Resources

As part of our 2025 Summer Associate Program, we invited one of our clerks, Beri Bastian, to connect with firm leadership and gain insight beyond the everyday practice of law. Beri sat down with Jacksonville Managing Partner Matt Jackson for a candid conversation about his path into law, leadership approach, and advice for young attorneys seeking to find their voice in the profession.

This discussion offers valuable perspective on what it takes to succeed in law and how a commitment to honing your craft builds a lasting career.  

Matt Jackson, Jacksonville Office Managing Partner

Q: What drew you to the legal profession, and has your motivation changed over the years?

A: In school, I was involved in politics, and there’s a healthy mix between politics and law. My initial interest was in “fighting the good fight,” such as constitutional law, because that is what is dealt with in the political realm. After going to law school and practicing law, my motivation became more granular, focusing on solving problems for clients, problems that only we can solve. I still get involved with the bigger issues sometimes, but my focus is more on the details and the realization that the client issues we deal with in this unique practice are ones only we can solve.

Q: Was there a moment in your career that really shaped how you lead or approach your work today?

A: There was not one specific moment. I developed my leadership style well before I began practicing law through my military and government experience. I also learned from people I worked with, both good and bad. I saw what worked and what did not work. However, you can’t be somebody you are not; what works for one person might not work for another. Rather than one particular moment, it is a variety of experiences and interactions that led to my approach to leadership. Also, it does not stop. Regardless of how you handle a leadership role, if you are not willing to modify your approach as necessary, you are behind the curve.

Q: What’s something about being an attorney that people might be surprised to learn?

A: Most of the good attorneys I have worked with or against actually internalize their client’s particular interest in a project or matter. When they lose, it is a significant blow because they have internalized the client’s problem as their own. When you win, it is an awesome gratification from helping your client and solving their problem, but it is even more than that because it becomes your problem too. Whether lawyers want to admit it or not, they internalize it. Most clients have a perception that attorneys live by the billable hour. There are some attorneys that perception does fit, but for most of the good attorneys I have worked with and against, they have had a stake in and cared about the client’s problem as if it were their own. I believe most clients would be surprised to know that.

Q: What advice would you give to a young attorney trying to find their own voice in the profession?

A: The best thing you can do in this profession is hone your craft. You earn respect and acknowledgment from the people you work with and your peers based on how you perform: your planning, preparation, research, and writing. All of that goes into honing your craft. You can do all the things you should, like being involved and joining organizations and bar associations. Those things are important for young attorneys coming out of law school, but what really sets young lawyers apart as they get their feet wet is being as well-rounded and knowledgeable as possible in their area of law. That ultimately leads to quality work, and that is what gives you the voice you need in this profession.

There are plenty of folks who have worked at BMD and moved on to other things, but the other attorneys here have nothing but positive things to say about them because during their time here, they knew their stuff. That is how you find your voice. Extracurricular activities are fun and important to meet people your age, but in this profession, you never want someone to say you are ill-prepared.

The real way to get your voice is to know your stuff, be an expert at your craft. That is ninety percent of it. It becomes clear when you are around your peers, who has put in the time and who is a subject matter expert. If you cannot contribute to conversations or handle your own hearings, it is noticeable. In commercial litigation, it is difficult because there are many different areas to work in, but that comes back to honing your craft through preparation and writing.

That does more for finding your voice than anything else. This applies across the board, not only in the office but in the legal community. Opposing counsel, other lawyers, mediators, and court reporters all recognize who is the real deal. The legal community is not huge; everyone knows everyone. If you get a bad reputation here, you do not have a voice. You’re just ‘that lawyer.’ Hone your craft, be good, and be prepared. That is what makes people recognize you.