TEN THINGS
I Know for Sure
By Robin A . Schmidt
I was appointed to the bench in Watford City in the summer of 2013 . I started work six weeks after the birth of my youngest child , in the middle of the oil boom in western North Dakota . It was wild , to say the least , because the learning curve was steep , the caseload was relentless , but thankfully the good people around me taught me everything I needed to know to thrive .
A few weeks ago , I finished Oprah Winfrey ’ s book , “ What I Know for Sure .” When I was asked to write an article for The Gavel , that topic was still fresh on my mind . So here are a few of the things I know for sure after being on the bench for a little over a decade .
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1 . We are all replaceable . A few weeks after I put the robe on for the first time , I planned to drive to Crosby for Divide County ’ s master calendar . The plan was to shadow Judge David W . Nelson . Judge Nelson was an absolute lifeline during my first years on the bench , and I am happy to say is still my friend today . He had years of experience and wisdom from life and his time on the bench that he was willing to share , if I actually laid down my pride long enough to listen .
On this particular morning , I was planning to simply drive up to Crosby and see how it was done . Early that morning , before I even left Watford City for the two-hour drive , Judge Nelson called to tell me he needed emergency dental work and I would have to handle court alone . I distinctly remember the sense of fear and dread that instantly filled my body . This was not the plan . I told him I could not do it , but as I remember it , he simply replied , “ we are all replaceable .” These four words have stuck with me the last 10 years . We are all replaceable . It keeps me humble , and I need to remember I am not so important or special , that someone else cannot come in here and do what I do . It is a vital lesson for those of us in the legal profession , because it is easy to gain a sense of uniqueness that we are the only one who understand a particular area of law , or can handle the stress , or can talk to clients , etc . None of that is true . What I know for sure , is we are all replaceable . The more I remember this , the more effective I am at doing what needs to be done .
2 . I am not what I have . If I am , I am in trouble . There is always someone with more than me . Lawyers with more experience , people with nicer homes , bigger bank accounts , a better vehicle , more well-behaved children , the list is endless . At one time , I also thought the opposite was true , if you have less than me , then I am better than you . I now know none of that is true and unfortunately , I had to learn this lesson the hard way . Less than 10 years after I left law school , I had what I considered to be
Judge Robin Schmidt pictured with her children , Ella and Eli Gravos , and her huband , Aaron Gravos .
3 an enormous amount of credit card debt . I was an associate , but spending money as if I was a partner . Obviously , this was a recipe for disaster . There was never enough of the “ high life ” or material possessions to satisfy me , when I operated from the idea “ that I am what I have .”
As a young lawyer , it was easy to fall into this trap , because I did not have a lot of confidence in my ability , so I focused on dressing up the outside . Clearly , it did not work . In fact , all it did was leave me deep in debt and empty on the inside . I am thankful I have since then learned the truth . Knowing the truth allows me to sit on the bench as an equal to the lawyers , the litigants , the witnesses , and the defendants . We all have different roles to play , but it does not mean I am better than or less than because of what I have or do not have .
3 . I am not my job . A few years ago , a mentor asked what I would be if I was not a judge . I thought about it for a minute and I told her I would be a divorce lawyer or a criminal defense attorney . I had completely missed the point . Being “ a judge ” is not who I am . It is just my job . A job I truly enjoy for numerous reasons , but it is not who I am .
A few months ago , my young son ’ s friend asked if I was the judge . “ Well , that is a position I hold ,” I responded . My son looked at me as if I had two heads and he asked me why I said that instead of simply saying yes . The truth is , I am not the judge . I am many things , but not one of those things defines who I am .
6 THE GAVEL