Karen Munoz – Associate Attorney
Last month I wrote about how we as lawyers do not make it to the places and paths we take on our own, that we should remember where we came from as we go forward.
When you look back on where you have been, you gain perspective on where you would like to go moving forward. With that in mind, I was recently compelled to revisit the topic at the “Legal Legends Award” luncheon for the American Constitution Society.
The awards ceremony was impressive. It was full of those whom I believe to be actual living, legal legends. It was hard not to feel in awe in the company of honorees Geoffrey R. Stone, Justice Mary Jane Theis, Carol A. Brook and Scott R. Lassar. Their collected list of accomplishments made me dizzy.
As I sat at the luncheon, I remember thinking to myself that I have a long way to go to get even halfway to the achievements of some of the speakers and honorees. I remember also feeling overwhelmed by the ceremony in conjunction with my ruminating internal monologue. I decided then to take a completely different approach.
When we dwell on the idea of comparison, we allow ourselves to be trapped by it. One might say we even encourage that entrapment as a way to escape personal responsibility. The message I consciously chose to take away from that afternoon was, I believe, healthier, more inspiring. What I decided to take from it was that we should, especially as younger lawyers, begin to look forward to our true potential.
It is easy to sit back and do nothing and then feel the green-eyed monster pop up when we are confronted with the accolades of others. However, that mentality ultimately serves no one. It does not serve your own mental health and it certainly doesn’t serve the world around us. It is much more fulfilling to take your situation into your own hands and to embrace your own agency in society.
No matter where we are in life, we have all acquired valuable skills. Some skills we gained in school, some during the practice of law and still others come from those areas of our personal lives that make us each a treasured individual.
No matter what your current position is within the legal community, we are all in a position to make a difference. I personally applaud those around us who have been able to give so much back to our legal community and to the greater community at large. We should take their examples as inspiration to do good things.
There is nothing to stop us from learning from those who inspire us. We don’t have to vow to save the world. We can vow to start walking up the stairs, tiny step by tiny step, until one day, we can look back and see a long, impressive stairway.
There are a multitude of organizations and individuals who need legal aid. My suggestion is to find those in your life who you feel personal empathy towards. Figure out what your unique skill set is, what you as an attorney have to offer that no one else does. Find those for whom you can do some good. Find them and help them.
Sometimes just giving a voice to the injustices and acting as an advocate on behalf of those who need us most is enough. Some people just want to be heard. There is never going to be a successful resolution on behalf of every client you take on, but sometimes, being heard is enough.
Having a voice in the courtroom or someone in your corner is sometimes enough. There are many voices that have been neglected by our legal system, and they could easily keep us busy for years to come. It doesn’t mean that we are going to be able to help every single person out there or be able to fix every problem that exists in the legal system. If we don’t try, however, we will never know. Conversely, if we don’t try, then we never fail. And if we don’t fail then we never learn.
As I think back on that luncheon, I am also meditating on the generational changes that I have witnessed of late. Those of us who have been outstanding veterans in the field are being honored. Those who are just now passing the bar are being welcomed.
It occurs to me there are plenty of young law students and newly minted attorneys out there who need mentors. I know my mentors have been an invaluable resource in my professional life. Their experience and knowledge have helped make my career what it is today, and they continue to propel me forward.
It is my great hope that through my position as an attorney, I will not only be able to make the world a slightly better place, but I will be able to help those who come after me in this role. I look forward to the day when I can look back on my career and know there will be others to take my place.
advice on swimsuit then fashion holds towards 8 year old girls and boys alike
christina aguilera weight loss can make your house beautiful
miranda lambert weight lossCute Ways To Wear Fashion Ugg