20 Small Things I Like About Work as a Litigator/Trial Lawyer.

1. Walking to court.
2. Sitting through a motion calendar, waiting my turn, listening to the arguments.
3. 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.
4. Having a drink with opposing counsel after the trial is over.
5. That moment in argument when you realize the Judge suddenly gets the point you are making.
6. That moment on cross-examination when the witness recognizes there is no answer he can give that doesn’t damage his case.
7. When you require the slippery witness in a deposition, after repeated efforts, to actually answer the question you asked.
8. 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.”
9. When a deposition actually occurs on the date and at the time it was actually noticed for.
10. When you make payroll, pay your monthly expenses, take your monthly draw, and there is still a nice chunk left over.
11. When you receive a call from a prospective client referred to you by somebody you don’t even know.
12. Swapping trial tales over drinks with a long-time colleague.
13. The reaction of opposing counsel when you suggest a face-to-face meet and confer on discovery issues as opposed to email/letter exchanges.
14. Your associate’s reaction when she nails oral argument and wins a difficult motion.
15. Big lawyer social events.
16. Serving substantive, detailed, discovery responses, without objections, and not being worried about it.
17. When, after a case concludes, one way or the other, your client says, “Thank you!”
18. When your client’s deposition is concluded, and you can say without reservation or doubt, “That went well!”
19. When the jury walks back into the courtroom after deliberations – the drama!
20. Getting to do, getting paid to do, this meaningful, interesting, and challenging work!