I had the great pleasure and privilege of teaching the Advanced Legal Writing Course at our local law school* this summer. The term just ended, and I am girding myself to take on the task of grading the final assignments.
At the beginning of the semester, I must admit, this seemed like a not-so-good idea. I was on 24-hour notice to begin an estimated 14-day trial, was working full time (which for a self-employed person is far more than 40 hours a week) and was dealing with a couple small health issues.
Once the semester began, my fears were laid to rest. I have seldom enjoyed anything more. The class – the interaction with the students, the opportunity to watch them grow in skill and confidence – became the high point of each of my weeks throughout this summer of 2015.
This class did not simply benefit the students – it also benefitted me, and by extension, my family, staff, and clients. I benefitted by having something fun in my week, which didn’t involve arguing with anyone. My family and staff benefitted in a couple ways: the class gave me a renewed enthusiasm for life in general, and people in particular.
My clients? My clients go the benefit of my renewed enthusiasm and, more to the point, each case on which I am working received the boost of a trip back to the basics of the law: work the elements and the evidence together into a tapestry for the court’s review.
Class is over. The 14-day trial (turned out to be only 10 1/2 days) is over. Summer is over. My health issues are over. And I am sitting here with a smile, because I had fun. My word, I had fun! And I look forward to teaching again next summer.
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*Santa Barbara and Ventura COL