Lessons Learned from My Hobbies

When I’m not analyzing case law or crafting legal arguments, I can often be found in the kitchen, elbow-deep in dough, patiently waiting for a loaf of bread to rise. Baking bread—like law—requires precision, patience, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned. As to my other hobbies, whether it’s cooking multicultural dishes or hunting for hidden luxury deals, I have learned invaluable lessons from all of them which translate seamlessly into legal practice.

Baking & Litigation: A Lesson Learned While Salvaging the Unexpected

One weekend, I was determined to bake the perfect loaf of bread—until I realized the yeast I had used was no longer active. My dough sat there, lifeless, refusing to rise. I had two choices: scrap the dough and start over or find a way to fix it. Instead of giving up, I added a fresh packet of active yeast, adjusted my expectations, and gave the dough the time it needed to work its magic. And sure enough, it rose beautifully.

This experience reminded me of defending a case where, at first glance, the odds seem stacked against us. Maybe the evidence isn’t as strong as hoped, or an unexpected motion threatens the strategy. But like reviving dough with new yeast, the key is to reassess, recalibrate, and patiently apply the right solution. A well-crafted argument, a fresh line of deposition questioning, or an alternative defense theory can breathe new life into a case. Success isn’t usually about perfection from the start—it’s about adaptability and making the best of the situation at hand.

The legal system itself values adaptability. As Justice Felix Frankfurter once said, “Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late.”[i] The ability to pivot mid-case can mean the difference between an unfavorable outcome and a successful defense.

Shopping for Deals vs. Legal Strategies: Knowing When to Splurge and When to Settle

Shopping isn’t just about buying—it’s about finding value. If I walked into a department store and bought the first pair of shoes I saw, I might be overpaying! A pair of iconic “Carrie Bradshaw”[ii] Manolo Blahniks might retail for over $1,200, but with patience, research, and the right strategy, I can find the same pair at a sample sale for a fraction of that price.

In civil defense, taking the first, easiest option isn’t always the best approach either. A quick settlement might seem appealing, but a deeper dive into the case could reveal stronger defenses that make early resolution unnecessary—or at least, more favorable. Just as in shopping, before making a move, a good defense attorney knows when to pause, investigate, and consider all options.

The importance of strategic decision-making in litigation is echoed by Judge Richard Posner, who noted: “legal rules should be designed to minimize the sum of error and decision costs.”[iii] The best defense is one that is not just reactive, but is also cost-effective and well-planned—just like a well-executed shopping strategy.

Takeaway

Whether  in the kitchen troubleshooting a dough disaster or in a sample sale hunting for a bargain, these experiences have  my approach to work as an attorney. I have learned patience, strategic thinking, the importance of looking beyond the obvious, and, above all, the value of adaptability.

At the end of the day—whether in baking, shopping, or law—success is not a “cookie cutter” process. It is about knowing when to stick to the plan, when to adjust, when to take a risk, and when to wait. And sometimes, like a tasty loaf of bread, the best results come to those who are patient enough to let things rise in their own time.

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Sources

[i] Henslee v. Union Planters Nat. Bank & Trust Co., 335 U.S. 595, 600 (1949).

[ii] Sex and the City, HBO, 1998-2004.

[iii] Posner, Richard A., An Economic Approach to Legal Procedure and Judicial Administration, J. Legal Studies, 1973, vol. 2 (pp. 399-458).