Message From the Executive Committee
By Peter S. Miller, Esquire, Chief Operating Officer
Yes, the rumor is true. I will be retiring on June 30, 2014. Since this is the last time I will be writing this message from the Executive Committee, I have been granted the indulgence of my fellow Executive Committee members, Tom Brophy and Chris Dougherty, to make this message a bit more personal.
I wish to extend my thanks to a number of people who have made my career with the firm so fulfilling. I still have a vivid memory of the day that I got off the elevator at 1515 Locust Street to be interviewed by Bob Coleman. I was not from the Philadelphia area and knew no one in the legal community. I had just finished my tour of duty with the First Infantry Division where I served as a JAG officer. Having tried over 300 military justice trials, I knew that I wanted to be a trial lawyer and that the only place to be a trial lawyer in Pennsylvania was Philadelphia. As I was getting off the elevator, Jack Penders was getting onto the elevator with two trial bags in hand. He was off to a trial. I thought this was a sign that I had found the firm of trial lawyers that I was looking for. I also vividly remember that after Bob Coleman finished interrogating me, he walked me to Bob Goggin’s office. Since Bob Goggin had previously been a JAG officer himself, I figured Bob Coleman wanted Bob Goggin to see if I was for real. Well, long story made short, I was hired to work for Frank Marshall. I will never forget the years that I worked as Frank’s “bag man.” What an experience! Frank was the consummate trial lawyer. If Frank were still with us, I would extend to him my heartfelt thanks for, among other things, teaching me the subtleties and nuances of advocacy.
As I grew in the firm, Bob Coleman gave me the opportunity to become involved in the management of the firm. I will not bore you with the various roles that I played in middle management within the firm; but, suffice it to say, Bob entrusted me with greater and greater responsibilities as time passed. I will forever be indebted to Bob for seeing something in me that I never knew existed.
Finally, as Bob neared his retirement, he enabled me, along with Tom Brophy and Phil Toran, the opportunity to assume the role as the next generation of leadership within the firm. Noteworthy is the fact that none of us was schooled in how to run a business. However, the combination of skill sets and personalities unique to each of us revealed an effective leadership and management team that led the firm to its present heights. I liken our union to that of steel cable. The strength of each strand of wire, standing on its own, pales in comparison to the many strands woven together to make the cable. Again, I will forever be indebted to Bob Coleman for weaving the three of us together. Also, I will forever be grateful for the privilege of serving on the firm’s Executive Committee with Tom and Phil.
What excites me the most is what I envision for the firm. The integrity of Chris Dougherty, the newest member of our Executive Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors, is unparalleled. “Doc’s” upbringing and previous career in the Marine Corps have molded him into the true gentleman that he is. My replacement on the Executive Committee, Mark Thompson, is also a person of impeccable character. What also distinguishes Mark is the fact that he came to us from another firm and that he has spent the last several years overseeing the growth of all of our Florida offices. The integrity, character, humility and life experiences of Chris and Mark will translate into an even stronger Executive Committee for the firm.
I am equally excited at the prospect of Niki Ingram replacing me as the Director of our Workers’ Compensation Department. Circumstances warranted my assumption of the Workers’ Compensation Department, not my legal expertise in this field. I am pretty sure everyone—both our attorneys as well as our clients—will welcome a director who actually has an expertise in workers’ compensation law. On top of that, Niki is also one of the most genuine and honest people I have ever known.
Speaking of honesty and integrity, I am pleased that Butler “Buck” Buchanan will be assuming the role of Managing Attorney of our Philadelphia office upon my departure. Buck has become the face of the firm in the Philadelphia legal community. It is only fitting that he should continue in that role as our Philadelphia Managing Attorney.
And last, but not least, is the assumption of the responsibilities of the firm’s Chief Operating Officer by Liz Brown. Liz has served as the firm’s Director of Information Technology for the past 23 years. In that capacity, she has proven to be a tireless leader as our firm has traversed the daunting world of information technology. Liz is probably the hardest worker I have ever encountered, and she also has an immense amount of integrity and character.
I hope that you are getting the picture. My retirement on June 30th will open the door for a number of individuals who have epitomized what our firm is all about: people with true character, tireless workers, brimming with integrity, honesty and humility. I could not be more proud to have such honorable people following in my footsteps.
But I am not finished. There are a few other people that I would like thank. First, I wish to thank every employee of the firm who entrusted me with their financial well-being. I have been deeply honored to have served as a steward of your trust. Second, I wish to thank the firm’s clients. I have had the good fortune of knowing and working with many of you over the past 36 years. For the many more whom I have not had the pleasure of knowing personally, I am still thankful that you have lent your support to our firm, which, as one of the firm’s leaders, I have greatly appreciated. And finally, I wish to thank my wife Bonnie and my children, Scott, Wendy and Jeff. They have offered me unending support and encouragement, for which I will forever be grateful.
I pledge to all who read this message that I will do everything within my power to enable all who follow me to continue to accomplish the mission of our firm, to consistently provide the highest level of defense representation and service to our clients while providing a work culture where equal opportunity and advancement is available to all. Thank you for your support and your trust.
*Pete works in our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, office and can be reached at 215.575.2610 or psmiller@mdwcg.com.
Defense Digest, Vol. 20, No. 1, March 2014
Defense Digest is prepared by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. Copyright © 2014 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, all rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm.