What Will Your Legacy Be?

Each one of us is a leader. Whether it is on the job, in the classroom, at home with family or among friends, we all must assume a leadership role at one time or another. Leading a large group of law students for a year can be a daunting task. My name is Bennett Miller, and I am chair of the Law Student Division for the 1998-99 term.

The purpose of the Law Student Division is to trumpet the collective voice of its members. As the division's leader, my goal is to increase the efficacy of the division while working to advance the viewpoints of law students. Too often, the unique perspective of student opinion is dismissed on individual law campuses. At many law schools, students have virtually no voice in the decisions that most affect them as purchasers of legal education. I became involved in the Law Student Division after I learned that the division can be an instrument of change to better the situation of all law students.

So as this year's chair, I do not intend to waste my chance to effect positive change on the profession and improve the quality of the law student experience. But I cannot accomplish this goal alone. The officers and leadership of the Law Student Division are prepared to advance the division's goals, but we will need your help if we are to make any lasting change. As we work and study together this year, let's all try to remember two things:

Build consensus. Make every effort to minimize conflict and resolve issues quickly, and try to remember that you are a leader. The advocacy skills learned in the classroom often spill over into our professional associations, student organizations and private lives. This tendency benefits no one and actually may be impeding your educational development. If we are not careful, this predisposition toward controversy will lead to the career dissatisfaction expressed by so many lawyers. As a practitioner recently told me, you won't be happy as a lawyer until you learn to leave your arguments in the courtroom.

Leave something behind. Most of us are in law school for three years. As a result, the Law Student Division, our student bar associations and all of our student organizations undergo tremendous turnover in membership every year. Faced with the demands of work and school, it can be difficult to remain focused on projects that benefit our school and community. Often we're tempted to simply talk and plan or would rather throw a party than leave something lasting in our legacy as law students. Imagine yourself walking into your law school 10 or 20 years from now. Will you see anything that proves you were once a student there?

Moreover, when we consider our individual qualifications and achievements, it must be acknowledged that it is really our community that is responsible for our successes. From the impersonal tax dollars donated to fund our early education to the lifelong emotional support of our families, we each owe a lot of people for our current opportunities. You owe it to them to do something constructive for society while you are in law school.

I could write the same tired lines about public-interest work or tell you about a fantastic Law Student Division program called the Outreach Assistance Initiative that will help you fund your public service project (see p. 43). Instead, let me remind you that all the people who sacrificed to make you a lawyer are depending on you to be a leader. Effective leaders have many qualities; as leaders, lawyers are expected to contribute their intellect, talent and expertise to solve problems and advance justice. Please—before the crushing time constraints of law practice prevent it—pick someone or some worthy endeavor and donate your skills to make this country a better place for all of us.

For now, I have chosen to work for you. Throughout the year, I will be donating my time to speak on your behalf. Together, we can make the three years of law school a better experience. The Law Student Division will be presenting ideas and resolutions to accreditation authorities that impact your educational investment. The division also will be working to advance your career opportunities and start new mentor programs. If you have ideas, questions about the division, or concerns about legal education on a national level, please do not hesitate to contact me. Remember, I work for you.

Bennett M. Miller
Chicago-Kent College of Law
bmiller@kentlaw.edu