Words to live by for the graduating class of 2008
The School of Law Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2008 marked the end of a chapter for the class of 2008. Dean Gary J. Simson congratulated the new graduates and emphasized how important teaching was to him and to the School of Law. He spoke of the priority for graduates to keep their ethics, integrity and always have respect for others. He encouraged them to do their part to make this a just society and world. He ended with a verse from Bob Dylan’s ‘When the Ship Comes In’ to reiterate these important points.
David Crane, Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and spoke of a vivid memory he had while interviewing the war crime victims in Sierra Leone.
He remembered a young boy raising his hand, looking him straight in the eyes and saying, “I killed people, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.” Crane embraced the young boy and offered consoling words of forgiveness.
Looking up, he saw a mother who was permanently disfigured from the torture she received, and told Crane to seek justice. It is this justice Crane has dedicated his life to and justice he said that all future lawyers must strive for.
After this moving narrative Stephen C. Ellis ’72 , Partner in the Cleveland office of Tucker Ellis & West LLP, was introduced and gave the commencement address. He spoke of his time as a carefree ‘fun guy’ before his decision to take the LSAT one day.
After his first week at Case Western Reserve University School of Law he had found his life’s passion. He stressed that money does not provide a sense of worth or accomplishment and asked the audience to reflect on the occasions that they were truly happy. After a moment’s pause he presumed that none of those moments had to do with material things.
He stated it is to the detriment of the legal profession that money has taken center stage. In an industry where billable hours have become the defining measure of success, he is proud that his firm does not measure billable hours, rather they value employees by their accomplishments.
He identified nine points that would help graduates stay fulfilled as lawyers: Be someone others can count on; Be an interesting person; Look out for yourself, and in the words of his late father “Don’t worry what people are thinking about you because they aren’t”; Determination matters; Be enthusiastic; Trust yourself; Get involved; Don’t be a bully; Be nice and have fun. He concluded with the importance of thanking the people who help you in your successes and told the class of 2008, “This is going to be great!”
