icon on In the early 1990s, Joe VanFleet, a young lawyer in Chicago, had a chance encounter with actor George Wendt—best known as Norm from Cheers—at the John Barleycorn pub. Wendt, in town for a theater production, invited VanFleet to sit and chat. Over two hours, they discussed comedy, acting, improv, and the joy of live performance.
The conversation took a turn when Wendt expressed disdain for the commercialization of entertainment and his dislike of lawyers, whom he blamed for turning art into a commodity. VanFleet revealed he was a lawyer, prompting Wendt to joke, “Good thing you didn’t lead with that.”
VanFleet tried to bridge the gap between their professions, arguing that good lawyers, like good artists, use creativity and skill to solve problems and build something new. Wendt eventually conceded that all industries have both good and bad people, and acknowledged that maybe VanFleet was one of the good ones - saying, “Maybe now there might be two lawyers that I like.”
The night ended with Wendt declining further contact but leaving VanFleet with a lasting impression. The experience taught VanFleet that lawyers can change perceptions by listening and understanding, and that being a lawyer doesn’t have to mean being the villain.
This summary is based on the ABA Journal article, “My Night With Norm: Lessons on the Law with George Wendt” by Joseph VanFleet, published on September 16, 2025.