A Brief Introduction

Hello to you all out there.

If you are here, I imagine you, or someone you know is in some legal trouble. I can barely imagine the stress that it must bring.

My first post is going to be a brief introduction to why I practice law. Later posts will be informationals focused on detailing the different stages of a court file. So, why start out with talking about myself? Because I believe that while this is a professional service I am providing, being responsible for my client means a lot more than just the professional aspect. Making sure that I am on top of the legal aspects of the file is my duty as a lawyer. However, making sure that my client feels like they are seen and heard is my passion as a person.

A lot of people ask, why are you a lawyer? People assume it’s always about the money. Maybe the prestige, or perhaps it’s a family business. However, I can say that at this early stage in my career, it certainly isn’t the money. I haven’t been able to use the prestige if it exists. And I come from a humble background to which I am grateful for every single day.

I have always believed in standing up for people. Ever since I was young, my grandmother had drilled into me a strong sense of righteousness. I was rebellious at times, and usually irreverent, because I felt like I always had the answers. Because of that, I argued with people often. Parents, teachers, mentors, strangers, anyone who had an opinion on something was someone that I would likely have argued with at one point or another. My beliefs and principles changed and grew throughout the years, but I always believed in standing up for others, for being their voice in the face of ridicule, oppression, or scorn.

I volunteered often at local free meals, and was always taken in by the stories of how they ended up where they were. The mentally ill, the homeless, the downtrodden. Even those who once had completely normal lives but met with some unfortunate fate that ended in their now unfortunate circumstances. But I could do little more than listen and empathize.

Now, I’m here. Called to the bar, and given the great honour and responsibility of representing people as their lawyer. While the stories I hear now are different from when I used to assist with those meals, the core is the same. It is almost always an unfortunate set of circumstances that land people into the legal trouble that they find themselves in. Very seldom is there the unprovoked assault without a reason, a theft without a purpose, a breach without an excuse. There are hundreds and thousands of untold stories every day, each accused with their own side of events, being shuffled from court appearance to court appearance. I have been told time and time again of how clients feel that they are unheard and ignored, by society, by the courts, by anyone who has a hand in their matters. That is where I strive to do my best to give a voice to those who otherwise do not.

Whether that means speaking for them in court, or speaking to them over the phone, I want to give them a sense of recognition that they aren’t just numbers being read out on a court file. They aren’t just clients to pay the bills. They, like everyone else, are people. And the only way I can help them is to provide them with the best legal service that I am able to give, while also making sure that they know that at every step of the process, they are being heard. Whatever their stories, no matter what trials they may be facing.

That’s a short introduction to why I practice law. Whether it has any meaning or value to those that read it, I suppose is up to the reader. I thank whoever has read my brief story about myself and why I do this. And for anyone in legal trouble who wishes for someone to listen to their story, I can assure you that I’ll be here.

James Wu