This quote is by Washington Irving. He is best known as the author of such short stories as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle (by the way, the very Rip Van Winkle lives in Tennessee… but that is another story).
I have tried to find the context in which this quote was used, but to no avail. Mr. Irving apparently studied law and passed the bar in the early 1800s. That may have been the genesis of this quote.
The message behind the quote is true. “Baby lawyers” as we are fondly called by the veterans of the legal profession, are often in court every time the door is open. I certainly have been. But, not because I had a case or a client to represent. Rather, I was there soaking in the atmosphere. You see, law school did a great deal of nothing with respect to preparing me to practice law. Moot court was a great experience but it is called “moot” for a reason. It is nothing like the real thing.
Sitting in General Sessions weekly has taught me much in the way of the variety of the law. Everything that could happen in a small town does, and it finds its way into the General Sessions courtroom. As an aside, the multiplicity of the people and the creativity of their arguments, makes for an entertaining session. But I have picked up on other things as well. Like, the way the Court reacts to certain types of arguments, or how other more seasoned attorneys approach difficult legal issues. It has truly been a learning experience thus far.
As I gain experience, I find myself with less and less time to sit back and observe. And I imagine, those days, once passed will no longer be available to me. Yet, I must disagree with Mr. Irving, in one respect. Young lawyers attend with no business there, but it does serve a purpose. The best way to learn anything is to do it. If you aren’t afforded an opportunity to do it yet, then the next best way of learning is to watch someone who knows what they are doing, do it. So I shall continue to darken the doors of the courtrooms for as long as I can.
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