Page 8 - First Coast Vol 4 No 2
P. 8

ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT
Patrick Krechowski
Practically Unravelling Problems
“I solve other
people’s
problems as
part of my job.”
AALM: When did you  rst know you wanted to become an attorney?
KRECHOWSKI: Law school was an a erthought for me. I had never considered being a lawyer. As a kid, I wanted to be James Herriot – the country veterinarian from Yorkshire. But I couldn’t handle the science in college. I changed majors a few times and ended up with a degree in crimi- nal justice because I found the classes interesting. Nearing graduation, I had no idea what to do with an undergrad degree in criminal justice, so I went to law school.
AALM: Do you have any mentors or professors that encouraged you along the way?
KRECHOWSKI: My  rst job out of law school was with the State of Flor- ida, O ce of the Attorney General. My o ce handled criminal appeals litigation on behalf of the state. I had an o ce full of mentors – teaching me how to focus my research and ex- amine the law.  is is where I learned
how to write. For a fresh lawyer that was eager to learn, I’m not sure there was a better way to start.
AALM: What was the greatest les- son you learned in law school? How do you apply that to your career to- day?
KRECHOWSKI:  e greatest lesson I learned in law school was to walk out of the building and try to put what I was learning into practice. Summer legal jobs, internships, volunteer legal work, etc. I learned so much more from trying to practice law than I ever did from studying law. And while I was an adjunct law professor, I taught that practical lesson to students as well. Practice skills and advocacy.
AALM: What experiences have taught you the most?
KRECHOWSKI: I am a  rm believ- er that you learn the most from your mistakes and failures if you are willing to set aside your sometimes bruised ego. We all make mistakes, we all feel embarrassed or inadequate at times.
But if you can step back and analyze those situations, they can be invalu- able life and career lessons.
AALM: What do you  nd particu- larly rewarding about your practice?
KRECHOWSKI: I love helping people navigate their problems to a successful conclusion. So many cli- ents come to me frustrated or angry or ready to give up. I love taking their challenging situations and unravel- ling them.  ere’s nothing much bet- ter than getting a client a result they never thought they would realize.
AALM: What do you  nd particu- larly challenging about your practice? KRECHOWSKI: I tell my kids that I “solve other people’s problems” as part of my job. And sometimes that’s how I approach it. But o en, my clients’ problems become mine, and that can lead to stress, anxiety and frustration. It can be hard to leave those emotions in the o ce and not bring them home with you in the evening or on week- ends. Breaking away from constantly
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 4 NO. 2 8


































































































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