Lawyers Are So Appealing: Part Deux.

February is the month of candy, flowers and cards in colored envelopes. It's the month we publicly declare our love.

So, it seemed appropriate to shout out once again to those lawyers who inspire me as I write and who people my real life by virtue of the fact I am married to a man whose calling is the law. Yep, it's time to add to my list of why I find lawyers so appealing. 

1)    You love to be loved. If you are reading this you may have been one of the 2,000 who checked out this blog a few weeks ago to read the first edition of Why Lawyers are so Appealing (July). That is so sweet.  Kind of like Sally Field in her famous 'You Really Like Me' speech at the Academy Awards. Yes, yes we do!

2)    You are cute as buttons. Fluttering my lashes particularly at the cowboy lawyers who know how to pair a ten-gallon hat with black tie and look marvelous. (This is not gender exclusive, by the way.)

3)    You appreciate staff. That is tantamount to admitting that you know that they know at least as much as you do and that they are capable of pulling your rears out of any fire you may spark. Who said layers aren't honest?

4)    You giveth. I know who you are, you lawyers who balance incredible workloads and still manage to sit on boards, volunteer, raise money for good causes, and offer your services pro bono.

5)    You taketh away. A fine lawyer takes away the worry of a client bewildered to find themselves needing one in the first place. I am thinking especially of a dear friend who handles divorces with great compassion. I know there are a whole lot of you out there who fit the bill, and that ability to soothe, calm and give hope is downright miraculous.

6)    You speak with a golden tongue. You are so confident, commanding, and consumed with your arguments it is awesome. The word flow, the pacing, the seriousness of your monologues, negotiations and cross examinations all but make me faint with awe.  Court watching one day, I was thoroughly swayed by the opening arguments of the prosecutor. "Guilty!" I was sure.  The defense attorney was equally eloquent. "Innocent!" I wanted to cry. You do not want me on your jury, but I will always be an admiring spectator.

7) You are generous. I have yet to be turned away when I ask for your help. Even if  I am writing about an evil lawyer. Sometimes you want me to name the character in a book after you. Just not the evil lawyer. How cute is that?

8)  You are married to, or partner with, beautiful, intelligent people. Why this seems to be true of the profession as a whole is a mystery. I must conclude that your significant others simply find you as lovable as I do.

9)    Your offices are marvelous. Government offices: in need of repair, boxes stacked in corners, dartboards, tiny basketball hoops – incredible personality. Private offices: slick, silent, sensational – fabulous taste.  It's like having to choose between two smart bad boys (or girls) with style.

10) You like each other. Okay, you may fight in the courtroom, you may write briefs that put my literary efforts to shame for all their drama, you may practice a bit of legal deceit, some slight of hand, some fanciful interpretation of the English language, some strategic trickery in the pursuit of justice and in your effort to best your opponent, but in the end you put out your hand, give your colleague a smile and a pat on the back, and your client the best that you have.

Happy Valentine's day to all you lawyers whom I love.