Back in the old days (yeah, you love it when a story sounds like that) I found that I wanted to be liked.  I wanetd EVERYONE to like me, judges, prosecutors, my clients.  It’s not that I didn’t fight, but I just became so used to the way things were and accepted them for the gospel truth that I didn’t always make the most waves.  I tried cases, I won some, I plead cases out.  I did the usual litany of stuff that a trial and appellate lawyer does.  And while I colored outside the lines, it was because I thought that’s where the lines were.

I’m new here in Takoma Park.  I’m basically new here in Maryland.  And while I’ve worked in this area for a few years, I was always on letterhead with other folks.  But now I’m new.  I owe no allegiance to anyone but my clients.  I love this newfound freedom of not having judges or prosecutors or bosses or partners who have preconceived notions of who you are or how you practice.  I don’t owe anyone anything.

The paper now has no lines at all.  I am completely free to scribble at will, as long as I stay on the page.  I’ve found that since I’ve let go of all of my old baggage, all of the fear of “what if” or “can I” I’ve come up with some pretty spectacular ideas, if I do say so myself.