Two alumnae judges reflected on their decades-long careers in the legal profession before swearing recent graduates into the California and federal bars.
One hundred USC Law graduates who passed the California bar exam this summer were sworn in by Los Angeles Superior Court Justice Emilie H. Elias ’70 and U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian ’86.
Judge Elias' full remarks are posted below.
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| The Hon. Jacqueline Chooljian '86, left, and The Hon. Emilie H. Elias '70, right |
Also, don’t be afraid to say “no,” Chooljian said. It is far better to say “no up front than to say ‘yes’ and miss a deadline or turn in a sub-par piece of work. She added that attorneys must say ‘no’ when something goes against their ethics.
“No case is worth compromising your integrity or losing your license,” she said. “You’ve worked too hard for it.”
Chooljian encouraged the new attorneys to abide by the three Ps: Be prepared, punctual and polite. She also urged them to use their new powers for good. The law is a noble calling, she said, and even young attorneys should find some time to get involved in a good cause.
Judge Elias' remarks to USC Law graduates:
"I want to thank Dean McCaffery for giving me the honor of swearing you into the California Bar. You have finished your schooling and you have passed the bar exam. Your legal career is about to begin.
"Before I give you the oath, I have the opportunity to speak to you for a few minutes. I have thought long and hard about what to say. I have considered many topics.
"Do I talk about the challenges that you will face as you practice law? The struggle to balance family and profession. The constant struggle to get those billable hours. Do I stress the value of public service and encourage you to forgo private practice and work for the greater good of society by working for a nonprofit? Do I stress ethics in your practice and the need for civility? Should I remind you that, as they say, you only have one chance to make a first impression? And tell you that the reputation that you make with lawyers and judges in your first years of practice will stay with you forever? These are all good topics and I have considered all of these.
"But, in the end, I have decided instead to tell you all why I have loved being a lawyer, commissioner, adjunct law professor and judge. Why, even more than 36 years after I graduated law school, I still wake up excited to be a part of this profession. I want to tell you this with the hope that you will feel the same years from now.
"The first reason is that the practice of law is not one practice. There is a choice of what you want to do. And, in fact, a choice of whom you want to be. Do you want to be a prosecutor and put the bad guys in jail? Do you want to help children who are in the foster care system? Do you want to practice solo? Do you want to be in a big firm?
"You can decide if you want to work part time or bill 2,000 hours a year. You can work in a field that interests you, whether it is entertainment, high-tech, probate or family law. It is your choice.
"And, the choices that you make can be changed. In law you can be different things at different times of your life.
"I know this from my own personal experiences. Right after graduating from USC Law, I clerked for a U.S. District Court judge. Then, my husband and I bought a house and within a year after passing the bar exam, I had my first daughter. I spent the next 17 years of my practice working part time in a small firm in the suburbs. I practiced family law and wrote some wills and trust. I did most of my court appearances in the districts and I was president of my local bar association. I was raising children and enjoying my community life.
"Then, with one daughter in college and one almost there, I was ready for a change. I applied and was lucky enough to be selected as a court commissioner. A new world opened. I was in court every day. I was working downtown. I met different lawyers and judges. I learned civil law. I was given the opportunity to teach at Loyola Law School. I became a trial judge, where I have presided at over 150 jury trials. I have had Dr. Dre as a witness in a trial. For an airplane crash case, the lawyers parked the actual tail of a 737 in the parking lot as an exhibit. I now find my self on the Complex Civil Panel.
"The jobs changed, and I evolved as a person.
"Another reason that I love the profession is the people you meet and work with. I have to confess that I like lawyers and judges. As a group they are very interesting people. They are people who like to think and problem solve. They read books. They are open to ideas. They do jobs that are complex and varied. We always have something to talk about.
"Through my job as a commissioner and judge I got involved in judicial education and statewide judicial committees. There I have had the chance to interface with judges from around the state. I have met people form rural areas where there are still cows and horses. There are people from small towns and counties with only two judges. I have had a chance to learn about their way of life.
"My world has expanded by the people I have met and the conversations that we have had.
"Another reason I love the legal profession is that law also is ever changing. The law you have learned in school is being changed as we speak. New laws and new cases come down daily. Each day since I started practicing law, I have read the Daily Journal and the slip opinions. Rarely does a week go by that I don’t find a case of interest or one that relates to a matter on my calendar. It is like receiving a surprise gift.
"As a lawyer and as a judge, no two days have ever been the same. The facts are always changing and they have to be applied to the law. Each case and client brings a new puzzle that has to be solved. It is intellectually interesting and never dull.
"I probably could tell you more reasons why I have loved law as my profession, but that isn’t the real point of this talk. My choices and my reasons worked for me. That isn’t to say that they would work for you.
"You need to find your own path in this profession. You have the skills. You have graduated from one of the top law school – and you should be very proud of that – where you have received an excellent legal education. You have made friends and contacts through this education that will open doors for you.
"So, take your first step into the profession. But, I urge you to keep your mind open. Make your choices for today, but be open to changing them as the years pass. Don’t be afraid if a job or a firm doesn’t work out.
"There is more out there. Take the opportunities that come your way. If you are open to them, they will come.
"My best wish for all of you is that in your 36th year as a lawyer, you can say that it is a wonderful profession and that life is good."
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