From the Yld President

• Citation: Vol. 30 No. 4 Pg. 0010
• Year: 2025
• Pages: 0010

From the YLD President Vol. 30 No. 4 Pg. 10 Georgia Bar Journal May 2025

Out of Many, One

PHOTO BY ENVISIONING FREEDOM PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC

KENNETH MITCHELL JR.

YLD President

State Bar of Georgia

kmitchell@gmpclaw.com

There is an African Proverb that states: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This proverb highlights the importance of working together to achieve sustainable and impactful results. I am also reminded of this proverb when I think of this year's Law Day theme: Out of Many, One.

Law Day is held on May 1 and is an annual celebration of the rule of law, which strives to promote an appreciation for America's legal system. "Out of Many, One" or "E Pluribus Unum," was the United States' first motto in 1776; and is prominently featured on the Great Seal of the United States and on U.S currency. "E Pluribus Unum" was selected by the founding fathers because it resonated with them as they built a single, unified nation from a collection of people of many different cultures.

For years, this nation has prided itself on being a pluralistic society that embraces and values different viewpoints, identities and beliefs, while engaging in the broader social and political fabric. "Out of Many, One," is an appropriate theme for Law Day because it is reminder that the Constitution established a "framework for government that unites us as one citizenry, through means such as our representative government, jury service, and a regular Census." As members of the State Bar of Georgia, this year's theme resonates with us because we are comprised of lawyers who are defined by various identities, geography, generations and practice areas, among others. These characteristics reflect the theme "Out of Many, One."

Identity

As attorneys, we identify with the phrase "out of many, one" because we are defined by our various identities. We are classified by our race, gender, ethnic groups, religion, sexual orientation and disability, among others. In Unite/ States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515, 533 (1996), Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated that "inherent differences ... remain cause for celebration, but not for denigration of the members of either sex or for artificial constraints on an individual's opportunity." Thus, the phrase "Out of Many, One" should resonate with us because although we have different identities, we are all committed to upholding the Constitution.

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