Retired Lawyers

by Bob Gariano

The most important trait that a good general counsel must possess is not technical skill or business acumen. These abilities are table stakes if one wishes to be successful as the top lawyer in a large public company. The most important attribute for such an executive is the quality we call character. Character is a combination of integrity, tenacity, loyalty, and sense of what is right and fair. It is a trait that is as hard to define as it is easy to observe in action. Winnetka resident, Jim Baisley, is a lawyer with character.

Baisley retired as chief legal counsel at Lake Forest based Grainger in 2000. While at Grainger he was a part of a team that helped lead the most rapid expansion in that company's history. He was also the point person when Grainger decided to expand their corporate headquarters and relocate to their new building in Lake Forest. The Grainger employees who have an opportunity to work in that marvelous modern building should know that it was Jim Baisley and a small team that got approval for it to be built.

After retiring, Baisley, who was 80 years old this year, devoted his life to traveling and "living well" as he puts it. And he says that he was "busy, but not happy". He reflected that during his time as a company counsel he found the most rewarding times were those when he was not just making sound commercial decisions and helping his employer make money for the shareholders, but when he was helping people. He said that his path to fulfillment started in 2005 when he got a call from one of his and Barbara Baisley's seven children, Charlie.

Jim Baisley was a US marine before he went to law school. He joined the corps in 1952 and served in Korea. Charlie Baisley took a somewhat different route. He attended law school first and then joined the Marines as a JAG lawyer. As a lawyer, Charlie did not have to serve in Iraq. His phone message that day showed a higher sense of duty, "Dad, don't tell mom, but I have just volunteered to go to Iraq. If you are a Marine, that is where you should be." Charlie was showing the character that his parents had taught him his whole life. He was stationed at Camp Fallujah for the next two years, while his parents prayed every day for his safe return. Little did Charlie know that his courageous decision would change his father's life and ultimately benefit scores of our veteran warriors.

Jim Baisley's work started small. Charlie introduced him to a young Marine veteran who needed help with some family and employment legal issues. With little in the way of financial resources, many of these young heroes must literally beg for assistance. Jim Baisley stepped in and helped. While assisting this Marine, Jim began meeting other wounded veterans who needed similar representation. He began networking with some of his friends in the legal community and soon there was a whole constellation of pro bono assistance from generous attorneys.

Meanwhile, Charlie Baisley left the corps and joined AC Nielsen where he on presentations work for the Marine Corps. Jim attended one of his trade shows. He was so well received that he is now a regular at presentations at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and Quantico. Based on this reception and with Charlie's help they alignhed with the Semper Fi Fund. "We have raised more than $400,000 to help our veteran Marines. We could use more but it's not a bad start for a team of 45 Marines (there is no such thing as a former Marine) who average 75 years of age."

Baisley went on, "This is just the beginning of our efforts. In a sense, we have just begun to fight. I did do want to simply go to companies, foundations, and wealthy private citizens that I know to ask for contributions. I wanted to get our hands dirty and to get things started first. Now we have a record of success to talk about. We are launching our first real fund raising effort this year." Further information and contributions can be made by visiting the fund’s website at www.glenviewmarines.com

Baisley reports that last week he spoke at a luncheon for North Shore legal counsels and senior lawyers. The title of his talk was "What do General Counsels do after they retire?" Before the lunch, he went for his annual physical examination. His doctor said that age 80, he is in great shape. The doctor went on to say that he often sees such energy and physical well being in his retired patients who are actively engaged in helping other people. The conversation gave Jim Baisley a perfect sequitor for his speech at the luncheon. Baisley says "As I sit at my desk today, at age 80, busy with this work on behalf of our young veterans, I am the happiest person in the world." This might just be the best definition of the word, character, and the best definition of a successful retirement.