"Genuine and Real"

Dear Katherine

When I first got into this bit of trouble, I met with three different firms, and each one left me with a different impression. With you, I came away thinking confident and competent - but more than that, your crass humour and brutal honesty made you feel genuine and real. Those qualities resonated with me, and I knew as soon as we'd finished talking that I'd be comfortable having you represent me.

Well, I think it's safe to say I was right. I felt so aligned with your opening and closing speeches - they were grounded, honest, and I think they landed with the jury. They definitely landed with me. Your cross-examinations were sharp and artfully guided. It was truly impressive to see you conduct the complainant's cross, and I admire your skill. I don't think I could have asked for better representation.

In your closing and our debriefs, you spoke about my sound evidence (thanks - I still feel proud of that 😄), but honestly, it would not have been as good with anyone else representing me. You pulled the details out of me, helped me firm up my memory, and prepared me for almost anything the prosecution could throw at me. I might have provided the raw materials, but you shaped them into something fit for the courtroom.

Given our professional relationship, I hesitate to say this, but I genuinely felt as if I found a friend in you. It didn't feel as if you were just working for me, but it felt like you were in my corner, there if I needed, and rooting for me. Our debriefs at the end of each day brought me more comfort than you may realise. The lion dancing situation. The stress from the extended jury deliberations. All those shared conversations with you made waiting in bail holding, eating those average white bread sandwiches, and watching the god-awful reruns of The Chaser, Blankety Blank and Bridge of Lies that much more bearable. 

Thanks to you and the rest of the team at Curt Hofmann. Without your hard work, long hours, and expertise, I may not have been able to enjoy any of it - and my life could have taken a very different path. Thanks Katherine, while the whole process hasn't been easy to go through, I've genuinely enjoyed working with you and I will look back on these memories fondly. I won't forget the hard work you've done to earn this result.

I'd also like to especially thank Angela.

Angela, you may not know it, but I have genuinely felt supported by you throughout this whole thing. I'm not sure if you remember, but we once had a conversation in the office with Katherine and as someone who had become afraid to openly talk about any of this and who second-guessed myself a lot in the past when the allegation was first raised, that conversation was a genuine breath of fresh air. It made me feel comfortable, and it made me feel believed. It's a feeling that's hard to come by and very valuable for an accused.

Thank you also for coming to parts of the trial, and for being there at the acquittal. I'm guessing it's a regular thing for you to come and support Katherine through her trials but seeing you from the dock genuinely warmed my heart, that you'd take time out of your day to be present at my trial. That kind of indirect support means more than you might realise, and I'm truly grateful for it.

I sincerely hope your work doesn't go unnoticed by clients, and that you are properly appreciated for the valuable work you do.

Finally, to the rest of the team at Curt Hofmann - Katherine mentioned numerous times how she bounced ideas off and discussed my case with other members of the team, and I have no doubt that support was meaningful and valuable. I don't see the work or hear the conversations you do and have behind the scenes, but I'm grateful for it. It has let me live the beautiful life I do today.

Thanks so much.