Every year I write an article to celebrate the law firm’s anniversary. I’ve already talked about children’s books that my kids read when they were little, books (less childish but just as fun) we read in our book club, and other fun stories to draw parallels with the amazing journey we have lived and continue living at our law firm. On August 2, we completed 12 years. When I started writing this article, I decided to research what number 12 represents. And during my research, I came across an interesting fact – “A baker’s dozen” represents the number 13 and not 12. Imagine explaining this to a preadolescent child who questions everything…. The origin of this phrase is from the 16th century in England when bakers were afraid of being arrested if they broke a medieval law that stipulated the weight of a dozen loaves of bread. To avoid prison (yes, they were arrested for breaking this law), the bakers put 13 loaves of bread instead of 12. We are turning 12, going on 13 and always attentive to complying with laws! Just like bakers, we wake up early every day and work to do more for our clients, always delivering a little extra!
Now a little about number 12! Has anyone stopped to think why an egg carton comes with 12 eggs? Or why did Jesus have 12 apostles? Or why did Jacob have 12 children? Or why the year has 12 months and the day has 2 x 12 hours (remembering that clocks go from 1 to 12). Or why do we have 12 signs in the zodiac? Or why after 12 beers the ground turns into quicksand….? For sure the number 12 has a very important meaning in numerology, religion, mathematics, etc. But for us at Candido Martins, number 12 is an incredible milestone that would not have been possible without the unconditional support of our families, colleagues, clients and friends. 12 years of wonderful stories, partnerships, challenges, obstacles, difficulties and lots, lots of fun! And (almost) everything locked with 12 keys!
Last month I was at an amusement park with my kids and, of course, we went on a few roller coasters. The parallel with the 12 years of Candido Martins is frightening. Before getting into the chair, you feel a certain fear due to the lack of knowledge of what awaits you (the famous butterflies in your stomach). We had this same feeling when we started the law firm back in August 2, 2010. After sitting down and putting on all the safety gear, comes a feeling of safety. It’s that feeling that you’ve made the right decision and are ready to face whatever lies ahead. Then the ride begins. Some start slowly, others faster and along the ride there are ascents, descents, loops, spins, water and many other emotions. There are unexpected changes, anguish, fears and at the end of the ride, everything is fine (except for some dizziness or nausea)! In the office, we went through many sudden changes, from internal and external factors, and the last 2 years were the most difficult. With the stupendous work of all partners and lawyers, we came out of the pandemic much stronger and, today, we are prepared to face the next 12 years (we will certainly have many other emotions).
I recently watched a basketball fiction movie in which a scout asks the player if he loves what he does. The quote in as follows: “Do you love this game? I mean, love it with your whole heart. Because if you don’t, let’s not even bother.” Another event that marked me. My son dreams of being a football player. I was having lunch with a friend who works with football as a manager and he asked my son if he would be prepared, or rather willing, to leave all the comforts of home and sleep in accommodations with another 40 players, without any comfort and training every day in dirt fields for at least 2 years (not knowing if he will make it into professional footbal). Everything looks glamorous when we just look at the result. Few understand the sacrifices we had to make along the entire journey. I am proud and grateful to say that our partners, lawyers, clients and friends understand our sacrifices.
We spend most of our lives at work, whether at the office or at home (the new normal as many would say). We have to love what we do and with all our heart. I go further, we have to have passion for our work! And a lot of empathy for everyone. It is a feeling that was forgotten and relegated before the pandemic and I believe it has come back with strength after all the difficulties we have faced. We have faced many challenges, difficulties, disappointments, frustrations, but that’s the beauty of it all. These are arduous paths, but the rewards are extremely gratifying. The law firm is a marriage of many people. It started with the marriage between Alamy and I and today there are more than 15 people who are part of this marriage. We have to feed the love of this relationship and I am convinced that we all do that!
Congratulations to all of us and anxiously waiting for the next 12 years together, creating stories of great success!!
