“ Judge Corwin did a great job as an arbitrator on a complex commercial litigation matter . He kept the proceeding on track … and the parties appreciated his attention to detail while hearing the evidence and issuing a reasoned decision .”
10I had an idea of when I would be happy that ranged from
10 . There is real joy available to all of us , right here , right now . For the first decade or more after graduating from law school ,
ludicrous to plain silly , such as , once I bought a house , after I made partner , once I had a pair of Manolo ’ s , once my kids were out of daycare , etc . The list was long and misguided . Over the years , I have learned happiness is only truly available in the present moment .
In the court system , we are surrounded by pain and suffering , and it is far too easy to lose sight of the many opportunities for happiness and joy . I now make it a practice to take the time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset as I arrive at or leave the courthouse , to breath deeply when the spring blossoms open on the trees in the parking lot , to marvel at the colors of the fall leaves before the wind sends them on their way , or even to stare in wonder as a tumble weed the size of my vehicle goes blasting down the road . The opportunities are limitless , if I am awake to the possibilities .
A few months ago , the North Dakota legal community experienced a great loss when Attorney Michal R . Hoffman passed away . I
was asked to speak at his funeral service , which was one of the greatest honors in my career . At the end of my remarks , I read this poem I have framed on my desk in my office . It struck me as describing what I thought attorney Hoffman embodied so well in the courtroom . I also think it encapsulates these 10 things I know for sure .
Humility : Humility is perpetual quietness of heart . It is to have no trouble . It is never to be fretted or vexed , irritable or sore ; to wonder at nothing that is done to me , to feel nothing done against me . It is to be at rest when nobody praises me , and when I am blamed or despised , it is to have a blessed home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace , as in a deep sea of calmness , when all around and about is seeming trouble .
I hope you have found something useful in this article . I hope you are able to apply it in a manner that allows you to more fully enjoy the legal profession in your life .
Robin A . Schmidt is a judge for the Northwest Judicial District of North Dakota .
“ Judge Corwin did a great job as an arbitrator on a complex commercial litigation matter . He kept the proceeding on track … and the parties appreciated his attention to detail while hearing the evidence and issuing a reasoned decision .”
Sean Foss , Fargo , ND
Uniquely qualified neutral
8 THE GAVEL