self-righteousness?

[sandra]

re: anna guo's case

this has been my opinion since day one and i will hold on to it: one should only enter the legal profession because he is interested in the pursuit of justice. to become an attorney because of the money, because you "like to argue", or for any other bullshit reason would make you a sorry excuse for a lawyer.

i think i've been very good about not showing my bitterness from working on this case. in the past two weeks, i have been searching for an appellate attorney to work on anna's appeal on a pro bono basis. i've been speaking primarily with prominent judges and attorneys in the criminal defense community. unfortunately, they are all friends and acquaintances of mine. and if you know me, you would know that i don't like to ask favors of people - especially a big favor like this one.

but now i'm angry that i'm made to feel this way. why have i, and really, just one other person, become anna's only advocates? why haven't any attorneys contacted me to volunteer their services? every single attorney i've talked to has heard about this case - and all think that the judge's ruling is bizarre. so what's stopping them from fighting for justice on anna's behalf?

maybe i'm just a student and i don't understand time constraints, but i've got 5 classes, been staying up til 3 doing reading because i'm lucky enough this semester to get all professors that use the socratic method, work 19 hours a week at a civil rights litigation firm, am editor of the bar association's newsletter, and will be preparing for the bar in a few months. but tomorrow, i will be meeting with a professor at usc - all former appellate/defense counsels - to ask them to take on anna's case - and if that happens, there's a good chance that i'll be working with them on it. voila, what's left of my weekends will be gone.

i know that i don't *have* to help with the case. and since i have made it my choice to help, i shouldn't be complaining. but the only reason why i'm continuing with this is because i'm not about to let an innocent child get convicted and then lost in the system. and my question to the attorneys out there is this: are you?

i really don't think my anger stems from self-righteousness. i've had different attorneys tell me that anna is "lucky to have me", but i don't want to be the one doing this. i have other things to do. i have other things i want to do. i'm only doing this because it seems like nobody else is willing to step in.

this is just a rant and i'm not blaming anyone in particular. i know that some attorneys really do have many trials scheduled and some cannot afford to take on a big case like this for free. but all we need is just *one* experienced attorney who is willing to.


or maybe i *am* crazy for caring so much?

[lethal]

Originally posted by kasia@Jan 15 2003, 03:28 AM
or maybe i *am* crazy for caring so much?
You're not crazy kas, you care. You're the most sane of anyone. The crazy ones are the ones not willing to help even though they know they should.

[Adaon]

Keep fighting the good fight Kas. Battles aren't won by those who fight to only join the winning side, they're won by those who fight because they have to. And you're driven by your sense of what's right. Keep it up Kas.

[lethal]

Hey kas, if you need any legal help that I can provide, I'm offering.

Some research or a memo or draft of a brief.

You know how to get in touch with me and I'd be glad to help.

[Chris]

Kasia. Because you do have a :luv: makes you a better person in life and in the profession. Never give up on what's right. I ask around up here what can be done. :)

[deez nuts]

Do what you think is right. But at the same time don't let it affect your well being...you're taking on a big load, it's ok to take time off for yourself, you shouldn't feel guilty about it either.

You're doing the best that you can, but also realize that somethings might be out of your control.

[wylin]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Jan 15 2003, 08:17 AM
Do what you think is right. But at the same time don't let it affect your well being...you're taking on a big load, it's ok to take time off for yourself, you shouldn't feel guilty about it either.

You're doing the best that you can, but also realize that somethings might be out of your control.
sum times its better to step back let things play out, because alot of these things ur driving urself nuts about are outside ur control.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by wylin@Jan 15 2003, 11:42 AM
Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Jan 15 2003, 08:17 AM
Do what you think is right.  But at the same time don't let it affect your well being...you're taking on a big load, it's ok to take time off for yourself, you shouldn't feel guilty about it either.

You're doing the best that you can, but also realize that somethings might be out of your control.
sum times its better to step back let things play out, because alot of these things ur driving urself nuts about are outside ur control.
Yup, I agree.

[kitty]

Kasia, I think it's amazing you're working so hard on this case... unfortunately, most people are pressured into law because they hear it's where all the big bucks are -- they aren't in it because they're into justice. A lot didn't even consider law school until after undergrad, when they realized their major wouldn't get them anywhere... Unfortunately, so many of them are cutthroat and have the gift of gab and make it... Just don't lose you're sense of right and wrong, and I'm sure you'll overcome.

Good luck and I hope someone has given you a big hug for everything you've done so far...

[sandra]

my frustration is directed primarily at the attorney situation. i know a lot of yw members have contributed a lot of time to the letter-writing campaign.

[achtungbaby]

Some attorneys suck. 'nuff said.

[ren28]

I don't think anyone will blame you for being PO'ed about that bone-head lawyer. Some people cared enough to put time into helping Anna. To see that lawyer do such a poor job was nearly a slap in the face to everyone that helped. When something like that happens, maybe it's time to back up and time some time for yourself for R&R or some gym activity/venting.

[tapestrybabe]

Originally posted by kasia@Jan 15 2003, 03:28 AM
one should only enter the legal profession because he is interested in the pursuit of justice.
WAIT... i think it should be.... because he or SHE is interested in the pursuit of justice... yeah, females should be included too when it comes to being capable of being attorneys as well :)

[sandra]

Originally posted by tapestrybabe@Jan 17 2003, 11:59 AM
WAIT... i think it should be.... because he or SHE is interested in the pursuit of justice... yeah, females should be included too when it comes to being capable of being attorneys as well :)
indeed :)

thanks for all the support everyone. i think i was just very stressed out when i wrote that post. it doesn't seem like that big of a deal anymore...i like working on the case :)