In a fascinating turn of events – I am busy.

It’s not that I don’t have the will to write anymore. It’s not that there aren’t fascinating, interesting, exciting developments that are happening each day in the legal world. Oh, my friend. There are legions. But these things they take time. So, when the Supreme Court issues a new decision (Yay Descamps!) I have to figure out what I am doing with clients that have been convicted under the old law (is this retroactive – what say you smart appellate types?) and then it takes time.

And so things happen on a daily basis in the legal world and I fall behind. I keep meaning to write about things like – hey, did you know the defamation action against all of us bloggers was dismissed? It was and I neglected to write about it. Not that I didn’t feel vindicated and righteous for sticking it out with all the other good folks. Not that it didn’t feel like a weight was finally lifted (but you know what, if you hire a good lawyer you will feel a lot less burdened) but it just went by in a blur. You see, I was busy.

And there were motions and appeals and post-convictions. Hearings and sentencings and preparations for trials and hearings that just never happened.

And there were kids and illnesses and the things that make up a life. This life. This busy life.

I did get to spend some time, though, reading back on some of the notguilty posts. It is an interesting sort of diary and when I re-read some of these things I give myself the chance to remember who I was. That young criminal defense lawyer. The new mom. The new person in a new town. Trying to get pregnant. Trying to come back to life. What a good thing to have, this law blog. To document this busy life.

And I remember the fights and the back and forth with some very good, very smart bloggers. Some who don’t speak to me anymore because battle lines had been drawn and then re-drawn.

And then there is the law. And in between tales of my father and mother and being brown or sort of off white there is that thing that keeps it all going. This law thing. This thing that makes up such a huge part of my life.

Can I tell you though, I can tell you, right? I mean, who will you tell that doesn’t already know? That through the 8 or 9 years of this blog – and yes it has been around this long – this is the thing that has been the truest. I am in love with this job. Does that sound utterly ridiculous? Probably it does. But it is the truth. I swear it. It was my first love. It is the only true love besides that I feel for my children.

And I don’t want you to think this means it’s all “RAH RAH” or I am some cheerleader for the cause or even a blinded true believer. I think I was all of those things not so long ago – maybe when I was less busy or had less life experience. When I too was a young lawyer. Now, the love is deeper and has more understanding. You know, how after you know someone for a while you might not get that flutter in your belly every time, but there is a connection there that surpasses every crush you’ve ever had. Look,I’ve done other things. I’ve had flings with other careers and jobs. But I have always come back to this. Always.

God, here she goes again – does she ever not just blather on and on about “OMG this job is so like, super cool.” I am not meaning to blather, I am meaning to tell you something.

In this profession you should let yourself grow. Let it take you to places you didn’t think you would go and explore parts of yourself you didn’t know existed. After all, this isn’t some 9-5 grunt office job. You make a difference in people’s lives – people that everyone else chooses to ignore and abandon. But lest you think this makes you better or superior or somehow above the fray – listen – it does not. But it gives you insight into human beings. Insight that your friends and others that mill around you will never have. Do not squander it, young lawyers. Use it. With your friends and others that mill around you. It is a gift.

And I miss writing about the outfits people wear to work (I’m sorry, throw on some heels or some better looking flats, it won’t kill you) but I like the busy. I like this life so far. And I am glad I have this law blog. And when things happen I will try to remember to tell you about it.