We had oral arguments yesterday for my appellate-level methods class and while I love arguing before the judges, I also wonder if I’m really built for this kind of thing. The days of prepping, the lack of sleep, the stress, and the nausea along with the 3 ulcers all make me wonder if the 7-15 minutes of arguing and verbal sparring is really worth it. On the one hand, I love the experience. It’s a thrill and the times that I’ve done it make me wish that the argument itself could go on forever, but the moments prior to the event are horrible and painful…and the moments afterward feel so surreal. All the research, all time spent in front of the mirror, and all the time spent going over draft after draft of the argument…and then suddenly it’s done
And worse for the wear…