Responsibility that goes beyond our practice.

• Author: O'Neil, Joseph E.
• Position: President's Page

The mission and core values of the IADC are "... to respect the rule of law, to improve civil justice, and to maintain integrity and civility." Our fundamental responsibility as lawyers includes the greater public good, equal access to justice and equality before the law. The year ahead will offer something new for the IADC to help us further our efforts to uphold our responsibility to the rule of law.

In August, our Board of Directors formally established the Social Justice Pro Bono Committee. This new committee, under the leadership of Bob Redmond, will support, enhance, and transform the social justice and pro bono efforts of LADC members, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations around the world.

At the Annual Meeting in July, Ambassador Andrew Young offered these timely words:

"We are responsible for the rule of law [and], if it's not our business now, it has to become our business."

During his LADC Talks presentation, Lee Davis Thames quoted Bishop Desmond Tutu:

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality."

Many, if not all, of our members already devote countless hours of time to the representation of those in need. It's simply the right...