Humility
Today I was called by the AG's office at 11:15 a.m. and informed of an "emergency" hearing at 2:15 p.m. at which the parental rights of one of my clients were at stake, and I was given the opportunity to learn great humility. I marshalled my energies, gathered my ducks to set them firmly in a row, calmed my client and headed into battle.
Whereupon I tanked.
I stammered, I stuttered, my heart raced and I failed to speak clearly about anything. Honestly? I didn't know I could be so ill-spoken. Fortunately, the judge had a less cluttered view of the applicable law than I was presenting, and justice prevailed... in spite of me. I kid you not, the judge himself had to look up the pertinent statute and quote it into the record as part of his ruling because I had so miserably failed to present him anything of value in making his decision.
My client walked away triumphant, and the outcome was right and proper. For this I am enormously grateful.
I am also unimaginably humbled. And I never want to be a lawyer ever again. Wake me when I'm retired, and not one moment before.
posted by eclectic @ 8:27 PM
30 comments
30 Comments:
So what you're saying is *gasp* you're human?
I've sat through many of those emergency hearings. Sometimes I was even the one recommending the rights be terminated. It's a very emotionally charged atmosphere. Cut yourself some slack.
Don't make me come over there and sit in your hot tub and drink your booze...because I'll do it if I have to!
let's quit this law game, you and me, and take up drinking full time.
what say you?
I have moments (eternities) where I'll be asked some tech question and (not being afraid to speak my mind, as you know) I'll say, "Derrr, I dunno." And then I return to my office. 30 minutes later like ten different solutions pop in my head and I'm like, "oopsie."
I just chalk it up to not enough caffiene and Red Hots in my system and remedy that.
Maybe, as some have told me, you at 50% capacity are better than most at 100%. Or maybe it was karmic -- you've put out enough goodstuff that the universe cut you some slack. Humility is a good thing. I don't think you've ever misplaced yours.
And sometimes, every now and then, right and proper prevails without our help. That's a good thing, too.
I love and admire you so much.
TG: Human?? WHAT?!? Nuh-uh, you take that back! Thank you, though. And... the hottub is waiting.
Kat!: Yes please. How's today sound?
Bloggy: **note to self: lay in emergency supply of red hots ASAP**
Susie: OK, OK... I don't know what magic crystal you have, but that was quite possibly the perfect thing to say to me right now; and coming from you especially, because I love and admire you, too, y'know. Thank you, THANK YOU, for those desperately, deeply appreciated words, my sister.
I think all people have had these moments in a profession they understand very well. I know I have. Don't be so hard on yourself. Public speaking is one of the hardest things a person can do.
I'm happy your client won & I am SURE you did play a part in that even if you don't beleive that you did.
I personally think you are a rockstar & you can represent me anytime:)
Love you,
S
Repeat what Bloggy said but in a female voice and that's what I really want to say ;-). I'm just super happy things worked out! Proof 1 that good things happen to good people!
Oh ya, I'm in on this hottub action too! A buddy brought up this wine he loves from out west, Druid Fluid? I had a good laugh about "sipping on some monk spunk" but ultimately I really would like to try it! Cannot find it out this way so I guess I'm going to have to fly out there eh?
I have SO much respect and admiration for you that it actually hurts me to read this. You'll be okay. You'll "find" yourself again with this and you will believe in yourself again. How do I know this? Because I know you, my friend. You are, hands down, one of the kindest, most intelligent and giving people I have ever met. You are my friend and I love you.
Ang
....And March will be here soon! Ready for some girl time with us and the Q?
Oh wow. A lawyer who admits they're uhhh, capable of a mistake? Honey, can I hire you? How 'bout a retainer? I'm yours!
Your humility is one of the things I love most about you. Honestly, you have every right to be so fricking stuck up and condescending, but for whatever reason, you're not. Thank goodness, 'cause you'd probably *never* talk to people like me if you were ;-)
But I'm sorry you had to be rudely reminded because you don't deserve that. But see, things worked out anyway because even when you're "off", you're still somewhat "on". And that you do deserve (a little slack) my Friend.
~The Q
Shelly: Thanks sweetie! You guys are just waaaaaay too good to me, but I'm grateful. It was a really, really crappy day Friday. But being able to say it out loud here really helped. Love you, too!
Chia: Bloggy has a female voice? And it's YOU?!?! This is AWESOME! ;) And yeah, I definitely think you should fly out here -- the hottub awaits, but I've never heard of Druid Fluid. Sounds skirry!
Angie: Aw honey, I don't mean to make you hurt. You've got enough of that going on for the time being. Thank you for caring, though. It means a lot to me that you do. And I'm doing better this weekend, thank goodness. Love you, too!!!
March? March when?? Is the Q planning a trip up??
Traci: Does that mean you'll come visit? You're on!
Q: Hey, just because I can't yet read printed English in the marketplace, is no reason for you to assume I'm humble...! ;) Thank you for your kind words, Sooze -- you're too kind, and I love that about you!
Susie said what I wanted to. You are an overachiever and can't accept anything less than total perfection from yourself. You're effin' good, girl. Don't get so pissed at yourself up for coming down to a human level for once. Everything turned out for the best.
Now quit beating up my sister. She's a pretty spectacular person. mmmkay?
Oh Sweetie... see, now THAT is why I have chosen a career where the stakes are WAY lower... YOU, however, are a wonderfully courageous and brilliant woman... who just happened to have one off day.
*makes another wish to be more like Eclectic and Susie*
Everyone is entitled to a bad day and although the stakes are high in your field and a bad day could be a disaster at least you took something from it.
Well gosh, if I were ever in trouble I'd still want you to be my lawyer. And if I were working out at the gym I'd still want you to spot me. Now how many other people do you think I can say that about, huh?
(And if I were to ride a bicycle from Seattle to Portland, I'd totally want you there.)
I'm with William, we all have bad days at work - it's just that in your game the stakes are higher. The important thing is that you got the result that you wanted. I hope you're feeling much better about it now.
Oh, Shari, I'm sorry.
I don't think humility was really something you were lacking, though. And having seen some of the uglier parts of such cases (I had foster brothers and sisters growing up), I can't imagine anyone being able to speak well at such a thing. The fact that this was an exception is but one more testament to your sickening skills.
That might be jealousy talking.
Humility is a good thing. I try to be humbled once or twice a day. Often it's you who does it, so I'm thinking this is the universe getting even.
And here's the thing: ten people could go through what you went through and nine of them would come away thinking "I'm so good I can't lose even at half speed."
You have a bad day and have the sheer ovaries to come here, tell us you screwed up, and tell us what you've learned from it.
How humbling is that ... for the rest of us?
Dammit. You've done it again.
Cut that out.
I'm seconding Kat's idea. Everyone loves a drunk lawyer.
Ah, a brain fart and Monday combined. It is a miracle you didn't start speaking Swahili. I recommend a chocolate IV-STAT!
I think you rock. I could never speak in front of important people like that. I'd pee my pants. That would be from my bladder stuttering.
Squirl: Susie took your comment on account of you're sisters, is why. And of course, you're right -- everything turned out alright. So, thanks for stickin' up for me, eh Sis?
CK: Awwww, stakes-shmakes... when someone else is counting on you, the stakes are always high. But you seem to know just what to say to make me smile. I wish I were more like you and Susie.
William: Y'know, you sounded JUST like my dad there! Thank you, Bill.
Fisty: Ride a bicycle from Seattle to Portland? That's just crazy talk -- who'd do something like that? ;)
Platy: Thank you!! I am feeling better, and today went very well. A little humble pie never hurts I guess.
Matt: Thanks, bro. Lucky for me, this particular case has truly been a pleasure, although I've had the horror story ones too, but this parent is exemplary. The Dept. made a mistake.
Nilbo: You say nice things. I like that about you!
Dustin: You say that like maybe there's another kind of lawyer?
Kranki: Mmmmm.... chocolate! And next time, I totally going to switch to Swahili -- and tell them I did it on purpose!!
*sending hugs and chocolate bars*
(((Eclectic)))
You've pretty much described my typical trial performance. I generally think that watching my closing arguments must be like watching two cats screw their way out of a paper-bag. A lot of yelling and thrashing about that comes to an abrupt end with a mad dash for freedom.
Listen, you won, so you did something right.
And tell Tysgirl to move over and quit bogarting the booze.
So what you're saying, Limpy, is that your closing arguments are very similar to your sex life?
I hope for your client's sake your closing is capable of going longer than 7 minutes! Nobody likes a man who can't get the job done!
There's a lot of pussy in both Tysgirl.
Good ending. More than once have I been unable to communicate in a court hearing, which ain’t a good thing for a social worker.
Mo/Dis: Mmmmmmmm.... chocolate!! Now where's the wine?
Limpy: There's plenty of booze. I'll even break out the Lagavulin 16 when you get here because that was really nice of you to say.
TG: Actually, juries prefer quickies. True story.
Limpy: *** putting hands over ears *** Lalalalalala, I can't hear you!!!!
Nick: Good ending, indeed. Although, I'll note for the record here that today the Dept. arranged another similar surprise in the same case, and sent it to me 10 minutes before a hearing. The Dept. then got spanked at the hearing, because I ratted them out.
You know I would hire you in a heartbeat. I am just saying . . .
At least you admit when you fuck up, which is a hell of a lot better than some people I know. I have thousands of dollars in legal fees to prove that one!
Oh, I had one of those moments yesterday...cringe-worthy for at least 24 hours!
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