Law Practice Management and Technology
The Bottom Line Volume 38, No 1 April 2017
Content
- It Takes More Than a Dumpster to Build a Digital Law Library: 12 Critical Components for Digital Law Library Transformations
- MCLE Self-Study Article Electronically Stored Information and Attorney Competence
- MCLE Self-Study Article Telecommuting as a Reasonable Accommodation
- MCLE Self-Study Article the Power of Preparation in Negotiations and Mediation
- Message from the Editors
- National Law Foundation
- Message from the Chair
Message from the Chair
By Peter Brewer
Greetings from the Chair, or at least from the person sitting in it. I am bothered by the increasing pessimism and negativity that has become pervasive in our society since the presidential election. I have heard many people echo my own thoughts and actions, saying that they avoid turning on the television, reading the news, or even checking in on Facebook. It seems the negativity is everywhere, perhaps justified, but nonetheless unpleasant, tiresome, and probably unhealthy for us and for society.
In reaction to this I felt like it might be a good idea to look for a little diversion. Divertente, in Italian (same root) means funny or entertaining. Letâs have some fun and entertainment. Letâs explore some of the best âlegalâ movies of all time. One can find a number of lists or compilations on the Internet by exploring such search phrases as, âBest Legal Moviesâ, âBest Law School Moviesâ or âBest Trial Movies.â While people have different opinions on and reactions to movies, there are a few that seem to end up on everyoneâs list(s).
Some of the ubiquitous titles are, âTo Kill a Mockingbirdâ, âTwelve Angry Menâ, âJudgment at Nuremburgâ, âErin Brockovichâ, and a personal favorite of mine, âWitness for the Prosecution.â If you havenât seen âWitness for the Prosecutionâ (1957) I highly recommend it. Perhaps it is because the stubborn and curmudgeonly Charles Laughton, playing the barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts, is so funny and loveable and perhaps reminds me of myself, at least the curmudgeonly part. The movie has more twists and turns than Lombard Street, and will keep you guessing until the end.