Bouncing Around the Courtroom

“The first time I ever heard the words ‘autonomous zone’ was at Phish’s Festival 8 in Indio, California, in 2009. It was in the context of the small city that Phish built there, on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club, that approximately 40,000 festivalgoers called their home for a long weekend. The festival was carefully curated—art installations, food, vendors, and even a Ferris wheel—intentionally designed to spark joy and conversations amongst the ‘Phans’ in attendance who chose to embrace the freedom that Phish cultivates through its vibrant, transient community.

“I would go on to see Phish at some of the most beloved music venues in the United States and, musically, the band has become renowned for their improvisational live performances. With a distinctive sound, blending their formal training as musicians and their decades of experience on and off the stage, Phish offers valuable insights to those listening to the lyrics of their songs. For example, as Trey Anastasio wrote in ‘More,’ ‘In a world gone mad, a world gone mad, there must be something more than this,’ he leaves the listener to decide what that ‘something more’ might be.

“For me, that means embracing my authentic self, personally and professionally. In doing so, I have been able to foster deeper connections with everyone, from clients to referral sources. Over the past few years, my practice has grown to be even more reflective of my core values and has evolved to allow me to focus on work that resonates with me. Now, more than ever, Phish inspires me to seek immeasurable success and to live a life beyond the dream.”

– Christine A. Szpet, elder law/estate planning & probate attorney and owner at Finger Lakes Attorney in Canandaigua, on the importance of the band Phish in her life and practice