1930–31 Volume 55 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

Phi Leaders in the Professional WorldVIIIIN THESE days of gang warfare thecynical may indeed think that Justicemust be the Blind Goddess. Thesymbolism, however, is undoubtedlyintended to represent the impartialityof that Grecian-clad female whose leftand right hands, by the instrumentsthey grasp, might suggest a curiousmixture of commerce and militarism.Be that as it may, she is an ancientindividual, this Goddess of Justice, forall her youthfulness of form and feature.For many, many centuries thenations have paid homage to her andthe profession she personifies. Forlaw, together with theology and medicine,form the trinity of the oldestrecognized professions.The language of law is perhaps notso bewildering to the layman as thatof its sister profession, medicine, butstill it has its torts and bailments,its choses in action and misfeasances,its non obstante verdictds and ubi jus,ibi remeitium, which, except for thefact that it is Latin, might excusablybe "all Greek" to the average reader.Nor is a lawyer made overnight. Thedays when one could "read law" inthe office of some established attorneyare past. From two to four years ofundergraduate preparation are requiredBy RUSSELL H. FITZGIBBOMHanover '24LAWfollowed by three or four or evenmore years of study of the actual lawbefore the necessary LL.B. or J.D. canlegally be added to the aspirant's name.The rewards of the profession arenumerous and considerable, though.The lawyer is a doctor of social ills,physician to the body politic, as itwere. Although the temptation toloose practice is great for the potentialshyster or ambulance chaser, thelawyer of character and ability becomesa recognized community leaderand benefactor. Money rewards, too,are frequently of large size. Oftentimeseven "retainers" in importantcases reach four or five figures.It is not unusual that many Phishave listened to the lure of the law. Inparticular instances it is difficult toseparate those who follow su-h a professionfrom those brothers who havebeen classed as public servants, sincethe two go hand in hand so frequently.However, the attempt is made, andwe should like to introduce to $ A 0a number of the fraternity's leadingattorneys.It might be fitting first to mentionone of the most prominent of theyounger lawyers of Chicago, a graduateof Dartmouth and the HarvardMARTIN A.MORRISONButlev, '83R. A. NESTOSNorth Dakota '04[103]J. F. T. O'CONNORNorth Dakota, '07LAMAR HARDYMississippi, '98