The Client Case

Bernie started his day, as he did every other day, the alarm is ringing and it is 4:00 am. As he rolls out of bed, he turns and looks to his wife, Sarah, gives her a kiss on her forehead, strokes her hair and thinks to himself, that he's the luckiest man alive. Quickly, he turns and grabs his clothes without disturbing his Sarah or the rest of his family and heads downstairs. Bernie's usual morning ritual was to go to the gym and get a workout in before his busy day. Bernard Smith is an attorney at one of the top law firms in the country. He believes in keeping his mind and body in tip top shape.

On the way into the office, Bernie is planning all the activities of the upcoming day. As he did a brief inventory of his schedule for the day at 9 a.m. a court appearance, at 11a.m. a conference call, at 12:30 p.m. a lunch meeting and then follow-up with my assistant regarding any outstanding case work. Bernie thought to himself, I should be able to get it all done and be home to have dinner with my family. Then, we all could go to Nicky's varsity championship hockey game. Nicky is Bernie's only child. A 17 year old, high school junior, who seems to have a special gift, a charisma that people are drawn to, he's a natural leader but also kind and humble, just an all-around great kid with a bright future ahead of him.

As Bernie shuffled along with the crowd of people, milling along the street, he looks around and takes a deep breath in to enjoy the morning air. "Today, I feel an excitement in the air, something is going to happen today, I can just feel it!" Bernie smiled and snickered to himself, maybe I'll win the lottery and retire from being a lawyer and open a fly-fishing guide service in Belize. Just then a gust of January air gets his attention, coldest winter on record, it brings him back to reality.

On the elevator up to the 19th floor, Bernie starts contemplating the strategy that he would use to defend his client. The 9:00 a.m. court appearance is for a client who is no stranger to the judicial system. As an attorney, it is not for us to judge others, just provide them with the right to a fair and just trial. Even though the client was guilty, the case would be thrown out due to a technicality. Bernie found in the report that the arresting officers did not follow proper procedures. It was a rookie mistake, but one that my client will benefit from greatly. Especially since my client was looking at jail time, because this was his third offense, but not now thanks to me.

Bernie's favorite part of going to court was when he won the case, nothing could replace the adrenaline rush. Bernie