Monk in a suit

I pride myself in being able to connect to people very quickly. It is not something that I was taught, but rather enforced through positive parenting, mentorships, and life experiences. This also happens to be one of the reasons why I believe I will be able to thrive in the legal field. Being able to make connections with clients who are living a reality that most people cannot even imagine is the trait of a successful lawyer. This trait becomes extremely crucial for defense counsels. Their clients are living lives that most people cannot even fathom, let alone begin to understand.

I am also very spiritual. I believe that we are all connected by some power- be it God, or some higher energy. I believe that seeing the good, the light, the “godliness” in everything and everyone is the essence of all religious and spiritual teachings. I am now beginning to believe that this is also the essence of all legal professions.

One of the reasons why I am enjoying my internship so much is that I am able to have very deep, and profoundly intellectual discussions with my supervisor Guillaume Garih. Our discussions about the law seem to grow from an aspect of the law to something more deep and important- human life. My supervisor has given me permission to not limit myself to just the law, but rather allow myself to make connections to higher subjects- such as spirituality- to the law.

Today, our discussion began with empathy, and connection to clients- hearing them out because they too deserve to be heard. However, the more we discussed this, the more we realized that we were talking about something beyond just the workings of the legal profession- we were talking about the core values of all higher teachings.

What is spirituality we asked? Spirituality is being able to see the good in everything and everyone- seeing the divine in all its creation. All religious teachings point to this as well- “Love God and love his people.” Lawyers and other legal professionals- in my opinion- need to go a step beyond.

It is very easy to see the good in, and empathize with someone who is well dressed, speaks well, has a job, and who society revers as a “good person.” We can all do that, anybody can do that. But lawyers and legal professionals empathize with those society does not even want to acknowledge. Society has deemed these people “bad.” For most of society, these people are no names that do not exist. Lawyers, on the other hand, hear their stories, advocate for them, and sometimes even cry with them. This in my mind is true spirituality. It is very easy to be good to those who are already seen as good. Bravery is being able to stand up for those who have no voice. In this way, there is a philosophical element to the profession of being a lawyer, and I am glad my supervisor is sharing this with me.