- Jerry Espenson: I apologize. I do retreat into... Well... a wooden cigarette when I feel insecure, which I feel a lot admittedly. I realize that alone might disqualify me as partnership material, but might I say in an arena where cutthroat is good, where a take-no-prisoners-eat-your- young mentality so often prevails, it might be nice for a law firm to include somebody who treats others with selflessness and kindness. Virtues perhaps more noble than unilateralism and tough-guy bravado. Maybe it's time for you to start looking for somebody who can embrace values like humility, graciousness, compassion. All tempered with intelligence. Maybe the bullying days are over.