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101-year-old lawyer still working

user iconKate Gibbs 24 August 2009 SME Law

Jack Borden, a lawyer, arrives at his law office at 6.30am every day. Recently, Borden celebrated his 101st birthday, and was named 'America's Outstanding Oldest Worker for 2009'.

JACK Borden, a lawyer, arrives at his law office at 6.30am every day. Recently, Borden celebrated his 101st birthday, and was named 'America's Outstanding Oldest Worker for 2009' by Experience Works, a training and employment service.

Borden, of Weatherford, Texas, celebrated his 101st birthday this month. In an interview, Borden said he started work at 5 years of age, and has worked ever since.

"People say 'why don't you retire' and I don't know anything other than work. I learned young to work and if I quit work now I don't think I'd live six months, maybe a year," said Borden.

"I'd have nothing to do and, as it is, I come down here, I get to see people, it keeps my mind fresh and I'm working still. Well I've got to come to work, that's all there is to it. I've been doing it all these years."

Borden was the mayor of his local town, and was the district attorney. "Well life's just been good to me."

The 101-year-old said he is going to keep coming to his law offices as long as he is physically able to get there.

"If it comes to the point that I have to come in a wheelchair, I'll be coming down here. Because this is all I know, to work," he said.

On why he works as a lawyer, Borden said: "There are so many people that I can help who really can't afford to pay an attorney. If I can help them ... Several times I have probated a will that had to be probated. The people didn't have the money. I even paid the court costs and not charged them anything. Because that is what I think the Lord allowed me to become an attorney to do."

"I am well enough off financially that I can afford to share it with someone else. I enjoy it, I enjoy talking to people."

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