Page 107 - ACTL Journal_Sum24

people in the courtroom who were without masks were the witnesses testifying and the examining attorney, each isolated from the other. And it worked. In late December of 2023 Cliff had the satisfaction and privilege of traveling with the McGarvey team to be with Ralph and Carol, in their living room in Oregon, to conclude the decades long brutal legal battle with cake, laughter and tears of true joy.
The picture of Ralph and Cliff, taken right there, memorializes the moment, and a framed copy now decorates Cliff’s home of- fice; more importantly, the look on their faces perfectly captures why Cliff still loves what he does after fifty years.
After almost half a century of trial work, Cliff observes that relationships with opposing counsel, based on time in grade, mutual re- spect and appreciation for each lawyer’s re- spective abilities, have made the competitive practice enjoyable and worthwhile, despite the challenges. The best lawyers are profes- sional to a fault, always prepared, and endeav- or to fight only about those things that need to be fought over. While all of us are com- petitive and not always on our best behavior; respect, courtesy and professionalism are the gold standard of the profession.
Cliff applauds the teamwork that allows him to be efficient and continue to succeed. Working with a team of like-minded, com-
mitted, hardworking individuals creates the environment to succeed for your clients, and more importantly, makes the work a joy. He expresses his gratitude both for the oppor- tunities and the challenges he has dealt with throughout his life. “The challenges we face are gifts that teach us what we are truly capa- ble of, that give us perspective and the deter- mination to do our best.”
After fifty years of courtroom battles, Cliff remains a fierce competitor who still loves the courtroom. With a broad smile he confides, “Hell, trial law is the only sport left that I can still compete in at a high level...at age seventy-five!”
A guiding principle of the College is “fellowship,” which derives from the premise that while civilized society requires a vehicle for resolving conflicts so that fundamental fairness and justice have a sanctuary, we can nonethe- less disagree without being disagreeable, disrespectful or unprofessional. Cliff epitomizes this commitment, grateful for the privilege of being a trial lawyer.
Mike Lamb Helena, Montana
SUMMER 2024 JOURNAL 106
Cliff supports the efforts of the College and other organizations with like-minded missions to preserve and advance the art of advocacy through jury trials, which allow the voice of the people to be heard, and through support of an independent judiciary, which exists to ensure a level playing field to our clients in the battles of life. As he emphasizes, “this is the sworn responsibility that all lawyers have to each other, to the profession, and to society at large.”