Lady Justice

They named her Autumn.

Her titian-red hair a perfect match for the tumbling leaves that floated past the nursery window.

There is a myth that redheads have a temper…

~

Autumn was blessed with a caring nature and a deep sense of fairness.  But it would be during her schooldays that another characteristic would surface.  A temper… reducing those in its wake to a quivering wreck.  And all it would take to unleash the full force was an act of unfairness.  Despite her outbursts being for all the right reasons, they would habitually lead to one thing… detention.

It would be her teacher who offered some sound advice.

“You must learn to control your emotions. There is much to be gained from using the fire that rages inside you to your advantage and for the benefit of that you value the most… fighting unfairness.”

~

The Statue of Justice is located on the street of Old Bailey, close to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.  In one hand the Lady Justice holds a sword, a symbol of enforcement and respect.  In the other, the scales, symbolising a fair legal system, free of prejudice, so that a just outcome can be reached.

These symbols would become the catalyst for Autumn’s decision to enter the legal profession.  She studied hard and, by the time she had passed the bar exam, she had already determined the direction her path would take.

Curbing her temper was another challenge entirely but one she worked tirelessly to achieve, developing more innovative and constructive ways of using it in the defence of those unfairly accused.

~

Recognised as the most dynamic barrister of her generation, her court appearances became legendary.

She possesses not only a talent for extricating empathy from a jury but the capacity to take apart a prosecution’s case with the guile of a skilled assassin… a judge would remark.

Her peers who came up against her in court, falling victim to these attributes, would find her to be a formidable opponent.

While those she defended so ferociously would revere her.

They named her… Lady Justice.