GSB Vol. 18, NO. 1, Pg. 68. Professionalism Page.

Authorby Avarita L. Hanson

Georgia Bar Journal

Volume 18.

GSB Vol. 18, NO. 1, Pg. 68.

Professionalism Page

GSB JournalVol. 18, NO. 1August 2012Professionalism Page America the Beautiful-Confirming Our Liberty in Lawby Avarita L. HansonAmerica! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!(fn1)

These words from America the Beautiful, our national patriotic song, gave me inspirational thoughts about professionalism when I sang along with the crowd at a high school graduation this spring. The crowd was filled with anxious graduates and proud and smiling well-wishers.

The commencement address was given by an attorney who is an alumnus of the school, Mark Chandler, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Cisco Systems Inc. Chandler expanded on three messages: first, that you should take every chance you get to explore the world beyond the United States; second, that you should embrace technology even when you think you know everything you need; and third, you should trust people who believe in you. He closed with an inspiring message to the graduates. "My wish for you is that you will always have enough of that spirit in you to not resist it, but to embrace it when the winds of fortune fill your sails and offer you passage to distant shores; to stay at least even with the next generation instead of thinking that everything new is folly; and let others give you courage to do new things."(fn2)

Chandler's message is not only appropriate for new high school graduates and newly minted lawyers. It is also fitting for all of us in today's legal...

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