Attorney Richard Marcus says he is shocked to be chosen as a recipient of the Brock-Cooper Inn of Court 2017 Civility Award, which recognizes extraordinary civility among local lawyers.
“I’ve worked hard over the last 20 or so years to change my persona,” Marcus says. “I was an aggressive lawyer when I started practicing.
“I was taught to be that way. But aggression isn’t necessary in the practice of law,” he continues. “It’s important to zealously, properly and ethically represent your client but also be civil to your fellow counselors.”
The Brock-Cooper Inn of Court is a local organization that fosters civility among lawyers. The judges who are a part of the court select the recipient of the Civility Award each year.
“That makes it special,” Marcus adds. “This is the highest honor I’ve received other than passing the bar and being sworn in to practice law.”
Marcus says he works hard to support other lawyers - especially young lawyers - because he’s on the “downside” of his career.
He tied for the award with Stephen Greer, an attorney who practices in Dunlap, Tennessee.
Marcus has been practicing law for 44 years. He’s currently serving as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed as general civil mediator.
Marcus is an attorney with Franklin, Cooper & Marcus, Marcus and a former president of the Inn.
He’s especially pleased to have received the award because of the message it sends his daughter, an attorney practicing in California. “I’m proud I won this so she can see that being civil, as opposed to aggressive, can help you get ahead,” he says.