Sometime in February 2018, a newly called to the Bar lawyer approached me and asked if she can join my firm so she can work on her uncles' development projects. She signifies that she wants a bigger portion and I thought, it's fair and I can allow it. So I agreed to split the portion to 30% to the firm and 70% to her, after all, I thought of what Rev. Kenneth has done to help me up when I was a young lawyer then, I thought I can do the same to this new lawyer, Miss A too. Instead of 50% each (that was what I agreed with Rev Kenneth when I first joined his firm), that's what we agreed with, with only one condition, no discount should be reflected in the firm accounts. In case she wants to give a discount to her clients, she has to deduct it from her portion, not the firm. She agreed. On her request, I even printed her business card with the title Partner included, even though she has made no financial contribution to it. I allowed that because it is easier for her to approach her clients, etc.
For the past one year, not that she asked for discounts and all the monies to be paid back to her 100%, she has not given any contribution to the firm financially, through her portion. It's either she requested that 100% be given back to her, or that she will tell me she is giving her clients discounts and asked me to revert that to her. I allowed it 2 times and told her, it's not right and I hope she won't repeat it. Unfortunately, she continues her deed. Sometime in October 2018, I told her the 30-70% agreement doesn't work well because, for the whole year, she only contributed less than RM3,000.00 to the firm while my expenses have increased significantly because she refused to listen to my instruction to print black & white, etc. So, I asked her to start paying RM3,000 every month since November 2018, in the event her 30% contribution is lesser than RM3,000.00. She agreed, but again, she found another way to make sure she only pay RM3,000.00, even though her 30% portion is more than RM3,000.00.
I noticed this for 2 months and sometime around March 2019, she ordered 8 boxes of papers and printed 8 boxes (130 copies) of the agreement for a development project. Because of the low contribution and that she cheated on me earlier, I asked if her clients had paid an initial deposit and/or retention fees for the running of their project. You know the answer, it is No. She argued that it should be bear by the Firm. No. Unfortunately, it's not because if she continues to cheat, I will only be given RM3,000.00 per month and that it is not enough to cover all the expenses. RM3,000.00 is not even enough to cover half of the expenses of the firm each month and she argued that (a) she hardly in the office and therefore she shouldn't be charged for renting of office; (b) she didn't use much of the electricity and water and therefore, she shouldn't be contributing to half of the bills; (c) as for all the other facilities like photocopy and all, she said, she only use occasionally and therefore, RM3,000.00 should be enough. It is funny how she never thought about the firm name she has been using and how much efforts that is to build a firm name. Without this firm name, she couldn't even work or get into the panel-ship of some banks and/or financial institution. I believe she thought the firm name is free.
Long story short, when she ignored my request for retention fees from her developer (her uncle) and continue to ask my staff to do the printing for her, my staff informed me and I confronted her. On the same day, she got so emotional and angry and told me she couldn't work with someone who isn't flexible enough and she is leaving the firm. Hallelujah! I was overjoyed to be honest, that she said she is leaving because I was worry that she will stay on. One hour later, she realised her mistakes made and she texted me and asked if I can allow her to set up another branch, wholly run by her. I was amazed by her bravery to make such a request even though I was laughing at how naive she was that she realised now that the firm name is important. Oh well, the answer is certainly NO and I didn't want to bother how much losses she suffered because by now, I have made more losses and earning by being good to her. I had enough and I told her no and asked her to get all her stuff out by the day. To be honest, the whole office overjoyed the moment I told them, she is moving out.
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As I ponder about the above, I wonder if I have in any way done wrong, to allow her to join the firm, use the name of the firm and even gave her a title 'partner'. It's by rights that I should be given her all that? I don't think so.
Sometimes, being me, I too took God for granted. He has given us the rights, the privilege, the blessings, the name - His daughter, and what did we do about it? We took it for granted and made unnecessary and unfair demands from Him. We forgot that all the rights, privileges and blessings and even the name were given to us by love, by mercy and grace. We thought we can argue so we can get a bit more of 'extra benefits' and when we did gets it, we thought we are smart and we have the rights to it. We forgot that He gave us all that because He loves us, He allows it.
I have been sulking about why God made me be a practising lawyer instead of working in the corporate world or maybe today I am the Regional Head of Legal Department of some very famous big company or group of companies. I forgot that what He has given me today - according to some judges that I am a prominent lawyer, it is not by rights and it is not a privilege, it is a blessing, it is an act of mercy and grace from God. What I have today, be it an achievement or some sorts, it is in fact, from Him, given to me - without needing my contribution.
The flexibility that I have, the knowledge that I have, the common sense that I possess, somehow it's not what I should be getting by rights. It is from Him. I should be thankful for what I have today, including the opportunities given for me to go for mission trips (in the interior of Sabah or overseas), the privileged to know Him since I was born, the privileged to grow up in church compound, the opportunity to have parents who always serve God, the privilege and opportunity to studied overseas, etc. etc.
I am reminded that I should not take all these for granted. I should not be like Miss A, missed out all the privileges, rights and opportunity. Lord, help me to focus on You, and You alone!
- Take it for granted! -
