I have a co-worker who I also consider a good friend. We work together as Public Defenders, and we share an office.
Recently, she was very stressed, and very overwhelmed because she had two pretty heavy motions due the next day.
My load was rather light that day, and I offered to help her. I took one file, and wrote out most of one motion. In fact, all she had to do was plug in some case law and add a few things our boss wanted her to add.
She finished her other motion, added what my boss wanted, found applicable case law and added it, and gave it to my boss to peruse.
I read it too. I wrote about 80% of what was in the finished motion.
My boss came in our office, congratulated her on an “excellent motion.” He asked her to make some changes to the things that she added, leaving my contribution alone. He sat at her desk, leafed through the motion, and would say things like “this part is great. . .Good point. . . excellent, excellent.”
She was standing behind him, and I was at my desk, facing them. She turned to me, flashed a thumbs up, and mouthed the words “That was the part you wrote.”
Odd, I thought.
She gave the motion to another attorney in our office, and he came in to tell her that he had especially liked the conclusion.
Her response to someone complimenting my conclusion? “Thank you.”
I know it’s petty of me. I was helping her out, and didn’t expect anything in return. I hadn’t even thought about receiving credit until she started taking it all.
But it irks me. I wrote the damn thing. Everyone loved it. She took all the credit.
I did ask the other attorney later on if she had told him about my contribution. He laughed and laughed, and then said no.
So, I’m thinking I should let the subject alone. As I said, she is a good friend. But part of me wants to tell our boss.
Am I being an asshole for wanting the recognition for my (significant) part of what has been declared an “excellent motion?” Would I be hurting a friendship to declare my part in the motion?
Any advice?
