Sometimes it's the little things

A couple of the cherished items in my office are two letters from ex-clients expressing their gratitude for work well done. Interestingly our relationships did not start very well. They were highly frustrated with me, I was highly frustrated with them. One was a contempt hearing, the other a misdo trial. The contempt client was found not in contempt, the misdo was a NG. They both wrote very nice letters. One got me beer, the other some champagne. It was so refreshing to get the expressions of gratitude. I keep the letters on the bookshelf behind my desk.

Today I was at court checking in with a homeless client. I have no way to contact him and he lives at the mission. The DA and I have locked horns on a legal issue pertaining to his sentence. If I'm right (and I AM) he has no more jail, If DA is right (and she certainly ISN'T) he serves another 8 months. She wanted to reschedule the sentencing hearing and informed me yesterday. So, I went over to talk with client, who was not too upset. Amazingly he maintains better contact with me than nearly any other client. Went back to ensure the Judge's staff knew about the continuance. Judge joked around that I was causing problems. Then said that he thought I was doing an admirable job and was impressed with the way I handle my cases.

A small pat on the back just helps at times.