Twas twelve days before compliance end, when all through the house
Many an attorney was panicked, and clicking his mouse.
The credits were counted by the lawyer with care,
In hopes that requirements had been met: “Please be there!”
With families nestled all snug in their beds,
The lawyer saw CLE dance in his head.
To get just a few credits to put in his cap,
‘Though he’d rather settle his brain for a long winter’s nap.
When from a customer service email there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from monitoring a webcast to see what was the matter.
Away to the emailbox I flew like a flash,
Tore open the attachment and not put in the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen three feet of snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to Minnesota below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a plea for a certificate from back four calendar years.
With so little information, so vague, from a “Rick”,
That I thought in that moment it must be a trick.
“More data!” I pleaded, ‘cause what little that came,
Was “I went to a program” – he didn’t even call it by name!
“In September or October, or maybe…”, that Vixen!
“Twas November of 2006” just to add to the mix in!
“Could you send me a copy to put on my wall,
And send to the regulator, reporting them all?"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the file cabinet and the courses I flew,
With the vaguest of info, and almost no clues.
And then, in a twinkling, I saw, not the roof
But the footer of the email might give me some proof.
Was the full name of the attorney – this was turning around,
Richard, (not Rick) could cut searching time down.
He was licensed in Texas, from his head to his foot,
And his practice in bankruptcy – now the game is afoot!
“More info, more info” I cried to my staff,
“We’re trying,” they said, “to cut searching time in half!”
Rick knew that the program had been in the fall,
And he traveled to New York, that he could recall.
With ninety programs those months, and all of them live,
But how many in that state? Just five!
Of the five, only one was on topic of debt,
But when reviewing the folder I soon began to fret.
Not a Richard, nor Rick, not a Rich or a Dicky,
Not thinking it easy, but not wanting it tricky!
“We will have to review all the programs instead,”
I said to my staff, filling them with dread.
In the third of the five, no need to go far,
But surprised that the session was on ADR.
He spoke not a word of that fact in his email,
But we found it, it’s done, no need to rail.
And a record of six more credits, I’m sure,
Was a gift as he won’t have to again procure!
I was left, said and done, feeling just like St Nick,
‘Til I went back to our email, and knew, double-quick.
That more effort and searching and work’s to be done,
For the many who still need credits, some a ton!
Still, I’m happy in CLE with my colleagues and staff,
Throughout the year, even now, to share purpose and laughs,
And when lifting a glass when the clock reaches midnight,
I say: "Happy New Year to all, and to all a good-night!"
Thanks to Clement Moore for his inspirational "A Visit from St Nicholas"!
