Andrew W. Barbin, BS, JD Core Value Consulting 717-421-7383
For just short of four decades, I was an attorney. The Supreme Court gave me an 18-month involuntary sabbatical on December 18, 2021. In point of fact, I needed one.
It is perilous to continue practice after the joy of the battle is gone and you no longer feel the compulsion of Calling. While there is still life in my long - lived genes, it is time to rest recouperate and refocus. Other worthy colleagues will hold high the torch which passes from my hand. My most cherished clients were fostered to colleagues. I have taken care of health issues I neglected (asthma, Sinus, etc), finally took action to address my untreated ADHD, quit drinking and lost weight. My 20-year odyssey and epic battle with Geisinger Clinic for Dr. Babb finally concluded in November 2021 with a $5.5 million dollar verdict affirmed by our Supreme Court and a $6.7 million dollar judgment satisfied. Had it not been for the pending appeals after the March 2018 verdict, I would likely have ended my litigation career earlier.
I have not decided whether, when, or for what purposes I would return to practice of law. I have no intention of returning to the treadmill of continuous litigation. On the other hand, reinstatement would allow me to resume several pro bono activities I still feel would be rewarding and there are non-litigation aspects of law I would enjoy doing for family, friends and clients.
I had the honor and privilege of serving as Judicial Clerk III to recently departed, retired Superior Judge John T.J. Kelly, Jr., mentor and friend, for about 4 1/2 years. After that, for about 35 years, I was a day in day out litigator. I spent more than 20 years as a solo-practice litigator, regularly litigating against major firms from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. While it was rewarding in meaningful ways, it was also draining.
My life in the law was all I hoped it would be when I imagined it from my earliest years, until it wasn't. There comes a time, in even the greatest adventures, when the torch is passed from one Protagonist to another. Great Adventures never end, but individual roles in them do end. I have achieved what I set out to achieve in the law, anything accomplished during an epilogue would be gravy. My resume collects highlights of which I am justly proud. If there is a Valhalla for attorneys on the other side, and I am able to break bread again with my forebearers and colleagues - Gus Gleason, James Gleason, Andrew J. Gleason, Robert Davis Gleason, Andrew Davis Gleason, William Gleason Barbin, Bryan Edward Barbin, Bradley Davis Barbin, Valerie Barbin McMahon, Timothy J. McMahon, Pete Gleason, and my mentors Anne Gleason Barbin, William Wilson Barbin, Charles Gerstenmaier, Ted Salsburg, Judge John T.J. Kelly, Jr. and Judge Stephen J. McEwen, Jr. - then like Theoden, "even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed."
It is perilous to continue practice after the joy of the battle is gone and you no longer feel the compulsion of Calling. While there is still life in my long - lived genes, it is time to rest recouperate and refocus. Other worthy colleagues will hold high the torch which passes from my hand. My most cherished clients were fostered to colleagues. I have taken care of health issues I neglected (asthma, Sinus, etc), finally took action to address my untreated ADHD, quit drinking and lost weight. My 20-year odyssey and epic battle with Geisinger Clinic for Dr. Babb finally concluded in November 2021 with a $5.5 million dollar verdict affirmed by our Supreme Court and a $6.7 million dollar judgment satisfied. Had it not been for the pending appeals after the March 2018 verdict, I would likely have ended my litigation career earlier.
I have not decided whether, when, or for what purposes I would return to practice of law. I have no intention of returning to the treadmill of continuous litigation. On the other hand, reinstatement would allow me to resume several pro bono activities I still feel would be rewarding and there are non-litigation aspects of law I would enjoy doing for family, friends and clients.
I had the honor and privilege of serving as Judicial Clerk III to recently departed, retired Superior Judge John T.J. Kelly, Jr., mentor and friend, for about 4 1/2 years. After that, for about 35 years, I was a day in day out litigator. I spent more than 20 years as a solo-practice litigator, regularly litigating against major firms from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. While it was rewarding in meaningful ways, it was also draining.
My life in the law was all I hoped it would be when I imagined it from my earliest years, until it wasn't. There comes a time, in even the greatest adventures, when the torch is passed from one Protagonist to another. Great Adventures never end, but individual roles in them do end. I have achieved what I set out to achieve in the law, anything accomplished during an epilogue would be gravy. My resume collects highlights of which I am justly proud. If there is a Valhalla for attorneys on the other side, and I am able to break bread again with my forebearers and colleagues - Gus Gleason, James Gleason, Andrew J. Gleason, Robert Davis Gleason, Andrew Davis Gleason, William Gleason Barbin, Bryan Edward Barbin, Bradley Davis Barbin, Valerie Barbin McMahon, Timothy J. McMahon, Pete Gleason, and my mentors Anne Gleason Barbin, William Wilson Barbin, Charles Gerstenmaier, Ted Salsburg, Judge John T.J. Kelly, Jr. and Judge Stephen J. McEwen, Jr. - then like Theoden, "even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed."
Thank-you & Thanks for the Memories
To all the clients who have extended me the privilege of advising, defending and litigating on your behalf, thank you. The law has been a large part of my life, as have each of you. We have shared mountaintop and valley experiences and because of the law I have made life-long friends whom I will cherish as long as I have breath. Others have preceded me into the wildernessand returned with renewed energy focus and sense of calling. I will learn from and attempt to emulate their experiences.
We think sometimes when things don’t go the right way, when we suffer defeat, that all has ended.
Not true. It is only a beginning always. Greatness comes not when things always go good for you,
But greatness comes when you are really tested, when you take some nocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.
Richard Nixon, In the Arena, 18 (1990)(quoting remarks to staff and family August 9, 1974).
"I am hurt, but I am not slaine;
I'le lay mee downe and bleed a-while,
And then I'le rise and fight againe. Ffight on my men,'
Sir Andrew Barton, Child Ballad No. 167
(Dad would smile at this homage to my Scots Roots)
“You have been told that, even like a chain, you are as weak as your weakest link. This is but half the truth. You are also as strong as your strongest link. To measure you by your smallest deed is to reckon the power of the ocean by the frailty of its foam. To judge you by your failures is to cast blame upon the seasons for their inconstancy.”
Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
