Yin and yang are, of course, Chinese archetypes describing two opposing aspects of a single common principle. Yin is generally characterized as soft, slow, tranquil and gentle, while Yang is hot, restless, hard and rapid. Westerners assume one is female and the other male, but that’s not strictly true.

In Chinese philosophy, both coexist, complementing even as they stand opposite. Either gender can possess elements of either aspect without automatically being labeled as “sissy” or “butch.”

Still, we’re talking about practical principles here and what yin and yang teach us is, when working your cases, it is important not to overload on any one approach. Too gentle never works, but neither does too harsh.

The best lawyers find a balance point and they work it.