The Frustration Will Continue in Book Five: Working Through the Maze 2018

So… remember how Chinese Boss is still giving me cases even though I’m leaving in less than 10 business days? And remember how any case I’m “listed” on, I’ll have to withdraw from. So a case given to me THIS WEEK only makes sense that I put White Boss and Chinese Boss as the listed Attorneys? So… Chinese Boss is a listed attorney on the case whereas I am not. Because logic. But this morning, she asks me to tell her what is going on in the case and give updates about my work.

Okay. Here’s the update. You gave me the case. I filed Appearances and a Motion for Discovery on the case. Nothing else has happened. Just because your Chinese clients think that Spending Money means the Courts act immediately doesn’t make it true. And as the attorney who speaks Chinese, you need to have more control over your client’s expectations. If they think that a case will be resolved within two weeks; you should know better! The fact that you don’t… worries me. Seriously, lady. It worries me.

Had a meeting. Came back. First thing I see when I come back? Chinese Boss asking what happens next for the client case mentioned above. If this were, say, Ames… where I was supposed to be working from… or almost any of the 99 counties in Iowa… I wouldn’t begrudge her this question. But the county where this case originates? POLK. The county she and her husband have been working in since Day 1. That is like a Professional Competitive Swimmer forgetting how to swim the front crawl. On a case that isn’t mine. Translation: In order to answer any of her questions, I have to log into either her account or her husband’s account. The Lawyer in me is arguing her defense. “Maybe she just wants to make sure you’re doing some work while you’re here. Trying to make sure you aren’t just coasting the last two weeks.” That is the strongest argument Defense Counsel has on this. Prosecution has a history of disorganization, confusion, contradiction, and unprofessional behavior as corroborated by other parties. Ultimately, the “theory of the case” is this:

This morning, Chinese Client called about his case. He hadn’t heard from us in the last 10 days. This case is a marijuana possession case; meaning it could potentially be an immigration issue. But, funny story… (1) the Chinese government, like most Asian governments, are super strict about drugs including marijuana. So, this kid is doing the classic “Asian Student Visitor” thing of breaking our laws because we go easier on him than China would. (2) This kid is 18 years old. I don’t care how much money his family has in China. You don’t let an 18 year old kid boss you around. BUT Chinese Boss. She that would lay down the life of her entire staff to make sure every Chinese Speaking Client was over-pandered to. So, she stresses. WHAT IS GOING ON?! She has experienced that White Boss would tell her to chill, it would start an argument, she would feel more stressed. Instead, she asks Me. Knowing I’m not going to flippantly tell her to “fuck off and chill out”. So I do the work. Let her know what is going on. The client isn’t happy with the answer. Calls her back. She stresses out more. DOES THE CLIENT NEED TO COME TO COURT?! I tell her what I know and (this time) CC White Boss… because it is his fucking case anyway. After he responds? I see Chinese Boss come down (to nuke her food). Yup. She looks stressed out. Worn down. And I’m thinking, “Still… don’t let an 18 year old be a dick to you. I have clients from all walks of life and my clients are very aware… I’m going to help them and do my best. But if they want to be rude and nasty to me.... that disincentives me to go out of my way to help them.”

Now off to Ames to pick up a client and take them to court. No, I won’t be getting paid for it. No, I don’t care.