I just finished watching “Unbelievable” on Netflix. I enjoyed the story line, the acting, and the interaction of the two female detectives as they bonded. The story had strong overtones of the fight between good and evil. What made it even more profound and meaningful for me was it was based on true events. The troubled teen, Marie, is sadly raped. She grew up in the foster care system and is desperately trying to better herself. She reports the rape but then recants for she was not being heard or believed by the male detectives and those closest to her. This leads to a serial rapist becoming more skillful as he continued   to brutalize other women. This sad chain of events is a somber reminder of how our lives are so intertwined and how what we do impacts others and society at large. The two detectives, who eventually solve the rape and vindicate Marie, are Grace Rassmusen, played by Tony collect and Karen Duvall played by Merritt Wever.  The detectives are very different. Grace was tough, seasoned, a fighter, with a tough exterior and Karen is softer, more willing to show her emotions, religious, and dedicated. Both are strong women with admirable characteristics. I could relate to them and each embodies parts of myself.

I was very affected by Karen’s ability to rely on and use her Christian faith as a lens to help her focus so she could do her job as well as fulfill her role as a wife and mother. When we first meet her investigating a rape in her jurisdiction, the victim is in her car and she sees a big post-it note on her dashboard which says “Send me.” The victim asked,” What is that?” Karen replies, “It’s from Isaiah 6:8.” She explains that it reminds her of why she became a cop.

 This is also one of my favorite passages from scripture and this scene has stayed with me. Like Karen, the passage reminded me of my call as an attorney and how God can use me.  Another similar scripture passage is in Ezekiel, 33:7, “Son of man I have appointed you a watchdog… speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way.”  This helps me see my role as an attorney; to help my clients fight the good fight and for me be a source of peace to them and society. As the police are God’s instrument to maintain law and order and seek justice for its victims; my role as an attorney is to protect my clients, counsel them and be an instrument of justice by coming to a resolution of a legal dispute.  I try to see things from my client’s perspective so I have empathy and can help them to have mercy.  I must balance this with fairness and justice. Integrity is a necessary factor. Integrity is defined as moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character, and honesty.

Employing integrity in advocating for clients has made me care, work harder, not give up, while counsel clients on the law while applying it to what is best for them not only in the short term but in the long term. Being able to see the big picture is important. Using a cost benefit analysis is important in critiquing any settlement as well as how to proceed with the case. It is crucial. Honesty and not telling a client what they want to hear is not easy, but it is an ethical duty

The longer I have practiced the more I have come to see how counseling my clients is my most important role. When I began my career, I thought the court room is where I needed to focus my energies and develop my skills. In time I realized prepping a case, gathering all the information, documentation, having knowledge of the law as well as experience in the court room, and counseling clients is what really counts. This is one of the main reasons I have begun legal coaching as a service for my clients. It is a much needed and invaluable. I find it fulfilling and a way to best honor my vocation as an attorney Unfortunately, some colleagues think that all they need to do is go to court. Meetings, discussions, responses and preparation of proposals does not seem necessary. I do not agree with that mindset or a way to practice. I liken it to a battlefield. You can either come out shooting or you can build a strong force, and position your troops in a way that your opponent agrees or surrenders. There is always a battle against good and evil in every case and I, like the detectives in “Unbelievable”, constantly remind myself of that. There is a battle within as well as without. Doing the right thing is never easy. It may seem unbelievable but it is not.