There is nothing more exciting in the practice of law than taking a case from consult to a victory at trial (assuming the verdict holds up on appeal).
I love to try cases. Unfortunately, given the nature of civil practice, I don’t get the opportunity very often. Most of my trial experience comes from contested PJRs, family motions, and evictions.
More than anything it’s the creative and competitive process involved in trying a case that makes me excited to come to work in the morning. Sometimes it’s the 10th time you’ve looked over discovery and relevant case law that a breakthrough occurs. Finding that edge and exploiting it at trial is lots of fun.
Recently, I represented a client in the purchase of a home. The client made a $5000 deposit on the house. For a variety of reasons, the deal fell apart and the seller refused to refund the deposit.
From the outset, I was convinced my client was entitled to the refund of his deposit. Though as a judge once told me when confronted with a weak argument “that’s what lawyers do, make arguments, and often wind up believing them”. Thinking your client is right and proving your client is right can be two totally different things.
Given the small amount of money at stake, we opted to file a small claims suit. The other side offered to split the deposit to settle the case. We thought we had a strong case and rejected those offers. We were right. The magistrate awarded us the return of the deposit and denied the defendant’s counterclaim against my client.
This lead us to a trial before a magistrate. Whenever I’m at counsel table be it in small claims court or the appellate court – my adrenaline starts pumping. It’s the same feeling I get before participating in a sporting event. Frankly, it’s addicting. It’s exciting regardless of the venue or stakes.
It’s why I became a lawyer. It’s why I love being a lawyer. The day I don’t get excited about putting on my case before any court is the day I stop practicing law.