This is Who We Are - Post 1 The Black Cat Painting by Taya Mikado
There is a painting in our office that brings me so much joy. It is of a black cat, with a white nose, holding a cup of coffee (like its life depends on it), the expression in its eyes revealing panic, existential dread, or maybe sleep deprivation. The painting hangs between our desks and the kitchen, so I see it every time I go for my coffee. More often than not, it makes me smile because in some ways I see myself in that cat.
Being a junior associate in wills and estates comes with a colour wheel of emotions, including moments where the workload feels like it might swallow me whole. The cat reminds me that I am not alone in needing a break, in feeling a little overwhelmed, or in simply relying on caffeine to keep going. At the same time, it makes me laugh. There is something joyful about seeing my own scattered energy reflected in something so silly, so small, yet so alive. It makes the office feel less like a place where I am constantly stressed or need to be perfect, and more like a space where humanity is noticed, even celebrated.
What I appreciate most, though, is that the painting also captures something deeper about how we practice law here. Work in wills and estates asks for precision, humility, and care, but it also asks for honesty about our limits and attention to each other. We try to bring that humaness into everything we do. The black cat captures this balance perfectly, personifying the chaos, but also the humour, connection, and human moments that make it meaningful.
This black cat painting also happens to be the inspiration for this series, where we will be sharing small pieces of our office that speak to the personality, intentionality, and care we try to bring into our work every day. It seemed like the perfect place to start. If a little black cat holding a cup of coffee can say so much about how we approach our practices and each other, it feels fitting to share that story so you can get to know us, and potentially reflect on how your environment shapes your mind and practice as well.
