Editor's Corner: Law as Illumination, Not Literalism

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/ablj.12044
• Author: Robert W. Emerson
• Published date: 01 June 2015
• Date: 01 June 2015

Editor’s Corner: Law as Illumination, Not

Literalism

POPULAR ASSUMPTIONS

Long ago, my oldest child, Paul, then all of about seven years old and

holding one of his favorite superhero action figures, reflected for a

moment and then earnestly declared, “Dad, Wolverine would make a

really good lawyer.”

Taking the bait, I responded, “Why do you say that?”

In confidence, and with confidence, Paul gladly responded,

“Because he’s got a really bad attitude.”

1

What causes a child to draw that conclusion? Maybe it was Paul’s

upbringing.

2

He had an abundance of lawyers in his extended family, and

he doubtless had already concluded they used big words and liked to argue.

3

Even without childhood precociousness or lawyer acquaintances,

though, suppositions about law and lawyers are almost universal. These

1

It hardly needs telling, but just in case you have managed to avoid all exposure to the

X-Men saga, Wolverine is a mutant with keen animal-like senses, skills in healing, and

enhanced physical abilities. MARVEL DIRECTORY,WOLVERINE, http://www.marveldirectory.com/

individuals/w/wolverine.htm (last visited Feb. 12, 2015).

2

And I don’t necessarily say that with pride!

3

It was about then that a popular new movie had keen observations about lawyers,

although I am certain young Paul did not see the movie Pretty Woman:

Edward Lewis (businessman character played by actor Richard Gere): You and I are

such similar creatures, Vivian. We both screw people for money....

Vivian (call girl character played by actress Julia Roberts): That would make you a ...

lawyer.

Edward Lewis: What makes

you think I’m a lawyer?

Vivian: You have that sharp, useless look about you.

PRETTY WOMAN (Touchstone Pictures, 1990).

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