A Tuesday With Lisa Colon

As a seasoned construction lawyer, I've always prided myself on being independent and tough. However, my toughness was tested when my life took an unexpected turn. In 2013, I was diagnosed with a genetic cardiomyopathy, a condition which made it harder for my heart to pump blood. That diagnosis in itself was devasting since I had to change many things about the way I lived, including having to abandon running, my favorite hobby.  After living 10 years in this new normal, in May 2023, I was told my right ventricle was no longer working and there were no further therapies available. I needed a heart transplant. The journey was long, arduous, and filled with both physical and emotional challenges. This life-altering experience not only gave me a new lease on life but also profoundly changed my perspective on practicing law. In this post, I will share three key lessons I learned from my heart transplant journey that have significantly impacted how I approach my legal practice.

Lesson 1: The Importance of Patience and Persistence

The journey to receiving a heart transplant is often fraught with uncertainty and long waiting periods. My new heart came quickly. I waited 22 days on the transplant list, but for me, the wait seemed interminable, filled with numerous hospital visits, medical tests, and moments of despair. Then came the recovery. The early days were filled with weekly biopsies, unimaginable nerve pain, and days of wondering if things would ever get better. During this time, I learned the true meaning of patience. Each day was a test of my resolve, and giving up was never an option. I had to persist through the toughest days, believing that a positive outcome was possible.

This experience has translated into my legal practice in profound ways. In the legal field, cases can drag on for months, sometimes even years. The wheels of justice often turn slowly, and clients may become frustrated with the pace. My heart transplant journey has taught me we are often in a rush to go nowhere. Everything in its own time. Maintain patience and persistence, both for myself and my clients. I now approach prolonged cases with a steady demeanor, reassuring my clients that while the system is imperfect, perseverance will ultimately lead to favorable results. This lesson in patience has made me a more resilient and empathetic lawyer.

Lisa at a 5K in March 2024...post-heart transplant

Lesson 2: The Value of Empathy and Understanding

Undergoing a heart transplant made me acutely aware of my vulnerability and dependence on others. During my recovery, I had to depend on my family and friends for my most basic needs. Being unable to drive for months humbled this independent, tough lawyer. I experienced firsthand the importance of empathy and understanding from those around me. The compassion shown by my family, friends, and medical team was invaluable, and it underscored the significance of empathy in human interactions.

As lawyers, we often deal with clients who are going through some of the most challenging times of their lives. Whether it's a contentious divorce, a criminal defense case, or a complex business dispute, our clients are frequently under immense stress and emotional strain. My experience has heightened my ability to connect with my clients on a deeper level, offering not just legal advice but empathy and understanding. I also have empathy for opposing counsel. I no longer get angered by opposing counsel’s outbursts or unprofessionalism. Instead, I feel a great sense of empathy. When approached with dealing with a difficult client or opposing counsel, I remind myself that every person has a personal battle. By showing genuine empathy, you can disarm and build trust.

Lesson 3: The Necessity of a Strong Support System

Throughout my heart transplant journey, I was fortunate to have a robust support system. My family, friends, and my law partners played crucial roles in my recovery. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and assistance were pivotal in keeping me calm and positive.

As lawyers, we can’t do this alone; having a supportive team is equally critical. Law can be a demanding and thankless profession, and no lawyer can succeed in isolation. Whether it's collaborating with colleagues, seeking mentorship, or leaning on administrative staff, a supportive network within the legal community is essential. This takes a certain level of vulnerability, which I can write an entire book about. My personal experience has reinforced the value of teamwork. I strive to foster a supportive environment in my practice, encouraging open communication, mutual respect, and teamwork. I thank my assistant, create bonds with my colleagues, and make friendships with my clients. By doing so, we can collectively tackle problems in the most creative and collaborative way.

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My heart transplant journey has been a life-altering experience that has reshaped my perspective on both life and law. The lessons of patience and persistence, empathy and understanding, and the importance of a strong support system have profoundly influenced how I approach life. I encourage my fellow lawyers to reflect on their own personal experiences and consider how these can inform and enhance their professional lives. By doing so, we can become not only better lawyers but also more compassionate and resilient individuals.

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Lisa Colon is a partner with Saul Ewing and focuses her practice on deals involving public and private construction projects and real estate development. Licensed in both Florida and New York, Lisa is known for her negotiation skills and her track record in resolving complex construction disputes. Lisa can be contacted at lisa.colon@saul.com.

The Dispute Resolver was proud to work with Lisa in connection with this inaugural installment in the blog’s “Tuesdays With” series. This series recognizes that, whether gleaned from a lifetime of learning or a life-changing moment in time, we all have something worthwhile to teach each other. If you believe you have a perspective to share, please contact Marissa Downs for more information on how to contribute to this series.