THE PROCESS of becoming a lawyer starts from taking a bachelor’s degree and proceeding to Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, to reviewing for the Bar, and eventually pass it. After this, you take the oath, sign your name in the Roll of Attorneys, and obtain your Roll Number.
Once done with all these, you may now be formally called a lawyer and affix the four-letter prefix before your name.
As of this writing, I am already a five-year old lawyer. I passed the Bar on May 3, 2017. In the 23rd of the same month, I took the lawyer’s oath and a day after, I signed the Roll of Attorneys.
Many aspire to be a lawyer but only very few are given the chance to turn into one. And I am blessed enough to become one.
As they say, “the number of years, money spent, sleepless nights, and just about the whole process to become a practitioner of the law is not something any person can endure and that’s why the respect given to lawyers is of utmost.”
It is my practice to write every year about my law practice on the day of my anniBARsary (anniversary for passing the Bar). Thus, this article.
On May 24, 2017, at around 9:30 in the morning, I entered the four corners of the Philippine Supreme Court to immortalize my name and signature in the Roll of Attorneys.
When I was younger, I heard people say: “After five years ka pa kag makapanabang tuod-tuod.”
The idea behind this statement is that studying law and passing the Bar examinations are not enough. After graduation from law school, it is time to face reality, and be prepared to practice law and serve the people.
Three days after signing the Roll, I joined the law firm of J.C. Padios and Associates. I experienced my first in-court hearing on June 15, 2017 as the lead counsel for a land dispute. On July 29, I had my first out-of-the-city hearing for a criminal case. On Aug. 15, I had my first Court of Appeals case for a labor dispute. Three days after, I appeared for the first time in one of my law professor’s sala for another criminal case. On Aug. 28, I had my first speaking engagement as a lawyer with the Philippine Red Cross. On Sept. 6, I had my first hearing in another province and my first ocular inspection in Kalibo, and Boracay Island where I had no sleep for 24 hours because I was still in a meeting at two in the morning. It was for a corporation that has a business on the island. It was later that year that I had my first oral arguments against the associate solicitors of the Office of the Solicitor General.
Everything happened in less than a year. For the first time.
On my very first court appearance, I can still remember sending a message to our Senior Lawyer saying: “Sir, diin ka na? Ma-start na ang hearing.” (Sir, where are you? The hearing is about to start.)
He replied: “Indi ko kaabot. Kaya mo na. Kapasar ka na sa Bar. Abogado ka, bal-an mo na na.” (I can’t make it. You passed the Bar. You are a lawyer; you already know that.)
All I can say while reading his message was “Shooooocks!”
But mind you, it was the best feeling ever when I first introduced myself as a lawyer: “Your Honor, I am Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca, respectfully appearing for the Plaintiff.”
The rest is history.
Most lawyers, including myself, are satisfied and are happy with the path we have chosen.
“Ignorance of the law excuses no one.” Thus, we work not only for money or for the service we may be able to provide but for the knowledge being gained.
The practice of law may not be perfect. It is full of ups and downs. We don’t always appear in court smoothly. There are lutang moments, too. But the best part? We learn a lot about the law, the practice, and most of all, about life.
We gain confidence and experience. We get the chance to brush shoulders with the best among us. It humbles us and keeps our feet on the ground.
I hope people get to appreciate us more, knowing what we have gone through to get to where we are now. Having “Attorney” as part of our names is not only a title, but also a lifetime responsibility.
Happy AnniBARsary!!!/PN
