Merry Musings

Quite a lot has happened in the last few weeks, so I feel this will be more of a descriptive (rather than analytical) post. That's probably a good thing, because I have a tendency to write without really thinking in these blog things so the analytical ones don't always make a lot of sense (see the previous post, Compensation Culture, wherein I think I was labouring towards a valid point but not sure how well I wrote it). On the other hand, descriptive posts are just a series of related sentences that inform rather than probe so it doesn't really matter how well it's written.

Anyway, I'm doing it again: typing and not really thinking!! Ok, so since my last post in late November, the days have become shorter (though the working hours have not) and the weather has taken a turn for the freezing. I've continued to enjoy my time in personal injury and have taken on a third case of my own. This one is a bit more interesting than my previous two. It'd be great if I could tell you all about it, but I can't because I'm still paranoid.

I've also been to court a few more times. I'm getting a lot more court exposure than I'd anticipated! However, this is largely because whenever one of the lawyers in the team has a court hearing coming up they'll invite me to go along, so it doesn't necessarily mean that there is more court time than I thought in PI. Usually I simply go to take notes, but it has been really varied and interesting. I even got some criminal experience, accompanying a client to a Magistrates' Court for a trial relating to the same incident at which she was injured. The other day I got to go to court on my own, 1-on-1 with a District Judge. It was a very simple procedure - I didn't have to do any advocacy. Nevertheless it was great to get the experience.

I've also submitted my preferences for my next seat. In March I will switch from PI to something else. I will keep you all (or you both) posted on that. Without wishing to tempt fate I am really hoping for a seat in Clinical Negligence!!


Finally, last Friday was the office Christmas party. Apart from on my gap year in 2004-2005, when I worked in a tiny firm with about 5 employees, I realised that I'd never been to an office Christmas party before. It was a little awkward to know how to act amongst colleagues (and superiors!) in social situations. It couldn't be good for one's reputation to get devastatingly blotto. Some people did just that, and when there is an open bar it's definitely a temptation! But no. Not a good idea. On the other hand, though, you want to appear sociable and easygoing. And that includes that most dreaded/loved behemoth: banter. It's kind of necessary to be banterous these days, but it can be difficult to know where the line is drawn, especially if you're doing it with a partner of the firm! I guess a good rule is: if they give it, take it and return it (maybe with a little interest). If they don't, play it straight.

Not sure how much of that made sense. I am pretty tired still... But next week I will be off for my Christmas holiday and I will hopefully do a well-considered reflective post on my first 4 months in law. For now, though, I have the exciting task of laundry to sort!

Adios.