Law, Purpose and Context
From Estonian World: One of the Singing Revolution concerts, on 17 June 1988, at the Tallinn Song Festival grounds. Photo by Tõnu Talivee. https://estonianworld.com/culture/estonia-how-the-singing-revolution-sparked-independence/
A step was taken recently in the necessary task of restoring the rule of law, by the State Bar of California, which publicized on May 9th a message to all attorneys under its jurisdiction. The Bar reminded attorneys that:[1]
Attorneys have an ethical duty to provide competent and diligent representation to clients, regardless of how unpopular or controversial their causes may be.
Attorneys must exercise independent professional judgment, free from external pressures or influences that might compromise their representation.
Attorneys must not reject, based on personal considerations, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed.
All attorneys swear an oath to uphold the United States and California Constitutions, and to faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney to the best of their knowledge and ability.
In both the federal and state legal systems, courts determine the meaning of the law, and all attorneys, including those in other branches of the government, have an obligation to comply with court orders.
In Trump 2 people are being seized on the street by unidentified officials in unmarked cars. As an American I am in shock to see a form of secret police operating in our country and its mission is to go after certain people. ICE chopped through the car window of a legal immigrant the other day, not the man they were looking for, and finding he was not a citizen (but he had recently won asylum!) imprisoned him for a month, and he is wearing an ankle monitor as if he is a criminal.[2] In the prison in Strafford County, NH, to which he was taken from Southeastern Massachusetts, he heard many, like him, weeping.
[1] Statement on Recent Executive Actions Threatening the Availability of Legal Counsel and the Rule of Law - The State Bar of California - News Releases
[2] “Held by ICE: ‘I would dream that I was free’”, Esmy Jimenez, Boston Globe, Metro Section, May 18, 2025.
Attorneys have an ethical duty to provide competent and diligent representation to clients, regardless of how unpopular or controversial their causes may be.
Attorneys must exercise independent professional judgment, free from external pressures or influences that might compromise their representation.
Attorneys must not reject, based on personal considerations, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed.
All attorneys swear an oath to uphold the United States and California Constitutions, and to faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney to the best of their knowledge and ability.
In both the federal and state legal systems, courts determine the meaning of the law, and all attorneys, including those in other branches of the government, have an obligation to comply with court orders.
In Trump 2 people are being seized on the street by unidentified officials in unmarked cars. As an American I am in shock to see a form of secret police operating in our country and its mission is to go after certain people. ICE chopped through the car window of a legal immigrant the other day, not the man they were looking for, and finding he was not a citizen (but he had recently won asylum!) imprisoned him for a month, and he is wearing an ankle monitor as if he is a criminal.[2] In the prison in Strafford County, NH, to which he was taken from Southeastern Massachusetts, he heard many, like him, weeping.
[1] Statement on Recent Executive Actions Threatening the Availability of Legal Counsel and the Rule of Law - The State Bar of California - News Releases
[2] “Held by ICE: ‘I would dream that I was free’”, Esmy Jimenez, Boston Globe, Metro Section, May 18, 2025.