Justice

Judiciary ‘Agency’

“[I]f you want to raise the hackles of judges, you call the judiciary an ‘agency.’ You just don’t do that. We are—and this becomes very important—a separate branch of government, a co-equal branch of government, maybe the smallest of the branches of government. Maybe that’s why when you start the ‘agency’ bit the judges take out their black robes, start to don’em, yell ‘separation of powers,’ ‘inherent authority,’ and ‘we’ll get you.’ That’s because we feel boxed in by this concept of agency.”

Proud and Silent Isolation

“The concept that legislators and judges don’t understand each other and don’t communicate is really quite an old one. Since judges are birds of justice who fly backwards, always looking at precedent, I figured I’d have to do something judge-like and quote Benjamin Cardozo, who in the 1920s said the legislature and the courts move in ‘proud and silent isolation.'”

Campaign of False Charges

“This campaign has been one of false charges and retracting. If my opponent retreats much farther, he’ll be in Michigan, I’m faced with a candidate who will say anything and do anything to get elected. He is a repeat offender.” -Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson

The People Must Govern

“The people must govern this country; wisdom from the bench, wisdom from public officials is not a substitute for the common sense and moral commitment of a concerned citizenry.” -Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson

Combine Family and Careers

“You can combine family and careers, although you will never hear a male lawyer being asked how he manages to combine marriage with a career.”

Lawyers serve the needs of the public

“The public needs lawyers who love the law and are committed to the idea that the profession serves the needs of the public to whom we are responsible. We have to work for a world free of crime, free of drugs, free of poverty, and free of bigotry—a world of justice and peace. One person can make a difference. And when the roll is called I hope that person will be you. I urge that you work toward leaving a better world to your children than the world we pass on to you.” – Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson

Measure of a Lawyer

“The measure of a lawyer is the ability to assimilate, to think clearly, and to communicate persuasively and precisely. Legal competency also includes qualities of sensitivity, understanding and compassion.” -Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson

Civil Rights grow beyond courts

“In 1961, the Constitution allowed wiretapping, school prayer, and illegally-seized evidence to be admitted in court. Women could be thrown in jail for having abortions and could be excused from jury duty because of what was seen as their pivotal place in the American home. None of the Constitution’s wording has changed since then, but we’ve seen a big change in interpretation. It’s inevitable, and not necessarily a bad thing.” -Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson

Our Charge as Citizens

“The charge to each of us as citizens is to continue our efforts to bring us closer to equal opportunity for all persons, on the law books and in life.” -Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson

Networking is very important