Lawyering's Ins and Outs

Come end of May this coming year, I am stepping out of Church employment. To many, it might come as a surprise. To me, however, it is expected and has been the plan (c ommunicated to me shortly after my acceptance of the position to work in the Church Office of General Counsel (OGC) as its International Legal Manager assigned in Manila ). Of course, I will not be completely detached or out of touch, because I will still be rendering legal services as an outside counsel, through my own law firm. But part of moving on and bidding adieu my three and a half (3 1/2) years with OGC, I am submitting this list of the “ 50 Things ” that are unique and were learned only through my stint with OGC. Personal Insights 1. My employment is not just a calling (coz I am compensated), but it is also not just a job. Only here that I make judgments according to the directions of the Spirit. ( Elder David Bednar ) 2 . Caught the Vision: “ To be exceptional servant to the “Servants of the Lord” an...

The month of November marked as my fifth year of being an in-house lawyer, and third year in my current position as an international legal manager for the Office of General Counsel Asia of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Since I was then only in my late twenties, landing an in-house counsel job is considered to be a lucky streak in the sense most people use the word. As with other awards and commendations I received – among others, passing the Philippine Bar Examination in 1998, and consequently becoming one of the youngest female lawyers in the country, graduating as class valedictorian in the college of Law, cum laude in the University, and becoming a recipient of several awards and scholastic achievements since my elementary days, I remember family, friends and colleagues coming to me extending that heartfelt word of “congratulation” and a pat on the back saying I am either- intelligent, smart, hard working, diligent and lucky. Then, I don’t like to be called luck...