courtroom , probably looking forward to retirement in just a few years . I know that many of you have also met with Presidents and Presidential candidates and talked to them about judicial nominees and how to protect the rights of consumers . You ’ ve done your work , and we are all grateful to you for it . You ’ ve earned your rest .
But far too many younger trial lawyers may not yet realize their potential . You will have the power to shape a new generation of politics , but that power is worthless if you make the choice to not wield it . You need to sit down with your mentors and let them tell you how they fought back against a corrupt system OUTSIDE the courtroom as well as in trial . Because it is those moments when you aren ’ t in front of a jury that might have the biggest impact on this country .
So what I ’ m asking you to do is get involved in politics . Again , I ’ m certainly not asking you to write any checks to any politicians — they have more than enough money and even the biggest
78 x The Trial Lawyer check from a trial lawyer can ’ t compete with one from a Fortune 500 company and their teams of lobbyists . Instead , I am asking that you run for something . It doesn ’ t have to be a House seat or a federal office : In fact , I ’ d encourage you at the moment to avoid that for now .
Instead , run for city council . Run for local offices that will still allow you to practice law , but will also put you in a position to make real change in your own hometown . From there , go wherever it may lead you . But all politics is local , and that is where you have to start . If a company is seeking a new zoning permit to dump some toxic chemicals near a low-income area , don ’ t wait a decade for the cancers to develop so you can file a lawsuit — Go get on the city council and stop it before it even starts . And that ’ s just one example of thousands of what can be accomplished if you exercise your full potential .
Who better to lead a new generation of political leaders than the people who fight everyday for injured Americans ? Most Americans , according to the polls , no longer believe that the government is even able to function properly and that it doesn ’ t take the concerns of average citizens into consideration . You could change that if you wanted to , but it starts with getting off your ass .
If running for office isn ’ t your thing , follow in Mike Papantonio ’ s footsteps . Get to know your local leaders ( whether they are political or business leaders ) and use those connections to put pressure on lawmakers to do the right thing . There are countless things that can be done without ever having to actually run for office .
This country needs leaders , and that is exactly what everyone reading this magazine can be if they apply themselves , and many of you already are . You have the drive , the passion , the connections , the money , and the knowledge to propel this country forward in ways that you couldn ’ t even imagine , but it all starts when you get off your ass and take that first step .
Trust me , the United States will be a better place if you take that first step .