After an August and first half of September that included double-digit depositions, extensive travel for work, three stitches for my oldest son after a bucket full of Mr. Potato Heads hit him above the eye at day care, two days at GBMC for my youngest son because of complications with an ear/sinus infection, a District Court trial (victorious!), and a two-day Circuit Court trial that was placed on the standby docket (and subsequently postponed), I needed a vacation.

Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, including the fact that my wife used most, if not all, of her leave caring for the sick kids (since I was crushed at work), I had very limited options.

So I am on the Megabus leaving Baltimore and heading to Philadelphia with my oldest in tow. We are going to visit the in-laws and I will be able to get a little break.

(Some have asked how a “vacation” at my wife’s parents house is relaxing. My in-laws are excited to watch and spoil my son, which allows me free time to do things that I usually do not have a chance to do, including read books for fun, sleep in, and take naps. Additionally, they both are wonderful cooks, so meals will be taken care of. It’s like my own personal all-inclusive vacation).

In any case, I am on the Megabus with Braden because my wife is going to meet us later in the week and we didn’t want two cars in Philadelphia. (If you have never taken Megabus, it is worth it. New buses that leave almost every hour to Philadelphia or New York. The earlier you book the cheaper the fare. I paid $6.50 for both of our tickets. Cheaper than the cost of tolls).

So with two hours and my son mesmerized by the ride, I have a moment to reflect over the last few weeks. Here are some of my thoughts, both for work and life, that I have had during the last six weeks of craziness:

1. Bring Maryland Rules Volume 1 anytime you go to court. It’s heavy, but it is a life saver.
2. Voting, even in primaries, is important. Every vote counts. Just ask Patricia Jessamy and Gregg Bernstein.
3. Being on “standby” for a trial is the worst of all worlds. It’s purgatory for lawyers. Everything just stops and you don’t know if your case will be called to trial. It inconveniences everyone, including the parties, witnesses, and lawyers.
4. Working with opposing attorneys who are courteous and professional helps everyone involved. An attorney can be nice and still zealously represent her client.
5. Working with opposing attorneys who are not courteous and are unprofessional makes a case unbearable and expensive for all parties.
6. Travel light and only carry on, if possible, during business trips. If you are driving a lot on the trip, an upgrade is worth it.
7. Don’t conduct a fantasy football draft when your wife arrives home from the hospital with your eight-month-old son and continue drafting, even if it’s during the all-important middle rounds that can make or break your draft.
8. A good run (or any type of exercise) is the best stress reliever. As lawyers, we all need an outlet. This is healthier than happy hour.
9. Pay attention to your surroundings. Failure to do so may result in you walking face first into a clear door prior to your deposition, resulting in a cut above your eye identical to the one suffered by your son after he was hit by a bucket full of Mr. Potato Heads. Bleeding through the first 20 minutes of the deposition will be less painful than the resulting bruised ego.
10. The life of an attorney, but especially a young attorney, is always crazy. Try to enjoy it. Even if it requires a trip on the Megabus to visit your in-laws without your spouse.

Powered by Bookmarkify™