EXCERPTS FROM "IMPOSED WISDOM" - Fall 2011-Spr 2012-Sum 2012
Excerpts from Journal Responses which were sent in reply to Journals submitted by University of Hawai‘i School of Law students serving academic Externships in various venues in and about Hawai‘i, and elsewhere are included hereinbelow. They are segregated into academic years: Fall-Spring-Summer for each Semester that I served as Director of the Externship Program. All Journal Responses are anonymous and harvested from my book, "Imposed Wisdom." Just for fun, check it out. You'll get a pretty accurate picture of who I am, what I value and treasure about my years at Richardson and which carry on into the future. " ... that's Dale."
Below, ten Teasers from the Fall 2011-Spr 2012-Sum 2012 Semesters. To see ALL of the Journal Response excerpts (they are all there), HIGHLIGHT the below link and press "Go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_80dwkOGDrXU3FHNFBvRDBaaVk/view?usp=sharing"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_80dwkOGDrXU3FHNFBvRDBaaVk/view?usp=sharing
I remember saying in an interview with my former law firm, even as a young lawyer, that I wanted my professional reputation to be: "not the most famous or most flamboyant or richest lawyer in town, but when my name appears on a pleading, the lawyer(s) on the other side will say "a very solid, very good lawyer, and a 'good man,' to boot."
Your Journal includes a comment that really hits a home run, and makes so much sense in the big picture, but would not otherwise be apparent or evident. Let me see if I can explain my thought: Back when I was in Law School there were these brainiac types who studied the "Supreme Court Justices (US SCt) and who could talk with the Professors for hours on end about their decisions. They would say "Justice ___ is conservative." Or "Justice ___ will always lean toward strict construction." To borrow a phrase from your journal, listening to them, it was like they were speaking another language. I never figured it out, and felt I was on the outside looking in. Heh, heh, still do, even after all these years. Successful lawyering is, after one gets past minimally required intellectual abilities (reading and writing) largely inter-personal abilities and relations. Can one communicate in a fashion that is understandable, appropriate in tone and timing and temper? Not so much what you say as how you say it. How one interacts with another is most important; can one connect with another, command respect, and give respect? How does one react to situations? In control, non-reactionary, but measured? It all adds up to interpersonal abilities. Good, or high grades? Cool, but if you aren't Top 10 for example, there's still much to offer. Top 10 without the interpersonal skills is a hammer without a head. Top 10 (I was never, but perhaps you are (?)) with interpersonal skills?
You mentioned you surprised the Security Guard: "Hope he wasn't packing." Made me laugh out loud.
It is always refreshing to hear how our Externs go out into the real world and in the process say "Ah, I actually understand what's going on!" It's a neat revelation and confirmation that class time is useful, but you know my thoughts on the subject. Nothing like the "real world experience" that you have already had a taste of after two weeks, and will have this Semester.
"Balance is the very definition of professionalism." 'Haven't heard it described that way before - you are onto something. Reason: when one is out of balance, out of sync, EVERYTHING suffers. Things not going well at home? How do you devote 100% to your work? Health in jeopardy? Home and work and leisure time knocked out of kilter. It goes on and on. Good lesson. I'd keep that in the back of your mind for the remainder of your days this Semester and into the future.
You’ll never know when that little stinker, the minute detail, will rear up its ugly head and cause all kinds of pilikia. Makes vigilance, everyday, important.
The mundane - comes with the territory. One week, everything under control, sorta going with the flow, then the next week, HELL'S BELLS! Then nothing, again. It's all a journey - every step along the way has meaning and purpose. Being patient, being consistent.
Your Journal is a reflection from within, it is personal, it is honest and it reflects your learning in the venue that you have chosen. Too, how neat that you are in a position to relate with ___ on many levels, and how wonderfully open she is to including you in events. You have a rare opportunity this Semester with a Mentor who already ranks among one of our best. This will be a Semester that will be with you for the remainder of your career so do soak it all in and take every advantage that you can from it.
Now that you are a part of the system of justice, you know there is a reason for it, and it is NOT because you don't care, or don't treat every complaint as important. It is precisely because you do care and you do take it seriously, that there is need for time to do background work and to do what is needed to ensure that there is appropriate and sufficient input sought, received and evaluated. Claimants and Respondents will have greater confidence in the system when there is requisite thoroughness devoted to their cases. Oftentimes in the heat of the battle, it’s not unusual for them to want results or resolution, NOW. Communicating the importance of the need for work-up (and the time that it takes) will surely help with the anxieties that build up for everyone. You've got important work.
Whew. I'm drenched in perspiration worrying about all of those assignments and the pressure that comes with them, as you have described. But wait! You need not fret. You are capable, competent and you will more than likely find that your anxieties were all for naught. It's not magic. No voodoo. Just common sense and logic. You've got that down.
"... that's Dale."
