What inspired you to write “The Misny Method” at this point in your career?
A few years ago, I spoke to about 150 kids at Chagrin Falls High School. I gave a general presentation about how to enjoy life, rise from failures and motivate oneself. The following week I received 19 thank you notes from some of the kids. It shocked me because I didn’t think high school students knew what mail was nor how to write in cursive. Their heartfelt messages included being inspired to have a better relationship with their parents and understanding that hard work beats talent, after hearing me speak. I thought maybe my story could resonate across the board, regardless of one’s economic status, age or race.
Local entrepreneur and marketing guru, Jim Kukral, asked me to speak at his seminar called, LET’S GO CLE, where about 200 business owners attended. Jim convinced me to collaborate on writing a book after the event. I think everyone should write a book because it gives you a new perspective on yourself.
Your slogan, “I’ll make them pay,” is one of the most recognizable brands in the legal system, if not in business to begin with. Did you ever imagine it would become this big as part of Cleveland culture?
No, no, no. It amazes me. I think it’s because the phrase resonates with people. They look at me as a big brother, an equalizer. Many of my clients don’t have the resources, knowledge or experience to go up against a multi-billion entity like the Cleveland Clinic, but we do. We bring in nationwide experts to establish liability and damages. Today, most insurance companies want to go into mediation and I’ve settled many cases for more money than I thought going into mediation. Clevelanders also know I’m a local guy and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here until the very end.
Was there one lesson you learned the hard way before it became part of your method?
I learned that you have to enjoy the moment. Unfortunately, in my life, I said, “I’m going to be happy when I get into St. Joe’s.” “I’m going to be happy when I get into law school.” “I’m going to be happy when…” I have 13-year-old twins and a 16-year-old son. They’ve taught me that the time I have with them is precious. It’s taught me to relish every moment. There was a time when I didn’t enjoy things as much as I should have. I was driven, driven, driven. But having kids affected me in a way that you relish every moment you have with them because you know it’s a privilege.
My 16-year-old will be off to college in two years. Last night I went to dinner with him and I so enjoyed it. Now, he’s looking at his phone talking to his girlfriend and looking out the window. I’m thinking he had a nice time, but I really relished our time together, because in two years, I won’t see him that much. His life just goes on from there. Before my kids, I was wondering why I wasn’t really happy. I was content. I wasn’t unhappy.
Reflecting on your decades in practice, what moment most changed the way you approach your work?
The moment in law school when my friend, Eddie Ryder, from Euclid realized I was down and full of self-doubt whether I was cut out for law school. My dad didn’t finish high school and enlisted in the army as military police. Eddie told me all I had to do was work hard and outlast the competition. I’ve never veered from that practice and it’s my cornerstone. I got that work ethic from my dad, who often worked, two, sometimes three jobs at a time. On weekends, he’d be painting the garage on his vacation or we’d be doing projects around the house. I find myself doing the same. I try to be a good role model for my kids. They see me cooking, doing the dishes and laundry and working on projects on our property. They participate too because they think this is what you do. You earn your keep, contribute and feel good about it. So, the work ethic is the most important thing.
How do you respond to people who think you’re an arrogant, in-your-face, ambulance-chasing lawyer?
It’s funny, because when something bad happens to them or their family, I suddenly become their best friend. And that tells you all you need to know. I’m not going to argue about who or what I am and try to justify it. I’m very content in my own skin. Am I a self-promoter? Hell yeah! And I’m not bashful about it.
I think I’m serving a purpose. I’m an advocate of the people and those I represent. I love my clients. Nobody from the country club is going to call me because many people in their network are lawyers. I represent people in a low economic stratum, people that have been chewed out by the system and never had any semblance of respect or encouragement given to them. I come in and give them that in truckloads and they’re overwhelmed. I wouldn’t change a thing.
What motivates you now that you’ve achieved financial success and name recognition?
Nothing is different from the first day. I still have that chip on my shoulder with something to prove.
What’s one question no interviewer ever asked that you wish they would?
Do I treat clients differently, depending on the case? The answer is no. I treat every client with utmost respect and make every effort possible to do so. It could be a case that’s worth $50,000 or $20 million. I treat each client the same and they get direct access to me through my cell phone.
What does your family think of the public Tim Misny?
My kids are immune to it and they could care less. They’re more concerned about where we’re going that night and what they’ll be eating. They’re more concerned with me just being a dad and our conversations.
What’s the biggest mistake ambitious professionals make early in their career?
It’s called Instant Gratification syndrome. They’ve been conditioned on driving through McDonald’s and two minutes later they have a Big Mac in their hand. Success takes time. It’s arduous and tougher than you ever imagined. That’s why I say, if you do what Jim and I discuss in the book, you’ll be a bigger success than you ever dreamt possible. Anyone who has kids can understand this. They’re five times harder to raise than you’d ever dream possible but 10x more gratifying.
To this day, I’m still like Johnny Appleseed, planting seeds every day of my life. This past week I was the first male ever to speak at the quarterly meeting for CLEO (Connect. Learn. Engage. Organize), a women’s business group, at the Akron Country Club. I signed books for 200 people, and driving home, I said, “I just planted 200 seedlings like Johnny Appleseed and someday, those seedlings are going to bear fruit.” It takes time. I’ve been at this practice for 45 years and still have the mindset that it just takes time.
What advice do you have for professionals who want to build a memorable personable brand without seeming inauthentic?
If it’s true, it has to be your essence. And if that’s the case, you don’t need to worry about being inauthentic. There are a lot of haters out there and you’ll never be able to appease them. Worry about being inauthentic when you work with an ad agency and come up with a jingle. Jingles are inauthentic. When somebody stands there and says, “My dad did this…,” or “My son and I are doing this… and the satisfaction we get is why we’re committed to doing it,” people are apt to say, “Hey, I like that guy.” The main reason people choose to work with someone is trust.
and laundry and working on projects on our property. They participate too because they think this is what you do. You earn your keep, contribute and feel good about it. So, the work ethic is the most important thing.
What responsibility do local figures have to give back to their community?
They have a phenomenal responsibility because every privilege comes with a duty. If they can’t lead that way, then they shouldn’t be in the limelight. Part of leading is giving back and unfortunately, we deserve better leaders. I hope someday the pendulum swings the other way.
What misconceptions do you think juries have about personal injury cases?
Jurors often think cases are trumped-up, full of false evidence. That’s the beauty of my practice. I only take significant injury cases. I represent people who, when we put the case forward in mediation or for settlement purposes, demonstrate catastrophic injury. There’s no question that the injury is life changing. I’ve learned that bad accidents don’t only affect the client, but the whole family, sometimes for generations. In some birth injury cases, the parents are going to die and the child is going to outlive the parents. Siblings then have to take over and it becomes generational.
What trends do you see happening in the legal system today that concern you?
The insurance companies are more emboldened and brutal to deal with. They force people into litigation, make them crumble and settle for next to nothing on a case. In some cases where someone was hurt badly, they walk away paying nothing when they are completely obligated to pay. I’ve never seen it worse. Thank God in all my major cases, we can file lawsuits, do requisite discovery, subpoena information, take depositions, etc. Then, when the cards are on the table, we can negotiate with the insurance company.
How do you hope people in Northeast Ohio remember your legacy?
I hope that they look at me as a kid from Euclid who used his underdog status as rocket fuel to do good things.
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