Court Circumcision

August 17th, 2007 by jeorav

Yeah yeah, i know this blog was expected two years ago, at the beginning of a professional practice. Well, any rule warrants an exception right?

Weeks ago, i was challenged by a case that requires my presence in a courtroom. Honestly, i opted to "delay" litigation practice as a personal preference. Many opportunities come and many tempting offers go, and two years passed with the same notion and well, excuse. But as if Lady Justice has her way of calling me to "partake" courtroom action. No thanks to family friends (and their legal controversy) that i woke up early that morning for a case calling to "preserve" a marriage. Many excuses swirled my mind. I can call upon the flame of fever, the sting of asthma or my favorite, rumbling tummy. Paraphrased? Butterfly in my stomach. Further paraphrased? I am nervous.

Who wouldnt?

I first appeared before an Honorable Judge years ago upon application of my notarial commission. As expected, i called Your Honor "Sir"— an indictaion that i just graduated from a classroom setting. A green horn, I manage to pull courage somewhere to complete the judicial "interrogation".

But this time its different.

I have in my hands a legal action in form of an answer on a petition to dissolve a marriage. After the last pleading was filed, it is now pre-trial time. It poses a difficult task (yeah i know others would not bat an eyelash to do this) for many reasons. One, this is my first appearance. When i say first, i say first time to be speaking in front of a judge with my "own case" (i still cant believe i signed to be the counsel of record! argh!). Second, the client will be there to watch my "appearance". To tell you the truth, it would not help. Labor cases are easy because you can appear without your client.

Third. I am a proponent for being single.

Here comes a case preserving a marriage. Here comes a case protecting the unity. Here is a case taking away an opportunity to be single. Now i know why it is so difficult. The fact is, i am in a way intertwined with the implications of this case.

Proposed solution: Be an advocate for justice and set aside personal considerations.

Proposed plan of action: Wear a poker face, pa-cute sa court and prepare myself to the litigation road ahead.

At the time of the pre-trial, i was surprised to be in front of a strict yet considerable Judge. She knew i (with my collaborating counsel) am new to litigation, but she helped me go through it.
When the first case was called, i am wearing a smile and attentive to what the court personnel has to say. When our case was called, I (as expected) garbled my words and is close not not introduce my appearance properly. But wit and the attitude of never-chicken-out saved me from embarrassment. I gave my client what she deserve that day.

We re-schedule the pre-trial. Hehe