Over the last 12 months people have asked me the source of my inspiration concerning these articles. After deep thought I realize I can answer that question with one word, DEADLINES. It seems that most of our life as lawyers is ruled by doing this within so many days or doing that on or before a certain date.
While I was reading the other day I came upon an interesting story which involved three characters, one of which was a lawyer. It seems that a teacher was talking to his class on the subject of the law regarding how you would live your life in compliance with all of the rules and regulations. At one particular moment in time a lawyer trying to get to the bottom line asked the question, What do I need to do to be “righteous.” The teacher, having taken a business law course, turned the tables and responded to the lawyer by answering his question with a question, and saying, What does the law say? The lawyer, being extremely confident that he knew the right answer said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind, your soul and your strength and love your neighbor as yourself. To which the teacher responded by saying, That sounds like a golden rule to me, go and do that and you will be one of the righteous brothers. The lawyer was pleased but only for a moment when he realized that he had not closed every door at this deposition. He just couldn’t stop while he was ahead and he had to ask that one extra question, what he thought would close the last loop hole. He then said, I understand the first part but regarding the second part, who is my neighbor?
The teacher said, “I’m glad you asked that question and in response, let me tell you a little story . . . a certain man was walking down North Avenue when he “got mugged” by some three-time losers who beat him, took his clothes, his money and left him for dead. Shortly thereafter a priest and a rabbi, coming from an ecumenical conference on unity, came upon the victim but quickly looked the other way and quickened their pace. A few minutes later a construction worker from the eastern end of the county came by in his pick up truck and happened to notice the injured man. He pulled over to the side put the man his truck and took him to Good Samaritan Hospital. He gave the charge nurses his credit card and told her to get the man some clothes, feed him, bandage his wounds and find him a temporary residence; letting her know that he would pay for the cost of same.”
The teacher then looked up and asked the lawyer which one of the three individuals who saw the injured man acted as if the injured man was his neighbor? The lawyer, always ready to give the right answer, blurted out the one who showed mercy. The teacher said you are right go and do likewise.
This story begs the question who is our neighbor? It seems to be anyone whose need we see and whose need we have the ability to meet.
In this, my last article as President of the Baltimore County Bar Association, I will leave you with this one concluding thought: as neighbors to our brothers and sisters in the practice of law do your job and show mercy; these concepts are not mutually exclusive.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. These successes would not have been possible without the committee members, vice-chairs and chairs; the guidance and support of the Executive Council; Carole’s steady hand at Lawyer Referral and; have I left anyone out? Are you kidding! Oh yes, there is DORIS who made it all run smoothly. Thank you Madam Executive Director. The BCBA is fortunate to have Debra Schubert as incoming President. Even though she is a Cowboy fan (she also likes the Dallas football team) she cares greatly about our Association. We are in good hands. In conclusion, no matter what my other articles espoused, this is my one request, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; the results will be more valuable then gold.