Words by Gilda Francesca G. Flores and Micah Marie F. Naadat
For most people, lawyering seems to revolve around litigation or as popular culture puts it, sitting at a desk all day, spewing out legal jargon, and meeting with clients.
Interestingly, in real life, we get to witness lawyers do more than that. Lawyers also live riveting lives and one person to prove that is Atty. Khristine Jane Ejercito, who is best known virtually as Atty. Keij Ejercito.
Returning to her ‘first love’
Atty. Keij graduated from San Beda University-College of Law in 2016. A few years after taking and passing the Bar, she already earned two Master of Law (LLM) degrees–one from the University of the Philippines and another from Queen Mary University of London, with the primary focus on international law. Having majored in foreign and international relations back in college, she described concentrating in international law as returning to her “first love.”
Like a first love’s trial by fire, it was not easy for Atty. Ejercito to fulfill her ideal dream love story. She underwent many trials, even while she was still in law school, where she was a working student. But these setbacks fueled her grit to try out as many opportunities as possible.
While she was applying for her LLM abroad, she was only shortlisted in the Fulbright Program, a US international scholarship. Eventually, she got accepted into the United Kingdom (UK) government’s Chevening scholarship. She noted that while the international opportunities may appear intimidating, one need not be exemplary in the societal sense to dive into them. For her, these opportunities came because she was not afraid to try, even if that meant that she might fail.
Atty. Ejercito’s experience abroad has proven not just to be insightful and refreshing, but also life-changing. She stressed that the legal practice in the UK is vastly different from the Philippines’ form. In the UK, the title does not really matter. It is not a practice to put or write the title, “Atty.”, before a UK lawyer’s name. Also, she appreciated the fact that there are qualifying exams for newly-minted lawyers there before they can appear in the higher courts. According to her, the Philippines may want to consider this practice so that neophyte lawyers may avoid compromising their client’s cases once they appear in higher courts.
She added that building one’s credentials is important in applying for internships and scholarships. Learning different languages is also a key to success. She advised women to not be pressured by their “biological clocks” even when people say otherwise.
From one Bedan to another
Atty. Ejercito was a working student in her entire six years in law school. She recounted the time when she failed Negotiable Instruments. This caused a slight detour in her plans. But, as a true testament to her character, she moved forward with pride. She made a video about her experience and learnings and eventually posted it on social media. By a twist of fate, the professor who gave her a failing mark eventually hired her as a mock bar examiner for Civil Law in a review center.
The hard truth is that the general rule in law school is staying longer than expected, and the exception is finishing right on time. While these circumstances seemed disheartening, Atty. Ejercito found a way to use her failures and struggles as her greatest source of strength. As a result, she gained the self-confidence that she carries with her in all her endeavors. She encourages future Bedan lawyers to treat their failures as badges of honor, because these are bound to make us better.
Beyond lawyering
The usual misconception is once you enter law school, all other things–from your hobbies and interests–have to be set aside for a while. However, the “daily grind” also means taking breaks and unwinding every now and then. During her law school days, Atty. Keij would unwind by watching movies and creating vlogs, which she passionately brought with her even after law school.
The view that lawyering is but a hectic endeavor is not always grim. It is a slice of reality that comes with preserving the integrity and nobility of the legal profession. However, lawyers should be discharged from the pedestal that they are all work and no play and that the roles they play are routinary. Because, just like Atty. Ejercito’s adventures and misadventures, there is a world out there that goes beyond the desk, or in the case of Bedans, the Lion’s Den.
THE BARRISTER 