swearing-in ceremony

I was sworn-in as an attorney yesterday afternoon. Clay stood near to take pictures. It was a hectic arrangement with Clay and I rushing downtown on our lunch breaks but I was tired of waiting for the “right” time. The time was now!

As I considered who to administer the attorney’s oath for me I felt hesitant and unsure about judges or clerks or officers that I didn’t know. And then I remembered Jose and knew he was the perfect person to swear me in. He is the coordinator at the Union Rescue Mission’s Legal Aid Clinic and I had the great privilege of working with him the summer of 2009. He’s a man I quickly grew to respect and it was really an honor to have him, well, do the honors.

Skid row is where I learned to be free. It sounds dramatic, because it was. It’s where I committed to go to law school and where I was as I studied for my LSATs and where I worked after my first year of law school. So it was only appropriate that I return to be sworn in as an attorney in that same special place. I hope beyond all hope that I’ll get to work there as an attorney one day, and that this is still the beginning of my story there.

Baby’s breath in my hair! Jose carefully situating his stamp.

This was immediately after Clay told us, “Ok, nobody move,” and then I moved. (Meanwhile, Jose is still situating his stamp, and it was, quite literally, perfectly placed.)

I think Jose has begun to read the oath here, I am clearly crazy nervous.

This is when my face was quivering and I thought I might cry. That’s why I’m blurry, cause I’m quiverin’.

Excitement right afterwards.

It was so special, just the three of us. I won’t forget it, no never.

I solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney and counselor at law to the best of my knowledge and ability.

“And Amen,” said Jose.