I am having such a horrible day!

I'm actually sitting in my office crying right now. I had a client this morning that I fought for with opposing counsel and the judge for 2 hours today and if anyone deserved a break, it was this guy, at least compared to the other people that were involved. All I wanted was to get him one more week so that he can move into his new apartment before the sheriff came to evict him. ONE WEEK! No matter what I did, no matter what law I threw out, no matter how many heartstrings I pulled, there was no winning this one. I rarely let my emotions get involved on cases because in my line of work, it's very easy to be overcome with sadness and guilt when you can't help someone, so I learned early on not to take things personally. For some reason, this case just got to me. And when I was talking to my boss about it, she actually told me that I was too fixated on this case when there were other, more compelling cases to worry about! I couldn't believe she said that (she fixates on the littlest details of things and wastes time on making mountains out of molehills on a regular basis, and gets stressed out and emotional far more often than I do), and I snapped at her. I told her I could be fixated on whatever case I felt like.

So I already felt like sh*t and wanted to cry, and these other clients came in who I had spoken with last week and swore up and down, via our interpretor (they don't speak English) that they had no idea they were ever supposed to go to court and were never in court last year at all. I found out last week, when I went to court, looked at the file, and spent my own money making numerous copies, that they had been to court. So today, the interpretor questioned them about it and they just said, 'So what if we did go to court? Does it matter?' They BLATANTLY lied to us serveral times and acted so blase when they were caught. I was stunned. They weren't even embarassed about being caught in a lie. So I wasted several hours and my own money on these people who lied to my face, when I could have been helping someone else who deserved it. It's like no matter what I do, it's a lose-lose situation.

I needed to vent about this and I apologize if anyone actually read through this whole thing, but I rarely feel like this at work and it's just taken too much of a toll on me today, I guess. I just want to curl up on my office floor and sob.

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Sorry

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Sounds like you could use some of these...

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

i have had too many of those kind of days myself. MOre

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Sweetie - I think it's wonderful that you are such a compassionate person, although it sometimes lets us get too involved (I suffer from the same thing in GUidance). Just know that you are a good person and lawyer and that it is obvious you care!! Hang in there sweetie! This too will pass!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Thanks, Michal. What you said made me cry! My client this morning thanked me for fighting so hard for him, but threw in a backhanded compliment as well. He said, 'You fought just as hard for me as any lawyer that I would have paid would.' It saddens me that even our own clients think that because we're free lawyers, we're going to do the bare minimum and that we're not going to fight for them. I know he didn't mean it to be an insult, and I didn't really take it that way, but I guess sometimes it's hard to fight so hard when you know that your clients don't have faith in you simply because they assume free = lazy, and when the attorneys on the other side look down on you, and sometimes even the judges look down on you, too. I never fight less for my clients than I would if they were paying me, and I guess I just got beat down by the whole thing today - like why bother?

Anyway, thanks for the hugs and kind words, ladies. You're all wonderful!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

AW - I am so sorry!! Sounds like your day has just been AWFUL!!!!

Although I can't relate, I can sympathize and tell you that I admire you fighting for this man. I am sure he know's how much you tried to help him...
You can't save everyone...The important thing is that you tried....

I am sure I am not making you feel any better....but vent away...everyone needs to once in a while and you are certainly entitled.

You do not have an easy job, and you should be proud that you go in there everyday and do your best to help people!

Tell your boss to $crew off...

ETA - I wrote this before reading your second post...sorry your client sounded ungrateful....at least YOU KNOW you tried for the right reasons!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Im sorry
I try to never let work get to me, too many important other things to stress over!!! hope you feel better
on the plus side your on parenting a lot maybe..... this one case got to you b/c you are joining us soon

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

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Posted by tammyjill

on the plus side your on parenting a lot maybe..... this one case got to you b/c you are joining us soon

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BITE YOUR TONGUE, MISSY! At least not until after October. I've got a dress to fit into. And a house to buy. So even if I want it, I need a few years.



But at least you made me smile! Thanks!

ETA: I'm living vicariously through the mommies and mommies-to-be. That's the only reason I'm there.

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Sorry you are having such a bad day.

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Ok, just checking lol
b/c I know the other day I didnt like the way my boss answered me and I got teary eyed lol
and I know its the pregnancy b/c normally I dont give a crap!

Your reply made me laugh though

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

I'm sorry!!!!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

How's your pregnancy going? I don't see you posting too much about it, so I imagine it's going well...when are you due?

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

im due my anniversary 8/25
thanks for asking
Less morning sickness but every now and then it re appears hopefully in a week or two when I reach 4 months it will be all gone

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

jann....


i can't even imagine how frustrating this must be for you!!!!!




here have a drink

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BAD DAY.
BUT IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO MAKE THIS CAREER A DIGNIFIED ONE AND NOT LIKE ALL THOSE MONEY-HUNGRY, OBNOXIOUS LAWYERS OUT THERE!!!! I WANNA BE JUST LIKE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Jann: It's hard sometimes to not let cases get to you, I know But hang in there. This will pass.

Re: I am having such a horrible day!

Thanks, ladies. I really do appreciate it. I haven't even eaten today - I just don't feel like it.

To add to the list - my sister just called me hysterical because of something that happened in Texas with her boyfriend and her car and she needs to me to research the laws for her because she is freaking out and doesn't know what's going to happen. As if I have nothing else to do. This is on top of 2 other pro bono cases that I'm taking on to help out some friends of friends outside of my job.

I think I'm calling in sick tomorrow!

Edited because I sounded so callous towards my sister. I love her to death and would do anything for her, it was just bad timing.