Rich in Impact on the World

    I know a woman named Donna.  She's my mom's friend.  Donna inspires me in many ways.  She is nice, compassionate and good hearted.  When Donna was 28, I wasn't born yet.  She had graduated Harvard Law School.  She was on her way up.

     Donna took a job as an Assistant District Attorney of New York.  This was a position many fought for. In her job, she prosecuted criminal defendants.  At this point she was not rich, but she was financially well off.  While she worked as an ADA, she got 6 job offers to work in law firms.  However, she objected morally.  She spent ten years as an ADA.  Then, she got two more job offers.  She got an offer to be a legal aid defense lawyer and making one million dollars a year at a law firm.  She chose to work as a legal aid lawyer.

Interview(conducted over the phone)

Me

What was it like being an ADA?

Donna

It was fun and really interesting.  But I felt like I was on the wrong side of many issues.  I found myself playing legal games and sometimes convicting those who did not deserve to go to prison.

Me

Why didn't you want to work at a law firm?

Donna

Working at a law firm can be interesting to some, but not to me.  I believe in public service.  Working at a law firm does no service to the public.

Me

Do you have an objection to making lots of money?

Donna

No.  However I believe its more important to enjoy, feel good about, and believe in your work than to make a lot of money.

    I respect and look up to Donna a great amount.  She's nice, smart, idealistic and strict to her values.  I hope to some day be like her.  She defends those who deserve a fair trial.  She makes very little money for a lawyer.  She may not rich in currency, but she is rich in happiness and in her impact on the world.