The Reality Check 10 15 26

You know, before we get into the news of the day, I want to share something with our listening audience because I want them to hear it here first, and I want them to hear it from me first.

You know, one of the things I have said repeatedly on this program is is that I am moving into a very different stage in my professional life.

I'm no longer simply interested in building a successful law practice.

I'm interested in building a legacy.

And when we talk about legacy, I am not simply talking about leaving behind a name on a building, a law firm, or a collection of successful cases.

I'm talking about leaving behind people, strong people, prepared people, people who have been given the knowledge, the training, the opportunities, and the confidence to do things that they might not otherwise have imagined themselves doing.

In my case, I want to leave behind an extraordinary group of strong black lawyers who are equipped to walk into courtrooms across the country, sit at the most consequential litigation tables, and represent people whose voices might otherwise go unheard.

I want them to be prepared to handle the difficult cases, the complicated cases, the cases that require years of commitment, enormous financial resources, and the courage to challenge powerful institutions.

Because I understand something that is becoming clearer to me with each passing year.

You cannot build a legacy if you are unwilling to share what you know.

And you cannot prepare the next generation simply by telling them to work hard.

You have to open doors.

You have to invite them into rooms, into tables they would have never entered.

You have to sit them at the table, study the documents with them, participate in strategy.

Show them how you prepare witnesses, make arguments, and learn from both victories and setbacks that you've had over the course of your professional career.

That's what real mentorship looks like.

And that brings me to an announcement that I am making publicly for the very first time right here on The Reality Check.

Effective today, October 15, 2026, the Bagnaris firm and Royce DePlessis Law have entered into a reciprocal of counsel agreement.

That means our firms will be working collaboratively, sharing professional knowledge and litigation experience, and creating opportunities to develop and strengthen our respective practices.

I've watched Royce's development over the years, and I believe that he has tremendous potential as an attorney, not just as an elected official.

And I want to make that distinction.

Most people know Royce DuPlessis through his public service and political career.

But Royce is also a lawyer.

And I believe that with the right opportunities and hands-on experience and exposure to complex litigation, that he has the potential to become an important presence at some of the litigation tables where I have spent much of my career.

And that is not something that happens overnight.

You know, before we get into the news of the day, I want to share something with our listening audience because I want them to hear it here first, and I want them to hear it from me first.

You know, one of the things I have said repeatedly on this program is is that I am moving into a very different stage in my professional life.

I'm no longer simply interested in building a successful law practice.

I'm interested in building a legacy.

And when we talk about legacy, I am not simply talking about leaving behind a name on a building, a law firm, or a collection of successful cases.

I'm talking about leaving behind people, strong people, prepared people, people who have been given the knowledge, the training, the opportunities, and the confidence to do things that they might not otherwise have imagined themselves doing.

In my case, I want to leave behind an extraordinary group of strong black lawyers who are equipped to walk into courtrooms across the country, sit at the most consequential litigation tables, and represent people whose voices might otherwise go unheard.

I want them to be prepared to handle the difficult cases, the complicated cases, the cases that require years of commitment, enormous financial resources, and the courage to challenge powerful institutions.

Because I understand something that is becoming clearer to me with each passing year.

You cannot build a legacy if you are unwilling to share what you know.

And you cannot prepare the next generation simply by telling them to work hard.

You have to open doors.

You have to invite them into rooms, into tables they would have never entered.

You have to sit them at the table, study the documents with them, participate in strategy.

Show them how you prepare witnesses, make arguments, and learn from both victories and setbacks that you've had over the course of your professional career.

That's what real mentorship looks like.

And that brings me to an announcement that I am making publicly for the very first time right here on The Reality Check.

Effective today, October 15, 2026, the Bagnaris firm and Royce DePlessis Law have entered into a reciprocal of counsel agreement.

That means our firms will be working collaboratively, sharing professional knowledge and litigation experience, and creating opportunities to develop and strengthen our respective practices.

I've watched Royce's development over the years, and I believe that he has tremendous potential as an attorney, not just as an elected official.

And I want to make that distinction.

Most people know Royce DuPlessis through his public service and political career.

But Royce is also a lawyer.

And I believe that with the right opportunities and hands-on experience and exposure to complex litigation, that he has the potential to become an important presence at some of the litigation tables where I have spent much of my career.

And that is not something that happens overnight.