During January 2019, I set about drafting my 2018 Year In Review. This idea was not new to me, but I found inspiration from prize winning journalist Dave Barry’s annual Year in Review . Mr. Barry’s journalistic endeavors are good writing models and comedic entertainment. I tried over the past two years to use that as my example while including my own version of important local, state and national items including those near and dear to the readers of the OCBA Briefcase. However, my reviews of the last couple of years sounded very much alike. I recounted month by month the events of the year and then attempted to direct the reader to hope that the next year would be better. This seemed like an exercise doomed to failure and invoked lots of negative thoughts. How could we be foreword looking with hope for the next year based on the prior year occurrences.
After all, we are educated and trained in the practice of law, which gives us a worldly view on daily occurrences. A worldly view is to say that we are master cynics. But we are foolish to think that recent years, even the last ten years, are somehow different than all of those before. History, especially the history of the United States of America, is replete with political upheaval, social change, immigration issues, crime, poverty, greed, systemic education failures and a steady march toward self-enlightenment which seems to mean that the people who came before us knew nothing.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, blizzards, droughts, floods, extreme cold and extremely hot temperatures have always existed in different times and in different parts of our national geography. None of this is new, although it may be new to or have gone previously unnoticed by individuals. Basketball referees have been notoriously bad since the 1972 Olympics, but just when each game of the NBA season proves my point that they are the worst thing on the planet along comes the NFL NFC Championship game referees. I mean these people have one job. Injustice is not new nor is it limited to any specific endeavor. Rather it runs amuck but recounting those instances month by month does nothing to make 2019 look any shinier or brighter. Imagine a month by month narrative of 1968, no there is nothing new under the sun.
So, what are we to do, just sit back and watch the action, tweet our disgust, fan the fires or play Fortnite. Although I have already called out our profession as cynics, I believe we as attorneys also have the tools to bring things back to balance through education of others on the foundational documents of our governmental experiment of a republic based on democracy.
Education of our friends, family, communities and society in general on the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, other Amendments and the laws interpreting those is needed. The Constitution was intended to curb the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch from enacting majority views that are inconsistent with the core foundations of the country and likely should not change every year according to what people think of as popular for a specific year. Otherwise, they have no purpose. We live in a time when 40% of the people believe their agendas should be constitutionally protected and the other 40% disagree. This is not different than any other time in history but what is different is that we have other branches of government attempting to change constitutional standards.
I am not contending that the legal foundations of the U.S. republican democracy experiment are useless or not working, they are just a little tarnished and rusty. It takes some action and polish to shine them up and see them back to working order. My contention is that our profession can put a little sunshine back into 2019 and further civil and social justice. It all starts when an opportunity is presented to speak at a CLE, civic presentation, or presentations to school kids of all ages and backgrounds. When the OCBA asks for volunteers don’t be shy.
I was recently on the second floor of the courthouse and relieved to see a living, breathing Eddie Goldman, Esq. After reading the January Briefcase front page headline, I wondered if I had missed his passing, the funeral or more importantly the wake (party). I should have known better when I saw the byline did not belong to Rex Travis, Esq. In any event, I greeted attorney Goldman and congratulated him on life. He chuckled, gave me an odd look and asked if I had recently been to a Thunder game. Yes, he was indeed alive and in OKC.
Eddie’s story is a great example of other attorneys taking an interest that paves the way for a better future for an individual. Rather than a community of individuals that simply appeared out of nowhere to rise to some level of prominence, we are all generally people who are where we are because of the work and sacrifices of a mother, a father, grandparent, teacher or mentor. Maybe it was a neighbor who took an interest in you or even a stranger. Most everyone I know is where they are as the result of other’s sacrifices. Think about your own past and your legacy. You can be that person who inspires a young person to get involved in debate, learn better writing skills, graduate high school, go to college and possibly even become a lawyer or judge. What a legacy! Later they can tell others their story which will hopefully inspire those that follow. Reason for hope for 2019 and beyond exists, but it takes some action on your part. Say yes when a volunteer opportunity arises and look for places to plug in at the OCBA.
1. Dave Barry’s Year in Review: Is There Anything Good We Can Say About 2018? Miamiherald.com. December 26, 2018.
Byline: Michael W. Brewer is an attorney, founder, and partner of Hiltgen & Brewer, PC in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. To contact Mike, email mbrewer@hbokc.law, call (405) 605-9000 or tweet him at @attymikeb. For more information, please visit http://www.hbokc.law.
Open & Obvious? 