Despite a perception by the general public that there are too many lawyers making too much money and doing too little good, the world needs bright, young attorneys "who want to save the world."
Speaking to his new colleagues Saturday during the 50th annual commencement of the University of Utah College of Law, Rep. Wayne Owens, D-Utah, acknowledged that "the American people are not totally pleased with our profession. That's the fault of those who have preceded you."He told 139 graduates and their families that greater public service "in causes that will improve the world" is the best way to answer critics of the legal profession. Owens said each graduate will ultimately have to make the choice: whether to pursue a high-paying job in private practice or follow an altruistic vision of a better world to a possibly lower-paying career.
Owens said that because many law graduates have huge loans to pay after they finish school they can't afford to pursue public service and meet their financial commitments. To ease the burden, Owens said he is working on legislation that would forgive such debts in some instances.
Owens used the majority of his speech to espouse the role he said lawyers can and should play in social change.
"I grew up in Panguitch. I was a shepherd cowboy who wanted to help change the world. Not all of you will want to or can do it. But to those of you who could, it's an exciting time for idealists. The world has never before presented such a smorgasbord of opportunity for those who want to change the world."
He said the United States needs men and women who can help solve the country's greatest economic problems - the trade and federal deficits. Others are needed to help avert nuclear war and to encourage the fragile threads of democracy being spun in China and the Soviet Union.
Still others must help fight environmental problems. Though "environmentalism is still viewed by some as extremism . . . at this moment, our planet relies on us as much as we rely on it. Environmentalism is no longer simply a question of aesthetics; ecology is not the battle cry of extremists, but a study of our home.
"We must be wise enough to meet the challenges of the environment or we will never be wise enough to cure them and survive.
"The pay in such a position may not be the same as you might find at a large law firm. But wherever your choice to serve, I hope you will use your talents wherever and whenever possible (to improve the world)."
University Provost James Clayton praised the graduates not only for their hard work and commitment, but also for their desire to see the college improve. "You agreed to raise your own tuition in three substantial increments. That was a difficult and selfless act."
During the ceremonies, 14 graduates comprising the top 10 percent of their class were accepted into membership in the Order of the Coif, a legal honorary society. Professor Donald Zillman was presented with the Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award.