Upright Lawyering

// Hello, everyone! Time for a quick check-in.

This winter continues to present hard times in my business, confidence, and dedication to show up and be consistent.

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Rumors of war, back-to-back pandemics, natural disasters, and extreme polarization are exhausting (especially if you are watching the news or looking at Twitter). I have struggled with finding joy and not wanting to pile on and complain about everything wrong, and that is an endless quest because so many things are wrong!

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Our world feels like a literal dumpster fire at times. Or like witnessing one of those sandwich board-wearing crusaders declaring, “Repent! For the End Is Nigh!” (I wanted to include a link to YouTube in the previous sentence, but it gave me severe anxiety to see what’s on the internet — Google at your own risk.)

But Judgment Day is not yet upon us if you read this, and we persist. We politely go through the car line, buy groceries at the supermarket, and show up for our neighbors and loved ones because it is the right thing to do.

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I cope with all that is wrong by showing up and surrounding myself with people. I recently joined a group of intergenerational (aged 20 to 70) women friends worldwide (Egypt, U.K., New Zealand, U.S., Philippines, South Africa, Netherlands) where we talk about life struggles and hopes.

Recently, a woman who lived in Burkina Faso told us the country’s name means “the land of the upright people” because it evokes its revolutionary spirit and grassroots legacy. This description captures spirit, strength, and resilience. I love it.

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How can we lawyers uphold a spirit of uprightness in these trying times? It’s easy to follow the example of many corrupt leaders who are also members of our profession. You may be tempted to keep a misaligned client and hold on to the engagement because you need the money rather than ethically withdrawing from the case. Uprightness often presents opportunities all of the time, like how we treat our legal intern or whether we defend someone who is mistreated by the legal system.

I dream of a day where we can move through life with more joie de vivre and prioritize common decency and civility. Maybe I am naive and idealistic in hoping so. I’d love to know if there is a way to maintain this state? If only Marie Kondo would write a book with five steps about sparking joy in our world? I’d follow it like a pro!

Do you have thoughts on this article? Please email me at [email protected].

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Iffy Ibekwe is the principal attorney of Ibekwe Law, PLLC. She believes that women deserve to make decisions that affect them with wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. Activating women is Iffy’s calling, and she also loves speaking internationally about entrepreneurship, estate planning, motherhood, and supporting other women lawyers. Currently, Iffy is writing her first book on culturally competent estate planning, available in 2023 (prayers up!). A double-Longhorn, Iffy graduated from The University of Texas (undergrad and law) and has practiced law for over 15 years. Iffy can be reached by email at [email protected], her website, LinkedIn, and Instagram @iffyibekweesq.

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Iffy Ibekwe, Mental Health, Small Law Firms, Solo Practitioners