The Big Picture

Since January, I've struggled with what my next move should be. I tested the waters, threw my hat in the ring, only to have it instantly tossed back. At first I was defensive, associating the rejection with an assessment of my self worth. Then self-pity began to set in. Poor me. Then I decided early on that was not how my situation would be overcome. I would soldier on with my head held high.

It's been 2 1/2 months and I finally understand it. The people that I've been connected to were the answer. I don't believe in disposable relationships. Even if a professional relationship seems to end, I don't end the personal relationship.

Unexpected things are happening. Great things. I know I'm being vague but I promise as the next few weeks progress I'll reveal as much as I can. God is bringing things together in a better way that I ever could.

I have spent hundreds of hours over the past few months trying to figure out how the mortgage would be paid next month, or how I would be able to feed my family. All the while, no bills were behind and plenty of money was in the bank.

We made a decision not to use credit cards anymore 3 years ago, and we haven't had to borrow a cent during the past few months. While we were previously frugal with our money, we haven't had to make any additional sacrifices. I can't explain this other than God's provision.

As hard as it is to explain, I'm glad we went through the experience. While I had the head knowledge that God was our provider, it somehow didn't connect with my heart. It does now.

In the years to come, in the big picture, this will be but a speed bump.

Giving Wisely

Allow me a brief departure from the normal "legal" posts. I travel on Old Hickory Blvd to I-65 everyday. Without fail there are homeless people asking for money on the median of the bridge that goes over I-65. These derelicts are appreciative and convey a seemingly heartfelt thanks for the generosity of those who choose to give.

A week ago, two homeless men who I've seen asking for money came into our restaurant. They sat outside on the patio and ordered appetizers. They then each ordered a margarita. Then another margarita. Then another. Another, and perhaps 1 more. These wondering wayfarers were fully blitzed.

They paid their bill, left a good tip for the server (not me), and were on their way. I wrote it off in my mind. I try not to pass judgment too swiftly. Perhaps they were tired/exhausted after a day of begging (insert sarcasm font).

The next day, the drunken duo returned. Again they ordered appetizers and several margaritas. At this point my compassion dwindled and frustration set in. Frustration at these two men, and frustration at those who naively gave to them, hoping they would use the funds to "make a better life for themselves".

A few nights later, the pair returned. It was the usual progression away from sobriety, but they created such a scene that other customers began to complain. The manager informed the server to cut the two men "off". They paid their bill and left.

After the restaurant had closed, the men returned with double digit quantity of beers and broke the bottles on the patio, leaving a mess for the employees to clean in the morning.

The restaurant owner was furious after hearing what happened. He instructed the manager to call the police if the men were found on the property again. The next day one of the men returned. A server, not me, went outside and kindly informed the man that he was no longer welcome. And should he return, police would be called.

The homeless man apologized for the previous night's actions and left the restaurant without causing a scene.

Two days later, the same man returned. Again the same server told him he was no longer welcome. The homeless man began a verbally explicit tirade and kicking/hitting chairs on the patio. The manager confronted him outside, when the homeless man began a verbal assault complete lacking any sense of human decency. After a few minutes of a nonsensical combination of expletives, the homeless man stormed off back to the bridge over I-65.

I chose to convey this story because we need to be wise when we give. I'm not saying don't give to homeless people. I'm just advising against blind giving.

Questions Frequently Asked

As any of my law school 'mates can attest to, we get asked a lot about what kind of law we want to enter into when we graduate. I've been asked so many times, that each time it comes up, I spout out my canned response that I've crafted over the past 2 1/2 years. Here are a few of the most popular questions I've been asked and my honest answer:

1. What kind of law do you want to practice?
That's a tough question. There are areas I'm interested in, but that's purely based on what I've learned so far. And even so, a lot of times the day-to-day practice of an area may be completely different than what I envisioned it to be when I studied it in law school. But to answer the question, I'd love to practice Entertainment Law, specifically negotiating key contracts on behalf of emerging artists and songwriters.

2. Are you going to work for/with your dad?
My dad and I have thoroughly discussed working together. Yes, I plan to work for/with him to help grow his practice even more.

3. Jesse, why do you hate criminal law so much? All you do is poo-poo it all the time.
Blame is shared on this one. Half goes to my professor, half goes to the fact that I'd rather eat a gun than practice criminal law. It's just not for me.

4. I got injured a while back, do I have a case?
Call Bart Durham. Wait...No, call my dad

5. What's law school like?
It's like a prison full of people who appear smart. Until they open their mouths. There are smart people there, but usually they don't promote themselves like the stupid ones do.

6. When do you graduate?
December 2012, unless the Mayans were right and it's like the horribly made movie (2012) where you can fly a Bentley onto an iceberg from a cargo plane.

Interviews and Green Things

Phone interviews, in person interviews, follow up calls and emails. These things have pretty much consumed what little free time I do have. As of today, I have a very good prospective job opportunity with a well-known book publisher in their legal department.

On a much more opposite end of the spectrum was an interview with a personal injury firm for a paralegal position. I left the interview with no clue as to how I did. LOL. I'll let you know if they call me back for a second interview.

Yesterday I was at Fulin's when Mr. Wing (an immortal part of Fulin's and arguably the funniest server I ever met) shows me an article regarding the decline in law school applications. One of many reasons for the decline, they hypothesized, was that law students don't see as many large firm jobs with $150,000+ starting salaries any more.

I'm not naive. I went into law school knowing that lawyers, specifically very good lawyers, are paid handsomely for their services. But in that moment I kinda had a "zoom out" moment where I considered the rest of my life. Here I am, 27 years young, graduating in December of 2012 into a career that I know I'm called to.

Yes, there will be a good amount of money to make. I actually thought about it a lot my first year. But as I've developed my knowledge of the law over the past three years, my focus has shifted from money.

Sadly, there are people who simply "pass" law school with nothing but dollar signs in their eyes. That's where I appreciate having a true life example such as my father, who though his work has shown me time and time again that it's about serving your clients.

Spinning Plates

Perhaps the image of a circus performer spinning plates best illustrates my life right now.

Plate 1: Job hunting. It's going well with a few solid leads that have a great chance of turning into a job opportunity very soon. Hopefully this will solidify into a new job in the next few weeks.

Plate 2: Law school. Holy, holy, holy %$#. If second year was boring and hard, third year is busy, busy and more busy. Endless cases every week, but I can't complain. The material is relevant and interesting. I'm liking third year so far.

Plate 3: Current job. Serving people food 30 hours a week isn't hard. It's just humbling. I keep having to fight the feeling than I'm better than this job. I'm not above any job, but I know I have skills that far exceed what I'm currently doing. Overall, I feel blessed to have some stream of income coming in right now.

Plate 4: Husband. Heather and I joined a marriage small group at church. It amazes and embarrasses me at how many couples we've seen in church for years yet never talked to. That is changing and we're meeting new people and loving it.

Plate 5: Father. Violet is amazing, smart, and beautiful. The standards that gentlemen callers will be held to will be high. Very high.

No more plates please, except for that new job, I'll take that one any day.