20 Small Things I Like About Work as a Litigator/Trial Lawyer.
- Walking to court.
- Sitting through a motion calendar, waiting my turn, listening to the arguments.
- Completing the final version of the introductory paragraph of a motion or brief, when it says exactly what you want it to say, in exactly the way you want it to be said.
- Having a drink with opposing counsel after the trial is over.
- That moment in argument when you realize the Judge suddenly gets the point you are making.
- That moment on cross-examination when the witness recognizes there is no answer he can give that doesn’t damage his case.
- When you require the slippery witness in a deposition, after repeated efforts, to actually answer the question you asked.
- When opposing counsel is done cross-examining your client at trial, and the Judge turns to you and says “Redirect?”, and you can say “No, Your Honor.”
- When a deposition actually occurs on the date and at the time it was actually noticed for.
- When you make payroll, pay your monthly expenses, take your monthly draw, and there is still a nice chunk left over.
- When you receive a call from a prospective client referred to you by somebody you don’t even know.
- Swapping trial tales over drinks with a long-time colleague.
- The reaction of opposing counsel when you suggest a face-to-face meet and confer on discovery issues as opposed to email/letter exchanges.
- Your associate’s reaction when she nails oral argument and wins a difficult motion.
- Big lawyer social events.
- Serving substantive, detailed, discovery responses, without objections, and not being worried about it.
- When, after a case concludes, one way or the other, your client says, “Thank you!”
- When your client’s deposition is concluded, and you can say without reservation or doubt, “That went well!”
- When the jury walks back into the courtroom after deliberations – the drama!
- Getting to do, getting paid to do, this meaningful, interesting, and challenging work!
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