Thread by @cagoldberglaw

I've been weeping all day today. (So has half our staff) After a 6 1/2 year journey through hell and back, our former client and beloved associate, Annie Schmutz Seifullah, Esq. is officially an attorney licensed to practice law!!!

With her permission, I'm sharing a note i sent

https://twitter.com/AnnieSeifullah/status/1343966986854936576

"Dear Annie,
I’m weeping. I think many of us. We are all so proud of you. You were attacked by a man who was believed by an institution that should have had your back; that should have asked questions before taking action against you. He tried to destroy you. 2/

The media tried to make you into a joke. DOE tried to throw you in the garbage. None of it worked. Everybody underestimated you. None of them were a match for Annie Schmutz Seifullah. And today you transformed all of it – your expertise as an educator, your resilience 3/

as a survivor, your injuries as a victim, your empathy as somebody tossed out and ridiculed – to become their worst nightmare. Today you vanquished your opponent. Today is a huge victory for survivors 4/

everywhere. You’ve shown everybody what’s possible for a single mom without a golden parachute. You emerged from the ashes ten thousand times stronger. 5/

As an attorney now, you are mighty. With just one client, you have the ability to change the law of the land. That’s a privilege and a responsibility. As an attorney, some people will unquestionably trust you 6/

and willingly follow and respect you. (other people, the opposite! LOL) Every day you must be worthy of that. Welcome to the 7/

new battles ahead – with legal opponents who tell you you’re dumb, judges who rule against you, adversaries who hate you b/c they hate your client, general assholes who resent that victims have powerful advocates, case law that feels ancient and obtuse. 8/

I’m thrilled and honored, as are your colleagues, to join those battles alongside you. Congratulations, warrior. Today is a mighty culmination of years and years and years of hard work and perseverance.
Love,
Carrie et al. 9/

I want to encourage other employers to view the traumas of their staff and potential staff not as baggage to sidestep, but as a special gift that can help others. @AnnieSeifullah is great at her job b/c yes, she's smart and capable. But also, b/c of what she's survived. 10/

Here's Annie's story in her own words. In the year and a half since she joined our team, she's brought such love, laughter and life to the firm and the clients. We love you, Annie!!! 11/11

jezebel.com/revenge-porn-t…