LAL #050 — Interview with the Esteemed William "Willie" F. Dow, Esq.

Law and Legitimacy

Our guest this week is not only one of Connecticut's most effective and most proven criminal defense lawyers, but one of the finest men I have the privilege of calling a colleague and friend.

"Willie" Dow was born on Pearl Harbor Day in 1941 in Stoney Creek, Connecticut. Willie's storied legal career started in an unlikely way, with his commitment to service joining the Peace Corps being a cornerstone of that story. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Willie leveraged his pre-law public service experience in Colombia by first joining Legal Services in D.C. and a bit later the Public Defenders Office before moving to Connecticut and accepting a position as Assistant U.S. Attorney.

On his way to private practice success, Willie cut his teeth learning and advocating against and alongside the Connecticut defense bar legends, including the founder of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the late Theodore "Ted" Koskoff. In one anecdote, Willie recalls how pedestrian Koskoff's case strategy and closing argument in a particular high profile case appeared to him only to have a revelation to the contrary while mowing his grass two years later.

The first half of this episode will take you through these early years of Willie's career before joining Jacobs in 1976. From there, this interview transitioned into a volley of questions and answers designed for today's up-and-coming young lawyers.

From Willie, "know who you are."

I peppered Willie with a series of questions: what is your most amazing experience in the courtroom? Most heartbreaking? Biggest challenge?

We talk about the values that have led to the sustained success of Jacobs and Dow over the years. And then we have a little fun.

Does Willie believe in the 'vanishing trial'?

Is there such thing as a 'trial tax'? How big of a problem is 'Big Law' in the profession?

What about the regulation of lawyers? Criminal sentencing guidelines? Ideal qualities of justice from the bench?

Likely the most important message for young attorneys on the rise: "You can't try a case unless you can lose a case—you can't be afraid."

It is all here for you in this episode, which I cap by offering Willie Sainthood. Willie can see the whole field. Listen to hear a glimpse of the uncommon among the uncommon in modern legal lore. Enjoy.

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