Texas Bar Journal October 2023

STATE BAR DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT

Robert Tobey

Interview by Will Korn

Photo courtesy of Robert Tobey.

Hometown: Dallas
Position: Shareholder in Johnson Tobey Baruch in Dallas
Board Member: District 6, Place 2 Since 2021

I AM A THIRD-GENERATION DALLASITE. My grandparents moved to Dallas from Eastern Europe. My dad, Nathan, was a general surgeon, and my mom, Rose, was an artist. Except for two years at the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate and law school at the University of Texas, I have lived in Dallas all of my life. I have been married to JoAnn for 33 years and our two kids are Morgan, 30, and Brandon, 24. Morgan is studying to become a rabbi and Brandon is a second-year law student at SMU. JoAnn, Morgan, and Brandon are my anchors!

IN A WORD, TEXASBARCLE IS GREAT! I have been honored to speak at several State Bar seminars on a variety of topics, have served on the planning committee of several seminars, and have served as course director for the Advanced Civil Trial Course. I encourage all members of the State Bar to speak at CLE presentations both with the State Bar and their local bar associations. Speaking at CLE presentations builds self-confidence, shows attendees that you know your stuff, and leads to referrals.

WHEN IMPORTANT ISSUES COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THERE MAY BE VIGOROUS DEBATE WITH DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS. But the tone of the discussion always remains professional and cordial. If only these discussions could be used as a model for legislative bodies around the country who all too often are unable to discuss tough issues without name calling and insults!

OUR FIRM’S COMMERCIAL LITIGATION AND PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY PRACTICE IS STATEWIDE. It is great to be able to call a State Bar director in another part of the state and get their help. Service on the board of directors raises your profile across Texas.

DIRECTORS OWE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO THE ORGANIZATION THEY SERVE. That means putting the organization’s interest before your own, and sometimes taking a position that you may not personally agree with but is in the best interest of the organization.

MENTORSHIP IS EVERYTHING! While law schools have become more practice oriented in recent years, no one graduates from law school truly knowing how to practice law. An old expression says it takes 10,000 hours to become good at something. At 2,000 hours per year, it will take five years to learn your craft. Having a mentor—especially if you are a solo or in a small firm—can be the difference between becoming a good lawyer after 10,000 hours and not.

IT IS A BIG CHALLENGE TO DEFINE THE BEGINNING AND END OF
THE WORKDAY. I live five minutes from my office, so that helps. I start my days by walking our dog Bravo, and I try to have dinner at home about the same time every night. I try to shut down emails around 9 p.m. In the evening, I love to watch the end of Dallas Stars, Mavericks, and Texas Rangers games or sports documentaries to wind down. We are looking for a series to replace Ted Lasso. Our family went to Israel last summer, and my wife and I are looking forward to rekindling our love of pleasure travel in the coming years. ^TBJ