The ugly head of activism

You may all think that if someone wants to raise awareness of a cause that is moderate and is mainstream to the public that people will support the message. That's not always the case. This week, after 3 months of organising the Stop the Spread of Guantanamitis Demo, i was taken aback by the reaction of someone who is ment to be helping those who have no one to help and support them in their time of need, but instead put themselves before the message that they say they want to give. I had no idea that egos and celebivism existed in activism but believe me they do and it's really ugly cause it makes you feel a bit sick that they care more about themselves than the people that need help.

To me the message is the most important thing not the person giving the message. I understand that in some cases you have to commercialise yourself to promote your work, your business or your craft, but that can not happen when your being an activist.

The activism comes first not you!!!

Activist Lawyer

It is hard to be an activist. Although the idea is there, sometimes the support is not. But that can not slow you down. I was recently at a Cageprisoner event, this organisation helps those still held in detention and also spreads the word about detention centres that we might not know about. there work is invaluable and i was so glad that i went and heard Moazzam and the others speak. it was this the event that i met Rosie Much who is herself an inspirational women in her ideas and thinking. she named be an activist lawyers after she heard what i was trying to organise.

http://www.facebook.com/share.php?appid=2344061033&src=box&tid=145380906132&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andyworthington.co.uk%2F#/event.php?eid=145380906132

Have some great speakers, just need the supporters now.

The time that counts

Yes, it's been nearly a full year at Shoosmiths and i can't say that i would want to re-live that experience, but sometimes it's the time that counts and i have done the time, that's for sure. but sometimes to the detriment to my physical health, but i guess every goes though a rough patch in their lives. hopefully mine is now over and i can finally focus of the things that i really want to do. Amnesty, UCL , Not Just Legal Pages and not to forget learning Arabic.

roll on the next 7 days.

The Next Chapter

It has finally happened. The Next Chapter in my life and the beginning of what i have wanted to do for such a long time. Patience is a virtue, now i understand. Nearly 3 years' qualified, worked for a national firm and now the chance to follow my dreams.

No progression, no future, no point

A time comes when you have to decide is there any point in working at a firm where there is no where to go but sideways. Well, that is the question on my mind at the moment and doesn't seem to go away. No progression = no future to me anyway. I know that a lot of people don't mind coasting all their life, but that is truely a sad life and one that i can't live.

So what do i do? recession is here, fewer opportunities and more competitive than ever. do i stay or do i go? It's not as if i haven't tired, i applied for an interal vacancy a couple of weeks ago and was told that i wouldn't even get an interview for it, even though i spent hours writing up a statement on all the experience i have that was relevant for the job. i had more than enough experience for the poistion but if seems as if it's not what you know, but who you know that counts.

strange place, very strange place.

Not Just Legal Pages

http://beta.notjustlegalpages.com/

Coming very soon!

This is the beta page of my new socio-legal online magazine.

It will make legal topics more accessible to the general public and highlight issues that affect minority groups and those whose rights have been oppressed around the world.

Not just in a name

This might just be a coincidence but the article by Alex Spence http://timesonline.typepad.com/law/2009/06/why-are-lawyers-so-hated.html is a theme that I as a lawyer have recently felt towards others that work in a law firm. Bending the rules for the sake of getting billed on a case is due to the lack of professionalism you have when you have not been trained or qualifed. When they bend the rules there are no consequences for them but asking me to do it is totally different. so take a hike! cause i'm not going to do it, you can theathen me all you want!

The reaction to 'why lawyers are hated?' is not surprising to me at all. I know why the public hate lawyers, i hate most myself. Lack of care, lack of concern and ultimately lack of providing a service to clients.

I hope i'm one of the exceptions, from what my client's tell me i feel that i am. One of my clients recently said to me that before i took his case over he had a low perception of lawyers but that with my advise and support he felt happy and reassured and called me 'his rock' and told me how he get back to work and got on with his life. That is the best compliment i have ever had and probably will ever have from a client and that's the reason why i became a solicitor in the first place to provide a professional service to clients.

I don't bend the rules, i'm not motivated by billing the file regardless to the situation of the case and i genuinely care about my client and they know that and have trust in me. there are good lawyers out there but as a reader has mentioned in her comment, it's a neddle in a haystack to find them.

So the answer that Alex is looking for is that when you call yourself a professional you better act like one, it's not just in the name.