As a fourth generation Texas trial lawyer, the hackles on the back of my neck always stand up when someone I meet at a cocktail party decides it’s a good idea to share his or her repertoire of lawyer jokes with me. Lawyers occupy a unique position in our system of law and government, and can affect positive changes more so than almost any other profession. My immediate retort is usually along the lines of - “so what do you do for a living that is so damn beneficial for the human race?” (hoping that the offender is a bond trader and not a teacher or social services worker) or “lawyers are like proctologists – everyone hates them until they really need one!”
I now have a better retort. More than 400 Texas lawyers, from all over the state and from diverse areas of specialization, have volunteered to serve as ad litems for the 416 children who were recently removed from the polygamist ranch in Eldorado, Texas. They are traveling to San Angelo at their own expense to carry out a much needed task that will benefit hundreds of children. They will not get a dime for their services. In fact, there are more volunteers than needed. Lawyers are paid well for their services, generally. I think that on the whole, they give back to society in an amount commensurate with the privilege of being licensed to practice law.
Now, where are those cocktail franks I saw being passed around?
Murray Camp
(214) 979-0100
mcamp@tiptonjoneslaw.com
