Kentucky Lawyer

Dedication of the Kentucky lawyer

30 Mac Swinford Charta, the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Four Freedoms in one terse assertion. Dedication of the Kentucky lawyer Those bearing the name of lawyer are by their profession, like plumed knights, committed to its preservation and defense in the finest sense. A small percentage of the whole membership of the bar achieves material riches, many others become financially independent; but the great majority of those who practice in Kentucky never even approach either of these categories of economic security. They are dependent upon their everyday effort, in their offices, in the courts, on the streets and highways, practicing their profession; sometimes receiving substantial fees but most of the time representing clients who have no means with which to adequately compensate them for what they accomplish. They frequently champion unpopular causes, forever taking sides in controversy; always on the firing line and in the forefront of government and community affairs. An eacting and tiring eperience, but it is a rich, colorful and useful life. The true lawyer knows but one person in the world—his client and none other. To this ideal his whole being is dedicated. My contact over the years with the lawyers of Kentucky has assured me that our bar is mindful of this paramount commission. One of the obligations of the profession arises when a lawyer is appointed by the court to defend a person charged with crime who does not have and is unable to employ counsel. At the present time there is no provision 31 Kentucky Lawyer in the law of either our state or federal government to compensate these lawyers who unselfishly accept responsibility for the defendant’s cause and give time and effort as conscientiously as if receiving a substantial fee. I have never had a lawyer decline an appointment, and only in cases where an eception was justified have I had one ask to be ecused. Some of these appointments have entailed heavy duties and etended time and even ependitures of money by the attorney out of his own pocket. In many criminal cases younger members of the bar are appointed. The opportunity not only assures the defendant the enthusiastic and undivided attention of his lawyer, frequently not hampered by other business and calls on his time, but gives the new member of the bar an opportunity to gain eperience and to appear before the public. It offers him a chance to show his skill and ability . If I were a young lawyer just beginning to practice, I would make myself available to the judges of the courts in my locality as much as possible for these appointments. All the way In some instances, however, the case suggests to the court that an attorney of greater eperience should be called upon. I recall on one occasion in Bowling Green, a defendant was charged with bank robbery; he was totally without friends or funds. The nature of the case was such that I knew he would very likely receive a substantial sentence if convicted. I have always considered former Lieutenant Governor Rodes K. Myers of the Bowling Green bar one ...