Behind Blue Eyes

The true story of how an ERISA attorney transcended the confines of his corner office via a trip to the unknown. Travelling via a container ship, followed by a hypothermic climb up the side of a Ugandan mountain, to the Roof of Africa, the toe of Italy and the finish line of a marathon in Bordeaux, this is the story of how Mark S. Miller unplugged from Big Law, only to emerge back in that office energized like never before--resulting in the expansion of an already sophisticated law practice...and you can too. This book will:

-help you elevate your career to a new level where client satisfaction and client engagement drive revenue, instead of focusing solely on billable hours

-offer an alternative way to practice law in today's highly competitive market that will bolster personal and professional satisfaction

-motivate you to test the unspoken code of law (living to bill hours) and transform your legal career, and billable hours, into a fulfilling vocation

-show you how a time-out can push you beyond your comfort zone, allowing you to embrace your fears and attune you to your passion--and how that can support even the most sophisticated and satisfying law practices

Mark is a successful ERISA lawyer at one of the most prestigious international law firms. He has developed a sophisticated and complex ERISA practice and is recognized as one of the top ERISA lawyers. However, Mark's adventurous side was clouded by the heavy demands of law, and in the middle of his rising career, and with a huge leap of faith, he asked for and received an unprecedented adult time-out. His time-out began on a container ship crossing the Atlantic with 16 crew members and four Ukrainian officers, all of whom spoke little English, and then headed towards the back roads of Africa, Italy and France. What Mark did not expect to discover on his journey was the reawakening of his spirit. It was the beginning of a new life feeding his soul with experiences outside the walls of an office on the 47th floor. This was the rebirth of Mark S. Miller. What transpired afterward is what matters most. Mark took what he learned from his experiences on this trip and applied them to his practice. Mark's revenue increased with a surge of new business traditionally not performed, without increasing his billing hours. He firmly believes that lawyers will undeniably transform their careers by stepping out of their routine of billing hours with a break that is longer than a two-week vacation sipping Coronas on a beach. He believes the road less traveled (aka taking an adult time-out) is best. Temporarily unplugging from a demanding career, rather than quitting, will allow you to rediscover how marvelous your career really can be. Mark S. Miller is an ERISA attorney for a leading international law firm. He is also a father, grandfather, mountain climber, cyclist, marathoner and true modern day adventurer. He currently lives in Houston, Texas.