Equal Justice Works
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Oct 23, 2006 01:42 PM
I have been well rewarded for my work as a lawyer, but I have to say that a large measure of the satisfaction I feel as I review a lifetime in the practice derives from the work with others in the volunteer sector—including fellow lawyers—to effect worthwhile, sometimes even important, results. There is, indeed, a widespread incidence of lawyers in the private bar who give time and advice to nonprofit organizations—sometimes through lawyering and sometimes through board, committee or management work. This volunteer public-interest work is nearly as important as the work of lawyers in a public-interest law office.
To me, a lawyer's responsibility to do public service can be summarized quite simply: to whom much is given, much is expected. And much is given to us who have had the opportunity to get a good education, get a law-school education, work in a law firm, make an adequate or better living and enjoy the fruits of the great education. We owe something back to the society that made it possible.
I see considerable overlap in the characteristics that lead a person to the practice of law and those that lead a person to be involved in civic activity. These activities share a major ingredient—the challenge of the planning and follow-through required to get a desired result. In both cases, the process is largely dependent upon persuading others to accept the wisdom of a plan and organizing a plan that works within the rules and traditions that govern the activity.
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