Georgia State University professor Perry Binder, self-described lawyer-turned-teacher, has published a light-hearted book that offers life lessons for his students as well as his fellow attorneys.

Binder said the book is a message of hope in difficult times. “Everyone has to laugh, think and act through everyday situations,” he said. “The things I stress are humor, passion, compassion and preparation.”

“Unlocking Your Rubber Room: 44 Off-the-Wall Lessons to Lighten and Transform Everyday Life,” is a 149-page hand-sized paperback that Binder self published with Langdon Street Press. (The book's Web site is http://www.YourRubberRoom.com).  He said he favors self publishing because he's a strong believer in ownership of intellectual property. “Just make sure you know what the upfront costs are, and make sure you own 100 percent of the intellectual property,” he said.

Binder is an assistant professor of legal studies at GSU's Robinson College of Business. He teaches legal ethics courses required for M.B.A. and undergraduate students. Before coming to Georgia State in 2000, he practiced law for a decade in Miami, where he also began his teaching career at a community college.

He said his students provided the inspiration for the book, but his experience with the law provided much of the content. He's been hearing from lawyers who relate to his comments about the emotional highs and lows of life as a litigator.

“My message for lawyers is it's a stressful industry and we all need to lighten up,” Binder said. “Humor, civility and humility are important for lawyers.”

The book defines a rubber room as “a confining mind-set where thoughts and possibilities bounce aimlessly,” and seeks to free the reader from conventional constraints. He asks the reader, in the prologue, to keep two questions in mind: “Do you take yourself too seriously? Do you actually know what you want out of life?”

The 44 lessons—which Binder said come from trial and error as a lawyer and a professor—are divided into three sections. They include such lessons as: “nothing is funny in the law;” “in stressful moments, lean on your strengths;” “distraction from learning is the key to learning;” “a gentle word of encouragement can last a lifetime;” and “find your light bulb moment.”

In deal making, Binder suggests, “If you make the other side look like heroes to the people who hold them accountable, they are more likely to do business with you again.”

On litigation: “Everything is a lawsuit waiting to happen.”

On ethics: “Something may be legal, but not necessarily moral.” He also says, “In the practice of law, there is a continual tension and interplay among business people, attorneys and morality.”

He said his take-home message for students is “follow your dreams, but have a backup plan.”