Ages ago, at my first-year law school orientation, my classmates were told "If you only know the law, then you do not know the law at all." I took the words to heart as I made my way through law school, through law practice and, now, into law teaching. The Cosmopolitan Lawyer lists readings, many non-law, which are influencing my thinking about law. It is my effort to be, and to encourage others to be, more cosmopolitan--and, thus, less parochial--in thinking about law.
June 29, 2010
LAWYERS AS JANITORS
Viewed the film Michael Clayton again this evening. It should be required viewing for every first-year law student. Then, perhaps, they may begin to appreciate that law has little to do with justice. And that lawyers, even the best of the profession, may simply be glorified janitors . . . engaged in cleaning up other peoples' shit.