1. What I need to knowI've always wanted to be a lawyer. Ever since I was in elementary school I wanted to be an attorney. At first, I couldn't tell you why, I might say something similar to, "it's neato" but that's about it. Now, after experiencing a mock version of the real thing, I can tell you I feel confident and powerful in the court room. I can tell you first hand that standing up, being the only one speaking in a full room, trying to outwit a witness on the stand is by far one of the most exhilarating experiences I've ever had. But, now that I'm going to college and have to really choose what path I want to head in, I'm asking my self if I have the qualities that really make a good attorney. I want to know what qualities define the best attorneys out there.
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2. What I knowNow, I can already tell you the obvious; a good lawyer can think on his feet, he can speak with confidence, and he is able to present facts in a clear fashion. That's not what I'm researching. Part of what I want to know is how a lawyer thinks. For example, everyone and their mother has at one point compared someone who argues often to a lawyer. But, is that what a lawyer really is? An arguer? Maybe, but for what I know, that could be the case or a lawyer can be the type of person who seldom argues and chooses his battles decisively. I do know that at least one of these is the case. I know, from seeing lawyers every day in my internship, that they come in many shapes and breeds. But, that is not to say they are all the "best."
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3. The Search Alright, so here's what I have found out. I spoke with one of the attorneys I work for, Peter. I asked him about his job, what he does, why he does it, and how. When asked why he became a lawyer, Peter said because he was never afraid to speak his mind. When asked why he choose criminal defense, he said, "The government has too much power; the underdog needs a strong advocate." Peter is a good lawyer. I can attest to this. He's the type of lawyer with the cause to do good. From what I have observed and from what I have heard from him, he's always wanted to do good for others. For Peter, he has passion. He's passionate about what he does and who he defends. He's able to dignify the people he represents and make the most out of the situations he's been presented.
Moving on to another attorney, George Crockett. George Crockett was the first African-American lawyer hired by the Department of Labor. He was a very famous lawyer and judge. He stood for civil rights. George is known as a great lawyer. This is seen in what he did. Now, George is known for his stance on civil rights. George is known as, ” An outspoken man who didn’t shy away from controversy, he passionately defended communist leaders, openly protested apartheid in South Africa and served as a Civil Rights activist.” (Chapman) Even though George stood for some issues, such as communism, that went way against the flow of society, he was still looked at as a great attorney. George's quality that made him the best lawyer, was his unconquerable stance, no matter who he defended, no matter what place he was in. Some other lawyers and their known qualities are: Dan Webb, he could win juries with charm and was extremely intelligent. Ted Wells, he spoke to juries calmly and was able to make any situation seem simple and understandable. Mary Jo White, she faces anyone head on; she interrogated John Gotti (famous Italian gangster) and the terrorists involved in 9/11. F Lee Bailey, he is known for defending people accused of heinous crimes, such as Dr. Sam Sheppard, the Boston Strangler, and O.J. Simpson (he was part of the team). Clarence Darrow, he spent 12 hours straight giving closing arguments, which got his defendants off of a death sentence. Joe Jamail, the richest lawyer in the U.S. represented high profile companies and is known as abrasive and unprofessional. |
4. What I discoveredThere are a lot of lawyers in the world. The biggest takeaway for me, after looking at many attorneys, is that all of them don't care about what others think. From the attorneys who represented the worst criminals in the world to the people who went against the infamously dangerous, none cared. So, not caring about other's feelings is a top quality. Another that is shared by most is to have a passion. Darrow spent 12 hours convincing a jury, White went against some of the countries most infamous terrorists, and Crockett spent his entire life fighting for civil rights. So, what truly makes the best attorney, is someone with passion to fight for a cause they believe in and to be able to go against what others think.
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Interview with Peter Zeliff
1. Why are you a good attorney?
If you begin with the premise that people should be treated with dignity, you can have passion. Those that want money won't like being an attorney because they will lack the passion that is required to be an attorney. You have to be able to dignify those you represent.
Response- Mr. Zeliff is saying that the best lawyer, is the person who puts others before himself and is able to empathize with people.
2. How long have you been a lawyer?
Since 1998
Response- That's the year I was born. Also, 18 years is a long time to be doing something over and over. But he still likes doing it.
3. Where did you start?
In Dekalb County as a public defender
Response-Everyone has to start as a public defender, even though it seems unbearable.
4. How old are you?
44 years old
Response- I thought he seemed older, he seems wiser and acts like someone who is in control.
5. Did you always want to be an attorney?
I knew I wanted to be a trial lawyer in college. I always felt best in the courtroom.
Response- I wonder how often he really is in the courtroom doing what he wants to be doing.
6. Why did you want to become one?
I've never been afraid of speaking my mind; I don't have any fear of what others will say or think. That's a requirement for certain cases.
Response- He acts selfless is seems. I wonder if he always thought in this type of way, or if it changed over the years.
7. Why did you choose criminal defense?
The government has too much power; the underdog needs a strong advocate
Response- I agree. Every time I go to the solicitor's office, I see almost 30 business cards of all attorneys working against the defense.
8. Have you ever worked in another State?
No
Response- Is it hard to move around as an attorney?
9. Would you like to?
No, an efficient litigator knows his streets and town. He has to know a place.
Response- That makes a lot of sense; you wouldn't be able to defend a person if you don't know their circumstances.
10. Are you happy you became an attorney?
Yes, but it's not for everyone. I'm happy doing the law I'm suited for. I wanted to be in a courtroom.
Response- I know I wouldn't want to be any other type of attorney than one who actually defended someone. I couldn't work in an office all day as a corporate attorney or something of the sort.
1. Why are you a good attorney?
If you begin with the premise that people should be treated with dignity, you can have passion. Those that want money won't like being an attorney because they will lack the passion that is required to be an attorney. You have to be able to dignify those you represent.
Response- Mr. Zeliff is saying that the best lawyer, is the person who puts others before himself and is able to empathize with people.
2. How long have you been a lawyer?
Since 1998
Response- That's the year I was born. Also, 18 years is a long time to be doing something over and over. But he still likes doing it.
3. Where did you start?
In Dekalb County as a public defender
Response-Everyone has to start as a public defender, even though it seems unbearable.
4. How old are you?
44 years old
Response- I thought he seemed older, he seems wiser and acts like someone who is in control.
5. Did you always want to be an attorney?
I knew I wanted to be a trial lawyer in college. I always felt best in the courtroom.
Response- I wonder how often he really is in the courtroom doing what he wants to be doing.
6. Why did you want to become one?
I've never been afraid of speaking my mind; I don't have any fear of what others will say or think. That's a requirement for certain cases.
Response- He acts selfless is seems. I wonder if he always thought in this type of way, or if it changed over the years.
7. Why did you choose criminal defense?
The government has too much power; the underdog needs a strong advocate
Response- I agree. Every time I go to the solicitor's office, I see almost 30 business cards of all attorneys working against the defense.
8. Have you ever worked in another State?
No
Response- Is it hard to move around as an attorney?
9. Would you like to?
No, an efficient litigator knows his streets and town. He has to know a place.
Response- That makes a lot of sense; you wouldn't be able to defend a person if you don't know their circumstances.
10. Are you happy you became an attorney?
Yes, but it's not for everyone. I'm happy doing the law I'm suited for. I wanted to be in a courtroom.
Response- I know I wouldn't want to be any other type of attorney than one who actually defended someone. I couldn't work in an office all day as a corporate attorney or something of the sort.