On days when the court’s judgment falls short of expectations, a lawyer’s heart must remain strong enough to steady itself and continue walking the long road ahead.
Mon-anun Ruengcharus
Managing Partner, MR & Partners
A professional journey defined by expectations, pressure, and outcomes that not one can control alone.
In my previous article, “The Heart of a Professional Lawyer: Quality, Ethics, and Trust,” I reflected on the essential values that shape our profession. Shortly after its publication, several major news outlets reported on the judgment handed down in a high-profile dispute involving a prominent family—an issue that I will return to near the end of this essay. That news brought me back to an important dimension of legal practice not fully explored in the earlier article: while a lawyer must gain the client’s trust and walk beside them through every difficulty, we must also learn to safeguard our own hearts. This profession demands resilience; it is shaped by expectations, pressures, and outcomes that no one can control alone. Lawyers understand deeply that winning or losing a case is never the work of legal skills alone. Outcomes depend on facts, evidence, the applicable law, and the many uncertainties of litigation. Along the way, we encounter days filled with praise, gratitude, and relief—yet also days when judgments fall short of expectations, trust weakens, and the path with a client may diverge. All of this is part of the natural rhythm of our work, and it is a reality every lawyer must learn to accept.
No One Has Ever Walked This Path Without Losing
In more than 30 years of practice, I have experienced triumphs and defeats alike. It would be untrue to say that one ever becomes fully accustomed to losing. A favorable judgment always brings joy and pride, for it represents the culmination of effort, diligence, and intellectual commitment. Praise often follows—praise that is understandable, though sometimes excessive, as people often tie the success of a case to the lawyer personally. But when the outcome is the opposite, the understanding and confidence once shown by clients may evaporate almost instantly. What follows inevitably are the voices of advisers, commentators, and critics—some informed, some not—questioning strategy, witness presentation, legal analysis, or even the drafting style of pleadings and appeals. Write too little, and it is “not detailed enough”; write too much, and it becomes “unnecessarily long.” These are realities that every lawyer must face with composure and clarity. The true challenge is learning to filter carefully between feedback that strengthens the case and criticism that distracts from sound legal principles.
For me, the guiding principle has always been integrity. If suggestions from clients or outside advisers would distort the substance of the case or clash with what I believe is legally correct, I withdraw—without hesitation. A lawyer must not work in ways that violate their professional identity or compromise the standards they have upheld throughout their career. This steadfastness is what stabilises the lawyer’s heart and prevents it from drifting under pressure.
Respecting the Work of Previous Counsel When Taking Over a Case
I am often asked to handle appeals or Supreme Court petitions in cases where the original lawyer lost at first instance. In such moments, I hold firmly to a rule: always respect the previous counsel. They are the ones who know the facts, testimony, evidence, and nuances of the trial better than anyone. On many occasions, I advise clients to retain the original lawyer as part of the team. Success at the appellate level rarely comes from starting anew; it comes from examining the existing evidence with greater depth, clarity, and legal insight, and identifying precisely how the trial court erred. Drafting an appeal is an exercise in reasoning and legal structure—not an opportunity to blame or diminish the work of a fellow professional. This approach has guided me throughout my career and reflects my respect for the dignity of colleagues in the profession.
A Case Example: When the Judgment Was Finally Overturned
Let me return to the high-profile family dispute mentioned earlier. I served as counsel for the plaintiff, and the trial court dismissed the claim—a loss at the first stage. Yet the client entrusted me with the appeal. During the process, there were moments of hesitation from the client and pressure from advisers—a natural consequence of human anxiety in litigation. Still, I remained committed to the principles I believed were correct. I made adjustments where appropriate, but I never abandoned the core of professional integrity. Eventually, I filed the appeal in the manner I believed best supported the truth and the client’s interests.
However, the tensions surrounding the case affected the other related matters I handled for the same client. After careful consideration, I decided to withdraw from all the remaining cases to preserve the values I have always held. When the Court of Appeal later overturned the judgment in our favor, I did not anticipate any gratitude or recognition. I had already made peace with my decision on the day I stepped away. All I felt was pride—pride in having acted with honesty, and pride in my team for working with full dedication until the outcome aligned with the truth.
Standing Strong Through Praise and Through Doubt
To young lawyers, I offer this: our profession is not only about walking beside clients through their joys and sorrows; it is also about walking beside yourself. The path of a lawyer may appear admirable from the outside, but it can be fragile within. Do not allow any defeat to break your spirit, and do not let momentary praise lead you to self-conceit. What allows a lawyer to endure—year after year—is not the number of victories, but the ability to remain undefeated by one’s own doubts, fears, and discouragement. If you can remain true to your principles and steady in your identity, then you have already won the most important battle of all.
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