"For The Last Time......

The District Court Is Now In Session with the Honorable John David Miller Presiding." Those were the words I heard today as I watched a man that I respect and admire take the bench for the last time. We don't just need more Judges like Judge Miller, we need more people like him too. A man who I've never heard utter a cross or vulgar word. A man that is fair to a fault, who tempered his justice with mercy and a man who, whether I agreed with his decisions or not, issued them based on common sense and sound legal reasoning. He retired today with over 25 years of judicial prowess behind him. I am proud to have been the final lawyer to appear before him, and was equally proud to have spent an hour with him, alone in his empty office before his retirement party this evening. We talked about everything from the law, to life and finally, friendship. I am a better lawyer because of him, and a infinitely better human being as I try my best to follow his example. I am proud that I appeared before him so often, but I am even more proud to call him a friend.

Happy Labor Day Everybody!

Trialdawg.

Naps and Transcripts

I've spent this cloudy Saturday reading a trial transcript for an upcoming appeal. Our dog Limbaugh, my ever-faithful companion, has been right there with me. I am taking a break, so Limbaugh thought she deserved one too.




She isn't in great health and has started that slow decline KJ and I know won't end well, but today she has been at her post, helping me lawyer my way through this Saturday.

Trialdawg.

The Dining Etiquette Of The Rainy Day

What a random day. I woke up early to spend the day, in it's totality, preparing for a jury trial tomorrow. Forty minutes later, I learned that the prosecuting attorney's Uncle committed suicide which put things off indefinitely. I feel sorry for my friend, because he is hurting, but I was also disappointed that I won't get to try this case tomorrow. What a let down. I spent another few hours at the office and then decided to bag the rest of the day and headed home where I was extremely unproductive today. I sat inside and watched the rain come down while reveling in the unseasonably cool temperatures. I certainly could have been more productive today, but I just didn't feel like it. Instead, I poked around the internet and watched television, in my bed clothes and in close proximity to my bed. This has been a Howard Hughes day for me.

I spent an entire hour watching Dining Etiquette videos. I was unaware that there is a fish knife. Not only do I now know that there is a fish knife, but I know where it should be placed on the table. I know how to use chop sticks properly, and the etiquette of same. I know the difference between Continental Dining and North American Dining and that students of one frown upon the other. Finally, I learned the boundaries of appropriate dinner conversations. As a result, I feel qualified to eat anything, with anything, anywhere and make interesting conversation while doing so.

Finally, I spent the remainder of the day looking at Fine China, Crystal, Flatware and fine paper products. I need these items for the imaginary dinner party that I've planned in my head.

Yep, its time to go back to work tomorrow.

There's Only ONE.........

KJ and I received our tickets in the mail for the 2008 Oklahoma Football Season.. We are all jacked up for those trips to Norman on fall afternoons to the House that Bud built. The place is so familiar that we feel like we are going home. There are so many things that are great about the pregame at Owen Field, from the band on the field, to the jumping around, but my favorite is the video that plays when OUR team takes the field.. I watch that video and I'm ready to put on a helmet and go hit somebody! Watch it and you'll know what I'm talking about..

A Jealous Mistress Indeed...

The saying in law school is that the law is a jealous mistress. I came into my profession with my eyes wide open and I know the dangers that this stressful life can pose. We are very good at ignoring our own needs to focus on the needs of every one else. We are in a service business and the client comes first. We don't complain because we knew this is what life would be when we took the gamble to do what we love in the first place. We tell ourselves that it can't happen to us and that we can bear anything, and then it happens to a friend.

John was a friend of mine. He was a great lawyer, not for the law that he knew, but for the common sense that he had. He was a great lawyer for his professionalism and his ethical behavior. He practiced law with the attitude that this is a noble profession and is never a job. He was one of the first people to say hello to me in 1997 when I came to his town as an intern for the District Attorney's Office. He was always available to me when I had a question and he was always gracious to me. Even later in my career, he would help me cover things in his town and I would help him in mine.

I've thought a lot about him today because he died this morning at the age of 55 years old of an aneurysm. And then I began to think of all of my colleagues that I've lost over the past two years, Mitch who died of a heart attack at the age of 43 two days before Christmas, my friend who died in a plane crash in October at the age of 35, my friend in Oklahoma City who died of a single gunshot wound to the head from his own hand last year at the age of 46 and the three law school class mates that we've lost to cancer, heart attack and suicide. Those classmates were all the same age as me. According to my bar association, my profession loses one colleague per month from suicide. 3 per month from cancer and a striking 5 per month from heart attacks.

I've met most of them, even if it was just a short conversation at a conference over a drink. I've tried cases against a few of them. I'll never forget Mitch, he and I were having fun trying a preliminary hearing in Court on December 22, 2005 against one another. After it was over, He slapped me on the shoulder and said "Merry Christmas Jason, see you in January." 12 hours later, he was dead. Each time we lose one, it hurts a little, but today it hurt a lot. John was a kind and decent person who just happened to be a lawyer. If they are in the business of killing lawyers off, they sure killed the wrong one today.

So long..

I'll miss you.