The Prairie Barrister – The Mountain

“No more thieves I believe in the goodness of heart;
It’s return, let it burn, let ’em know who we are;
An ancient tribe of the sky, the redeemer of men;
Sound the song, evil gone, there’s no need to defend.”
Trevor Hall – The Mountain.

The Prairie Barrister, normally enjoying the lush prairie hills on the banks of the Missouri river, embarked on a journey that led westward towards the river headwaters in the mountains. This venture wasn’t born from whimsical fancy but was a pilgrimage to gain wisdom, to polish existing skills, and to reach new heights in the pursuit of civil justice at jury trials. The mountains, known for their imposing strength and tranquility, mirrored the barrister’s quest to unlock their fullest potential. They sought to commune with a tribe of kindred spirits, fellow justice seekers, who shared the same dedication to their calling.

 

In the hush of a cool mountain night, the Prairie Barrister sat by the fire, its crackling flames pushing back the darkness. Above, the stars twinkled like ancient eyes of justice, while below, clouds rolled into the valley, bringing with them a serene sense of quiet. Across the fire, sat a trial lawyer with unparalleled credentials, renowned for his wisdom and successful track record. The glow from the flames dancing in their eyes, as they engaged in a thoughtful conversation.

 

The Prairie Barrister began, a hint of frustration seeping into their tone.“It irks me, the tactics that our opponents resort to. It’s not just about winning, there’s a line they cross far too often. It’s maddening sometimes. Don’t they realize they are obligated, by the law, to pay fair compensation to negligence victims? That every moment, every day, every week, month and year they delay, deny and defend they needlessly prolong the suffering of extremely vulnerable humans?”

 

Listening quietly, the seasoned lawyer recognized the anger, disdain and frustration clouding the Prairie Barrister’s mind. He responded, his voice calm against the whispers of the mountain wind. “Remember, my friend, the nature of our profession is adversarial. Yet, it’s important to maintain kindness. Yes, even towards our opponents who resort to dark tactics. Perhaps especially for these foes.”

 

The seasoned lawyer continued, “The law can be a force for good, and we should reflect that in our practice. But, to truly gain the power to win just jury verdicts, you must have an equanimity that radiates from the core of your being. Just like the mountains around us cannot be moved by the strongest storms, neither can you allow your mind and heart to be moved by the winds of anger, disdain or frustration. While I cannot deny the injustice our clients face and our opponents perpetuate, in order to transform this suffering into something better, our minds, hearts, actions and words must be clear of these things.”

 

His words floated into the night, leaving the Prairie Barrister with a profound realization. Anger and disdain were smudges on the clear mirror of the Prairie Barrister’s perception, blurring their vision and potentially limiting their effectiveness in the courtroom. The Barrister nodded, “You’re right. I confess, at times I’ve let my emotions cloud my judgment. It’s not just about winning, it’s about transforming pain and suffering for the people who have asked us for help. I can see I have more work to do before I give my clients the representation they deserve.”

 

With a renewed commitment, the Prairie Barrister pledged to clear their mind and heart of anger, disdain, and frustration. Instead, they vowed to foster clear perception and kindness, crucial elements to achieving results that transformed human suffering. Under the mountain’s watchful eyes, the Prairie Barrister began a new chapter in their journey, ready to bring back the lessons learned from the mountains to the plains.