president’s column Thank You, Shakespeare


W


hile you are driving home this evening you are likely to pass someone whose life was saved by an automobile product safety innovation forced by litigation. You will likely see someone


returning home from his or her job, and it is a job that they never could have obtained but for civil rights litigation. You might see someone


whose business is succeeding because of the good work of a transactional attorney. You are likely to see someone who has peace of mind that their family is cared for through the estate planning of a tax attorney. You will undoubtably see someone who has been helped by a family lawyer. A myriad of examples could be added to the above. Te sum of it all is that lawyers make a


difference in people’s lives and that difference makes a positive impact on society. Too often we as lawyers fail to appreciate the impact of what we as a legal unit mean to the greater good of this country. Yes, we can all take pride in our individual efforts on behalf of our clients. But what other entity does as much to safeguard the constitutional tenets upon which a country is founded and upon which it must stand if our society is to maintain for the long haul? I would suggest to you that there is no other. No less than Shakespeare recognized this in Henry VI; the infamous line, “Te first thing we


do, let’s kill all the lawyers”, was the ultimate compliment to the legal profession. For it was that initiative that would commence tyranny.


It was the imperative in order to have tyranny


to first remove the guardians against tyranny. Te guardian was the lawyers. Our Law Rules program addresses not just the importance of an independent judiciary, but


also the role of lawyers in our society. So, from time to time, take stock of the system in which you play a vital role. Be proud of being a lawyer, be proud of the work you do and be proud of being a part of the one branch of government that can be assured of protecting America from tyranny.


Sincerely, Gary K. Smith, 2012 MBA President


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