President's Page, 1113 ALBJ, 74 The Alabama Lawyer 364 (2013)

• Author: Anthony A. Joseph.

PRESIDENT'S PAGE

Vol. 74 No. 6 Pg. 364

Alabama Bar Lawyer

November, 2013

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0 STAND UP-A LAWYER'S PASSING

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0 Anthony A. Joseph.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Introduction

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0We all remember the quote from the timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird: "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'."¹ This acknowledgement reflects not only a deep, abiding respect for Atticus Finch as a lawyer-but also the nobility that he earned in and outside the courtroom. I am a firm believer that our profession is noble and deserves to be recognized as such. Our service to the community is unparalleled, and our professional involvement remains a critical ingredient in the fair administration of justice. Yet, continually we are bombarded by jokes about lawyers and questioned regarding our worth in society. Alabama lawyers do many great things, day in and day out, to improve the lives of many. "No brag. Just fact."² It's time for us to stand up and say, "I'm a lawyer and I am proud."

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Where We Stand Today: The Pew Research Study

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0In a recent Pew research study some Americans were asked to rank 10 professions and their contributions to society³ Lawyers ranked last.⁴ There is no need for me to discuss what society would be like without lawyers or how lawyers ensure that professionals who ranked above lawyers are able to carry out their responsibilities freely, safely and orderly or how lawyers protect, defend and preserve "social order."⁵ I know I am preaching to the choir. I also know that this survey can be skewed and, in the end, may have limited value. This study is the view of only a small sample, and not necessarily the opinion of all, especially those clients who have benefited from the skillful advocacy and counsel of their attorneys.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0All that said, the bar has a responsibility to continue to improve its image, the public's understanding and respect for the law and the role of lawyers. How do we accomplish this if the public perceives that we, as lawyers, are contributing the least to society? The simple answer is to stand up and change that perception by communicating with and engaging the community to ensure that it is aware of the outreach performed by members of the bar. Efforts are underway to facilitate our message.

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