Practicing law is, people will tell you, almost always a thankless task. You'll always get the standard "thanks for helping me release some millions that's been illegally withheld" type of client, who magically disappear without paying their fees. Or the "I don't care if I'm wrong, its your fault if I lose" types. Yeah, it's my fault the Court decides you're guilty of something you actually did do.
A lot of lawyers complain incessantly about the nature of the profession. Yep, I agree it's hard and it's never easy. But if you take pride in what you do, even the smallest things can give you a quiet sense of validation and satisfaction. It's all well and fine to have a bit of a moan sometimes, but you need to look past the hurt and pain and focus on your goal and purpose. Moaning too much and rolling around in it all day doesn't serve any purpose. I practice law to help people as best as I can, and regardless of these thankless little shits, I tend to remind myself that you don't really need people's gratitude if they choose not to give it to you. Virtue is its own reward. Steel your will and force yourself to plough through the things that will drag you down.
Anyways, I'm not here to moan. I'm here to talk about job satisfaction. This week, I received a surprising little pick-me-up. A partner of one of the biggest law firms in Malaysia called me up to discuss one of my reported cases. We had an intellectual and academic discussion since she is coming up against a similar situation where the opponent is quoting my case as an authority in support. Basically she wanted to know how to defeat my own argument. Imagine that.
To defeat the monster, talk to its creator to find out about its weaknesses or something. We had a quick chat, I gave her some hints (but I don't give handouts on a silver platter, no matter who you are), and at the end of the call, she told me that I did a good job on that case.
I somehow found it to be quite a fulfilling professional accomplishment to be acknowledged and given a pat on the back from someone other than myself. Hopefully if I lose the will to practice, I can re-read this post and look back on what I've done and accomplished so far, reported or no, and be reminded that I have actually made a difference, no matter how small or unnoticed.
Well done, me. I love my job.
