Damned Lawyers

It hurts my heart to pick up a case that is so far against the odds to win. Especially when it's a loser because of what some lawyer did. I am in the middle of writing an opposition to a motion for summary judgment (SJ motion = throw case out before trial, and I don't want that). This motion is chocked with very persuasive law that doesn't look good for my side! And here we are, picking up the pieces because another lawyer didn't have faith in our client. It makes me wonder what a little legal research would have done? But then, I guess all the research in the world doesn't matter if you don't believe the client. This woman is being railroaded by her husband. It is so hard for her to stay good and not be selfish and vindictive, considering everything he's put her through. She's a woman of faith, and right now, it's not looking so good... it's looking like she will have to really rely on the Lord to exact vengeance for her. Her husband is a total slime - and reading his transcripts makes me sick. I would love to confront him and say, "What did the hand say to the face? ... SLAP!" And this isn't even their divorce; it's an ancillary insurance case that I'm talking about. The divorce... we will probably have to seek judicial intervention to get them to produce the documents to show his income and why the hell their house shouldn't be sold. I really feel for her... this is the kind of person that you want to help, the kind that, in the movies, the fantastic breakthrough should occur for and gets the cheerful happy moment in the end. But wouldn't it be nice if life were like the movies? Only occasionally do you get a horrible ending (like Seven, with Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey). But most times, the ending is satisfying, maybe has a little romance. Would that were the case here. I will continue to do my best to be persuasive. I have a miniscule chance of making a precedent here in Maryland law; for her sake, I don't want to miss it. But in all honesty, I foresee a bad ending and her case dismissed. And this ancillary case is the one with the preening weenies. Dude, your motion will speak for itself. You don't need to attach a sing-song letter to the judge announcing your sickeningly pristine presence in the case. Fucking prick. This isn't grade school, and you don't get a gold star for bringing an apple to the teacher. Despite all this, helping people is what I enjoy doing. At this level, in a small firm, it's great because I can do that directly and see the impact immediately with clients. It doesn't pay much, but it's pretty darn satisfying. Some things are worth the pay cut. Experience is one of them. Personal rewards are another. Both together are out of this world. You can't really put a price on those two things, but sometimes they are infinitely worth the sacrifice in pay and lifestyle - especially when you're one of those damned lawyers.