My grandson is a lawyer. It’s a statement I never anticipated, but one I take great pride in saying. Yes, I’ll be taking some credit for that accomplishment. It’s funny how we can rationalize such things as that. Parents and grandparents do that.

Sometimes, siblings and friends do that as well. It’s not that much different than knowing a “celebrity” of some kind. Even when we have just met one, bumped into them in some fashion, we say, we know them. It’s like we accomplished something personally.

He has started “practicing” the law. He is clerking for a judge. I asked him what he does all day and he replied, I write stuff. He is writing opinions. He submits those opinions to the judge for his consideration in deciding a case. He tells me that one day his “opinion” may be published. I told him, I publish my opinion every day!

Now exactly what type of law he is currently practicing I really don’t know. All I know is that there are many different types. I think he has more of an interest in corporate law than criminal law. Whenever I think of lawyers Perry Mason and Matlock come to mind. I remember Ironsides as well.

His opinions are based upon precedent. At least that is what it is supposed to be. The problem with opinions however is that everyone has one. There is an old saying about that, involving smell.

A lawyer’s opinion is supposed to be unbiased. That opinion is then offered to the judge or the jury. The objective is the same, getting the judge or jury to agree with your opinion. I’m rather amused knowing that.

I have never been to law school, but my objective is the same. I’m trying to get others to agree with me. When I try to use precedent, it usually comes out as, everyone was doing it. Very rarely does it work!

I have had many “arguments”, that is to say differences of opinions, with my son and grandson. They usually involve some social or political opinion. I’m told I’m just old, out of touch, and outdated. I tell them, they’re just kids! It’s a generational thing.

Today generation of lawyers are arguing about the previous generation of lawyers and their opinions. They have studied what the previous generations had to say about the issues. Then they select the argument that supports their opinion. That’s how I feel it works anyway.

I do the same thing. It’s just that I’m using my parents, grandparents, friends, coworkers, songwriters, authors and clergymen as my precedent. Those that I agree with that is. I have even taken to writing those opinions down!

I have told my grandson, the lawyer, if he ever runs out of opinions, I’m here for him. I have an abundance of them. I’m happy to share, at no cost. Whatever I have written down and published he is free to cite as precedent, no footnotes required, no credit need be given. It’s what the older generation does, set precedent.