Practice Perspective

How do I practice the AA principles in all my affairs and still be an effective litigator?

I was born to be a fighter, so becoming a litigation attorney came naturally. I could fight for a living! I attended every fight I was invited to and initiated many others. But when I came to AA, I learned that in order to survive I needed to be humble, selfless, and to avoid anger at all costs. I struggled to reconcile these principles with my duty to my client to be a fierce advocate.

Thankfully, the answer came through prayer and work with my sponsor: I must always check my motives. When I am tempted to retaliate to an adversarial email or pleading, I ask myself a simple question: Am I reacting out of ego, or truly protecting my client? When I answer honestly, the path forward becomes clear.

It still stings sometimes to “back down” or choose not to react at all. My instincts and my ego try to convince me that my anger is justified. But I now know that entertaining and acting on those emotions threatens the peace and serenity I have learned to cherish. Today, I understand that I can be a litigator without sacrificing my recovery.