He enjoys the company of prostitutes. He wears outdated cheap suits with wide collared shirts unbuttoned to reveal a hirsute chest adorned in gold chain. He is involved in drug deals, tax evasion, pyramid schemes, money laundering and aiding and abetting various other crimes. He is Irish but goes by what he believes is a typical Jewish name because his clients "all want a member of the tribe, so to speak." He is driven only by self-gratification and greed. Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad is currently the most well-known fictional lawyer in America.
Denny Crane of Boston Legal fame probably comes in second place. He is the egomaniacal founder of his law firm, boasting a trial record of 6,043-0 (similar to Calisher's). Denny Crane's own name is his mantra, which he constantly repeats out loud. His favorite pastimes are sexual harassment, cigars and expensive scotch whiskey. Denny Crane is driven only by financial gain and the desire to escape his deep-seated insecurities.
Conversely, Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird was the most famous fictional lawyer in a time when lawyers were still considered paragons. Now, when lawyers are more often denigrated by the media than celebrated, the lessons of Atticus Finch seem increasingly relevant. He possessed a quiet strength and was a mentor to his children and his peers. Atticus Finch was a lawyer who was willing to represent an unpopular cause, a black man in a small southern town accused of an inflammatory crime against a white female. Atticus Finch was not paid for his representation in the case, it was a public service and the right thing for a good lawyer to take on. He conducted all aspects of his life with dignity, while acknowledging his own human imperfections. Atticus Finch viewed his work as important. Unlike Saul and Denny, Atticus Finch was driven by conviction of character and service to his community.
When I was in law school I was also regularly reminded by one professor that law is a profession, not just a job. Anyone who passes the bar can file a complaint and perform the basic requirements of practicing law. This professor taught us that lawyers are principled and take on cases that are viewed by some as unsavory. He also believed that lawyers are to serve their communities through pro bono work and public service. Twenty-five years have passed since I attended law school and I now work with my friends at Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP.
At our firm, there are some bottles of aged whiskey in lawyers' cabinets stored for celebrating great transactions or for victories in court. But, unlike Denny Crane, we espouse Atticus Finch's view of our profession, with a focus on representing parties in perceived unpopular causes and serving our community.
We represent those accused of crimes including fraud, murder and sex offenses. We represent police officers and public officials. We represent bankers and hard money lenders. We represent the homeless and organizations that serve them. We represent those opposed to real estate development and real estate developers. We represent the injured as well as insurance companies. We represent churches and synagogues. We represent large corporations and their interests. We represent the emerging cannabis industry. We also represent a myriad of other clients who, depending on one's perspective, are engaged in activities or business that are in some manner offensive. We understand that all of these clients deserve diligent representation by skilled, dedicated lawyers, and we proudly provide that representation.
The lawyers of Foster Graham are also committed to community service. Among the organizations and causes we support are the Jewish Community Center, Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, Legal Aid Foundation, Law Line 9, Wish for Wheels, Anti-Defamation League, Allied Jewish Federation, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, Rose Community Foundation, Dylan Thomas Society, Housing Justice, Civic Center Conservancy, American Jewish Committee, American Red Cross, United Way, Denver Campus for Jewish Education, Toothbrushes for Tots, Colorado Public Radio, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, The Lost Boys of the Sudan and Congregation Emanuel. We're also pleased to sponsor one of Danny and David's old high school friends, Jason Romero, in his run across America to raise money for charity through
www.visionrunusa.com. Jason is legally blind and hopes to redefine society's expectations and understanding of the visually impaired and blind communities.
When Harper Lee passed away this year, I was reminded of the lawyer she created and my admiration of him. As a relative newcomer to Foster Graham, I am pleased to be practicing with like-minded colleagues.
