Thursday, August 21, 1997

As a 53-year-old litigator, Michael Abrams is slowing down. Actually, he's been slowing down since 1969, when he began practicing law, but not in the way that you'd expect most veteran litigators to decelerate their lifestyles.

Abrams has mastered the Chinese martial art of tai chi. In fact, he's become so adept at the slow-motion movements, that he's been teaching it since the mid-'70s as a relaxation technique for lawyers. The State Bar has approved the course for one hour of MCLE credit. Also known as "meditation in motion," tai chi ch'uan comprises a choreographed sequence of slow movements accompanied by deep, controlled breathing. For someone who's used to a fast-paced schedule, such exercises tend to come in handy.

"I do tai chi first thing in the morning," Abrams says. "I start the day with a peaceful, relaxing exercise. It sets the tone for the day."

As a lawyer on the West side of Los Angeles, Abrams, like most lawyers could use some tranquility, because according to Abrams, tai chi "teaches you to calm down and it teaches you breathing techniques."

That's not to say that, while making a court appearance, Abrams will break into a slowmotion, choreographed routine during a sidebar conference. The martial arts master will tell you, however, that he'll "do some breathing techniques just to relax in the courtroom. "

As a wrestler in both high school and college, Abrams has long had an interest for what he calls "combat-related things." Upon earning his J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1968, he worked at the attorney general's office in downtown Los Angeles.

While there, he started taking karate lessons from a co-worker. He took up tai chi soon thereafter. He has since practiced other martial arts, including jiu jitsu, kung fu and karate.

His martial arts expertise seems to have complemented his law practice quite well, as his litigation practice primarily involves family law, business and banking - hardly the most serene specialties. In 1980, he founded Alliance Bank in Culver City. Since then he has been one of the bank's directors. He is also the institution's general counsel, while still in private practice at The Law Office of Michael Abrams.

Despite Abrams' professional achievements, however, the therapeutic benefits of tai chi remain an integral part of his life, and according to Abrams, "litigators need that."