Seems we can find more than one lawyer with a double life of Esq. and EMT. Medic Interrupted is a blog by Richard Jaffe "living as a paramedic beneath the epidermis of an attorney." Yesterday Jaffe featured at his blog Ned Fryer, a partner at Bryan Cave, who spends his off-firm hours as a paramedic. Jaffe linked to an article and video about Fryer from which this excerpt is taken.
Let's face it, lawyers are not always the most exciting people.
"I enjoy the research", says attorney Ned Fryer. "I like the thought processes, the intellectual challenge."
So spellbinding he's not but Fryer is successful.
He's been on the fast track since he got out of college.
"My first job out of law school was being a law clerk for Judge William Webster," says Fryer.
That's the same William Webster who went on to direct both the FBI and the CIA.
These days, he's a partner with Bryan Cave, one of the largest law firms in the country. Even at 60, Fryer still works 12 hour days. And on weekends? Well you'd expect to see him on the golf course. You'd expect that but you'd be wrong.
Some lawyers get a reputation for chasing ambulances. Ned Fryer drives one. When he's got time off, he's a paramedic for the St. Louis Fire Department.
"As a paramedic you're licensed to provide what's called advanced life support," explains Fryer.
On most weekend days and some weekday nights you will find Fryer saving lives.
In 2005, St. Louis Business Journal published part of Ned Fryer's story. The story ends with this:
Despite the often tragic side of his work, "there is no greater feeling than when one saves a life," Ned says.
This is for real. Ned Fryer is very much for real. It's not a temporary adventure, nor would Ned see what he does as heroic. He is simply doing what he loves.
He loves both of his vocations. What an admirable (and perhaps enviable) balance, don't you agree?
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