Attorney Spotlight: John Isaac Southerland

We’re proud to introduce you to Partner John Isaac Southerland.

Since joining the firm in 2004, John Isaac has developed specialties in automotive and manufacturing discovery practice and procedure, general product liability defense, personal injury defense, automotive product liability defense, heavy equipment product liability defense, trucking defense, insurance defense and towing and recovery liability. John Isaac also serves as national coordinating discovery counsel for a major automotive client.

We sat down with John Isaac to ask him about his experience at Huie.

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What stands out to you about Huie?

Huie is a family as much as it is a workplace. There are so many individuals within this firm who have made such a strong difference in my life, who I truly enjoy seeing on a daily basis, and who I know I can call on a moment’s notice if I ever need them. Second, I love the rich tradition of Huie having been founded by three American veterans. I have a lot of veterans in my family and knowing that I play a small part in continuing the legacy of the firm’s veteran founders is important to me. Finally, I love that Huie has remained true to its roots as a single firm with a nationwide reach. The fact that we offer a broad scope of services while remaining a medium-sized firm is a testament to the commitment to excellence exhibited everyday by our attorneys and staff.

What is the most important lesson you have learned in your careers as an attorney, and how has that proven to be vital for your professional growth?

Never be bigger than the job a client asks you to do and attack every job as if it is the most important one you will complete at that time. No matter how big or small a job may be, I have always prided myself on being willing to commit everything I am able to commit to the job. This has proven vital to my career because this willingness to do whatever it takes to be the best I can be for my clients has led to many opportunities that others may have passed over.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Successfully getting an unjust order overturned by the Alabama Supreme Court for a veteran. Paul Malek and I took the project on pro bono at the request of Cumberland School of Law’s Veteran’s Help Desk and were able to bring a voice to a disabled veteran who may not otherwise have had a voice to advocate on his behalf.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone interested in becoming an attorney, what would it be?

Treat every assignment or task, whether from a client or another attorney, as the most important one you will complete that day.

What advice do you have for young lawyers just starting their careers?

Balance work and life. They are both hard enough and there is really no point in having one at the expense of the other.

Who has been the most influential mentor in your life?

My parents. There is really no second. They taught me all the things I value today. They were giving to others. They worked hard. They were present in my and my brother’s lives. They were patient and kind but stern and demanded nothing but the best we were able to give. There is really not enough room for me to write about the lessons I learned from my parents.

What business development advice can you share with young attorneys that are still looking to land their first client?

There is work that has to be put in that you do not believe anyone else will see, until one day they do, and then you become a valuable member of their team. Development is not just billing hours or doing what you are asked to do. It is so much more than that. It is involvement in legal organizations and communities. It is expanding your knowledge base without being compensated or recognized for it. It is believing in yourself but being smart enough to recognize that you do not know everything. It is being committed to being the very best you can be in everything that you do.

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We wrapped up our conversation with a few fun questions:

Which talent would you most like to have?

A great singing voice.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Spend time with my family. Commit to helping others in my community. It probably sounds funny to some but accomplishing mundane goals of life that have nothing to do with work.

What do you value most in friends?

Loyalty.

Best advice you’ve ever received.

You may be often wrong but do not ever be in doubt.