Now that our office renovation is officially done (hallelujah!) and we are legit new office owners, we can turn our undivided attention back to the business of practicing law. And what a time to turn our attention. As I have written before, the holidays bring about a strange and busy time for the legal practitioner. Often, this time brings with it lots of joy, hope and aspiration for treating others with kindness, love and endearment. However, this time can also inspire dissension, anger, spite and vindictiveness. Always time to go and visit your lawyer. Hence, most practitioners are so busy they hardly have the time to utter ho, ho, ho.

            During this time of year, it is hard not to feel overwhelmed as the legal practitioner due to the sheer volume of work marching through the door. So, it is even more important for us as attorneys to take the time away from work to remember to be grateful during this time of year and continuing to do those things that serve us and bring us joy.

             One thing that I always do is exercise. My exercise regimen becomes even more important during stressful seasons such as this one. Don’t make the mistake of getting so wrapped up in the frenetic pace of work that you make the excuse not to take the time to exercise. My exercise regimen has become essential not only for maintaining my figure, but also for managing my stress level and sanity. There is something about exercise that just makes me better able to physically withstand the stress of being a legal practitioner. I find that I experience indigestion much less often as well as almost non-existent back spasms. I find it so vital that despite temperatures of 33°, I will brave the cold and get my walk in. It becomes almost addictive.

              In addition to our usual methods of self-care, it is really important to remember to be thankful. Remember back to those days when you were a burgeoning attorney who just wished you could engage in the practice of law and find your niche. My partner got a traffic ticket in a far-off county to which I was sent to handle. When I got there, I had the sheer pleasure of meeting another attorney from another county while waiting for the District Attorney to arrive at the courtroom. When the young Assistant District Attorney got there, she remarked that she had not met either of us before, to which we both replied that we were from foreign countries far and wide and had never had occasion to cross this courthouse’s threshold. She turned to us and asked us to guess how long she had been an ADA to that we both guessed random time frames. She admitted to us that she had just passed the Bar and this was her first job. We both then remarked on how long we had respectively been attorneys; he 40 years and I, 20 years.  We both lauded congratulations on her then proceeded to work.

              Moments like that force me to remember what it felt like to be a bright-eyed, bushy tailed baby lawyer. How I salivated for the work and to learn. We must remember how it felt when we were just starting out. We must remember that time during the times of year, much like this one, when we are bombarded with a lot of stress and angst of our clients. This season brings with it a lot of pitfalls, one of which is the power of the devil to make you forget your blessings. Don’t do it. Remember the years when you were just thirsty for a case or for a partner to take you on their project, or for your boss to entrust you with a tough and difficult matter, or whatever.

             At the little law firm project, we have done some decorating despite being spent from undergoing the full renovation that we just experienced. It is always a good start to trying to enjoy the holiday season by decorating the office. Hang a wreath. Place a menorah. Liven up the space with holiday spirit! Happy New Year, everyone. I have a feeling it will be an interesting one.