There's NEVER Anything Confrontational (Or Inappropriate) About Standing Up For What's Right | feat. Paul Genender

Lisa Gardner chats with  Paul R. Genender, a Chambers USA ranked trial attorney, on leadership, ethics, and integrity in his personal and professional life. 

Paul shares how his parents' values shaped his leadership style, emphasizing honesty, directness, and the importance of challenging conversations. He discusses balancing high expectations with unconditional love as a father and how this informs his leadership approach. Paul reflects on ethical dilemmas in his 30-year legal career, highlighting the need to prioritize integrity over winning. He also explores the significance of collaboration and the responsibility lawyers have to uphold ethical standards and serve the greater good. This conversation offers valuable insights into values-driven decision-making and ethical leadership in a competitive field. 

Also in this episode:  

• Leadership Style and Personal Influence: Paul emphasizes that his leadership style is a work in progress and is deeply influenced by his parents.  

• Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: True leadership involves fostering the success of others, even if it means they surpass their mentor. 

• Collaborative and Ethical Leadership: Paul sees his role not as a boss but as part of a team. He also recalls advice from a mentor that one’s professional integrity and bar license should never be compromised, even if it means standing up to a client. 

• Ethical Leadership and Integrity: It is essential it is to care genuinely about people and not just transactional outcomes. 

• Handling Difficult Clients and Situations: Paul stresses the importance of not compromising principles for short-term gains and highlights the value of maintaining professionalism and patience in such situations. 

• Responsibility and Courage in Leadership: The need to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.   

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Paul R. Genender, a partner at Paul Hastings, leads the Complex Litigation and Arbitration practice and chairs the Texas Commercial Litigation practice. He represents a diverse range of clients in business disputes across multiple sectors and is known for his strategic litigation skills and high ethical standards. Recognized as a top commercial litigator by Chambers USA and other publications, Mr. Genender has also been honored with awards such as the President’s Award from Paul Quinn College and the James E. Coleman, Jr. “Her Champion Award” from the Dallas Women Lawyers Association. Active in various civic and educational organizations, he serves on the Board of Visitors at Duke University School of Law and has held significant roles in the Dallas Bar Association and other pro bono initiatives. 

Lisa Gardner is a corporate real estate thought leader and co-founder of OMS Strategic Advisors, LLC, focusing on real estate, strategy, and workforce development. With over 25 years of experience, she drives profitability by optimizing human capital, leading diversity initiatives, and crafting corporate strategies. She has managed national accounts for Fortune 500 companies like Wal-Mart and AT&T, and revitalized multicultural marketing for JCPenney. Lisa serves on the Executive Board of SMU's Cox School of Business and contributes to DCEO Magazine. She is active in her community at Gateway Church and lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children.