#39 – Atticus

“Ugh. Not another lawyer.”

We went around in a circle, saying our names and what we were studying.

“Alan. Just started first year Law.”

There came the eye rolls and that comment – not another bloody lawyer!

I was shocked. I hadn’t met this person in my life. I was just introducing myself.

She was the first in a very long line. Lawyers are about as well-liked as parking inspectors, used-car salesmen, and people who take off their shoes and socks on international flights.

Shakespeare himself stated in his play: “First thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Thanks Willie.

It’s easy to see why. Every axe-murderer, unethical corporation and corrupt politician hides behind their lawyers. We chase ambulances, take advantage of people and fill our pockets at every opportunity.

In a previous post, I wrote about the word ‘lawyer’ being related to advocate, someone who fights in your corner and stands up for you. But let’s dive into it.

Law students should read To Kill A Mockingbird at least once in their lives. The protagonist – Atticus Finch – is an even-tempered, quick-witted, sophisticated lawyer.

He’s also a man of immense principle. Among the racism and deep-seeded inequalities of the time, he stakes his professional and personal reputation on defending an innocent African-American man. He knows he’ll probably lose, but that’s the price of sticking with your beliefs.

Courage, says Atticus, is ‘knowing you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what’. It’s not to win by domination.

Sure it’s hard as a first-year lawyer at a big firm, neck-deep in discovery for a giant merger between two pharmaceutical companies you don’t care about. We can only use our skills and experience to help those in need whenever we get the chance, to fight cynicism and disillusionment along the way.

That’s taking something we believe in – youth justice, environmental activism, animal rights – and using our legal skills to advance a greater cause.. whether it’s through the formal Court process or outside of it.

So why did Shakespeare want to kill the lawyers? Well maybe he didn’t.

That line is from Henry VI, Part II and is said by Dick the Butcher. Dick is part of Jack Cade’s army, who’s trying to overthrow the leadership and put himself in charge – in the ‘do what I say or else’ kind of way.

So by removing the lawyers, he removes the one class who could oppose their rule by vigorously defending the rights of the common people from their new oppressors.

Cade’s eliminating lawyers is a way to control the law, to mold it however they like onto the people, with no one to be their champion.

So yes. I’m another bloody lawyer. You can be too.

Next week: Lights, Candles, Action!