Not many understand what a lawyer do. What people do know is that, lawyer goes to Court and that's all. This wrong mindset of course caused by the Hong Kong series and/or other law related series that didn't show much in details about what a lawyer need to do in their job. Wrong preceptions hence was wrongly placed in the mindset of almost everyone arounds me... including my brother and sometimes, my mother too. Well, I am not saying all as I do know some people did took efforts to understand.
More misunderstanding arose to people like me, a partner in a law firm, where almost everyone thought, I am the boss and therefore, I am A BOSS. None or shall I say, only a few would be able to understand what does a Partner means, especially in my shoe. To many, being a partner (one of the boss) in a law firm, will be like a boss in any business industries. (I am amazed of how people's mind can be that narrow). People expect a partner to be able to take leaves any time they want, can earn more income than anyone else, can have flexible time... etc. etc. (just like a boss in any business industries). But never did a person think properly of what a partner should do or rather what a partner/lawyer do.
Often, people misunderstood me and seriously, it has become a 'pain' lately. People think lawyer/partner is earning a lot and therefore, they do not need to be support for in terms of financial and I ended up, have to struggles through every single moment. I still remember there was once when I just started to work and my grandmother was in critical condition where my asked if both my brother and I can come back home to pay my grandmother a last visit. Without thinking, I agreed I should as I have been away from home for quite some time then. My brother came back upon being urged and of course at the end, he too felt, it's necessary. After the funeral, 2 out of 3 of us who took the efforts to come back received financial support and the lawyer, i.e. me, gets nothing as everyone thought that the lawyer should be able to take care of herself. Not only this particular of incident, there are lots more.
No one seems to understand what I am going through most of the time and it seems like even my parents demand that I take care of them (well, it is my responsibility no doubt) alone and not my brother (although my brother has been good as a son too). But the feeling of being left alone to take care and struggles all by myself alone... is kind of 'heart-aching' if you get what I mean. No one seems to understand how tough my life is for the past few years. It is easier for anyone else to take leaves instead of me as what you need to do is just to apply for it and you will get it. Works? Accountability to your clients? Billing? Collecting fees? Expenses? You just don't need to bother when you are in your sweet holiday. As for me, as a lawyer/partner, I have to plan ahead. I need to get as many things done as possible as others won't understand what deal I have with my clients. I can't ask my clerk to draft cause papers or do research. I bet you don't want that kind fo service too if you need a help from a lawyer. Yes?
A lawyer, besides meeting clients, getting businesses, we too need to sign documents, we need to do research. we need to draft cause papers, we need to do filing, we need to attend court and our time, all relied on the court diary instead of our own schedules and we too, need to prepare ourselves before the hearing and/or trial. Trust me, a Trial is more than a presentation or a research thesis that you did for your degree and/or your master degree. May be one trial around one of your PhD thesis/research, which it usually took you a year or 3 to finish. As for lawyer like us who goes to court, we need to finish a research less than a year and even before filing some of our cause papers.
So, don't think that I only need to presence in court for my hearing and/or trial. It's more than that. If I tell you I have court tomorrow, it does mean, I probably struggles through it since a week ago already.
Oh well... what can I say? I have been bearing all these misunderstanding all these while and I am seriously tired now.
- a lawyer's struggles ...-
2 comments:
Take heart, Pei San...for God sees all that you are going through. Most people may not know or understand your struggles and sufferings but be assured that He does. He has promised He will never give you anything that you cannot undertake, for He knows your limit...And He has already bore all the sufferings that we were to suffer upon Himself...and had nailed them all to the cross...As He has emerged victorious over it all, so will you. Remember His promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He is always close to you, all you have to do is reach out to Him and He will hold your hand. Remember Peter, when he walked on the water and he started to sink because he was afraid, as he called out the Lord stretched forth His arms and caught him as he falls. God has said, "During the toughest trials and the worst storms in your life, you only see one set of footprints in the sand, for it is then that I carry you..." He is always with you, whenever, wherever...Remember also Paul, when he asked God to remove the thorn from his flesh, God told him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Sometimes, when we are suffering, it is then that God's power is made known to the fullest. It is then that we actually shine for Him, that His glory is seen in us, though we may not realize it. We are all bearing the cross in this life, just as Christ did when He walked on this earth 2,000 years ago. It is through enduring hardships and sufferings that we may become mature and complete, not lacking in anything. It is through all these that we may be moulded to become more like Christ. Also, God promised He will see to it that none of your sufferings shall go to waste. He will make sure that something good comes out of it in the end. So you are not suffering for nothing. God is in control of all things. Whatever that He has permitted to enter the gates of your life, He will use it for your good and for His glory. Always remember that you are not suffering in vain. He is always watching over you, and He will make sure that nothing that will destroy you ever happen to you. Be strong and courageous in the Lord. Continue to draw strength from Him. May the love of God, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace from the Holy Spirit guide and sustain you through it all...Will continue to keep you in prayers...God bless you much...
I know... but facing someone who put accusation on me at ALL time... I am tired.. so, i just 'complain' on what the PEOPLE are doing to me... not God... hahah...
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