Judge Peter Fryefield – Reflections on a Life
Last weekend, we lost a remarkable man – Circuit Court Judge Peter Fryefield. He was remarkable not for his great legal victories as a lawyer or significant decisions as a judge, although he had many of both. What made Peter Fryefield’s life remarkable was how he lived it, and what we can learn and apply to our own lives from his powerful memory.
There are certainly those who knew Judge Fryefield better and longer than me. And that is, in part, the point – Peter Fryefield had a large influence on me and on many individuals that knew him even less. It is from the reflections of those he influenced over his 60 years on earth that the following life lessons are derived. We would all be wise to apply them.
1. You can be an aggressive advocate without being unpleasant.
Peter Fryefield manifested this as a public defender and later as a private practice trial lawyer, and he insisted on it from attorneys who appeared before him once he took the bench. When attorney Fryefield was one of three candidates submitted to the Governor to be appointed as a judge, a letter endorsing Peter Fryefield as a man of ethics and integrity was submitted by a prominent doctor (ITALICS)against whom Fryefield had obtained a substantial malpractice verdict. Of how many of us would our “adversaries” say the same?
2. Be passionate.
Rodney Margol, in reflecting on the life of his long-time friend and law partner, referenced the ancient Greek’s who would judge the quality of a person’s life by asking one simple question: did he live with passion? Peter Fryefield definitely did. From his family and friends, to the law and justice, to his thirst for knowledge, to his love of music, to skiing, rafting and other adventures – Peter Fryefield was a passionate man. That, as much as anything, allowed him to reflect during his last few weeks and assure his loved ones, “I have lived a full life!”
3. Be a mentor.
I offer one personal example on this point. I was a second-year lawyer when Judge Fryefield took the bench. One of my first hearings before him was a summary judgment hearing on which I prevailed. After the hearing, however, when we were off the record, Judge Fryefield kindly observed, with examples, that in reviewing the filed deposition transcripts he noticed that I was objecting in a manner that could be perceived as “over doing it.” More than the victory, I savored and have benefited from this advice.
4. Work hard and play hard.
Judge Fryefield, by all accounts, did both with abandon. He epitomized the prepared jurist before whom attorneys look forward to appearing. Even during the last weeks before his death, he insisted (over the objections of the Chief Judge and others) on attending to his docket of cases. Yet he always found time to play – whether it was golfing, playing his guitar, skiing, or traveling. He came as close as you can to attaining that elusive “balance” that we all strive to achieve.
5. Read.
Judge Fryefield was a voracious reader. From books on knowledge, to religion, to travel, to history – he read them all, inspired by the quest to learn as much as he could on as many topics as he could.
6. Diversify your circle of friends.
Those in attendance at Judge Fryefield’s funeral service included people from all walks and stations of life and many races and religions. Somehow, he was able to relate to, learn, and benefit from each of them. Sitting on the bench for 15 years could easily lead to an isolated existence. Judge Fryefield, however, made a natural effort not only to surround himself with, but also truly to befriend, people from all walks of life. I have to think that made him a better lawyer, judge and person, just as it bettered those fortunate enough to have called him “friend.”
7. Dress for success.
The Judge was reported to have had over a dozen dress shoes as a sophomore in college! He was known to be a good, not flashy, dresser throughout his professional career, believing that if you looked good and felt good, you would be more likely to make a good impression.
8. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Although no doubt comfortable in his judicial robe, Judge Fryefield had a penchant for strategic light-heartedness, often at his own expense.
9. Listen.
In a profession noted for its speakers, Peter Fryefield stood out as a good, careful, and compassionate listener, a skill many of us often forget is far more important than speaking.
10. Be courageous.
A less courageous man would have given in years earlier to the disease that ultimately took his life, but not Peter Fryefield. He kept on with a sense of humor and optimism, without complaint or self-pity, to the very end, concerned only with those he would leave behind.
Imagine how improved your life could be with a bit more Peter Fryefield in it…
Imagine how improved our profession and our community could be….
I pray that we can remember how Peter Fryefield lived, and that we will each make an effort to fill the void with which he has left us by pledging to live a bit more like Peter. If so, his influence will live on.