“Experience is then extract of suffering.

” This quote of Arthur Kelps from the article titled “Learning

From Mistakes,” has caught my attention. Not just because its emphasis but because of its meaning. Its
lawyer’s meaning with respect to his profession. Even law students can relate to this. As a senior
student, it has a lot of significance to my 4-year stay in the college of law. Most of us would say, we
learned in a hard a way. That’s true. In fact, just by reading law books, preparing for recitations and
going to classes, much more taking exams are very stressing and nerve-wracking. And I truly appreciate
time management in this kind of endeavour. Work-life balance is important.

Lawyering is in fact difficult. It is a question of how you really want this profession badly. Without a
doubt, those who are willing to take the challenge are those who are brave enough to take the risks and
consequences of their actions. Lawyers do love law. Apart from their loved ones who are natural
persons, they, too, love artificial ones, such as, but not limited to the following: law books, codals, court
decisions and the like. Thus, lawyers know the significance of hard work and dedication. It is something
that is embedded to each and every lawyers’ mind.

Part of this hard work after passing the bar, taking the oath, and signing the roll of attorneys, is
rendering public service. Public service by means of practicing it and constantly doing it for the people.
Indeed, lawyers do not much see much glamour in his work. There is only that slight touch of glamour
when he is able to perform his duties well and somehow win a case. Remuneration is just but a bonus
for rendering services to the people. However, in reality there are cases when lawyers demand
monetary compensation from their clients that is way beyond the orders of the law. That is precisely
the reason why under the Canons of Legal Ethics, a lawyer is required to charge only fair and reasonable
fees.

Just like any other natural persons, lawyers also experience betrayal and discouragement. From duties
with clients to the opposing counsel to the court, is just a monotonous and exhaustive process. Legal
Ethics dictates a lawyer to not allow his client to dictate the procedure in handling the case because
obviously, a lawyer has the authority and exclusive control to enforce a remedy. At times, when faced
with unprincipled opposing counsel, a lawyer should always be reminded of the conduct required of him
by law. That is, with courtesy, fairness, and candor toward his professional colleagues. Thus, conflicts
among lawyers are rare because just like any other relationships they share the same feelings and
emotions when confronted with problems to cases they handle. Henceforth, lawyers learned from their
experience in a hard way, and at the end of the day they easily forget those heartaches because of their
passion for justice and profession.

When I was able to read this article, especially that part in the second page, I remember my aunt who is
a lawyer. As a whole, I can relate this article to her. Last April she went home to take a break from work
and there she shared to us her story which is inspiring and a little bit awful. In her practice as a Public
Attorney’s Office lawyer, according to her, she was able to win cases more than losing them. In fact, a
few days before she went home, she was able to acquit an accused charged with homicide. But what
really shocked us was when she told us that she is currently undergoing psychological tests for
depression. She said, that work has gotten her to that illness. There were times that she was temperate
without reason at all, could hardly sleep and mostly she felt numb. Indeed, lawyers have their periods of
elation and depression.

Lawyers are courageous. They do not settle for less. They strive hard for the common good. In legal
profession, lawyers anticipate the outcome of their cases. It is a roller-coaster ride. There are only two
sides of every story in this profession. You are either the plaintiff or the defendant. You either win or
lose. There is no shortcut to success. It takes courage, determination and, above all, preparation. What
most people admire about lawyers are the fact that they are strong. They do not easily give up. Indeed,
they have a mind-set of a superhero. As what Spiderman has said, “With great power comes great
responsibility.” The lawyers are also our superheroes just like any other professionals.