Posted on 03/17/2008 7:38:14 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
The title is from a song by Warren Zevon, I’d always heard the line as a telegram from a banana republic in crisis, and that the whole line was, “Send lawyers, guns and money; all Hell has broken loose.” Still, this is a column about lawyers that is favorable, and kind.
This morning, a lawyer I’ve known all my life invited me to go to the beginning of the session of the Superior Court in Sylva, the seat of Jackson County. (For those unfamiliar with that town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, many of the late scenes in “My Fellow Americans” with Jack Lemon and James Garner, were filmed there, including the legendary “All-Dorothy Marching Band” and the bathroom toe-tapper, “Macarena” scene.)
Richard wanted to introduce me around to some of his friends and colleagues who’d be gathered at that Court House for the start of the session. While we were there, I visited with about a dozen lawyers, and an equal number of court personnel. And I experienced something I’d almost forgotten, something I very much miss by being a semi-retired lawyer.
Sylva is a small town. Most of the lawyers who handle cases in that court know each other well. They’ve been up against each other before, and know they will be up against each other many times in the future if they stay in practice in this small community, As a result, the lawyers in that courtroom this morning were unfailingly polite and soft-spoken with each other and with the judge.
Do I suggest in any way that they fight less for the side they represent in a case than in the “big city” courtrooms? Not in the least. I watched a lawyer this morning give a one-hour argument which he will almost certainly lose, trying to get summary judgment for the defendant “women’s shelter” where an angry husband got in, dragged his wife out, and shot her dead on the front lawn in front of shelter personnel, and where her son found her body minutes later.
I know exactly why the lawyer was fighting for summary judgment for the defense, If that case goes to the jury, they will vote to drive up a money truck and throw money out the back with a pitch folk, to pay the damages on the horrendous facts of that case.
But this is not about who will, or should, win any of the issues presented in court this morning, Instead, it is about the highly civil way that lawyers behave in a small town, with a small trial bar who are always encountering each other. And that basic decency grabbed hold of the visiting lawyers who were there, some from elsewhere in North Carolina, others from out of state.
The visiting lawyers were probably experienced in trial work like I remember from the courtrooms of Baltimore City, a quarter century ago. There I found many lawyers who would cheerfully cut the throats of opposing counsel if it would give them a slight advantage in the pending case. I’m being metaphorical here, by a slight margin. However, the Gordon Gekko line from “Wall Street” does come to mind, when he said of an opponent, “I want him bleeding from all orifices.”
Yes, there were some lawyers whose word was good in the Baltimore courts. There were a few lawyers who, even as opponents in a case, could be relied upon to keep a commitment, and do something they said they would do. But that was not the norm.
This morning in Sylva, that was not only the norm, it was universal. And it made me nostalgic, just a bit, for the profession I have largely set aside and will not return to. But it is not the lawyers, but their environment, that is different here.
In a small town, all people in all professions and lines of work tend to be more personal, more courteous, in their dealings with others. There are exceptions, of course. But in a small environment, the Golden Rule becomes a long term survival technique. You do unto others as you would have them do unto you, because you know that they will almost certainly get the opportunity to do unto you.
There could be no better proof that the Golden Rule actually works as a mode of conduct than that it works among a random selection of actual lawyers. It’s like training put bulls to be lap dogs. I saw it succeed, this very day.
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About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He is running for the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.
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John / Billybob
I have sometimes responded to general negative comments about lawyers, by noting that the active presence of lawyers is the hallmark of a free society.
It’s newsworthy when lawyers behave like humans. That pretty well says it all.
Bump
Mr. Congressman,
I enjoy your posts here on FR, I haven’t encountered an opinion of yours I disagree with yet. I would like to point out, however, that not all small towns are like what you described. I grew up in a town of less than 4,000 where the city manager, mayor, and council were crooked as the day was long. In fact, there were many rumors flying around that the manager was the largest coke dealer in the county. It was amazing how property that the mayor and city manager bought would immediately be rezoned and developed and that those two were probably the wealthiest guys in the county. They put Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazzard to shame.
They were very friendly, always polite, and went to church every Sunday. So maybe you are right. In small towns, even the crooks are polite. Nevermind....
Not to quibble, but the line is, "Send lawyers, guns and money; the sh*t has hit the fan."
I have produced a few WZ Tribute concerts in the Santa Barbara area. The one I did in Santa Ynez last December featured Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Mike Campbell from the Heartbreakers. He sang (Yes sang!) "Sentimental Hygiene" and "My Sh*ts F*cked Up". Senator Cohen was in the audience. I tried to get some Republicans in on the photo opportunity but there were no takers. I wish the GOP was a little cooler.
-ccm
Yes, I can understand why your potential photo op was not taken up. Whenever we meet, I'll tell you about a photo op that I avoided in 1993 in Colorado Springs.
John / Billybob
Didn’t Meatloaf do the lawyers, guns and money tune also?
I look forward to hearing the story. When you mentioned Colorado I wondered if the episode took place in Woody Creek where WZ's good friend Hunter Thompson lived. HST reeked havoc on the train while covering the McGovern/Nixon race in 1972, and HST was supporting McGovern. I do understand why elected Republicans are afraid to be seen at events where misbehavior might occur.
I hope it's not too late to change that error. Spellcheck would have missed it, too.
Thanks for another great piece CBB.
Warren could really do a great grunt. And the "Dad get me outta this" is a great line. If you want to see pictures of some of my WZ tributes, go to www.syvjoneshouse.com
I don't have good luck with inserting links; sorry about that. Once you enter the site there is a gallery button and select the WZ link. I even have a picture of me singing to Warren. I sure do miss him.
The Wallflowers covered it on "Enjoy Every Sandwich" as well. The Wallflowers also performed the song live on Letterman.
I love that so many people on this site are also lovers of great music.
As Rick so memorably put it in "Casablanca,"
"You were misinformed."
It's
"Send lawyers, guns, and money, the shit has hit the fan."
Do try to get it right.
I knew YOU would have beaten me to it!
I wish the GOP was a little cooler.
You and me, both.
I work almost exclusively with Pinkos and they are all shocked when they discover I am a life long Republican. I may not look the part but I live by the party values of limited government and personal responsibility. I definitely think I am a great role model for the GOP.
John / Billybob
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