After practically three a long time in regulation, Paul Petruska reached a degree the place he knew one thing needed to change. Somewhat than chase a job with added stress, he determined to pursue a model of success that was extra aligned with how he wished to stay.
A place as regional trial counsel had been on the desk, and since he had the expertise, background, and fame for it, it appeared just like the logical subsequent transfer. But when he frolicked observing others already in that function, the tradeoffs turned inconceivable to disregard.
“I as soon as thought I wished to be a regional trial counsel,” he mentioned. “However after spending time with these already in that function, I spotted the fee was too excessive—poor sleep, rising nervousness, and a diminishing sense of function.”
Letting go of the thought of turning into a regional trial counsel marked a turning level in his life. At this time, Petruska works in litigation, property planning, and small enterprise advisory. The main focus inside his follow could have shifted, however his course in life has solely grown stronger.
A Routine That Leaves Room to Suppose
For Petruska, every morning begins with a couple of minutes of reflection. He units apart ten minutes to reset earlier than the day begins, and when time permits, he provides in a stroll along with his canine, easing into the morning with intention and area to assume.
Every day appears to be like completely different, organized across the tempo and calls for of his follow, which he retains observe of with a to-do checklist. Mornings are put aside for litigation, which regularly includes time-sensitive choices, fast-moving updates, and shopper communication that may’t be delayed. Later within the day, he turns to enterprise advising and property planning, which are inclined to require extra prolonged conversations and extra centered consideration.
By separating his day into blocks, he’s in a position to match every sort of activity with the power it requires, and the variability permits him to keep away from getting caught in the identical routine each day.
A Vacation Weekend That Set the Tone
Earlier in his profession, Petruska was assigned 9 motions and 9 writs of mandamus simply earlier than Christmas. At that time, he hadn’t written a writ of mandamus earlier than and didn’t know what it concerned.
Somewhat than get caught in evaluation paralysis, he relied on one in all his biggest strengths—his capability to study rapidly and adapt underneath stress. He spent the vacation weekend leaning into the task, instructing himself the fabric and finally ending every part on time.
“That second confirmed my capability to show myself unfamiliar regulation rapidly and successfully,” he mentioned. “It taught me that irrespective of how intimidating a authorized drawback could seem, it may be mastered by focus and resourcefulness.”
What may need been a confidence-shaking weekend turned an enduring lesson. Now, every time unfamiliar topics come up, whether or not in litigation or property planning, he begins by taking the time to grasp the fabric after which transferring ahead by no matter means obligatory.
This capability to adapt has served him effectively all through his profession. When his work in railroad regulation abruptly turned much less related, he pivoted to asbestos litigation. Whereas the circumstances weren’t notably fulfilling, they taught him the way to lead a workforce by a transitional interval, all whereas supporting shoppers.
“Resilience isn’t nearly grit—it’s about evolving with integrity,” he mentioned.
At one level, Petruska’s regulation license was suspended, forcing him to reevaluate the trail he was on. When he returned to practising regulation, he did so with a stronger sense of function, grounded in curiosity, grit, and humility. Viewing these challenges as classes helped him come again with better readability and focus for the highway forward.
Staying Engaged and Evolving Alongside a Altering Business
Paul Petruska holds certification as an eDiscovery Specialist (CEDS) and stays concerned with authorized know-how by conferences, webinars, and panel discussions. His talking subjects embody AI-assisted doc assessment, discovery reform, and digital contract techniques.
“Talking on these subjects additionally retains me accountable to studying them,” he mentioned.
For him, authorized know-how isn’t a substitute for essential considering. As a substitute, it’s a solution to help constant, organized, and moral work. Instruments that enhance transparency, streamline evaluations, or safeguard digital proof allow attorneys to spend extra time specializing in what issues: understanding the shopper’s basic targets and executing them successfully.
“Whether or not it’s AI-supported doc assessment or court-admissible digital proof, I imagine integrating new instruments enhances effectivity with out sacrificing integrity,” he mentioned.
Petruska has additionally taught regulation on the graduate degree, serving as an adjunct professor at Saint Louis College College of Legislation. He frequently presents at conferences and boards, contributing to each skilled and educational conversations.
Main By means of Service and by Instance
Neighborhood engagement stays one of the vital necessary elements of Petruska’s life. Along with being a husband and father of two, he actively serves in management positions that mirror his long-standing dedication to service. He’s President of the Board for USTA St. Louis and Vice President of the Board for Flance Early Childhood Heart.
By means of these roles, he focuses on increasing entry to early training and supporting efforts to revitalize tennis as a sport centered on character, inclusion, and neighborhood. Mentorship and volunteer work additionally play a significant half in his life. He advocates for applications that spend money on youth improvement and household well-being, usually contributing time and help behind the scenes in addition to in formal management positions.
All through his profession, Petruska has contributed to each educational {and professional} discussions, together with his time as an adjunct professor at Saint Louis College College of Legislation. He continues to talk at conferences and boards, the place his subjects usually embody innovation, know-how, and communication.
Two individuals stand out as probably the most influential in his profession, beginning along with his father. A doctor who handled sufferers with most cancers and blood problems, his father left a deep impression, not solely on Petruska, however on the various lives he modified. Even now, a long time later, individuals nonetheless come as much as share how a lot his father meant to them.
Seeing the lasting affect his father had on the neighborhood conjures up him to pursue an identical legacy. That want to work laborious and go away one thing significant behind solely grew stronger because of mentors like Russ Waters. He entrusted Petruska with vital circumstances early on, serving to him imagine in himself at a time when he was nonetheless looking for his footing.
These early influences proceed to form his management model as we speak. Whether or not making ready a keynote, planning a neighborhood initiative, or advising a shopper, his guiding philosophy is rooted in belief, humility, and a dedication to lifelong studying. He firmly believes in second possibilities and views each determination as a part of his legacy—one which he strives to construct on integrity, service, and significant contribution.
Listening First, Planning Second
Petruska’s strategy to every case begins with curiosity. He takes the time to hear carefully and punctiliously, not simply to what shoppers say, however to what they won’t have phrases for but. The extra context he will get upfront, the higher the method can fall into place.
“Purchasers don’t all the time know what they want,” he mentioned. “Thoroughness usually begins with uncovering what isn’t being mentioned.”
As soon as he has the entire image, Petruska begins placing a plan into place. He organizes paperwork, units clear expectations early, and ensures that any potential stress factors are addressed earlier than they turn out to be issues. His strategy is constant and detail-oriented, with enough flexibility to adapt when circumstances change. Purchasers return as a result of they know he’ll hear, observe by, and stay calm, even when issues really feel pressing or unsure.
“I worth belief and transparency, and I view my function as a authorized advisor as one in all being a highly-paid drawback solver. Folks come to me as a result of they belief that I care, not simply that I do know the regulation,” he mentioned.
Measuring His Profession by Which means
For attorneys nonetheless determining their path, Paul Petruska provides simple recommendation:
“Don’t chase titles—chase success,” he mentioned. “Success isn’t being named accomplice; it’s being happy with your work and nonetheless having time and area to get pleasure from your life.”
That features figuring out when to ask for help, caring for your psychological well being, and doing the type of authorized work you may stand behind on the finish of the day. When challenges come up, he emphasizes the significance of advocating for your self and growing self-awareness.
To him, being profitable isn’t about billing probably the most hours or closing the most important deal. It’s about what he leaves behind.
“Your worth isn’t simply what you invoice—it’s the distinction you make in individuals’s lives,” he mentioned. “Discover the world of regulation that allows you to sleep at night time—and run towards it.”
Over time, Petruska has redefined success on his personal phrases. The model of regulation he practices as we speak is one that’s deeply influenced by reflection and grounded in a deeper understanding of what really issues. As a substitute of measuring his success by status, he focuses on function and long-term affect, making certain he can lead a life he’s happy with.
