The path of a thousand miles begins with a single step, while the pursuit of the impossible always begins with an iron will to become a reality, and had it not been for the grand far-fetched dreams, accomplishments that began with an idea would not have been possible.

A successful person, man or woman, does not reach the summit and in turn accomplish his/her goal unless he/she strives, and is indifferent to the difficulties and obstacles that arise on the way. Human beings possess tremendous capabilities that ensure their success and enable them to overcome failure, but the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful person is that a successful person is able to focus his capabilities well and direct them to serve a specific goal.

Therefore, if I am able to turn back the clock, I would choose to be involved in the legal profession (Self-employment)), in which, I would practice a profession which I love, and I feel through which, I could realize my aspirations.

I received my Bachelor of Law in 2000, and soon after I was accepted as a legal researcher at the Ministry of Interior. My job was focused on providing a legal opinion on all complaints received by the department from any individual against officers of the police force. At first, the work was interesting and fun being a fresh graduate, but I didn't feel inside me that this was the job for me and that would enable me to realize my aspirations; as the number of complaints against police officers received by the department were few and afar, i.e. at the rate of one complaint every two months, and as I particularly like legal work, and due to my boredom, I helped my colleagues in other departments in completing their work and administrative tasks that are often non-legal!

I searched for another job that would fulfill my ambition, and I began in the government sector. At that time, self-employment or the private sector didn’t cross my mind, and thanks to “Allah” the almighty I was accepted into the Ministry of Justice as a litigations officer after I had worked for (4) years as a legal researcher at the Ministry of Interior. My work was focused on writing cases for litigants who did not have the financial means to bring cases before the judiciary system, after I was trained in the legal skills that enabled me to define the specialized judicial departments concerned with addressing the different legal issues; I was able to formulate purely legal summations for all types of cases.

I remained in this department for nearly (15) years during which I gave fruitfully, and demonstrated efficient legal skills, and was promoted until I reached the position of director of this sensitive section of the Ministry of Justice.

I found that the position of a litigations officer had a great affinity and similarity with the work of a lawyer, in terms of drafting the cases and determining the judicial department only. However, the job of a litigations officer ends once the litigant submits the case’s statement of claim, meaning that the officer does not follow up the case’s progress after he/she has drafted and prepared it, and identified the competent judicial department relevant to the dispute, but as I was keen for the litigants to attain their legal rights, I would ask them to inform me about the developments of the case for which I have drafted the statement of claim and organized appropriately, and for which I felt fully responsible as if I were the lawyer of the litigant, but without fees.

In a single day, I used to file (9) to (12) cases; this congestion of work usually was caused by various reasons, such as a colleague going on sick leave, while the department is crowded with litigants, and we cannot inform them that work has stopped, due to their old age or the remoteness of their place of residence or for other reasons, that at times made us feel embarrassed.

There are many negatives that I faced, the most common of which, was that the litigants would at times want me to write to the letter what they dictate to me, rather than use the legal format, and in the event that I stressed to them that I have to draw the statement of claim in a manner that the judge would accept in subject and form, I would hear the statement that (If I wanted a lawyer, I would have appointed an attorney to write on my behalf the statement of claim). How painful is this to my ears, as if I worked for nothing.

As well, if the litigations officer made a mistake in his formulation of the case or in determining the judicial department concerned, they are not punished with a heavy penalty, but only investigated after the complaint is filed against them, and the result would be either for the complaint to be filed, or the officer is alerted and given a warning. The penalty, if applicable, is a deduction from the salary, which is rarely the case.

Also among the negatives of this job is the need to adhere to fingerprint control for attendance and leave, and in order to arrive on time would be a marathon! Furthermore, in case of an emergency, I must seek permission in addition to other procedures. But in all honesty, I must say: after (18) years of working as a litigations officer, I gained great experience in drafting and writing claim statements, responding to legal inquiries, and dealing directly with litigants. So I decided to become independent and practice in the private legal profession, by having my own office and be fully responsible for the interests of the clients and follow up on the progress of their cases, and not have my role end with drafting the cases, but rather follow up the cases until their dismissal or the issuance of the final ruling. This is what I wanted and was determined to do, so I submitted my resignation, which was strongly rejected by my superior, who praised my efficiency and efforts, in my dealings with litigants and my relationship with all colleagues, but my insistence on taking this step made him agree to my resignation.

So I started my own humble office with my associates and became self-employed and in charge of my own business. It is known that the legal profession is not easy; on the contrary, it is a difficult profession that begins with receiving clients in the office and explaining to them all aspects of the case and its procedures in the courts, following which the agreement between the client and the lawyer in which the fees are determined is concluded, after that, the case would bear the name of the office, and it is recorded and its sessions attended, with the submission of notes, evidence, and justifications, and thereby arises the obligation to attend and follow all administrative procedures related to it.

This is considered a great burden on the shoulders of a lawyer who is dedicated to his work and observes every little and major aspect of his work himself, which is the one reason for the success of a competent lawyer. One of the biggest positive aspects of my work is that my role has become comprehensive covering all details of the case, and not as was before when I was a litigations officer when my role was limited only to the legal formulation of the case brief and determining the relevant judicial department. Another positive in my new job is that I am not committed to a fingerprint that obliges me to attend at a specific time to work, but I can easily organize my schedule In the event that an emergency arises.

My feeling of joy is indescribable when a court ruling is issued in favor of my client, as I was the one who passed the test and accomplished success; and I revel in my ecstasy of victory and I tweet and let everyone around me live these moments with me, while being a litigations officer, I missed this feeling and the joy of victory, as the litigant is the one who personally attends the sessions, submits notes and follows up the case’s progress, or assign a lawyer to follow on his behalf the progress of the case that I drafted and prepared!

I learned from my current profession as (Attorney) to constantly renew my stock of knowledge, and follow all changes in the law and regulations, as well as learn to deal with people. There is a proverb that says (the first enemy of the lawyer is his client); Protecting and defending people's interests is the responsibility of the lawyer, who must be perseverant and sincere, and not give up. Most importantly, the attorney should not promise his clients that every case would be won; this is a common mistake that many people commit, no one knows what the future holds, and not every case is a winner.

Although I work without a delegate to whom I could entrust work duties, I rely foremost on “Allah” the all mighty, and then on myself and my partners. Therefore I attend the sessions and follow the administrative procedures of cases, and I am happy with that and I feel that I have realized my ambition.

I repeat it: If I went back in time I would choose to be a practicing Attorney.