The View From Here

I have practiced Family Law in Orange County for over 17 years. I’ve been a single Mother, raised teenagers, lead Girl Scouts, held a positions on the Little League Board and PTA when they were younger. I love politics and ran for political office in 2010. I'm currently elected to represent the 55th A.D. on the OCGOP Central Committee. I have learned from politics, litigation and parenting, that there is almost always some greater good to be pursued and fought for, and that there are many important things in life that can not be purchased. I have learned that my own voice is far too valuable to compromise. In my professional life, I have been with people in the midst of their most life altering and dark moments. I have traveled a path of transformation with them and right beside them. On this blog, I candidly share some of the mysteries that have been revealed to me in the context of my different roles in life. May these thoughts and experiences illuminate the paths of others as they have mine.

My words to live by:
Live by the sword, die by the sword. Never confuse reasonableness with weakness. Always believe you can lose. Judges are human and appeals are expensive. Peace is priceless.

“What if” and “If only” are phrases I work hard to keep out of my vocabulary. (Yesterday is forgiven, Tomorrow is not promised)

Judge not, that ye be not judged, Matthew 7:1. We each have our own journey.



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Brendaisms

There are certain universal truths in family law litigation. The excruciating emotional pain makes any litigant feel as though they are surely the only one to have experienced this unique trauma. Much like compound fractures in the Emergency Room, to the patient these are a life altering devastation. To the first responders, it is just another bloody day at work.

The complex nature of family law, and the strain and distraction that anesthetizes our clients, make for a difficult environment to communicate in. I have learned, the simpler the instructions and affirmations, the better. Client’s routinely forget, ignore, or dismiss my advice. My hope is that by making it simple, and consistent, that when it all goes wrong, at least I can remind them with and I-told-you-so kind of attitude, and hopefully we get on the learning curve. It usually goes something like, “So, remember how I told you _____, and you decided to _____? How’d that work out?”

In any event, a criminal attorney friend, paying homage to those of us who work this front line, made me think, perhaps these axiomatic Brenda-isms may assist someone who has relationship termination issues or other life changing moments occurring. I also totally get that $400 an hour is a lot of money, and since I don’t do miracles for that kinda money, the least I could do is wax clever and insightful, or moderately humorous, now and then. So, here ya go, my own top ten, maybe you will find them helpful or instructive.

#10 Always sit up straight in the courtroom.
#9 When you live by the sword, you die by the sword. (Referring to the battle of litigation, not advocating violence)
#8 Don’t bring your Mom to court. (Dad, brother, sister, new girlfriend, leave them all at home! It is time to put your big girl/boy pants on and a posse won’t help.)
#7 He/She was good enough for you one day, for at least 20 minutes or so.
(This usually gets a better response than “You’re the one who picked him/her!”)
#6 No one ever expected to be here.
#5 The “Fair” is in Pomona. (I did not make this one up, but I say it all the time)
#4 Peace is priceless. (In this process you will have the opportunity to purchase it and only you can determine the price)
#3 No is a complete sentence.
#2 Don’t talk to him/her. (Or similarly, He/She is not on our side.)
#1 He/She is not the boss of you. (A most helpful affirmation, especially in relationships where abuse and control have been issues.)

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