Today I celebrate 10 years of being a lawyer

This week have been quite eventful with a conference on blogging and law organised by eLawyer.com.my, the Bar Council of Malaysia Annual General Meeting (which I didn't go), the Legal Aid Dinner (which I was invited at the last minute by Selangor Bar Committee) and a beauty pageant event sponsored by Nuffnang (which was my first ever blogging event). I have only reported on the beauty pageant in my other blog here and here (it shows which of the events stick to my mind more). All these events had made my weekend full to say the least. It was even extended to Monday as the Malaysian Dream Girl Season 2 was on Monday night.

And today, exactly on 20.3.09, I am celebrating my 10 years of being a lawyer. Ten years ago, on a Saturday morning, I was in a courtroom in the Seremban High Court, my hometown which is 50 km from Kuala Lumpur, being robed by my Master (actually my Master was a she but no one ever call a lady lawyer a Mistress when she took a chambering student). Being robed is when you, who is wearing a suit being help into an overcoat-like jacket which lawyers wear (came from the our British colonial masters) as a sign that you are now a part of the legal fraternity. There were 3 other lawyers with me. I just couldn't remember their name but one is them was an Indian girl, one Indian man and a Malay guy. That was also the last that I hear of them. 

My mom was so proud that she sponsored the traditional high-tea after the call to the bar at the only hotel in Seremban then instead of doing it at our Bar Room. And thanks to my very compact camera then (not digital), all the pictures are either blurred or dark. Maybe those programs which can repair such pictures can make it better. Never tried any yet.

That was 10 years ago. For the past 3 year, every time March 20th came, I have made it a tradition to treat all my staff to some lunch at the office, especially since we moved to the new office which has quite a big pantry. However, today, I have planned and told them that I am going to treat them to real meals. 10 years in private practice and nearly 9 of it with the same partner is a big deal. Her 10 years will be this 10th of April. She is going through some tough time but we have been there for each other through thick and thin. 

Here's to 10 years more and then some....

* All those reference to Bar Room and Bar Council are not about bar where you serve drinks but what lawyers association are known. And call to the bar is not people calling me to have drinks but being admitted as a lawyer.