Although John’s practice runs the gamut—including a wide range of transactional and litigation matters—John has a passion for appellate litigation. To every case, John brings a unique approach to legal problem solving. Three things set John apart.
First, at a law firm with dozens of seasoned attorneys whose expertise spans nearly every area of law, John knows the value of a team approach to legal problem solving. He leverages the extensive experience at his firm to bring cost-effective solutions to his clients’ pressing legal questions. John so believes in this collaborative approach that he rarely spends his “in-office” time holed up by himself. Instead, he spends the bulk of his “in-office” time meeting with clients, experts and his colleagues. To John, the office is a crucible for testing ideas and collaborating on next steps to achieve desired client outcomes.
Second, John knows the value of deep work. Solving hard problems requires a depth of focus that is rare in a world of endless email inboxes, incessant text messaging and constantly ringing phones—to say nothing of the beck and call of social media or the 24-hour news cycle. John shuns these distractions and starts his days early—deeply focused on solving his clients’ hardest problems. Whenever possible, John dedicates the morning hours to deep tasks that deliver the highest value to his clients. Much of an attorney’s job is written communication—whether that be a transactional document, like a contract or merger, or a litigation brief. Well-crafted communication requires sharp thinking and careful framing, honed through concentrated effort. John’s deliberate deep work practices help him promptly deliver high quality work to his clients and sets him apart from many of his peers.
Third, John understands how judges see cases. Before private practice, he gained a wealth of experience working with three distinguished jurists. Evaluating issues from a neutral perspective sharpened John’s legal vision. He sees both the strengths and weaknesses of his clients’ positions. And this knowledge allows John to help clients address risks before problems arise. John’s work with judges afforded him another benefit as well. Judges handle hundreds of cases, and John did too, in his time as a law clerk. Each case has distinct factual and legal issues, so John learned to waste no time getting to the heart of what’s important. One of John’s most important skills is his ability to quickly add value to a legal team—without endless hours “getting up to speed.”
Recommended Reading on John’s Deep Work Philosophy
Any of Cal Newport’s books, including Deep Work, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Digital Minimalism, and A World Without Email
The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg
Range, by David Epstein
Laura Vanderkam’s work, including The New Corner Office and Off The Clock
If you prefer listening to reading, John recommends Cal Newport’s “Deep Questions” podcast
Oral Argument in Allen v. Campbell, 499 P.3d 1103 (Idaho 2021). The time stamps for John E. Cutler’s argument are at 00:54 to 20:17 and 52:15 to 1:03:26
Oral Argument in Allen v. Campbell, 492 P.3d 1084 (Idaho 2021). The time stamps for John E. Cutler’s argument are at 00:25 to 26:19 and 56:05 to 59:45
