Longtime readers may remember that I’ve had a hard time stepping away from my full-time legal career. After six months of adjustment, I’ve come to a key realization: the issue wasn’t the practice itself—it was me. I was the one who needed to change. Now, with that understanding, I’m ready to embrace my new identity as a part-time attorney.
When Reality Didn’t Match Expectations
I had grown increasingly frustrated with clients—those who didn’t express appreciation after a successful outcome, and even those who criticized results they had already agreed to. What irritated me most was the timing and location of many closing meetings: evenings or weekends, far from home, near the clients’ convenience.
But I’ve come to see that they weren’t really the problem. I was.
I had developed unrealistic expectations for gratitude and courtesy. And when clients didn’t meet those expectations, I couldn’t respond with the professionalism or patience I once had.
An Unexpected Perspective Shift
As I scaled back my legal work, I began volunteering as a reading buddy to a first-grader named Henry. He didn’t always say “thank you” either—and sometimes complained when we had to do schoolwork before diving into Captain Underpants. But I never tired of our sessions. In fact, I found them deeply meaningful, and I may have shed a few tears after our final meeting.
Even without words of gratitude, Henry left me with something valuable. On our last day, he finished the sentence “My tutor Miss Susan is…” with “fun” and “nice.” That was all I needed to hear.
It was during that moment that something clicked.
I had become so preoccupied with how clients reacted—or didn’t—that I lost sight of how meaningful the work itself was. I had let others’ responses define my satisfaction, rather than trusting my own judgment.
Thanks to Henry, I’ve refocused. I now recognize that the work I do is solid, and my clients are well represented—regardless of whether they express it.
Interestingly, many of the same clients who didn’t say “thank you” still reach out with legal questions. Some have even referred friends and family. If my work had been lacking, they wouldn’t continue to rely on me. While they may never say, “Susan is fun and nice,” I’d like to think their continued trust suggests something like “skilled and compassionate.”
Redefining What Matters Most
What truly matters now is that I know the work I do is good.
I’ve learned that client praise—or lack thereof—is no longer what defines success for me. Henry reminded me that the value of my work doesn’t hinge on someone saying “thank you.” It comes from knowing we made progress and did something worthwhile.
With that renewed perspective, I’m stepping into my role as a part-time attorney with a fresh sense of purpose. I know I deliver excellent service and outcomes. From here on out, that knowledge is its own reward.
If a client fails to show appreciation—or worse, complains—that’s not a reflection of my work. That’s on them. Not me.
