Travails of a Lawyer I While i was working as an assistant lawyer for a law firm formed by a family of distinguished lawyers, i was tasked to appear in an ejectment case, which no one from the partners would like to handle not so much because of the meager appearance fee but because of the outspoken client. Being a young and zealous advocate, i saw to it that i arrive at the courtroom even before any of the staff would have reported for work. After counting around 10,000 seconds, finally the civil in charge arrived and opened the courtroom. I tried to comfort myself at the lawyers bench and occupied a good looking swivel chair to read again my record for the third time. Seeing me, the civil in charge advised me to occupy another chair, without stating any reason. Obligingly, i transferred to another chair and started to consult my record admittedly not to read it again but to try to control my nervousness that was trying to engulf me. Fast forward, the judge had arrived and the courtroom was packed. Cases were called until i found out that my adversary and his client had yet to arrive. On second call, a lawyer with HIV (hair is vanishing) came and consulted the staff if his case was already called. It turned out that his case was my case too and he was looking at me menacingly upon learning that i was his adversary. I looked at his dapper suit and sensed that it was a signature one. Saw his huge diamond ring and his gold Rolex watch, and i figured out that he must be a no non-sense lawyer. He called his client to put her on the witness stand as it was the defendants turn to present her case. The intimidating lawyer then cautiously sat on the swivel chair that i was forbidden to occupy. Could it be that it was reserved for this lawyer? Must be, because as i looked at the staff who dissuaded me from sitting on it, she never said anything and contented herself in scribbling on her yellow pad. Are you the same defendant in this case? asked the lawyer while swaying back and forth the swivel chair, as if to intimidate me more. Are you familiar with an apartment house numbered 24 St. Paul St., San Antonio, Makati? asked again the lawyer who was swaying the chair harder, after maybe finding his rhythm. I was starting to be scared again. How long have you been occupying this apartment . . . the lawyer without finishing the question, suddenly fell on his back together with the swivel chair. I swear i heard a loud thud that when i looked at where the lawyer was, he was still motionless with his two legs arched upward and his back on the floor cushioned by the back of the chair. Helped the lawyer on his feet and as i rose, i saw the judge giggling with gusto, while telling the staff to remove the swivel chair. The lawyer back on his feet tried to regain his poise and while saying, May i proceed, your Honor, preferred to stand while conducting his examination. The judge suddenly put forth another giggle which she tried to hide with her handkerchief. Yes, please proceed. But the judge continued to giggle perhaps recalling what an awful sight she had seen. I said to myself, aw, i should not follow the lead of the judge. Im sober, im calm. But the judges giggle became an impish laugh, and transformed into a burst. I tried to find why and looked at the lawyer, whose fly has opened, and his hair neatly combed towards his forehead, had all straightened up exposing the recess. Saw the lawyers eyeglasses without any lenses anymore because of the fall, and i, heaven forbid had to burst with laughter, too. I was prompted to move for a brief continuance, not so much because i pitied the lawyer but because i couldnt control my laughter, too. That was the last time that i saw this lawyer, as i earned a favorable judgment that was issued because the defendant and her counsel did not appear anymore. Soon the judge was promoted to the appellate court where i gained another favorable judgment in another case, just because the judge, err, justice had remembered me as a part of the entertaining scenario that made her day then. . . more to come
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:42:36 +0000