Ronald Avery Young

This month, I am celebrating my eighth year with the Bailey & Greer, PLLC family, a journey that began with roots in the Memphis Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program. On my first day of work, excitement pulsed through me as I crossed the threshold of 6256 Poplar Avenue, greeted by the polished wooden doors. Fitted in my navy suit, crisp white shirt, and vibrant red tie, little did I know then the profound impact that walking through those doors would have on my future.

Upon entering the office through those the wooden doors, I was greeted by a team of paralegals, a receptionist, an office manager, and seasoned attorneys. Undoubtedly, the fact that I was a high schooler would raise some eyebrows and probably lead to many questions throughout the office about what I was doing in the law firm. “What good is a high schooler at the law firm?” I can almost hear the skepticism lingering in the air . . . . Yet, amidst the uncertainty from the staff at the office, I was handed my first task: shredding papers.

Until this point in my life, terms like “complaint,” “interrogatories,” “correspondence,” “expert reports,” and the common labels for a plethora of other legally significant documents were utterly unfamiliar to me. To some, shredding might seem like a mundane chore. Still, it was an opportunity to immerse myself into the world of the documents it would take to build a good personal injury or professional malpractice suit. With each document I fed into the shredder, I gained insights into the complexities of the facts, the art of formatting, and the law in the cases. As time continued, my responsibilities and assignments became increasingly more complicated. However, the joy I found in shredding papers remained steadfast, as a snapshot of the fulfillment I would later experience when conducting “real lawyer work” like legal research and drafting.

But why does this story matter, and why am I sharing it with you? As some of you may know, my journey will continue with my Bailey & Greer family as I will join the firm as an associate, pending admission by the state bar this fall. The shredder, usually overlooked by the office staff as a mere outdated machine in the corner of the office supplies room, has become a daily silent witness to my journey at Bailey & Greer. This testament to my experience with the shredder is a great reminder that success is not achieved overnight but is forged through dedication and an unwavering commitment to excellence, even in the most minor tasks. 

As future lawyers, always looking for our next ample opportunity, it is easy to overlook the significance of seemingly insignificant things. Yet, in these moments, while being caught in our mundane tasks of life, we find the seeds of greatness waiting to be nurtured and cultivated. So, the next time you find yourself faced with a seemingly menial task, remember the lessons of the shredder: find joy in the journey, embrace every opportunity for growth, and never underestimate the power of dedication and hard work. 

I would never have joined the Bailey & Greer team as a lawyer if I had not shredded the papers. Ultimately, it is not the destination that defines us but the journey we undertake to get there. Finding joy in the little things makes it easier to appreciate the big things yet to come.