To love the law is to love the past. Even for those who were inclined to fall asleep in history class, the preparation of a thorough brief requires detailed understanding of disputes long forgotten and authorities otherwise obscure. In a courtroom, the past isn’t dead. As William Faulkner said in a different context, “it’s not even past.”

On September 16, Insight Labs will partner with Generation Generosity, Akina, and a roomful of estimable esquires to re-imagine the legal profession. As we contemplate the profession’s future, we consider it essential to recognize where we have come from – and to rescue the best representatives of that tradition from the forces that are distorting the spirit of the law today. These are our personal precedents.

In advance of the Lab, Content Director Andrew Benedict-Nelson is asking each participant – whether trained in the law or not – to identify a person that he or she considers to be the paragon of all that is good about lawyers and lawyering. Then we will discuss how that person might fit in with the profession as it exists today – or not. Further questions will illuminate all that we love and hate about the contemporary practice of law.

Click on the quotes that follow to read the interviews. For now, they’re anonymous – we’ll identify our respondents on September 16 after the Lab.

The Professor – “He wanted us to understand how important the conversation we were having was. I don’t think I understood, until that point, the majesty of the law.”

The Defenders and The Litigator – “He approaches litigation as a way of dealing with justice, as imperfect as that may be.”

The Personable Partner – “Become an expert in your subject matter. Manage and own your reputation. And focus on being the nicest human being you possibly can be.”

The Savvy Advisor - “They have the ability to work with clients to become their business partner, not just their lawyer – almost like they are a part of their organization.”

The Inquisitive Client - “Asking lawyers what lawyers should do to change the profession is not taking into account what our clients want us to do to change the profession.”

The Public Servant – “These are all people who had substantial practices as well as substantial commitments to serving the common good.”

The Confidante – “If I ever had any catastrophe, anything personal or confidential, I would go to him with it.”

The Pastor – “I think what the profession of law is really about is ministering to people through legality.”

The Loyal Colleague – “He is a role model for dealing with people with integrity and honesty. He gives back a tremendous amount to the firm because of his loyalty.”

The Naysayer Transformed – “He became a butterfly. He started in one place and transformed into another place for the good of his profession.”

The Great Soul – “He really became one with the people he represented, those on whose behalf he was struggling.”

The Empathetic Mediator – “He understands the limits of the legal profession. He understands the power of emotion in creating and settling disputes.”

The Rail Splitter – “He became a great servant-leader. I think that embodies the best of the practice of law.”

The Activist – “She has been able to create her own path. She wanted to make a difference in the world and she was able to do that.”

The Mentor – “His method of mentoring people was throwing them in the deep end of the pool. But he still watched carefully to make sure that you didn’t drown.”

The Ethicist – “He shows us that law is about humans, not swapping cash back and forth.”

The Next Generation - “I am sure that the younger generation is going to be stronger. I am sure that when I am no longer a partner that this will be a much better law firm.”