The cliche’ is good lawyers know the law and great lawyers know the Judge.

This is not to suggest knowing the Judge results in an unfair advantage or that the fix was in, but rather you know what to focus on in a trial or hearing and how to prepare the case.

But Judges are just a piece of the Courthouse puzzle. There are behind the scenes heroes that all too often do not get recognized. Court clerks, administrators, court reporters, and bailiffs all contribute to creating a place where people can be helped and justice served.

In fact, in a lot of instances these person are on the front lines of justice. Pointing people in the direction they need to go for help or guiding them to the extent allowed, which isn’t much.

These people also see us (lawyers) at our worst. Litigants being out-lawyered, lawyers treating court staff as if they work for them personally and lawyers blaming others when something went wrong.

Through it all, they keep a smile on their face, a song in their heart and that jerk lawyer on their short list…

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and is grateful for the court staff and their seeming never-ending patience!