A year into his position at Polsinelli PC, attorney Dwayne Fulk is sticking to the values that made him an asset during his 17-year career at Neale & Newman LLP.
Fulk, who practiced in the areas of business, real estate, technology and international law, brings that corporate experience to his position as a shareholder and attorney at Polsinelli PC, where he started working in June 2012.
“I value and practice persistence and determination and I do my best to keep my commitments and hold myself, and others, accountable,” Fulk says of his work philosophy. “I try to demonstrate leadership by example through being a good follower, servant and team member myself, and I am constantly researching, discussing and observing ways to improve.
“I believe we establish our own credibility, integrity and ethical responsibility through honesty, self-discipline and actions and I attempt to do so in all my endeavors.”
Fulk says teamwork and accountability are necessary in the legal field, as effective delegation and division of duties would be difficult without building a cooperative workforce.
To that end, Fulk says he spends extra, nonbillable time upfront to organize a team for each client matter, establish roles and responsibilities for each team member and foster a spirit of full participation throughout the process.
“I communicate the client’s objectives to team members, help them understand how their efforts contribute to the overall goals, and empower and encourage them to share ideas about ways to obtain the desired results,” Fulk says. “I check in regularly and remain available to listen to problems and concerns, emphasize the importance of diverse ideas and differing opinions and manage conflict by encouraging full and open discussion.”
Fulk also plays a significant civic role in the Springfield area, participating in business, education and legal organizations, charitable groups and health care causes.
His current roles include president-elect of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association; president of the Safety Council of the Ozarks; vice president of the Ozarks Technical Community College Public Building Corp.; and secretary of the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.
SMBA Executive Director Crista Hogan says among the roughly 900 members of the local bar association, Fulk is a standout.
“Where most volunteers have good intent, Dwayne follows through with action,” Hogan says. “It is very difficult to balance a demanding professional life, the countless organizations that Dwayne has offered to assist and still put a high priority on family, but Dwayne has managed to accomplish that daunting task.”
This year, Fulk was recognized by the SMBA with the President’s Award for Outstanding Service. A Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers magazine Rising Star honoree in 2008 and 2009, Fulk aids many family-owned businesses in succession and transition planning, as well as work for the technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism, educational and nonprofit industries.
“I think one of my greatest strengths is the ability to handle sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact, and I work hard to understand political motivations and other unspoken meanings behind peoples’ actions,” Fulk says.[[In-content Ad]]
