My classmate, Linda, sponsored a day to give special tribute to her husband, John.
John is a retired attorney and the patriarch of a family of attorneys, and thus, he has put his birthday celebration “on hold” every year for the last fifteen years because it would interfere with someone’s law school finals. His three children and two son-in-laws are attorneys, and now his beautiful wife will soon join the ranks of the legal community. John’s passion for the legal profession and for helping people has inspired everyone around him to follow in his footsteps.
Happy birthday to a remarkable and genuine man who his deeply loved by his entire family. May your day be filled with joy.
Photo courtesy of Linda Day
Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsor is Linda Day. For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.
One of the legal issues that pulls at my heart strings is cyberbullying, especially when it involves kids. It’s hard enough to be a young person when you don’t have to worry about being taunted and threatened every day. With regular bullying, students dread going to school. With cyberbullying, students can be constantly harassed by their peers via emails, text messages, or worse – a website dedicated to torturing them. I was cyberharassed at school last year, and it was awful. For the first time ever, I was afraid to go to school, and I was 30 years old with the support of family, friends, and my school’s administration in my corner. I can’t image what it would be like to go through the same thing as a kid and alone.
I hope with my law degree, I can help students and schools combat and prevent the bullying of children. My heart breaks every time I hear about another student taking their own life, in part because of bullying.
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Arizona has a law that requires schools to have policies and procedures in place regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying on school property, buses, bus stops, and at school sponsored events. Schools must investigate suspected bullying and disciplinary procedures for those who are found guilty. A revision to this law was proposed in February 2011 – SB 1549. This law would expand harassment to include behaviors involving school computers, networks, forums, and mailing lists. I think this is a good start, but I wish it would be expanded to specifically include any harassment that occurs on school grounds or at a school sponsored event that occurs via any electronic means. This could expand the definition of harassment to include text messages and any communication that occurs via the internet on a school computer or a student’s smartphone that is present on school property.
Central High School in Phoenix was kind enough to send me their current policies and procedures for addressing bullying and harassment. Their definitions for harassment and bullying seem to encompass all the behaviors that should be prevented in schools. I was also pleased to see that their rules already address cyberbullying and that the procedures include involving the police if warranted. It suggests that they take bullying seriously and address it as such.
I would have liked to have seen their definition of harassment specifically include harassment based on sexual orientation. Given that gay teens are much more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, schools have an obligation to keep a special eye out of these kids.
Unfortunately, a rule is worthless unless it is enforced. Historically, teachers at schools across the nation have turned a blind eye to bullying or tell gay kids to expect harassment if they’re going to act like sissies. I feel horrible for any student who is legally obligated to attend school where they are harassed on a daily basis, with disciplinary system in place that isn’t being utilized, and an administration that turns a blind eye to these kids’ pain. I hope that there’s something I can do after graduation to address these problems, whether it’s by empowering school administrations to support these kids or helping to protect these kids who cannot protect themselves.
In honor of National Be Kind to Lawyers Day, today’s sponsor is Aaron M. Kelly, founder of The Kelly Law Firm, LLC.  The Kelly Law Firm provides comprehensive legal representation and counseling in most areas of law. His practice areas include civil litigation, business law litigation, and criminal law.
The stereotypical lawyer is stern and stoic. They work in a fancy law firm and wear a business suit every day. The stereotype also says that they are a type-A workaholic with a high risk of developing a drug addiction.  They have the reputation of being cut throat and are somewhat intimidating to be around.
The stereotype couldn’t be further away from the approach at The Kelly Law Firm. There the office has a more relaxed atmosphere. Kelly has a couch and an Xbox so he can mentally recharge his batteries during the day. He usually works in jeans. Kelly says that 90% of his clients enjoy his approach to practicing law. It makes him more approachable, and they are probably more comfortable around him as a result.
Kelly is proof that a lawyer can be professional, well-respected, and thrive in this working environment.  What matters is that he performs effectively on behalf of his clients and respects them. Communication and client satisfaction are his top priorities. He takes the time to listen to his clients and maintain close working relationships with them. I love that he frequently communicates with his clients via instant messenger. It’s an innovative way to maintain open lines of communication and provide extra support to clients when they need it.
This is not an approach that works for all clients. Some clients need a lawyer who is stressed out and wears a suit, and that’s ok. It’s a benefit to the profession to have lawyers with different personalities so that clients can pick someone who fits their needs.
This morning, I was working in the Innovative Advancement Program – a legal clinic that works with entrepreneurs. I looked out the window into the building next door and saw two men playing ping pong in their office. They were probably computer programmers, but it made me happy to see that some people still appreciate the benefit of the simplicity of play for percolating creative thoughts and recharging the brain.
Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsor is Aaron M. Kelly of The Kelly Law Firm, LLC. For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.
