- This month’s newsletter is about Civics. Derived from the latin word “civicus” meaning relating to a citizen, Civics, is defined as the study of the rights and obligations of citizens in a society. It is commonplace these days to see lively discussions and declarations about the rights of citizens, but less so the obligations or responsibilities of citizens. What role does the legal profession play in civics and civic engagement? What about the judiciary?
Answer: Members of the legal profession are intimately involved in helping citizens understand our laws, including our rights and responsibilities under those laws, and pushing for appropriate reforms and improvements to our laws as our circumstances change. The legal profession provides citizens with access to our legal system, assists citizens with pursuing legal rights and enforcing legal responsibilities, and works to ensure the proper administration of justice. Most important, even when passionately challenging our laws or pushing for reforms, members of the legal profession should always demonstrate a shared respect for our legal system and promote peaceful civic engagement.
I believe that the judiciary’s role in civics and civic engagement is to be independent, open-minded, and objective when interpreting laws and making rulings in individual cases. The judiciary can ensure that an individual is given an opportunity to be heard and that an individual’s complaints and circumstances are given a full and fair analysis in reaching conclusions. Regardless whether civic engagement is calm or contentious, the judiciary must remain focused on its primary role, which is to hear and resolve matters fairly and in accordance with our laws.
- Has your view of the rights and obligations of citizens changed as you transitioned into being a Judge during a pandemic? If so, how?
Answer: I do not think my transition to being a Judge has affected my view of the rights and responsibilities of citizens, but I do think the pandemic has affected my view. During the pandemic, I have developed an increased awareness of the complexity of our society, the wide spectrum of perspectives on common issues, and the shared challenges that we face as citizens. As a citizen, I think it is too early to tell what lasting impacts, if any, the pandemic will have on our society and the rights and responsibilities of citizens; but however it turns out, I will continue to strive to exercise my rights in a responsible manner and to show respect for other citizens who may view our rights and responsibilities as citizens differently.
- You’ve worked in both private practice in firms and as in-house counsel, particularly in the field of government contracts. What are the civic responsibilities of lawyers, government and private sector, who practice in federal litigation? Do lawyers, generally, have more civic responsibilities than non-lawyers in society?
Answer: I believe that lawyers, whether private sector or government, are responsible for ensuring that citizens understand our laws and our legal system. A lawyer ensures that his or her client understands their rights and responsibilities under the law and guides the client through our legal system in an honest, passionate, and efficient manner. I believe that lawyers assume greater civic responsibilities than non-lawyers because of a lawyer’s unique role in our society. If done for legitimate purposes, lawyers should be viewed as public servants when advising a client on our laws, negotiating with third parties in resolving disputes, engaging in our legal system to advance a client’s interests, and participating in the administration of justice. Lawyers are also in a unique position to identify areas of our laws and legal system that warrant improvements or reforms.
- What role does the Bar play in advocating or promoting Civics?
Answer: As an organization, the Bar is well-positioned to educate individual lawyers on matters of common interest and push for reforms based on shared perspectives and experiences. The Bar can leverage the combined knowledge and resources of its members to advance the administration of justice. The Bar helps maintain high standards of practice and ethics, which, in turn, increases the confidence that citizens have in our legal system. The Bar also provides a forum for honest and robust engagement on legal topics that ultimately affect citizens. These undertakings by the Bar have direct and indirect impacts on civics and civic engagement in our society.
- What is the role of judges in promoting Civics, generally as well as in times of crisis, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer: I believe that the role of a judge is to resolve matters before him or her in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the law. A judge should not waver in performing this role in times of crisis. A judge’s role is even more important in times of crises. The way a judge operates and the reasoning behind a judge’s decisions promote civics and contribute to civic engagement in our society. Judges should strive to grow and preserve the confidence that citizens have in the judiciary and our legal system.
Rapid Fire Round!
- Mac or PC?
Answer: Mac for personal, PC for business.
- Top-three songs on your Spotify/I-tunes playlist?
Answer: I do not have top songs. I mostly tune to Indie Folk Revival Radio, New Orleans Jazz Radio, or a particular artist station on Pandora or iHeart.
- South Carolina BBQ or a New Orleans Muffaletta?
Answer: As a native New Orleanian, Muffaletta.
- Favorite Guilty Pleasure song, tv show or movie?
Answer: Cooking, travel and real estate shows.
- Best wisdom from an unexpected source?
Answer: To listen. In conversations, my daughter often tells me that I didn’t listen to her, and she’s often right.
Membership
The Bar Association provides its members numerous educational opportunities and opportunities for practitioners to meet and interact with the judges of the Court and colleagues from both public and private practice for these purposes. Our members work closely with the Court’s judges to develop programs, contribute to revisions of the Court’s Rules, and organize a broad range of educational and other activities.
