Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Just got back from court from a case where we argued with the immigrant’s attorney about a legal issue. I was making arguments that correctly articulated our position, but the judge was confused. He said, “I’m trying to understand the difference between your positions.” My mentor jumped in and explained the opponent’s position and our position in simpler language, and the judge appeared to understand. Later, my mentor told me I was too smart and was using too many legal terms, which tend to confuse this particular judge. When that happens, he just picks a side and agrees with it, and it’s usually the alien. I think it’s funny that we need to bring it down a notch for some judges.
I’ve been criticized since even before law school for complicating issues, i.e. overthinking. You’d think that that would be an asset for an attorney. I think it is an advantage for analysis and preparation purposes, but not for courtroom advocacy. Need to work on that.
| Tags: young bureaucrat
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Dave and I went to see a financial planner yesterday. It was quite a drive – to Oceanside – but the reason was this planner knows federal benefits. He turned out to be very thorough and organized, so we decided to have him write a plan for us. Luckily, the plan is free, and it’s up to us whether we want to implement it.
I was nervous going into it, because I have no idea how to do financial planning. My idea of personal finances is to check my bank account every so often and if there is money in there, great, look no further. While I embrace and absorb most new technologies and software that Dave introduces me to, Microsoft Money was not one of them.
But now that I am a working woman and an adult (supposedly), I want to take responsibility for planning for retirement, buying a house, children, etc. After several conversations with Dave since our wedding consisting of – “We should go to the bank and open a money market account.” “Okay.” Time passes. “We should look into an IRA since I have a real job now.” “Yeah, we should.” More time passes. – we decided we need professional help.
In the beginning of almost 3-hour session, the financial planner asked us about our goals and dreams, starting with “what is important to you about money?” and asking “what is important to you about [our answer]” for every answer until he filled a drawing of a staircase with an answer for each step. I wanted to cry. There was so much anxiety and bitterness built up in me from the frustration of not knowing how to plan my finances.
My parents didn’t teach me that much about money. It’s the typical Asian professional mentality – work hard, save your money, and don’t spend too much. My dad doesn’t believe in discussing the stock market and investments with others because he thinks everyone has their own financial luck or destiny (“ming4” in Chinese). He never gave us an allowance, preferring to buy us things as needed or wanted and to maintain complete control over the family’s finances.
Well, a lot of good that did me. It’s not entirely my parents’ fault obviously, since I am unfortunately also mentally challenged when it comes to numerical data and interest rates, but I am still somewhat bitter. Just for one example, I had my first real job at age 21. I should have opened my Roth IRA then and made contributions, and it would have been growing for the last 6 years. But instead, I didn’t know any better, and am only now getting my act together.
If you start saving for retirement in your 20’s and put 10 percent of your income toward it, you can retire comfortably. If you start in your 30’s, you have to put 15 percent. If you start in your 40’s, it’s 25 percent. If you start in your 50’s, it’s 50 percent. So I’m barely getting in under the wire, and once you combine me with Dave who is almost 30, as a couple we’re looking at more like 15 percent.
Anyway, I’m really glad I went, though it was embarrassing as I held back tears in the beginning. I’m thankful that Dave is humble enough to entrust someone else with our finances.
| Tags: money, married life
Saturday, February 24, 2007
I made it through my first week in court. It went better than I thought it would. I’d been afraid I wouldn’t be able to formulate complete sentences. I hadn’t been before a judge in over a year, so I was nervous. But it went fine, with a few glitches here and there, because my mentor helped me prepare.
The attorneys assigned to watch me from the second chair are all very experienced. One was funny, too. Before lunch he asked how the afternoon calendar looked. I replied that I hadn’t looked at the files yet. He said, “You’re adjusting quite well to our office!” So true.
It’s been an exciting week and I’m looking forward to doing more cases. I had a couple merit hearings (the closest thing to a trial that goes on in immigration court), and got to practice cross examination. It’s a tough skill to master but I’m learning that it’s much more than memorizing a series of questions and asking them like an automaton. It’s about knowing the law and realizing what you and, ultimately, the judge need to make the right determination.
I had my first Perry Mason moment with a woman from Mexico who was here illegally. She crossed the border with her husband and baby many years ago. When I asked her the age of her child, she gave an answer which was impossible given the birth date of the child and purported date of entry. I then confronted her with the birth date, and asked again how old the child was when she came to the US, and she changed her answer. Because of that and a few other inconsistencies, the case was denied, and an order of deportation entered.
Interesting stuff.
Oh yeah, I was called “a child” again. The other time was on my birthday. I went out to lunch with several attorneys, all of whom were older and/or had young children. I asked them when they thought was a good time to have kids, and they asked me my age. I said, “27,” and one of them said, “Oh, you’re still a child.” Well, they do say that 60 is the new 50.
| Tags: young bureaucrat