Integrity Most Important Attribute of a Lawyer, Slate Tells University of Richmond Law Graduates
May 4, 2002
William K. Slate II, president and CEO of the American Arbitration Association, told University of Richmond law school graduates that integrity is the most important attribute for becoming a successful attorney.
Giving the 153 law students a list of practical advice, Slate also said they should prepare for increased use of the Internet for legal processes, especially online dispute resolution.
"Twenty-first century lawyers must be attuned to the importance of the Internet in a world now defined by global economies and an ever-expanding e-commerce transaction base," he said. Citing his association's experience six months after allowing online filing of cases, Slate said "there is the potential in this process for filing a claim online-just like filing a case in the courthouse-receiving the answer online, the filing of documents, a hearing in a secure space online and an award online."
Slate said "lawyers of distinction are thinkers, not robotic followers." They develop interests in other fields while practicing their craft, making sure they do not lose their creative energy. And, they "stay connected," particularly to law school friends and classmates, he explained.
"Many lawyering roles can be lonely paradigms-judges, professors, practitioners, CEOs-and I urge you not to make it so," Slate advised.
Richmond Law grads also heard from one of their professors, First Amendment scholar Rodney A. Smolla, and a classmate, Dale G. Mullen of Bismarck, Ill. Both were chosen to speak by a vote of the graduating class.
Smolla said that inside every person "there is a yearning, a hope, a desire to believe that there is justice in the world." He said everyone wants to know that "there truly is a difference between right and wrong, good and evil, terrorism and the rule of law, prejudice and equality, arbitrariness and due process, tyranny and freedom."
"We believe in those differences," Smolla said. "We believe we have the capability to achieve justice…and it will prevail. We believe that you (law graduates)-committed to quality, humanity and justice-are the community's hope and prize."
Mullen told his classmates that they owe it to their country to "stand up for justice, fairness and the rule of law" in exchange for previous sacrifices of soldiers, civil rights activists, judges and attorneys. He quoted former President Herbert Hoover in reminding fellow graduates that they are indebted "beyond any human power to repay."
Several awards were presented, including the first Orrell-Brown Award for Clinical Excellence in the Children's Law Center to Mason Lee Byrd of Lake Monticello. Byrd completed graduation requirements in January, but returned for the spring semester to work as a volunteer. The former police officer was selected by the law faculty for excellence in the skills necessary for the direct representation of clients in such matters as special education, juvenile delinquency and adoption.
The Charles T. Norman Award, given by the law faculty to the best all-around graduating student, could not be awarded. The competition is so close a winner cannot be determined until certification of final grades in mid-May.