THE PATH OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION MUST BE MAINTAINED
THE PATH OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION MUST BE MAINTAINED
ZACK PELHAM ABA State Delegate
I recently attended the American Bar Association ’ s ( ABA ) Mid-Year Meeting in New Orleans . The House of Delegates took up a wide range of resolutions from the various sections and divisions within the ABA . From a resolution urging organizations developing artificial intelligence systems to follow set guidelines and for legislative and executive bodies to codify these guidelines to a resolution adopting the ABA Best Practices for Remote Depositions to urging the United States Supreme Court to adopt a code of judicial ethics binding on justices comparable to the Code of Conduct for U . S . Judges and many more resolutions involving current challenges addressing the American legal community .
The resolution that garnered passionate debate was whether the ABA should eliminate the standardized admission test requirement ( e . g ., LSAT or GRE ) for ABA-accredited law schools . This resolution ( Resolution 300 ) failed after a lengthy debate on the floor . The debate primarily centered around whether such tests are antiquated ( proponents ) or continue to be an equalizer that applies to all law school applicants ( opponents ). While opinions differed on most resolutions , the procedure in place allowed for civil and professional discussion .
For me , the meeting highlighted the diversity of the ABA and its many sections and divisions . There is a place in the ABA for every attorney , regardless of practice area or world view . The common denominator for involvement in the ABA is active involvement in the legal profession . And that is something to which every lawyer should devote a portion of their career . For it is those that came before us that provided , in part , a path in the legal profession . Each person ’ s experience differs – from attorneys like me , who have no family members who were attorneys , to attorneys who come from a long and storied pedigree of attorneys in their family . The path to our profession has been paved for us . That path must be maintained .
What does it mean to maintain this path for current and future lawyers ? As with most things , it is the simple and basic that have the most impact . We lawyers think we are special – rightly so , we worked hard to achieve what we have . But we cannot forget who it is we serve . While we must make a living to support our families , we serve our clients and our communities . Engagement in your state and local bar association can be as easy as attending a monthly meeting . Volunteering to visit a classroom for Law
Day , helping judge a law school moot court competition , judging high school students participating in civics-related competitions , or sitting down with a law student to discuss the areas not formally taught in law school . Being a friend to a colleague in need – not resisting the urge of your conscience to make that phone call or email or text . There are many simple opportunities we lawyers have to continue to blaze the path of our profession . And while it does not require much , intentionality is a key ingredient .
As you work those long hours trying to figure out other people ’ s problems , while juggling your own challenges and trying to maintain a balance that is sought after but often elusive , remember those who paved a path for your legal career . Being grateful they were there for you . And think of how you can do something simple to help those new and future lawyers be better lawyers who will continue to serve their clients , communities , and families . Whether you are young , old , or in-between , engagement in the ABA ’ s numerous sections and divisions , your state and local bar associations , or your communities provides a source for us lawyers to continue the tradition of the legal profession ’ s commitment to advancing the legal community . And this is most important with the simple things .
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