President's Page, 1115 ALBJ, 76 The Alabama Lawyer 366 (2015)
| Author | Lee H. Copeland, J. |
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\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0When a lawyer dies, why is the funeral service most always a packed house?
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0I recently attended the funeral of an attorney who was a member of a local church. The head usher said that one of his jobs at the church was to help at all the church's funerals. He then said-"When a lawyer dies, it always is one of the church's biggest funerals-the lawyers show in droves." And, he is right. The question is why?
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0As a general rule, lawyers are more than members of the same profession-they are truly colleagues. They know and understand the traumas, victories and tolls that the practice of law produces. There is a kinship among other attorneys, because they have been living and working in the same arena.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0One of the world's most renowned paintings is on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In the principal panel, God is reaching down from the heavens with His finger extended and man is reaching up with his finger extended. The fingers do not physically touch in the painting-and that is what makes it fascinating. It is in that space, that synapse, that the world explores God's relationship with man and man's relationship with God. That image has always haunted me in the sense that in such a small area, lots of life and decisions, both good and bad, are being played out.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Our synapse as lawyers is in the courtroom arguing a case, on the phone negotiating a lease or in an email thread trying to find a time to meet. Because lawyers are in an adversarial role with each other-that space is where we live and work as professionals. So, given the fact that we are always in each other's "space, " why do lawyers show up in such large numbers for another lawyer's funeral? I think it is because we start as colleagues and end up as comrades with each other-respecting the profession and respecting those who practice within its synapse.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Leadership Forum CLE Getaway
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0The ASB Leadership Forum Section is planning a fun event for all of the members of the Alabama State Bar. It has negotiated a great rate at Callaway Gardens for December 3-5, 2015. The "Family Fun & Football Holiday...
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