Retirement

Well, it looks like it's time to change the name of this blog. What started last summer (Post #1 was August 19th, 2008) as a blog to document my "Sabbatical" will now be a blog to document my transition from retired lawyer to winemaker (or at least some version thereof). :-)

My lawyering days are numbered. Officially, my legal career will end on August 1st. Naturally, there may be things I need to do beyond that date; however, I will not be practicing law anymore and I never thought I would feel so good about that. I mean, I really used to love it. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush you get when you stand before a jury of strangers glaring at you at the beginning of a trial and then smiling and nodding their heads at you at the end of the trial. It gave me an outlet of showmanship and originality (I've always dreamed of being a Shakespearean actor). Unfortunately, those high points of lawyering became increasingly outweighed by too many negatives.

Over the past several years, dealing with fellow attorneys and judges has become increasingly difficult and combative. It didn't used to be like that. Now it seems half of the judges I appear before are miserable, rude and eager for a fight. I simply can't understand what has happened to the bench. I mean, didn't you want to be a Judge? Now that you are, why in the world are you such an asshole? Enough complaining. Besides, it's more than that.

During recent years, Katie and I have had the great pleasure to travel extensively through California, and in particular, Sonoma County. We have met so many wonderful people, many of whom are in the wine industry. During these explorations, our thoughts have wandered to the idea of eventually moving west. An idea such as this does not easily move past the whimsical stage. For me, it has taken some tragic events here at home to help me see that life is just too short to not follow a dream and do what you want to do, not what you feel you have to do. While I was working harvest for two weeks in the fall of 2007, my legal mentor, the man who took me under his wing and basically taught me how to deal with clients, judges and juries, literally died on the court house steps. Subsequently, two friends of mine, both lawyers, died in their early forties leaving behind three children each.

There is, I guess, never a perfect time to make a shift such as this. We could wait, rebuild our savings after this recession. We could wait, sell the house for more money. We could wait, for lots of reasons. Well, we're not. The time is now and we are going to move to California. Here are the details (as they exist now - they are always in flux).

For the third year in a row, I'll be working harvest at Freeman Winery in Sebastopol. I can't wait to go back and experience, like last year, another harvest from beginning to end. I can't wait to work again with great people in one of the most beautiful places in the country making something many people love. I can't wait for the soreness, the fatigue and everything that comes with it. It's a very special place and I'm very lucky to be able to work there.

Our official move west won't actually happen until the end of the calendar year so Katie can finish working the year at her firm. I know she has loved working at Miles and it's not easy for her to leave, especially after just making partner! She has already taken and passed the California Bar exam - an amazing accomplishment reflected by the statistic of an overall pass rate of 26%. Lest some of you think that I am cajoling Katie into this big move, you need to understand that she is not a woman so easily manipulated. In fact, it was her recent urging that has prompted us to make the move now. Simply amazing. I love her.

In 2010, we plan on living in San Francisco for at least a year. We'll rent a place and enjoy one of the greatest cities in the world on a daily basis. After that, who knows but it's going to be a great year for us. We hope you will come and visit us.

As a lawyer, you are constantly dealing with other people's problems. It wears on you (and your stomach). There are times when you can really help someone - including the few times I have actually represented an innocent person. It's scary as hell but intensely satisfying. That said, there is greater satisfaction ahead. It's the satisfaction that comes with taking a big chance and succeeding. It's the satisfaction of actually CREATING something that we love to drink. And, hopefully, the satisfaction of having family and friends visit us and getting to share in our adventure. More later . . .

Cheers!