Last week was definitely full of more tribulations than trials for me. Unfortunately, I became extremely ill and was not able to attend the Opening and Closing Statements Workshop. Although I am still sad that I couldn’t join everyone in Tampa, I am happy to say that I did not feel pressured to attend despite my condition or looked down on for prioritizing my health. In fact, the leadership team worked hard to accommodate me, first attempting to set up virtual attendance, and ultimately agreeing that the best course of action would be to reschedule my opening statement for a time when I am a bit more coherent. I am glad that I did not entirely miss out on the opportunity to get feedback on my opening statement, especially because it is something I have never done before.
I am also glad that the attorneys here in Tallahassee were exceptionally understanding and accommodating as well. My mentor, Jeff Grosholz, not only helped me navigate communicating with about my situation, but he also made sure I was able to get home safely when I started feeling unwell and continued to check in over the course of the next few days. I felt much more comfortable taking the time that I needed to heal because of the support that I received from everyone. I was able to push back some of my deadlines, and everyone that I reached out to was much more focused on asking me how I was doing and wishing me well than worrying about work.
As unfortunate and poorly timed as my illness was, it also allowed me to experience the genuinely caring and supportive nature of the firm. Now that I am on the mend, I am looking forward to picking up right where I left off.
