Christian & Small is pleased to announce that the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) has named Partner M. Jansen Voss as one of its 2018 Rising Star Lawyers, which highlights up-and-coming lawyers in the Birmingham metro area.
Voss were among 30 honorees that, according to the BBJ, were chosen because they are “based on their contributions to their firms and their potential to shape the industry, and the Magic City’s legal world, moving forward.” As part of his Rising Star profile, Voss provided answers to several questions posed by the BBJ, which can be found below:
Area(s) of practice: Civil litigation focused on defending health care and mental health care providers in malpractice actions. I also represent non-profits, child care facilities, athletic organizations, insurance agents, and employer-side employment litigation.
Why did you decide to become a lawyer? I have always enjoyed the “sport” of arguing (let’s call it problem solving, negotiation, or rhetoric since this is a professional publication!)
Did you have a fictional attorney who has been your inspiration? No. I don’t need a fictional attorney to look up to. There were, and are, legendary lawyers from my hometown of Alexander City who I look up to.
What’s your favorite legal TV show or movie? “My Cousin Vinnie” (I’ve seen it at least 20 times)
What’s the biggest misconception people have about lawyers from TV shows/movies? The misconception that criminal defense lawyers must prove who (other than their client) committed the crime. Think Matlock. This is not how it works.
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far in your legal career? I saved a client $1.8 million with a letter and a few phone calls.
What’s your philosophy on serving clients? I look first for pragmatic solutions. I consider how the client’s current legal issue affects the client’s business strategy. If lawyers don’t understand the client’s business, and business strategy, the lawyer may win the battle but lose the war.
What’s on top of your career bucket list? I want to leave this honorable profession better than I found it.
What’s on top of your personal bucket list? A low-mileage J40 Toyota Land Cruiser (tan or green in color); a high-end double jogging stroller with a roll cage (not sure if that exists) so I can take the kids to Red Mountain Park “without incident” next time.
What three qualities are the most critical for a great career in the legal field? Resilient: Take slings and arrows for your client but keep fighting; Integrity: Fight hard for your client with honor and respect for the rule of law; Honesty: Tell your client the good, the bad and the ugly, even if they don’t want to hear it.
What is the strangest request you’ve had from a client? When I first started practicing law, a client asked me if I was a real lawyer, and he wanted to know how old I was. It really hurt my ego then, but the vain part of me wouldn’t mind hearing that now.