Will I? I will.

File “Adoption”

Last Wednesday I went to the Integrated Domestic Violence (IDV) court in Bronx. IDV court has jurisdiction over criminal, family, and matrimonial disputes for families whose domestic violence is an underlying issue. I was there for eight hours and my mind was filled with many thoughts. I noticed numerous troubled families and plenty of juvenile delinquents. 

In my eyes, a juvenile delinquent is a hopeless and unfortunate kid. According to the NY and Greek law, children at a specific age, who commit an act that would be a crime if committed by an adult, are juvenile delinquents. When I am disappointed, I wake up the next day and say to myself “OK. Today is another day.” My personal view about the juvenile delinquents was formed when I realized that for some people the next day that will come will be the same. 

These children are not the “bad kids”, as someone would easily say. Most of the times, these children have committed the acts for which they have been charged and tried. However, I deem that the appropriate people who should have been put on trial are their irresponsible parents with shallow hearts, who brought them in life and almost always abandoned them from the first day of their life and placed them automatically in the list of “the unlucky kids”. It is really good luck to be raised by a good family, because our experiences shape our character and define our present and future. 
 

Except for the juvenile offenders, I perceived tortured children by their families, which made me so angry and determined to raise my voice in this issue again. They usually say that the things which are free in our life are the most meaningful. Thus, giving love, hope, presence, and future to a child is worthier than anything else in life. Children are the sweetest and most innocent creatures, who only need love and care. Leaving the IDV court, I affirmed my opinion and thought that if the nature deprives me of the privilege to procreate, I will definitely adopt a child, as I would like to offer my love to children who unfairly were placed to an unhappy and unfortunate position. 
 

The legal process of adopting, from application to finalization, can be a lengthy one. It can be a marathon. Sometimes, I get so furious with bureaucracy. According to NY Domestic Relations Law, an adult unmarried person, or an adult married couple together, or any two unmarried adult intimate partners together may adopt another minor person. Under specific circumstances, the adoptive child’s consent is required. Sometimes, parental consent is also needed. The judge examines all the aspects of the adoption, so that the child’s best interests are served. The same standards are also applicable to the public or private adoption in Greece. Moreover, pursuant to the Greek Law there are also age requirements and limitations to adoption. The Greek statistics show that the average time of a child’s adoption from a public institute is five years, which is unbelievable. 

We try to give meaning to our lives. Let’s give meaning to the lives of struggling and helpless children. Let’s help them in any way we can and if God doesn’t give you the privilege to have your own child, take your life in your hands and give happiness and life to a child who only needs love and attention.
 

 Old Bronx Borough Courthouse

"Oh Captain, my Captain" - Being a Professional Lawyer!

Today I want to share with you what I think it means to be a professional lawyer. Feeling sorrow for the great loss of a wonderful person and actor, Robin Williams, I decided to use as a title for my new post one of his quotes from the"Dead Poets Society" movie.

 

Being an attorney is a landmark event in life. It symbols both an end and a beginning. After years of committed studies, diligence and tenacity, law students get their bar license and they start to frequently lead other persons' lives as captains. The foregoing qualities are the characteristics of all virtuous and ethical lawyers.

 

It is a privilege and not a right for us to be a lawyer. The most noteworthy privilege for us is our reputation, which can be lost in every second. Not only should we receive respect from our clients and the general public, but also we should show deference to them.

 

I remember myself when I started practicing law in Greece. I was walking from the subway to my office every day and I couldn't believe how lucky I was. I was able to do the work that I love. I could have done my work pro bono, if I could, because I would enjoy to do that 24/7. 

 

However, at the end of  every journey there are always responsibilities. One of our most important commitments as lawyers is to serve our clients and public ethically, diligently, and competently. A lawyer without ethics is a tabula rasa.

 

From the time that we enter the legal arena, we have to act professionally and be focused on a myriad of values, such as integrity, respect, accountability, accuracy, leadership, activeness, spirit, service before self, pro bono public service, competence, care, sincerity, etc. Based on our values, the public evaluates us and our work. If we lose our professionalism, the world will suffer from the loss of its trust to us.

Being a professional lawyer is a difficult task. As lawyers, we should dedicate ourselves to the service of justice and we should do our best to solve the clients' and the public issues competently and zealously. Thus, our aim must focus on acting as an ethical captain in resolving and facilitating other people's matters.

 

Being rich will not make you happy. Being an outstanding professional will do. The time that an ethical dilemma will come out, take your mentor's advice for your apparently unanswerable problem. Above all, give meaning to little things and you may realize that there are things that really have true merit in life.