know if it’s a very broad area and so on any given day, depending on what the issue is for one of my clients, iI can be called upon to be present iand an advocate for one or more of those different areas. It’s really something I love and I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I have in this area.

Pamela : Okay that’s really great to hear Ed. Now I’m just a little bit on a personal level name one thing that you like to do to relieve your stress.

Ed Birk: Stress, stress, stress. We always hear about stress don’t we? Yoga is my exercise of choice at this stage in my life. It really is terrific. You know it looks easier than it is, believe me. I always get a really good workout when I go to class. And you know it’s good for stretching, it’s good for breathing, it’s good for relaxation and it’s just wonderful exercise. I can’t recommend it enough.

Pamela : So Ed on final thing I’d like to ask you, what is there that you’d like the world of lawyers that might be watching this video to know about you?

Ed Birk: Well that’s a big question. Let’s see I suppose I want them to know how much I really am grateful for the opportunity to be a lawyer. It’s such an important part of our society and culture and the image of the legal profession is not very good which is unfortunate.

But, I tell you what I’ve worked with wonderful lawyers here at my firm. Terrific lawyers and the high standards that we expect of each other and of ourselves. It’s really a pleasure to work with lawyers who, even as adversaries in court, who are skilled at what they do, who are able to advocate for their clients in a way that is respectable and courteous. Even though you are determined but still courteous. I think those are the best lawyers who can accomplish what they need to accomplish without engaging in offensive conduct.

You know our oath of attorney that we take to become an attorney in Florida says that we will not engage in offensive conduct. And it’s sometimes hard to say what’s offensive and what isn’t, especially when you’re advocating for a client or a position, but the attorneys who manage to do that I think really are our best and that’s important.

Pamela : Wonderful thank you and thank you so much for being our Lawyer of the Week.

Ed Birk: You’re welcome Pamela. Thank you I really appreciate the opportunity.

 

Episode 1 of Lawyer of the Week:  Lawyer of the Week – Episode # 1 – London

About Pamela https://pameladeneuve.com/about/

Articles by Pamela:  How to Take A Needed Vacation from Perfection

18 Quick and Easy Quotes for Lawyers – Solicitors to make you Smile

Lawyers: How to Find Your Secret Survival Kit from Burnout

 

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Quotes from our Lawyer of the Week

  • I am here to protect the human rights and I will do the best in my capacity to do so.
    Diana Constantinidou
  • I love this work. I really do. To me, especially now more than ever, we need a strong news media. It’s not just a business. It’s part of our democracy.
    Edward Birk
  • You don’t have to be large and on the world stage to seize these opportunities and to apprehend these threats. It really is a function of the vision and the insight of the leaders. When they get it, then there’s an opportunity for them to persuade and help their partners get the message and act to remake themselves.
    George Beaton
  • I did not intend to create this legacy, but I see the ripple effects of it, and it’s so meaningful to me. I think that through the podcast, I’m also hoping to create a legacy of service to the profession.
    Okeoma Moronu
  • That’s one of the things that I find very satisfying; building bridges between people from different countries, working closely with them and seeking those deeply satisfying relationships that are created in cross-border trade and investment facilitation.
    John Grimley
  • I’m very lucky to have a family and a wife that absolutely just creates a life that’s there and that one can go to. I think about the stress that we experience in our work, that is the best we can offer. So I really live for that. It’s something to be grateful for.
    Nic Swart
  • The legacy that I want to leave in the work that I’m doing is having made a difference and having hopefully spearheaded some type of meaningful change in the culture of the legal profession, as it relates to addiction and mental health specifically.
    Patrick Krill
  • It’s not so much my practice that I want to make a difference in, but I want to know that I left the legal professional a little bit better than I found it.
    Courtney Wylie
  • the real reality is some of the lawyers, some of the law firms, are going to be left behind because they’re not moving into the current reality where they can’t just rely on referrals.
    Montina Portis
  • When you take a lawyer out of the system, you take the voice and the ability of the people to protect themselves from overreaching government and overreaching organizations out the equation.
    Ian Connor Bifferato
  • I think a lot of attorneys are very, obviously, economically driven, which is fine, because we all need to make a living. But, at the end of the day, I also think that we are in this profession to give back and I would like to see that happen to a greater degree.
    Dr. Jeanne-Mari Reteif
  • "I would like my clients to think of me as of being a valuable resource to them and a knowledgeable resource that helped them protect their business and the most valuable assets of their business, which is their inventions, their ideas, their brand and that they remember me as somebody they could go to at any time to help them protect their intellectual property assets.
    Crystal T. Broughan
  • The person I’m looking for is the one who is going to come along and say ok; we can’t just tweak what we do with law; we have to radically re-invent it.
    Ken Grady
  • So you have to be that person who is challenged again and again so that you will grow as an expert.
    Dr. Peter MacMillan
  • I always tell my clients and my friends and colleagues, it’s a two-way road. You know- you give, and you receive, you give back, and it keeps going that way. It’s wonderful.
    Fernanda Alem-Freitas
  • In terms of successes, I will tell you, having done this, I’ve gone much further and made more connections and more friends and more inroads into the industry much earlier in my career than I ever could have possibly imagined.
    Gene Quinn
  • my thinking was that I really need to understand what clients really wanted. So in order to really do a good job, I needed to find out what moves them, what kept them up at night.
    Silvia Hodges Silverstein
  • So when we talk about a legacy, it’s a legacy that people to this day tell me — oh, I remember working with your Grandfather and he was such an upright man. Wow, let’s hope they say that about me.
    Jordan W. Charness
  • this answer made me to become a lawyer instead of a mathematician.
    Anandavasagan K.
  • What I want to try to do is create the beacon, or the light toward, developing law firm culture, as in the legal profession culture in general...where they do find a sense of meaning, purpose, connection, joy and want to stay in the profession.
    Anne Brafford
  • it is my goal to try to increase diversity within our profession, and even for as long as I’m here, I will advocate for the inclusion of different perspectives, different peoples, and different ideas that can make this world a better place.
    Robert Johnson
  • I have learned a lot of things the hard way and if I can help others sort of avoid the mistakes I’ve made and have the vision I lacked, then that’s how I want to help
    Frank Ramos
  • "I’m sort of traditional with an edge. I have respect for tradition. I have respect for history, but I’m also very inquisitive. I like to, you know, sort of architect things.
    Mark A. Cohen
  • I am all or nothing. I believe that the world has enough mediocre people. I had a mentor tell me that once and I give 110% to everything I do.
    LaKeisha Randall
  • You’ll never know how high that peak can be unless you find recovery, and with recovery, anything is possible
    Brian Cuban
  • Being able to live and work anywhere in the world. And we do live, you know- we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, in County Cork, Ireland now.
    Walt Hampton
  • You know, the best thing that anyone could possibly do is think about what’s important to them and get back to that really basic thing. Personally, professionally, financially. You know, where would you like to be? Because you can be there if you take a couple steps, you know? And it just- it can be incremental
    Bridget Venus Grimes
  • The people I represent have their own families and their own spouses and I see that vividly through my own experiences and trying to help them. I often try to, although perhaps not the easiest thing to do, but try to put myself into their shoes and approach a case with that regard.
    Mark A. Torres
  • My legacy really is to try to enhance the wellness of the members of our profession and to open up this dialog.
    Heidi K. Brown
  • At the end of my days, I want people to look back and say, "Yes, he really did make the world a better place and here are some concrete examples of places where he's influenced people, or influenced organizations, or cultures." So, if I can do that and leave that to the world, then I think I've done a pretty good job.
    Maurice L. Rabb
  • Pamela helped brought us a $12MM deal and was a key player to help finalize the negotiations. She was a valuable investment for our firm with a magnificent return on our investment.
    Bill L., Chairman of Litigation
  • I was on the verge of losing it. I felt confused and had no idea why I was practicing law in the first place. Pamela helped me to regain my enthusiasm and grow my practice enjoy my life again.
    Lewis M., Partner
  • I have worked as an in-house attorney for 20+ years with major corporations. I hired Pamela during a transition in my career. When I began working with Pamela, I needed clarity and direction as I forged a new path. Through Pamela's unique coaching techniques, I learned a tremendous amount about myself and what I wanted out of life. She helped me put plans in place, encouraged me and held me accountable for taking necessary actions. Coaching is clearly not just a business for Pamela. She truly cared about me and repeatedly went above and beyond to help me achieve the goals I set for myself. Pamela is highly knowledgeable and accomplished and I trust her judgment and coaching. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to make a job or career change.
    Renee Cogdell Lewis
  • Why should only sports figures get coaches? I represent whistleblowers in highly complicated litigation cases. The work is stressful and I can't afford to be distracted or unfocused. Maybe some lawyer out there finds that easy, but if any lawyer/mom/wife does, I'd like to meet her. I needed to be at my peak ALL the time so I hired Pamela DeNeuve as my coach and -- wow! Hiring Pamela is like having someone right there with me in my practice as coach, mentor, confidant, and troubleshooter. I am on my A+ game thanks to Pamela.
    Lee Wallace
  • Pamela DeNeuve works with powerful men and women who look to the world like they have it all together. So that includes everyone who is successful because we all have skeletons in our closet. We all have an area of life that is painful or frustrating. While I looked like I had it all, a beautiful wife, a son who I have a great relationship and a long-time financial career, a growing business as a motivational speaker, something was missing. Something was off and I couldn't put my finger on it. Working with Pamela DeNeuve is one of the best things I have ever done. Her insight, her showing me the blind spots that I tried to ignore or avoid was an awakening. I have regained my enthusiasm again. I wake up with the wonder and excitement I had lost as the years wore on. I highly recommend Pamela DeNeuve's 8-hour intensive session. You will make quantum leaps in your career, increase your income and your wife will become the love of your life again.
    Tom Heitz
  • Any lawyer or law firm who want to expand their practice, increase client base, or re-ignite your love of the law will be wise to work with Pamela DeNeuve as your business/marketing coach. She has more than 25 years of experience working with AM100 law firms, small firms, and individual lawyers across the United States, in Asia, and South Africa. Pamela understands all aspects of the legal profession. She understands the challenges that we attorneys face. I retained Pamela to help with business development and some special projects in my First Amendment/Communications law practice. Almost immediately, I started to once again see opportunities in the challenges rather than the other way 'round. Practicing law is more enjoyable because of this work with Pamela. Asking for help is sometimes the hardest ask of all. After working with Pamela for her help, I'm glad I asked. I highly recommend her to any attorney or firm.
    Edward Birk