Making Life Better for Others
By Dan Murdock, OBA General Counsel

During the recent past, I had the opportunity to visit the University of Oklahoma College of Law. During this visit, I entered the Dick Bell Courtroom and was immediately overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of the facility. No one else was in the courtroom, and because it was spring break, the law school was virtually void of students. I sat down and just appreciated the moment — as I looked out the beautiful windows of the east side of the courtroom and imagined the great trials that had taken place in legal history.

I felt very insignificant and began to think that my work was not in keeping with the significance and majesty of this courtroom. I began to think of what had I done in my career that might make me worthy of, or equal, to the magnitude of the work of so many others.

As I look back, I see many things that I have not done. I have not found the cure to a disease. I have not designed a device that improved the efficiency of business. I have not written a book that brought joy to millions. My theatrical performances have not been award winners, nor will I be written about in the history books. I will never solve many or any of the problems of the world.

I questioned the impact of my professional life on the world. I then mentally slapped myself, causing me to get away from the feelings of inadequacies that I was experiencing.

I began to think more realistically about what I, as a lawyer, had accomplished. My career is like that of most other lawyers. There have been things that have been done that made life better for others. How many lawyers feel the same way? Lawyers and most people are not going to accomplish the things that I mentioned earlier. But there are many, many things that are done daily that make a difference in the lives of countless other people.

I was talking with someone I recently met in a social setting. We were comfortable in talking to each other, and she quickly expressed frustration about not being able to make a difference in the world. I told her that most of us are not going to make a difference in the large world. This is one time we do not need to think globally.

She was depressed about this, and I tried to help by telling her that she was making a difference with this person, with that person and with others. I told her she was making a difference because she was. I then began to think about some of my own advice.

Lawyers make a difference every day in the lives of so many. Each day lawyers protect the constitutional rights of the accused or protect the public by prosecuting those who violate the law. Lawyers also provide pro bono services to those who because of economic or social barriers cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel. Lawyers assist those in the business world and provide services to the legal needs of those businesses. The list goes on and on.

Originally published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal May 10, 2008 - Vol. 79; No. 13.