When I was in 7th Grade, my Literature teacher, Mr. Nolan, quite possibly changed the trajectory of my life. After vigorously stating my case to avoid getting in trouble during class, he gave a sarcastic remark along the lines of, “You might make a good attorney someday.” I remember smirking back at him and finding a spark of curiosity. Could I be a great lawyer someday? Fast forward fifteen years, and a whole lot of student debt later, I received my J.D. from St. Mary’ University School of Law and (thankfully) passed the Texas Bar Exam with a score high enough to practice in any UBE jurisdiction in the U.S.
Although I had hunch back then, I certainly know now that being an attorney is not merely about arguing your way out of trouble. During law school, I was humbled to not only learn of the intricacies of the many practice areas of law, but of the perseverance required to power through the rollercoaster of that three-year ride. My law school experience was both gruesome and incredible, riddled with ups and downs. But when my gas tank was running on empty, a call to a family member to remind me that the rough times were only temporary always seemed to do the trick. In the end, those long nights of dissecting case law were all worthwhile because I get to share this achievement with my loved ones who have sacrificed so much for me to be where I am today.
As you read this, I will have been an attorney for a little over two weeks, which means I’m not exactly qualified to reflect on life as an attorney just yet. However, I can tell you what I am looking forward to. Being an attorney will afford me the opportunity to advocate for my client’s interests, enhance my communication skills, encourage me to think critically, and will exploit my intellectual curiosity. Joining this profession has also reminded me how basic ethics and listening intently before I speak (work in progress) is so important in practice and in everyday life. In sum, I am truly blessed to be a part of the 5.8% of Hispanic lawyers that make up the legal community and am looking forward to what lies ahead.
Whether Mr. Nolan’s remark was the determining factor that ignited me to strive to meet my goal of joining this noble profession, I am fortunate to have an opportunity to become the great attorney I pondered over back in 7th grade.
Sincerely,
Jose Luis “Joe” Benavides, III
