The greatest lesson I learned in law school was that there is not a correct answer to every legal question; the law is not perfect. That’s why thinking out of the box is so important for me and my clients. Also it’s important to always take the high road.
AALM: When did you first know you wanted to become an attorney? What drew you to this career?
Wolfe: As a young boy, I always questioned everything and enjoyed finding the answers for what I was questioning. My mother always said I would be the perfect litigator. My father was a lawyer who served in World War II teaching military strategy. I like to use many of these principals when working on cases.
AALM: Do you have any mentors or professors that encouraged you along the way? What is the best lesson they taught you?
Wolfe: My first boss would always say when analyzing a deal or a piece of litigation “Follow the Dollar,” that trail will lead you to the right answers.
AALM: What was the greatest lesson you learned in law school?
Wolfe: My greatest lesson I learned in law school was that there is not a correct answer to every legal question; the law is not perfect. That’s why thinking out of the box is so important for me and my clients. Also it’s important to always take the high road.
AALM: What experiences have taught you the most?
Wolfe: My numerous trial experiences have made me realize that every trial tells a story, and I enjoy telling the jurors my client’s story and the laws that apply to their case.
AALM: What do you find particularly rewarding about your practice?
Wolfe: I love helping my clients get a fair and just result with their cases. It is extremely rewarding when I speak at conferences and lecture at law schools. It’s important to always give back to the community and teaching is my specialty. I have taught at six law schools, and speak at three annual conferences.
AALM: What do you find particularly challenging about your practice? How to you overcome these challenges?
Wolfe: I find that handling the administration, cash flow and scheduling of my firm is difficult. I could not do it without my incredible dedicated staff . I rely on my senior paralegal and legal assistant who dedicate themselves even evenings and weekends. They treat my firm like their firm.
AALM: What traits do you think make an attorney exceptional? What’s the difference between a good attorney and an outstanding one?
Wolfe: I pride myself on thinking outside the box. I look down the road regarding my cases and do not waste time, money and efforts on things that do not advance my clients goals.
AALM: What compelled you to start your own practice?
Wolfe: Fortunately, I love what I do and I do it well. In the beginning, I would win my trial cases and my clients’ adversaries would come to me after the case was closed and ask me to represent them. I moved around for several years and finally said I have the ability to control my own destiny so why not open a firm that I control. The icing on the cake was when my son, Mason Wolfe, passed the bar and came to work for me.
AALM: How would you describe the culture of the firm?
Wolfe: Wolfe Law Miami is a boutique law firm. The working dynamics of our staff and attorneys enables us to take on a wide variety of cases. Language barriers at Wolfe Law Miami are not an issue. My staff is fluent in several languages. Clients enjoy having a relationship with their lawyers and staff and can pretty much reach any of us 24 hours a day.
AALM: Tell us about your fellow attorneys at the firm? How do you work together?
Wolfe: As I stated before I have an incredible staff. Fortunately, there is a new lawyer who joined my firm, my son Mason Wolfe. He has worked for years for me while on break at school and has learned a tremendous amount regarding litigation. Mason is an asset and thinks out of the box, as I do – which is a pretty rare trait these days!
AALM: What case most defined or rede fined your practice?
Wolfe: Representing the Beatles to enforce their rights. I can’t believe that I got paid to read depositions of John Lennon!
AALM: What accomplishment are you most proud of achieving?
Wolfe: Writing the Minors Act, and sherardizing it through the Florida Legislature.
AALM: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Wolfe: I play golf and tennis religiously and I constantly go wreck diving with my son and friends in Key Largo. I just obtained my advanced certification.
AALM: What do you most hope to accomplish in the future? Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10?
Wolfe: I don’t see myself ever leaving the practice of law. I love what I do and I do it well. I am a creative thinker and have a mind for strategy. My clients know I enjoy every case I have, and that I give each and every one my all.
AALM: What events are you most looking forward to in the coming year?
Wolfe: I have three high-profile trials coming up in the next few months. I really enjoy communicating with the jurors and teaching them about my client’s cases.
AALM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Richard Wolfe: In the music industry, I have provided representation to more than 40 major and independent record companies, publishing companies, distribution companies, numerous prominent artists and producers on transactions and litigation matters. I have negotiated in excess of 250 recording and publishing contracts on behalf of or with many artists and record companies.
