PEARL LEMON INTERVIEWS:
Aaron Spolin
Aaron Spolin is a former prosecutor and criminal appeals attorney. He is also the author of Witness Misidentification in Criminal Trials, which discusses the leading cause of wrongful convictions in the United States.
Check out Aaron’s: Website
A Fireside Chat
I had the opportunity to have an amazing conversation with Aaron Spolin at Spolin Law today. From talking about SEO for Websites, Aaron agreed to a quick interview.
He took the time to talk to me and answer some questions so I could get to know him better and hear more about the things that have helped shape his business success to date – let’s get stuck into it!
What Is The Book (Or Books) You’ve Given Most As A Gift, And Why?
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman. This incredible book talks about how one can improve what is arguably the most important relationship in a person’s life. People spend significant energy and effort focusing on their careers and achieving financial success. If that same level of effort and focus is aimed towards personal relationships–and for married people: the spousal relationship–it can have a huge impact on the overall quality of one’s life.
What Purchase Of $100 Or Less Has Most Positively Impacted Your Life In The Last Six Months?
LectroFan White Noise Sound Machine ($35). This is great for helping a two-year-old sleep through the night while a crying newborn baby is in the next room over.
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Two years ago I started waking up at 5am every day and getting to the office by 6am. I am a morning person; I work better and more efficiently in the morning, so this has been incredibly helpful in getting a great deal of work done every day.
What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
Some lawyers think that treating clients rudely or with an “I’m important” attitude is how a lawyer should act with clients who are accused of crimes. I couldn’t disagree more. Often people who are accused of crimes have been treated disrespectfully throughout their lives and especially in the court process. Treating a person with respect is one way to recognize every human being’s basic dignity. It also helps clients to open up and provide information that can be helpful to their cases.
You need to ignore people who say you cannot be successful.
- Aaron Spolin
What Is One Of The Best Or Most Worthwhile Investments You’ve Ever Made?
The best investment I’ve ever made has been to invest my time and effort into continuing to improve my relationship with my spouse. She is truly an incredible person and I am lucky to have her in my life and to have the opportunity to prioritize that relationship.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — what would it say and why?
“Think about the bigger picture.” That’s what I would say. We are often focused on the day-to-day aspects of our lives and the minor ups and downs of our work. It’s helpful to ask oursevles: “What truly matters to me?” Be it religious faith and moral practices, personal relationships, doing good in the world, or whatever else you want to prioritize.
Tell Us About Your Business. What Does It Do And What Value Do You Add?
We handle criminal appeals in various states throughout the country. That includes direct appeals, writs of habeas corpus, commutations, character-applications, and other types of post-conviction relief in state and federal court. One of our primary goals is to treat all clients with respect. Treating clients with respect includes how the attorneys at the firm interact with clients, and it also includes working diligently on each case in an effort to make sure that our clients’ rights are protected.
Where do you see your industry in the next 5 years?
Criminal law will always exist in any society. However, I hope that the crime rate continues to decline and–at the same time–that criminal justice reforms make sentences more proportionate. Right now many states have harsh laws that over-punish people for offenses. For example: a 50-year sentence for a 17-year-old who burglarized an empty house. I’ve seen that type of thing and it’s very sad.
What is a 'hack' you have for success that most people don't know about?
You need to ignore people who say you cannot be successful. I remember conducting information-gathering interviews with dozens of people before I started my own law firm. One of them was a partner at Skadden Arps, a major law firm. He laughed in my face at the idea of me leaving a steady job at the District Attorney’s Office to start up a firm. Now this firm has over a dozen full-time employees and is helping clients throughout the country. I’m grateful that I listened to my own inner voice. To other people who are torn between their own confidence and the nay-saying of others, I would suggest analyzing the facts carefully but nonetheless relying on your own intuition in deciding what course of action you want to pursue.
What is a useful skill someone could learn in one minute?
Slowly counting to ten when frustrated or overwhelmed with the tasks of one’s day.
How has Covid-19 changed your industry?
Criminal appeals have always been about reviewing paper records and writing documents. Therefore, our industry has changed less compared to other in-person legal fields, like criminal defense.
What's your favourite colour?
Blue.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
A half-decaf cup of coffee.
About Us
Pearl Lemon are an SEO, PPC, PR, and B2B lead-generation agency. We are based in London but service clients around the world.
We have taken the time to interview entrepreneurs and experts (like Aaron) in this new series.
