Thank you for writing about the genocide that’s happening in front of our eyes. I’m heartbroken that my tax dollars are supporting this and I keep calling and emailing my (so called) representatives every day while knowing nothing will probably change 💔
Hi! I stumbled on you by following a number of links. I’m a former family lawyer/ judge too and I just wanted to say how much I recognise that description of burnout and empathy depletion along side the reasons for choosing family law. Look after yourself!
Also I’m interested in your opinion as a fellow lawyer. I share your horror at the numbers killed in Gaza and the utter destruction. However the word genocide is also something I struggle with because it has s specific definition. When lay people use it I ignore it assuming they think it just means ‘a lot if deaths’ but as you are a lawyer I’m hoping you can help me understand your view more. I can see part of the definition is potentially met but as you will know the Geneva convention requires that ‘dollis specialis’ that makes it so hard to prosecute. It requires “intent on the part of perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” Cultural destruction or mere dispersement does not suffice. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been shouting about the humanitarian situation loud and clear and the deaths are too many but given the leaflet dropping, the ( inadequate but existing) routes to the south, the stated motivation of hostage release and destruction of the military capacity of Hamas not civilians, why do you think there’s enough evidence of intent to call it genocide? Genuinely interested to have a lawyer’s submissions on that to widen my view!
Hi Helen! Wow, I'd be curious to hear more about your time in family law. That's awesome.
Per your question about my use of the word genocide: it's a good one, and I appreciate it. My short answer is that I am not wearing my "lawyer hat" in most of my writing (and indeed, in much of my life when not actively working on a case). Plus, as you likely know more than most, my work in state criminal and family law doesn't intersect much at all with international human rights law. So I'm basically a layperson in that too. Given those caveats, it was interesting to look at the definition and think about it overnight.
My two other responses are: first, it's important to me that I name what is happening using the language of people (laypersons, sure) who are doing the work of educating me on this conflict. It feels like an act of solidarity to use the same words they are using, whether or not those terms are being used in a precise or legally-provable way. Second, I do think there is good basis to claim, even under the Geneva convention definition, that what's happening is genocidal (national basis, religious basis...). The historical subtext is there, imo. But, I'll continue resting on my other points which is that, unless I'm in a courtroom or writing a legal brief, I'm presumed to not be wearing my lawyer hat. Instead, particularly on this topic, I'm amplifying language that others use whose opinions have helped to shape my own and attempting to express my feelings within the confines of the written word. I hope this helps! I'm glad you found me here.
And that’s a good answer!! I took my wig off for good retiring from the Bench (very early due to burnout!) in 2020 so I certainly don’t have any standing to judge you, legally or morally! If I was still up on a bench I’d definitely be thinking about the wisdom / ramifications of amplifying something thats imprecise rather than modifying it to be correct and educating others in return... but let’s not go there lest I ruin a potential new friendship before it starts!! Meanwhile you can help me with how to rid myself of a lawyers brain even temporarily because mine seems engrained even in the art studio!!
Ha! Thanks. I would love to chat more about all this. I'm not sure if it's a good thing that I can take my lawyer hat off but am happy to share my secrets any time
Thank you for writing about the genocide that’s happening in front of our eyes. I’m heartbroken that my tax dollars are supporting this and I keep calling and emailing my (so called) representatives every day while knowing nothing will probably change 💔
Yes--it breaks my heart to feel powerless, as you describe so well. Thank you Sonbol. I'm glad you're here
I love how you process and navigate through life, Julia. Thank you for sharing your words with us. It is a gift.
Thank you Jenna. This is the kindest comment (and I may have read it aloud to two people already)
...and I just added this to my recommendation blurb of your Substack 🥰
Hero 🥹
Hi! I stumbled on you by following a number of links. I’m a former family lawyer/ judge too and I just wanted to say how much I recognise that description of burnout and empathy depletion along side the reasons for choosing family law. Look after yourself!
Also I’m interested in your opinion as a fellow lawyer. I share your horror at the numbers killed in Gaza and the utter destruction. However the word genocide is also something I struggle with because it has s specific definition. When lay people use it I ignore it assuming they think it just means ‘a lot if deaths’ but as you are a lawyer I’m hoping you can help me understand your view more. I can see part of the definition is potentially met but as you will know the Geneva convention requires that ‘dollis specialis’ that makes it so hard to prosecute. It requires “intent on the part of perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” Cultural destruction or mere dispersement does not suffice. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been shouting about the humanitarian situation loud and clear and the deaths are too many but given the leaflet dropping, the ( inadequate but existing) routes to the south, the stated motivation of hostage release and destruction of the military capacity of Hamas not civilians, why do you think there’s enough evidence of intent to call it genocide? Genuinely interested to have a lawyer’s submissions on that to widen my view!
Hi Helen! Wow, I'd be curious to hear more about your time in family law. That's awesome.
Per your question about my use of the word genocide: it's a good one, and I appreciate it. My short answer is that I am not wearing my "lawyer hat" in most of my writing (and indeed, in much of my life when not actively working on a case). Plus, as you likely know more than most, my work in state criminal and family law doesn't intersect much at all with international human rights law. So I'm basically a layperson in that too. Given those caveats, it was interesting to look at the definition and think about it overnight.
My two other responses are: first, it's important to me that I name what is happening using the language of people (laypersons, sure) who are doing the work of educating me on this conflict. It feels like an act of solidarity to use the same words they are using, whether or not those terms are being used in a precise or legally-provable way. Second, I do think there is good basis to claim, even under the Geneva convention definition, that what's happening is genocidal (national basis, religious basis...). The historical subtext is there, imo. But, I'll continue resting on my other points which is that, unless I'm in a courtroom or writing a legal brief, I'm presumed to not be wearing my lawyer hat. Instead, particularly on this topic, I'm amplifying language that others use whose opinions have helped to shape my own and attempting to express my feelings within the confines of the written word. I hope this helps! I'm glad you found me here.
And that’s a good answer!! I took my wig off for good retiring from the Bench (very early due to burnout!) in 2020 so I certainly don’t have any standing to judge you, legally or morally! If I was still up on a bench I’d definitely be thinking about the wisdom / ramifications of amplifying something thats imprecise rather than modifying it to be correct and educating others in return... but let’s not go there lest I ruin a potential new friendship before it starts!! Meanwhile you can help me with how to rid myself of a lawyers brain even temporarily because mine seems engrained even in the art studio!!
Ha! Thanks. I would love to chat more about all this. I'm not sure if it's a good thing that I can take my lawyer hat off but am happy to share my secrets any time
I don’t think you can DM on here can you? If you want to chat I’m at helen [at] helenconway.com or @studioconway on Facebook