How a Trial Lawyer Was Forged: Discipline, Mentorship, and the Art of Litigation

Inside the Making of a Litigator

What separates the average lawyer from the exceptional?

In Episode 09.2 of Confronting the Impossible, Leo Jacobs and Adam Sherman return for a deeper dive into Adam’s legal evolution — from loose beginnings to the razor-sharp mindset required for high-stakes litigation. It’s not just a tale of professional development. It’s a dual-track journey shaped by mentorship, method, and mindset.

From Loose to Lethal: Two Mentors, Two Mindsets

Adam’s path wasn’t linear. It was layered.

First came Jacques — a client-focused strategist who emphasized leverage, theater, and real-time maneuvering. Under his wing, Adam learned to think like a client, act like a negotiator, and treat litigation as a vehicle for business results.

Then came Tom — a Skadden-trained perfectionist who tore briefs apart and demanded clarity, structure, and legal rigor. Under Tom, Adam learned the art of writing, the science of arguments, and the discipline required to see 5 steps ahead.

“We got results using both methods. Now I try to combine them.”

What began as a flexible, intuitive approach was slowly sharpened into an elite, calibrated skillset. And with each case, each draft, and each defeat-turned-win, Adam discovered a truth: tight wins cases.

The Work That Wins — and What It Costs

But it wasn’t easy. Or fun.

“My personal enjoyment plummeted. It was incredibly difficult.”

Mastering detail, nuance, and credibility didn’t come without sacrifice. Long hours, constant revisions, and the weight of real consequences replaced spontaneity with structure — but also delivered results that looser tactics couldn’t.

And that tradeoff mattered.

“We thought we were going to lose. We won.”

Adam’s tightening wasn’t just technical. It was psychological. It was about embracing rigor — and using it to guide unpredictable, high-risk cases toward certainty.

The Jacobs P.C. Method: Flex + Force

Now a partner at Jacobs P.C., Adam brings both mentors with him — and adds another layer: adaptability.

Here, litigation is a tool for strategy. Cases don’t end at judgment — they begin. Whether it’s bankruptcy leverage, 240 remedies, or tactical settlement pressure, the firm plays to win — and redefines what winning means.

“We’re not just ending cases. We’re unlocking new chapters.”

Final Thought

This episode captures what most law school casebooks leave out:

That becoming a great litigator isn’t about suits or speeches. It’s about the right pressure at the right time — the loose insight of Jacques and the tight execution of Tom — applied with relentless intent.

It’s about knowing when to push, when to pause, and how to see the case not just from your perspective — but from every side of the table.

🎧 Watch Episode 02 nNow

Experience how pressure, process, and purpose shaped Adam Sherman into the lawyer he is today — and what that means for clients who expect to win.

PODCAST - Confronting the Impossible with Leo Jacobs.

Leo Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Jacobs PC

Known for finding creative, expedient solutions to complex and high-profile cases, Leo excels in matters including distressed investment and asset management, real estate law, corporate law, dispute resolution, business divorces, negotiation, and more. Leo’s extensive expertise in debt and equity structures enables him to employ a full spectrum of legal tools to achieve swift, optimal results for clients. His practice, Jacobs P.C., bridges commercial litigation, corporate transactions, and financial rehabilitation, handling cases across federal, state, and bankruptcy courts, as well as administrative tribunals.

If you would like to join the podcast email requests to pr@jacobspc.com