Tribute to Attorney Richard Levick, 1956-2023, with Two Lessons

When I launched Sorry Works! nearly 20 years ago, many colleagues and friends warned me that attorneys would hate disclosure and apology.  There was a lot of truth to this statement, but it was not entirely true.  Yes, many lawyers rebuff disclosure because they are trained to fight in law school, and the whole notion of transparency screws up their business model (more fighting equals more billable hours).  Interestingly, I have found through the years that defense lawyers -- the supposed white knights in med-mal -- were almost always more hostile to disclosure versus the so-called bad guys in the plaintiff's bar.  Nonetheless, we have made progress in disclosure and apology because we have won many converts in the legal field.  Lawyers are now some of the strongest proponents of disclosure and apology. 

One attorney who was always on my side was Richard Levick, who passed away from cancer earlier this week.  Levick was a superstar in crisis communications and reputation management, and his legal training made him a credible and indispensable counselor to individuals and companies in panic mode.  Richard understood what we were doing with Sorry Works, because disclosure is basically crisis communications for healthcare professionals.  Richard did so much to promote and share our work with his large network of clients and friends, many of whom are lawyers.  He understood the value of running to problems with ethically-grounded problem fixing techniques at the ready. 

More importantly, Richard was a friend to me -- when he didn't have to be.  Richard grew up in elite Washington DC circles, and his friends and clients were heads of state and other government leaders, captains of industry, celebrities, and other household names.  Scrolling through Richard's podcasts, where he interviewed a variety of guests, is a virtual who's who of luminaries regularly featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, and the like.  Richard was accepted in social cliques most of us will never taste much less fathom.  And how often do people of this stature look down and even step on the little folks, like you and me?  But that was not Richard...he connected with me on countless occasions, made me his friend and equal, and introduced me to his friends.  He was a gentleman and a kind soul who is now enjoying God's paradise.  

Lesson 1: Each of us is a "big shot" to somebody else, either because of education, money, job title, or age. In our busy, chaotic lives, it is too easy to not make time and even be rude to some kid or peon.  Remember Richard when these moments arrive....a man who literally had CEOs, celebs, and legal titans waiting for him to return their phone calls made time for someone like me.  Be like Richard to that kid or little person....

Lesson 2: Two months ago, Richard let me know he was dying, and I had a chance to share these thoughts with him, and thanked him.  I considered it an honor and blessing that Richard, who literally had thousands of uber important people on his Rolodex, would spend some time with me in his closing days.  We shared several emails, and I was lucky to have expressed my feelings and admiration to Richard.  Too often, we don't get this chance, due to sudden deaths by accident or health calamity.   Remember Richard by telling those in your life today how much they mean to you. 

Finally, for attorneys who want to be more like Richard, there is a free, two hour certification seminar on disclosure and apology for lawyers.  The course is being offered on April 27, so, register soon and share this email with friends and colleagues.  

Peace,

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, MA, MS
Founder and President
Sorry Works!
618-559-8168 (direct dial)
doug@sorryworks.net