A New Partner and Seattle Reminders

I have wanted to work on a project that looks at how law school is taught and what would make it better.  The central point is kind of two fold: most people have a negative view of lawyers and lawyers have been slacking in their duties to apply democratic norms.  My three examples are: 1) The lawyers involved with the Enron scandal; 2) The two lawyers who wrote to the Bush administration that torture is essentially ok; and 3) The lawyers involved with the recent financial crisis.  

Were these individuals bad people or were they just serving their client's interest?  My argument is that even if they were bad people before they came to law school, their education didn't limit their evil scheming and even produces some more bad eggs.  We are basically never taught what our role is in a constitutional structure and yet are given vast responsibility.  So part of the reason I came to NY was to see what this whole CUNY thing was about and how the first public interest law school does business.  

I have been greatly satisfied with my class choices and overall opportunities to work with like minded people.  I am well on my way to developing a non-profit and have learned a great deal about public interest lawyering.  So imagine my surprise when I met with one of my favorite teachers here, who is helping me start the non-profit, who was a founding member of the school when he told me CUNY is nowhere near what it was supposed to be.  

We talked at great length about the vision of the school then and how it has succumbed to outside pressure and lost its way.  He asked if I wanted to work with such a cynic and I, at the edge of my seat, almost shouted, "YES, YES!"  The school he had described was exactly what I, and most of my friends from Seattle, had dreamt of.  I said that even though it may not have worked out in practice, the idea is more powerful and attracts students who want to make things better.  He has agreed to work with me and we will start writing in the spring.  

I have had many experiences thus far that have made me believe this is the perfect place for me at this time.  This was another.  Then as I was leaving his office, I saw three painting strewn about the second floor, all from the Seattle Art Museum.  Even all this way, I have Seattle reminding me of where I came from, and seemingly urging me to push forward.  

At the very least, Seattle is well-represented at CUNY law.