The work is mysterious and important
It just truly sunk in for me that I've been in this firm for seven years now. SEVEN. 7th anniversary. Wow.
I actually still find myself quite surprised that I'm in a law firm. Back in law school, I was so certain that I was not going to thrive being in a firm. My bad experience in our mandatory legal aid made me believe I was never going to enjoy litigation. In addition, I spent two summers interning in the judiciary: after my first year, I interned at RTC Quezon City as part of the USAID's pilot programs to decongest trial courts. A few years later, I was lucky enough to be accepted at the Supreme Court, as part of the judicial reform interns under the Chief Justice. At the time, I felt, thought, and just knew, that my heart was set on that kind of calling. Researching and assisting in the writing of decisions, drafting policies, providing actual solutions to improve the judiciary. "Big picture" stuff, especially for someone like me who felt stifled by the hoops of the legal practice (at least, by what I knew of it thanks to law school).
But alas, here we are. As I'm writing this, I have to reply to emails, draft opinions, review pleadings, make submissions. Surprisingly, I'm still not tired of it. Sure, it's likely because unlike bigger law firms, the pressure and the workload are not the same. I have the luxury of still having a hybrid set up, I have colleagues I get along with quite well, and I receive good feedback from our partners, who also encourage me to expand my network and participate in IP-related conventions or speaker panels. To be honest, it's nothing quite like the horror stories I've heard from batchmates who worked for other firms (and who have, mostly, left for in-house work).
(Although it's still not like the Ally McBeal lifestyle I've been sold growing up. cue Monalisa Saperstein voice Money pweeease!)
Sometimes, I wonder if I should've extended my stay in the US, took the New York Bar, and tried to see what was out there. No doubt, my LL.M. opened doors for me here, but I'm quite sure I would've found more opportunities if I stayed. In hindsight, with the way things are going now in the US, I'm glad I moved back; I was pretty certain then that I didn't want to live there for good anyway. I would've been treated like a second-class citizen (or worse), and would never stop feeling homesick. I mean, I was there for barely eleven months. I was constantly in touch with my then-bf (now my husband) and my friends thanks to social media, but I couldn't shake off the loneliness, even with great friends around me. I'm sure I would've hated it. Still, it would've been nice perhaps if I got some experience.
But ultimately, I'm a sucker for the "everything falls into place eventually" propaganda. I think things happened the way they did because somehow, finding my way back to Manila, to this firm, is what was supposed to happen. Maybe I'm destined for great things while I'm here. Small, sure, in the grander scheme of things, but with weight and significance. The kind that matters to me and the people around me, and my circles. Prestige in other countries is perhaps worth chasing, still. But unless actual doors swing wide open, allowing me to leave, I'm staying put in the meantime. I'm glad and grateful to be where I am. And I'm hoping that soon enough, better things (aka partnership) are on the horizon for me.
But I'm going to throw this out to the universe regardless: WTO. Red Bull. Lego. Mattel. Disney. Netflix. Adidas. WIPO. Just in case you're listening.