JEB: So they can look that up, and may-
be there will even be room on your team?
KS: Of course.
JEB: Anything else you want our readers
to know about the team?
KS: I did find it interesting that the law-
yers on the team were definitely more rule
oriented than other players.
JEB: I cannot imagine such a thing!
KS: Oh yeah. We had a few that were
able to cite book and page of a rule and
would fight with referees about interpreta-
tions and ambiguities.
JEB: You would think the rules would
start sliding in a league that involves Jell-
O shots.
KS: This is true. The referees were com-
prised of players in the league. Some were
good and some were not, and some got
worse as the game went on. It was really
nice to have people on our team that were
focused on following the rules and what
they meant, because those people also
served as referees for the other games.
JEB: Lawyers studying and using their
skills. So you enjoyed reffing?
KS: Yes, of course. What lawyer doesn’t
like being the judge?
JEB: And it’s not as physically daunting
as reffing, say, soccer?
KS: No, it’s not. Although for some
teams, there was a lot at stake. You don’t
want to be the one messing up calls for
some of those teams.
JEB: So no fights though?
KS: Not that I witnessed. Our team was
not overly competitive, and no one seems
to argue with a referee who knows the
rules.
JEB: So now, being that there are sev-
eral lawyers here on the team, do you have
any difficulty leaving at 6pm on Mondays
or do the time for games always seem to
work out?
KS: Fortunately, the attorneys at DRM
were very supportive. Client needs are al-
ways a priority, but allotting a few sched-
uled hours a week to kickball generally
didn’t have dramatic consequences. The
firm supports opportunities for associates
to get together outside the office, and this
was a great way to not only socialize with
co-workers, but meet others in the commu-
nity.
lieve stress among other things which isn’t
always easy. It is good that there’s a group
of your so you aren’t alone, finally looking
up and seeing it’s 7:30 and you are still at
your desk! Instead, having this activity has
to be good for your psyche.
KS: Participating with colleagues invites
friendly peer pressure, too. People in the
office might give you flack for skipping a
game, and sharing the experience builds
comradery. I learned a lot about my col-
leagues that I wouldn’t have necessarily
learned, and I got to meet young profes-
sionals from a litany of different jobs and
employers in Chittenden County. It was a
very different experience than say a cock-
tail hour or networking event.
KS: Yes.
JEB: Where you wouldn’t normally have
had that.
KS: Sports and teams are a good way to
bond people together in a way that doesn’t
happen very easily otherwise.
JEB: Right. This is one of the few ways
you can do it and not be too serious.
KS: Yeah.
JEB: I like it. I think it fits in well with our
Pursuits of Happiness column; trying to find
lawyers doing other things that make them
happy, in addition to practicing law. Also
focusing on wellness and reducing stress.
KS: Yes, it’s not always easy.
JEB: So you are looking forward to next
spring?
KS: I am!
JEB: Awesome. Sounds like so much
fun. Thank you for taking the time to allow
me to interview you!
The Vermont lawyers on Team Pitches Be
Crazy include: Sam Lednicky, Sally Adams,
Krystn Perettine, Ben Traverse, Jeff Messi-
na, Kevin McGrath, Kane Smart, Luke Col-
lins, Sebastian Arduengo and Kevin Lump-
kin.
____________________
Do you want to nominate yourself or a
fellow VBA member to be interviewed for
Pursuits of Happiness? Email me at jeb@
vtbar.org.
JEB: Yeah, the idea is younger lawyers,
now more than ever, are looking to try and
get that balance and try to find ways to re-
www.vtbar.org
THE VERMONT BAR JOURNAL • WINTER 2016-17
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