Monday Profile: William Crawforth

Attorney Bill Crawforth graduated from the Stephen Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He received his juris doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University. Crawforth has practiced Social Security law for 32 years and Workers' Compensation law for 22 years. He practiced in Detroit until 1999 when he relocated his practice to Ann Arbor. Crawforth has been married to Beth Silver, a dental hygienist, for 32 years. They have a son, Thomas (TJ), daughter in law, Libby and new granddaughter, Emersyn, who live in Herndon, Virginia. By Jo Mathis Legal News Residence: Dicken neighborhood in southwest Ann Arbor. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Sitting on our deck grilling chicken and listening to music. What is your greatest fear? My wife, son, daughter-in-law or granddaughter pre-deceasing me. Which living person do you most admire? There are two: My mother in law, Alice Silver, and my former suitemate, attorney Jean Ledwith King. What is the trait you hate most in yourself? I'm very judgmental. Part of the profession, I'm afraid. What is the trait you hate most in others? A tie between ignorance and intolerance. What is your most treasured possession? I value people and experiences more than things. The possessions that mean the most to me are ones that remind me of an experience or a person. One would be the ring I received for scoring the 2004 state champion Ann Arbor Pioneer baseball team. If you could do one thing professionally ... Just continue to build my practice so long as I remain healthy. What are your favorite websites? The Detroit Tigers and ESPN fantasy site during baseball season are two. I check annarbor.com & the Michigan Daily site to keep up on local news. Your proudest moment(s) as a lawyer? Every time I gain Social Security disability benefits or Workers' Compensation benefits for a deserving client. It's 7 a.m. Monday. How are you feeling? Energized. Generally I've been at the office for an hour plus. I normally speak with my brother, Tim, at 5:30 and catch up. Then I get ready for the day and head home to work out before continuing my work day, either back in the office or in court. What would surprise people about your job? How much of my time is spent reading medical records. Would you rather save money or time? Time, hands down. I feel extremely lucky to have figured that out relatively early (in my thirties). Aging is about spending more and more money freeing up time. When and where were you happiest? Recently, holding my month old granddaughter. What's your greatest achievement: On a personal level, a happy 32-year marriage and raising a wonderful son. Professionally, building a solid law practice the right way: putting the client first. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Eventually the acne will clear up. What would be your ideal job? I'm pretty happy with my law practice but Jim Leyland has my ideal job. What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? How organized and focused I need to be to do what I do. What do you wish more people understood? That good lawyers, like all good professionals, aren't in it for the money. Who is your favorite character of fiction? Like many lawyers, probably Atticus Finch. Published: Thu, Oct 4, 2012