Did you know?

That Idaho's governor is named C.L. "Butch" Otter?  I think that's pretty hilarious.

Did you further know that I have won all three of the hearings I've done so far?  I am beyond happy about that!  I've always been a bit afraid that I wouldn't do a very good job on hearings because I am absolutely terrified of things like that.  Well, unless I have a couple drinks in me.  Then I'm all over the public speaking.  Need a toast at a wedding or special event?  Give me a couple of shots of Jaeger and let me go!  I will blow your mind.

Really, though, I don't know why doing hearings or, god forbid, a trial in an actual courtroom scare me so much.  I get really nervous beforehand and I can't stop thinking about everything that could go wrong and, even though I do try to focus on other things, there's always that voice in the back of my head that whispers that I'm going to screw it all up or say something just ridiculously stupid.  This is what a therapist I saw once called "self-defeating behavior."  I went to this therapist because it was free (through the Utah Bar) and I never went again because he had a pony-tail and his office smelled like incense.  So, I can blame my poor mental health on my hatred of all things hippy!

From what I can see, a lot of people are nervous before stuff like this.  My boss, for instance, who is extremely smart and an amazing attorney, had an oral argument at the federal court a couple of weeks ago and she was scared for all the same reasons I'm scared and she's been doing this for 15 years!  At the argument, though, she seemed calm and collected and she totally kicked ass!  She had done all of her homework and she practiced and she was prepared to go in and convince the judge to see things her way-- and she did!

That's what I'm trying to do with my hearings and I guess it's worked out pretty well so far.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I have multiple hearings on one day, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it (on October 2).  Right now, though, I have to admit to being kind of proud of myself and really happy that I've been able to help these 3 people get the help they need.  I know I'm not going to win them all, but I will be damned if we lose because I haven't done the work I'm supposed to do.

If only it was acceptable to take a shot of something before stuff like this.  On second thought, I don't know that "drunken Carrie, who thinks she's soooooo funny" would provide the best representation available.  There is a time and a place for everything: Drunk Carrie at a party?  Most def.  Drunk Carrie at any kind of proceeding wherein it isn't appropriate to say "fuck"?  Not so much.  So, I'll just stick with the "prepare, prepare, prepare" method I mentioned earlier.

Comments

[Joel]

I knew you could do it. My baby is the best!! Frills.

[kristin]

Yay for you! I think you should be happy you get nervous about hearings. In my experience, lawyers who enjoy that sort of contention are Not Nice People, in OR out of court.

[Mel]

Congrats Lady! You are awesome!! I think the nerves actually helps with hearings...it gets your adrenaline running so you can kick ass! And you are right that just about everyone gets nervous before hearings. I was just at one yesterday with all these old dudes (ahem...I mean experienced attorneys) that have been practicing law for....ever? and even they had the shakes at the podium.

[Carrie]

Thanks you guys! You are too sweet! For reals (which is what Joel means when he says "frills" because that's how we say it down to our house).

[ɹǝƃƃolquǝʞoʇ]

Maybe this will become your favorite part.

[Roar]

It is totally a credit to your professionalism that you get nervous. That means that you take both your job and your client's case seriously and you care. If you didn't care and do the prep, you would be an a-hole. I see alot of that kind of attorney, and it ain't pretty. Let's also celebrate your unusual intelligence and common sense in terms of your courtroom demeanor. I mean, you have never asked to address the judge as "Judge Judy", have you? Well then, you are certainly one up on people who come before me.

A preponderance of the evidence shows that Carrie totally kick ass! I therefore order everyone to give Carrie one compliment and really mean it.

[Carrie]

And that's coming from a judge, you guys. You have to do it! (Please pay no attention to the fact that she is my wife and (nicely, to spare my feelings) calls her unborn child "Carrie, Jr.").