It was Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” President Obama has often reminded us of that important sentiment. As an attorney, this sentiment hits home. The wheels of justice may grind slow, but they grind toward justice. I am a firm believer in our legal system. Despite all the naysayers out there, our legal system works, and it is the best in the world. I’ve had the great privilege to try cases to judges and juries, and to also live and work overseas. I’ve seen first hand how other countries handle disputes. There is no doubt in my mind that our system, though itself imperfect, is by far the best in the world.
We have a long way to go before we have equal justice for all, and the path will necessarily travel through lawyers, courtrooms, judges and juries. That means that you will have an opportunity to play a part in re-shaping history and bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice. Don’t shirk your jury duty when you get called. Embrace it. And don’t shy away from bringing legal action when that’s necessary and right. This is how change happens. Yes, protests matter. Political action and policy matter, too. But change often takes the form of 12 citizens in a jury box or a judge hearing a case and deciding what is right and what is wrong, bending the arc of the moral universe. You have that power.
Me? My power is to help. Like so many other lawyers all around the country, I raise my hand to help. This is a time for action. If you have a legal issue you want to pursue, call me. Let’s make justice happen. Together, let's bend the arc of the moral universe.
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