Wow what a blast from the past question, that ironically plays so well into one of life's lessons I have been working on with my older kids. This questions can only be answered with a two-part answer. Here goes:
Let me preface my answer with this statement: "From the moment I entered law school (& before) there was no other job that I wanted or would even consider, except the role of a prosecuting attorney in some manner or form. I may not have have known where or if I would be called an Assistant State Attorney, Assistant D.A., County atty or what, but I only intended to prosecute bad guys or for lack of a better phrase-those who broke the laws of the state in which I worked.
"I also intended to 'stand by my man'-my hubbie., we were just married and so happy we even held hands and gigled when we walked. I married my law school sweethheart (three times) call me nuts- call him nuts~~this time we have both moved on and we are just happy for the beautiful, talented, and smart kids we created., but back then, Steve Carby wanted to live in Florida...and well I love the beach and I loved him... loved getting and staying tan.
My very first job, straight out of law school as an assistant State Attorney in Clearwater, Florida changed my life in more ways than one. Let me say I am not too proud of how I ultimately ended up interviewing for this job, but I am proud of my second interview with Fred Schaub (one of the top trial attorney's if not in the U.S, definitely in the state of Florida)& I am thankful and honored for the chance Fred took on me.
Anyone familiar with the 6th Circuit Court State Attorney's office in and for the Counties of Pinellas and Port Richey Florida, office of the notorious Bernard "Bernie" McCabe, must know the grueling process one must go through to be offered one of these "coveted envious" offers-primarily reserved for and Cherry picked for none other than the handful of "Stetson Law School-Top Trial Team babies
To say that an outsider had much of a chance of landing in the creme-de-le-creme was about like saying that a four time tri-delta legacy would lose a bid to a nobody -non-legacy ...you get the picture.
The State Attorney's office in clearwater is a large enterprise with a relatively high turn over ratio~only after 3-5 years. Twice a year (sometimes less) a group of 5-6 new assistant State Attorney's were hired to work in the misdemeanor section. Everyone, no exceptions, began in misdemeanorss. Not a bad thing, since in FL. almost all cases were tried by jury (yes even DWI first and the occasional theft of a big gulp from circle k." This was the pr-imo hands on training ground for attorney's fresh out of law school-dead set on becoming prosecutors or trial attorneys.
The entering group almost always included 5 or 6 of Stetson's trial team elite. 99.9 % of whom had just completed a one to three semester internship at the State Attorney's office. The really big bonus to interning was this: While still law students, not yet even law school grads awaiting bar results, but pure & simple 3rd yr law students worked as interns~assigned one or two at a time to a misdemeanor attorney. They learned how to handle every type of situation they would face if they elected to continue @ The State Attorney's office INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ~ACTUALLY TRYING CASES FROM BEGINNING TO END.Imagine the jump they would have on any peers. Well, except for the small fact that all peers it seemed also were in the same elite class.
So, once or twice a year the elite group for 5-6 were hired to extend their internship into the "paying world" No, it was not a prerequisite that they had taken or passed the Fl. State bar. They had to be signed up and on their way. I'll hand it to Stetson, seldom, if ever did one of the elite disappoint and not pass the bar.
Twice a year the party atmosphere continued as the bar results were handed down & the entire office of over 175+ assistant state attorneys held an elaborate "pass the bar party" for which I feel certain, we must have been given some allowances by the locals and beach police, because a lot of drinking was involved in this celebration and never once did anyone arrive at work the following day to find one of the new "brotherhood" on the "advisory docket" ie: holding tank awaiting a judge.
I did say seldom. During my 3-4 year stint at this elaborate trial training ground, I did encounter a few, very few who did not pass the first time. They were publicly told to wash it off, don't let it get you down, you'll get it next time or words to that affect. I am not sure what they were told privately. I do know that they continued their duties acting as an attorney-prosecuting and winning cases...but, seldom were they seen at the after work happy hour celebrations.
What you ask. would become of those mifortunates who did not catch the holy grail on the second try? Well I can attest to this. They did not get fired nor sent to purgatory. I , however only encountered too such individual lawyers-I now use the word loosely.
If one of the elite dream team of 6 failed to pass the bar examination on his/her second attempt (and anyone studying for the Florida bar must tknow that this is not an easy task, but try doing it while working full time as a practicing (if not attorney) one who walks like an attorney-talks like an attorney and damn sure wins convictions in jury trials, just like an attorney) I learned the fate of the two time bar "did not pass person" we did not say "fail"
This person would be stripped of his trial duties, as the Fl. Law only permitted an incoming hire to practice and try cases under the direct and close supervision of a licensed attorney to go on for a term of one year, and seeing as the bar is only offered 2 times per year (February and July), if you do not pass on try #2 (i must remind you this was so rare I'm sure if you entered in a different year than the one who did not pass, you may never have even been privy to such); well this person was removed from trial duty and taken across the street to the felony division (A promotion, you ask?) No, not quite. If this person was well liked (and who wasn't of the cherry picked trial team elite?) they were implanted in the felony appellate division where the remainder of their time would be spent working on appellate work because as we know even a Law clerk can legally perform this task. A way to keep the elite around in hopes he passes on his third try.
I never heard of anyone not passing on the third try. So A big blowout "pass the bar party was held in honor of this special honoree, who then rejoined the ranks of his elite & oh so very competitive crew), problem being, he is now one to 1.5 years behind his entering group interns on numbers of trial compleated vs convictions vs losses & some magic mathematical formula designed to determine the order of the elite 6's promotion to felony attorney.
How I managed to ride in with these elite trial team untouchables is still one part mystery to me. In hindsight (I was 22 at the time and hindsight did not carry me far). I remember my first interview and I remember thinking it did not go well. To this day if my intuition tells me something went well or not---I believe it!
I did not here from the State Attorney's office for about 6 weeks- except for of course my letter to all three of the then Jack ass's )No I did not refer to them as such)-my god, one is now a sitting Judge and someone whom I came to truly admire-once i got the damn job! My ADHD and inability to wait got the best of me and I mailed another letter to the State Attorney & to Mr. Fred Schaub, the trial guru; saying something like this (this is the short version)
Dear. Mr. Schaub:
It has been over a month since I received a letter from you office indicating one way or another how the hiring process went. As you know, I graduated top of my class.....................Surely you can recognize that I need to approach other prosecutors's offices. I made it clear to your office that your were and remain my first choice. I do hope to hear from you soon. I would especially enjoy an opportunity to speak to you personally. Unfortunately we did not have an opportunity to visit during my initial interview as I was placed before a panel that unfortunately did not include you. I was disappointed as _______ left=out here intentionally) speaks so highly of you and feels certain I have talent and skill to add to your trial team.
sincerely,
M.Sugar
I received a phone call two days later: "Please hold for Fred Schaub"
We talked , he asked if I passed the bar, I said yes, he asked if I would come in for another interview Friday, I said if he, would be conducting the interview.
2nd interview:
panel of three lead by Fred:
He wanted to know what I could possibly add to his group of handpicked choices, since I was not on his trial team
answer: I may not have their trial experience, but what I lack in trial experience is not a detriment to me, it gives you someone you can shape and form from the beginning; your way. and what I lack in trial experience, i certainly mae up for in grades, accomplishments, law review and other honors etc. I said, take a chance on me or don't. One of your elite i hear just failed the bar, so maybe you need someone without that issue
Fred:
Did you study for the bar
Me: no
fred Why no?
Me : didn't need too, I'm smart; i looked it over.
fred: why a trial ttorney
Me: for the rush, i get an Adrenalin rush in the courtroom and I want the feel the real rush of being a trial attorney and I want to learn from the best
interview ended, i cried all the way to my convertable BMW (great impression-yeah she needs a job! I did, I just got married and mom & dad were cutting the purse string; the car, was I crazy?????
As I reached my car fred called: "good interview"
went home wrote my thank you letter
thank you for the interview; i left with the feeling I had been hired. Kindly let me know if you felt the same. As you know I live in Tampa and I need to find a place to live in clearwater asap.
Before he could have received the letter, he called, can you start monday
yes
fast fwd three years later at my big promotion
fred looked at me and said you know why i hired you?
"Because you had the guts to call an demand an interview with me, because you looked Me straight in the face and said you did not study for the bar, said you are smart, i believed you and was so sick of ass kissers and welcomed the freshness of someone cocky; i admired you
more on how i initially got interview later,
i do not recommend this for everyone; i knew what i wanted to do, this was the only place i wanted to work so i basically suicided it. could have gone south in a big way.
moral of today's story
I was watching a rerun of a crime show & I saw me recounting a recent murder trial I won. I was on on oxygen; snapped the other night a National news type show and same night saw an interview with fred schaub and i realized that all i learned in law school and the 20 years in louisiana with the best of the best attorneys NOTHING COMPARED TO THE TRIAL EXPERIENCE I GOT FROM FRED SCHAUB IN CLEARWATER FLORIDA, ONE OF A KIND. HE TOOK A CHANCE ON ME AND HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO TRY A CASE, PUSH THE ENVELOPE AND GET THINGS IN LEGALLY AND TO DRAMATICALLY SHOW MY POV, WITHOUT FRED, I MIGHT HAVE JOINED THE RANKS OF INSURANCE DEFENSE GOD HELP ME
My heartfelt thanks to the man who gave me a chance, the trainging and confidence to become one of the most powerful female attorneys in Louisiana. , Thank you Fred Schaub. office of Bernie mcCabe, clearwater, florida
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