Rtn. Jordan M. Pizarras: First, A Strong Moral Foundation

Practicing law, although meaningful and rewarding, is a tough career. Being a lawyer isn’t easy, and not everyone is cut out for it. In fact, Rtn. Atty. Jordan M. Pizarras did not consider taking up law when he was young. A Bachelor of Science in Commerce graduate, his first job was in the accounting department of a company. Determined to climb the corporate leader, he felt he needed to take either a master’s or doctorate degree to advance his career. He decided to pursue law, as also inspired by his lawyer father.

But what makes a good attorney? Besides being passionate not only about his or her job, a lawyer must be equally passionate about helping others and truly compassionate to his or her clients. Having a strong moral foundation is important, says Rtn. Jordan, in order to have a positive impact on the life of a client.

In 2003, Rtn. Jordan founded Pizarras Flores Olandesca & Associates Law, an eight-lawyer firm engaged in Appellate Litigation, Corporate Law, Civil and Criminal Laws, Banking Laws, Commercial and Credit Transactions, Taxation, Family and Domestic Law, Environmental Law, Immigration Law, among other practice areas. He also now serves as Corporate Secretary to several companies in the Philippines.

Get to know more about Rtn. Jordan as he talks about his legal practice area and the most memorable case he has handled. He also shares sound advice to an aspiring lawyer.

Rhea Vitto Tabora (RVT): Was it your dream to become a lawyer? What motivated you to go into law practice?

Jordan M. Pizarras (JMP): No. It was not my dream to become a lawyer when I was young. After college, I worked in an Accounting department of a company and then I realized that I needed to take either a Master in Business Administration or a Juris Doctor Degree for me to advance the corporate ladder. I finally decided to take up law because of the advice of my former boss who knew that my father was a lawyer. To be able to help others is the most rewarding feeling.

RVT: Which legal practice area are you into and why did you choose it?

JMP: I am into appellate law. In my first few years as a lawyer, my boss was former Supreme Court Justice Hugo E. Gutierrez, Jr. and the firm where I worked was mainly engaged in appeals before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. When I went on my own and established my law firm, I was also into appellate law and that is where I am most comfortable with.

RVT: What do you like most about practicing law?

JMP: To be able to help others is the most rewarding feeling.

RVT: Without divulging sensitive details, can you share your most interesting/memorable case?

JMP: My most memorable case involves a multi-national company. I entered into the case when they had already lost in the Supreme Court. I was asked to file a Motion for Reconsideration. I did not think much about it until the head of the client’s legal department asked me to make a presentation before an industry-wide association. The case had a wide impact in the insurance industry. It affected the business model of the whole insurance industry. The decision was 3-2 against them. The two justices who ruled in their favor already retired so there was no one left to defend the dissenting opinion in the decision. The case went to the Supreme Court En Banc and the original decision was reversed. We prevailed in an almost unanimous decision.

RVT: How should lawyers/ law firms adapt to COVID-19 situation?

JMP: I think law firms and lawyers have adapted very well with the current COVID-19 situation by minimizing face-to-face meetings and utilizing the technology with online meetings and hearings.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring lawyer, what would it be?

My advice to an aspiring lawyer is to study hard, read the Bible and the classics in order to have a strong moral foundation and gain a deep understanding of human nature.

RVT: What do you wish you knew about practicing law before you got into it?

JMP: I wish I had immersed myself in the classics.

RVT: What are you passionate about?

JMP: I am passionate about helping people.

RVT: What’s the most important thing that people should know about you?

JMP: I don’t think I am a very important person. I only want people to know that God can use people like me to achieve great things for Himself.

RVT: What’s the best thing about joining the Rotary Club of Manila? How has the Rotary journey changed you?

JMP: I have seen how Rotary Club of Manila has been a real service organization and how the members devote themselves to public service and helping the less fortunate members of the society. This is a concrete way of obeying the command of our Lord Jesus to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty.