I learned of the passing of a good man yesterday. Taking a hiatus from Facebook, I've been a bit out of the loop on many things, including births, engagements, and, sadly, deaths. Last night I learned that Jerry Richman had died.
I've spent 30 minutes looking for a picture of Jerry on Google, but have come up empty. What I was able to find were numerous articles and public records memorializing the important role he held in his community. Jerry was an attorney. He took difficult cases and won a lot of them.
I remember him as "Mr. Richman". He was one of two people in this County who still called me "Tommy".
"Tommy - how are you? And how's your father? Great great, everything sounds great."
I've known Mr. Richman since I was little. As I grew up, I looked up to him as a respected attorney in his community. In 2007, I was confronted with a difficult career decision - did I stay in private practice or did I become a government attorney for the DoD? What were the career pitfalls that I may not be seeing?
I called Mr. Richman and he talked to me for an hour. He had worked for the Department of Justice and emphasized that I could always come back into private practice, but that being a government attorney was best when you're young and don't have many financial obligations. I took the job with the DoD and while it didn't work out, I learned important skills and now have a security clearance practice because of it. Being a government attorney was the right thing for me at the right time. Thanks to Mr. Richman.
He was a warm, friendly, kind man. I am sure that those on the other side of the courtroom may not have seen him that way, but that's in the nature of the profession. I will miss having him call me "Tommy"; a humbling reminder that many people in this County have known me my entire life. And I will certainly miss Jerry Richman.
That's all for today. Have a great Thursday doing what you love.