Defeating the odds: What Is The Formula For Success? For this Attorney it is Unyielding Faith & Work

Oct. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Determined to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible, Merissa worked during all four years of law school.  She worked at after-school enrichment programs and different law firms throughout her law school career.  Her work schedule was that of the typical worker bee: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Her evening classes were from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.

While in her third year of law school, Merissa received wonderful, however very unexpected news; she was pregnant.  Although this was not part of her life “plan,” she refused to let her unexpected pregnancy deter her from completing the goal which she was already so close to achieving.  

Although discouraged by many, who insisted that it would be impossible to complete law school while pregnant or taking care of a newborn, with the encouragement and support by her mother, father, brothers, and close friends, Merissa was determined to defy the norm and defeat the odds.  She continued to attend her night classes during her entire pregnancy, missing not one class, as there were strict rules regarding absences.  Since her baby was due during the middle of the semester she had to reserve her absences for the birth of her child.

With her fiancé working a 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. shift during the day, on the opposite side of the city from where Merissa both worked and attended school, she sought help from her close friends who recommended a reliable childcare center close to her job and school.  With childcare centers typically closing around 6:00 p.m., there would be no time to get the baby home to her fiancé and get back to school on time.  Merissa again recruited her close friends who readily volunteered to give their support.    

Once little Ahri was born, Merissa's schedule became even more hectic.  Between work, school and commute time, it was not uncommon for Merissa to arrive home between 10:45 and 11:00 p.m. several evenings per week.  In addition to her unforgiving daily schedule, she had to complete all homework assignments on time, be prepared to explain cases in class, and help take care of her household: cook, clean, help her step-son with homework, etc.  Despite this grueling schedule, Merissa never gave up.  Sleep deprivation and low energy levels were not enough to make her quit.

In spite of all of the numerous challenges she faced, she still managed to pass all of her classes and graduate from law school on time.  And it doesn't stop there.

After graduating from law school, Merissa studied on her own and sat for the California bar exam, which is known as the most difficult bar exam in the United States.  She was unsuccessful the first time.  Although disappointed, she moved forward.  Since the bar exam is only offered two times each year, she took time off from her job and immediately began studying to take it again.

During this study period, Merissa was blessed with more wonderful, yet unexpected news - she was pregnant again.  Faced with an extreme case of morning sickness, studying became almost impossible due to exhaustion and fatigue.  However, Merissa refused to postpone taking the exam.  Despite her sickness, she continued to study and took the bar exam a second time; she was again unsuccessful.

Merissa was then faced with the decision to put off taking the exam again until after the baby was born, or attempt the exam for a third time while 8 ½  months pregnant.  Merissa again decided to do what most discouraged; she studied for and sat for the exam immediately, obtaining the same unsuccessful result.

While many, even those whom she graduated with, gave up after being unsuccessful on the bar exam a few times, Merissa knew her time would come as long as she did not quit.  She decided to try a different method of studying.  She and the kids went to Florida and stayed with her mom for almost two months.  While she studied around the clock, with very minimum sleep, her mother helped her take care of the kids.  She did the most intense studying she had done yet. She returned to California the week of the exam.  With confidence and faith that she could pass the exam, she took the exam a fourth time and was successful.

Merissa is excited to share her story with the world.  Despite what was considered “normal,” Merissa believed the oppposite.  She believed that “unexpected something” is simply one of the many roadblocks that stand between you and your endeavor to successfully achieve your goals.  With many odds being against her, and others attempting to discourage her, with a strong support system she achieved goals that many believe are impossible and unthinkable.  Merissa knows that “this is only the beginning, the best has yet to come.”

Judging by Merissa's faith in what she believes she can achieve, and what she attained so far, we cannot wait to see what she has in store next.

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The Law Office of Merissa V. Grayson is a law firm that is dedicated to helping families find legal solutions.