Melanie Bragg - Defining Moments: Insights Into the Lawyers Soul

Praise for Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyers Soul

Inspirational! At every turn, Melanie Bragg meaningfully touches the reader. Lawyers and non-lawyers who read this book will be changed for the better.

Randall O. Sorrels, Partner, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, President, State Bar of Texas, 20192020

Melanie Braggs Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyers Soul is an incredible collection of stories by lawyers about lawyers. The stories strip away the law, the education, the role of the attorney and rather uncover the real person underneath the lawyer. The reader gets the insight of what motivated or compelled each individual to study and practice law. The stories display the historical angst around gender, race, and age from a very personal level. I was swept up in each one, wanting them to last longer and then refreshingly engaged with a brand new one. Ill be a customer and keep it on my bookshelf for years to come.

Elizabeth Pudwill, Assistant to the Editor, Houston Chronicle

With her book Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyers Soul , Melanie Bragg masterfully proves that attorneys do their work in a heartfelt and empathetic way. Bragg gives us living proof that the law and love go hand in hand to serve our people.

John Koehler, publisher at Koehler Books, author of seven books

Prepare to take a journey of self-awareness and enlightenment. Melanie shows us how to embrace adversity and to use it as a springboard for personal growth and resilience. How we rebound through seemingly impossible waves will define us and help propel us forward. Defining Moments presents a deeply personal and candid anthology of lessons learned over several lifetimes. It instructs us on how to find our own points on the horizon to guide us through anything life throws our way. Each inspirational chapter teaches us how to look beyond our near-term challenges, to embrace the experience and grace of others, and see the uplifting and lasting effect of caring for and helping otherswhich is, after all, the touchstone of our great profession.

Arvin Maskin, Attorney, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, New York, New York

Defining Moments is a magnificent book that shares inspiring stories from numerous legal luminaries. Melanie Braggs love of the law shines through on every page and her wisdom serves as a beacon of bright light for lawyers and nonlawyers alike. This is a must-read for everyone in search of practical insights on how to put passion, possibility, and purpose to work.

Kathleen Welton, Producer, aka Associates, Chicago, Illinois

Melanie Bragg serves up a big bowl of nourishing chicken soup for the soul of all lawyers, from those starting out to those nearing retirement. In Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyers Soul , lawyers of all stripes share personal experiences and life tips in short essays that will delight and nurture everyone, all wrapped up delightfully with Melanies own brand of optimism and can-do spirit. A must!

Robert C. Paul, Attorney, East Hampton, NY

Melanie Braggs Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyers Soul is a chorus of unique voices singing in harmony with inspirational, uplifting, and empowering stories reminding us that the practice of law is truly a service profession. In keeping with this truth, Bragg serves her fellow lawyers by presenting their wisdom and insights in a two- to three-page format that is perfect for use in a five-minute daily mindfulness routine.

Kellye C. More, Partner, Walker Hulbert Gray & Moore, LLP, Perry, Georgia

In Defining Moments , Melanie Bragg explores the human side of the lawyers psyche. As she breaks through the stereotypes associated with attorneys and their attitudes toward the world, she exposes the experiences that shaped each of those interviewed. The stories reveal moments in each lawyers past that led them to what Bragg calls LEAD: Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, and Determination. This book should be added to every law library in the country so that new barristers can aspire to the greatness of each of these attorneys and realize the sense of balance that is possible in their budding careers. It can also serve any author aspiring to write legal fiction as a deep dive into understanding what motivates attorneys and how they think.

Manning Wolfe, Attorney and Author of the Merit Bridges Legal Thriller Series

An inspiring and entertaining read. Attorney and author Melanie Bragg interviewed many of the countrys leading lawyers and has masterfully woven their diverse tales of how and why they chose the legal profession around the central theme of how leaders are made. She has found that the common traits of these lawyers can be found in the acronym LEAD: Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, and Determination. Do yourself a favor and read Defining Moments today!

Lynn Allingham, Attorney, Anchorage, Alaska

Defining Moments captures hundreds of inspirational thoughts and ideas that lift and encourage us at a time when the reputation of our profession is tarnished by the disheartening choices of a few.... Truly a gem, these stories will remain with you long after youve read them. Some bring smiles, some tears. They all help us remember why we work so hard to ensure that equal justice for all is not a concept but reality.

L. Terry, Attorney Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Defining Moments, Insights into the Lawyers Soul , is a literary masterpiece for such a time as this. Sharing stories that change lives and reshape the narrative of a profession is no easy task. It takes courage and skill to identify pertinent life chronicles that humanize and lend a transparent dignity to the legal profession. Melanie Bragg is a master storyteller and evidence of her ability to recognize a good story that will leave a literary legacy for young lawyers in the decades to come is exhilarating.

Sharon C. Jenkins, Inspirational Principal, The Master Communicators Writing Services, Houston, Texas

Defining Moments is an inspiration. It will not only help young lawyers identify their passion but will uplift and encourage every reader to live from their heart. Braggs wisdom and compassion shines through in each interview.

Susan Jeffrey Busen, bestselling author of Bridging Medicine and Miracles and Tormented by Technology , Chicago, Illinois

Defining Moments showcases the inspirations, challenges, and pivotal life experiences that have made lawyers true leaders in the profession. Melanie Bragg expertly weaves these stories into a rich and powerful tapestry of lawyers who bring purpose and a sense of mission to their day-to-day lives. Melanie has written an exceptional book about exceptional people!

Richard Rick Paszkiet, Content Guy, Business Law Section, American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois

Melanie Bragg has envisioned and compiled a great reference tool for lawyers to learn about who they are and how they can be of service to the world better, as lawyers and people. Defining Moments shows that as lawyers, we must remember we are humans and that we matter as such.

Katy Goshtasbi, JD, CEO Puris Consulting, San Diego, California

Defining Moments: Insights into the Lawyers Soul is like a Profiles in Courage for lawyers and anyone interested in the law. It provided true insights into the lives and souls of the lawyers I know. For those I dont, I definitely want to meet them. Melanie Braggs interviews and narratives are fantastic. I have written down many of the LEAD lines to inspire me in the future.

Karen Goodman, Attorney and Past President, California Women Lawyers

This extremely practical and useful book reveals how some of Americas most outstanding lawyers used personal experiences to improve their lives and overcome challenges. Melanie Bragg has put together a fantastic book with a wealth of information that will inspire, motivate, and encourage you to be the best lawyer you can be.