May Quinnipiac Law School. Greetings: President/ Dean/ dignitaries/ graduates & families. The devil met a young attorney at a recent bar

Transcription

1 May Quinnipiac Law School Greetings: President/ Dean/ dignitaries/ graduates & families The devil met a young attorney at a recent bar association meeting. The devil said, "I'll make you a senior partner at one of the most prestigious law firms and give you wealth untold. In return I ask that you renounce your family and religion and worship me." The young attorney responded, "What's the catch?" Certainly this isn't the type of lawyer we want in the profession and I am certain this is not the type of lawyer any of you will be. But this somewhat cynical parable frames the brief message that I bring to you today. I want to say a few words about one of the tools that, I believe, you will need to have for a successful and meaningful practice in our profession and in a happy and productive life and that

2 tool is civility. The Dalai Lama once wrote, "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." In our profession "kindness" embraces not only a helpful, benevolent nature, but also a healthy dose of civility and collegiality that doesn't sacrifice zealous advocacy for a client or cause, but rather makes the quest for justice, our ultimate goal, more admirable. Indeed, I want you never to forget that justice is the essence of the rule of law and that in your pursuit of that which is just, you do it with concern not only for your clients but also for your opponent; that you treat each other with the dignity and respect that separates our profession from all the others (my apologies to the other professions I respect them; in fact my son will soon marry a doctor; I hope that she can give me a loan so that I can pay my taxes!) [STORY OF SO. CAR RITUAL BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT] Yes, our profession indeed stands for justice and civility. In a recent speech to an incoming class of law 2

3 students at the Columbia University Law School, Dean David Schizer eloquently put the matter thusly: "We (all) aspire to a world in which excellence is encouraged and rewarded, while opportunities and material well-being are available to everyone. Values such as freedom, equality, and the rule of law need to be maintained and defended, and you are now part of the profession that is most profoundly responsible for this mission." How right Dean Schizer is. We lawyers in Connecticut, with our incredibly talented bar, are the vanguard of that mission. It is no mystery that lawyers lead the quest for solutions to all types of societal problems. In the legislative chambers, in corporate board rooms, in the highest seats of government you will find members of our profession whose wisdom and deliberate, analytical skills are respected and relied upon. Unfortunately, where we as a group and we as a nation perform most poorly is when we lose sense of the need to maintain civility, or kindness, in our debate over 3

4 complex issues. Rancor, ad hominem attacks, and meanspiritedness only add to the harmful divide that seems to be affecting our country more and more. You, the new breed of leadership, can and will do better. I advise that you reject those who would draw you in that direction because it will only draw you further away from justice. Have the courage to stand by what you know to be right, but conduct yourselves with dignity. As I conclude, let me say this. Lately, in my dotage I seem to always conclude my addresses sounding like some modern day Polonius giving advice to Laertes. But here it goes. As we welcome you to the profession consider this advice: Try to, -learn from your mistakes, but do not dwell on them: the late, great baseball manager, Sparky Anderson once gave some sage advice. He said, "I've got plenty of faults, but living in the past isn't one of them. There's no future in it."; -embrace change and practice tolerance; 4

5 -make at least one good, true friend in life; [on friendship, Groucho Marx said, "Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."; -remember that (to again quote Dean Schizer) "the law can be quite consuming, but as you throw yourself into it, be sure that you do not neglect the people closest to you." An old Negro spiritual advises that we "Live a humble, humble, humble yourself the bell done rung!" Indeed, for you, as your academic training here at Quinnipiac Law ends, the bell has "done rung". Now it's time to leave the world of the hypothetical and enter the real world. Welcome! As you enter it, think of what I've said, and remember: "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible!" Thank you. 5