A couple weeks ago, the ABA launched its new website, Legal Rebels. The idea behind the site was to encourage people, especially those practicing law, to realize that the economy and the world are changing, and the profession needs to change with them.
The Legal Rebels Manifesto is as follows:
I am a proud member of America’s essential profession. Without lawyers and the rule of law, a free, fair and open society is not sustainable.
I recognize that the legal profession’s traditions – the world’s most respected legal education system, most successful law firms and fairest court system – were once radical innovations.
In this time of economic crisis, I am committed to improving those institutions and creating innovation in the practice of law. I will question and, when appropriate, change the status quo. And I will use technology to serve my clients and society.
I’ll help remake the profession I hold dear so it can continue to deliver on America’s promise.
I’m an innovator. A maverick. A pathfinder.
I am a Legal Rebel.
You can sign the manifesto on the website, if you support it.
I for one, stand firmly behind this manifesto. While the Socratic method and giant legal treatises were hallowed traditions in law schools in the past, I believe that now it’s time to apply all the information and knowledge we have about how people learn, and strive to make law school an experience that will teach valuable legal knowledge, but also skills, and all those little things that you are surprised to find out when you start practicing (like that complaints are filed by checking some boxes, not actually writing a complaint–at least in California).
In addition to remaking legal education, what about the way we practice law? Why not use social media to reach out to clients? For example, this blog. I hope that there’s often useful information here for either other attorneys or the general public, or potential clients. Let’s modernize the practice of law! Use technology to make our lives and practices more efficient so we can spend time actually speaking with clients and understanding their needs.
I for one, applaud the Legal Rebels movement–let’s hope we see some positive changes to the profession.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.