Shoutout to the real ones

you make me hopeful

The lawyers who:

• Give a shit;

• Stand for something;

• Don’t think they have it all figured out;

• Always have the time;

• Put people over profits;

• Embrace reality—no matter how terrifying it is;

• Aren’t afraid to say this isn’t normal;

• Pay it forward to the next generation;

• Lead by example;

• Support and defend the Constitution;

• Are fearless in the face of evil;

• Reject bad faith premises;

• Take their ethical obligations seriously;

• Drop what they are doing when you need help;

• Understand that if we want respect for the law we must first make the law respectable.

The friends who:

• Mean what they say;

• Meet you where you are;

• Appreciate you for who you are;

• Listen;

• Make the time;

• Show they care through their actions—not words;

• Accept responsibility rather than denying or minimizing culpability;

• Take ownership of their actions;

• Give you the benefit of doubt;

• Take the time to hear you out;

• Engage you with honest intentions and an open heart;

• Push you to be better;

• Don’t mind an uncomfortable conversation.

The people in power who:

• Aren’t afraid to use it;

• Don’t care about reelection;

• Don’t sell their souls;

• Believe the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice;

• Take a stand in the face of clear evil;

• Believe in democracy;

• Don’t think they know better.

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  CPJ | 13 Apr. ‘25