Trial and trial again

A very tough but very satisfying week in custody cases.  The math:

• 2 custody trials
• +2 clients who are great parents
• +2 opposing attorneys, with a combined 60 years of practice
• = 2 verdicts, each awarding custody to my client

I honestly don’t like to toot my own horn on these things (even though as most people know, us lawyers are pretty full of ourselves), but days like this are the times that I wouldn’t trade this job for any other.  Litigating for injuries, broken contracts, real estate – I’m not knocking it, but I’ve always felt the most gratified in litigating custody of a child.  Clients will make more money or find another job, but they won’t make another of this unique child.  

Make no mistake, child custody is an ugly, undesirable process best avoided by all parents – but when it’s unavoidable, and you believe in your client as the right parent for that child – having your client being awarded custody is an absolutely incredible feeling.

There are bad days, when being a family lawyer isn’t all peaches and cream.  But days like this sure can make up for it.

— Gavin, 3/7/2012