Can a Good Lawyer be a Good Person? | Ronald Sullivan | TEDxBeaconStreet
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- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- Mr. Sullivan discusses his time as a public defender in DC and what he learned from a particularly memorable case.
Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. is a law professor at the Harvard Law School. Sullivan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Morehouse College in 1989 and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1994.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
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This gentleman graduated from Harvard Law School and went to work as a public defender earning peanuts. Much respect.
A citizen in a need is a rare lucky to hook up with a good lawyer these days. Not a many around outset of manipulating against law for personal gains. Unfortunately true!
@@lisaweaver986 not necessarily true. It's just that the majority of lawyers who offer to perform services for the average individual member of the public are not very good and/or desperate to make money where they can. Good lawyers get hired by corporations or firms that most people could never afford. working in private practice representing average people is not considered a desirable way to practice law and make money. More often it's the plaintiffs that bend the law and are greedy, not always their lawyers leading them to trial, although I have seen it. A classic scenario is a chiropractor that refers their patients injured in accidents to the same personal injury attorney. If a quack chiropractor is involved that's usually a sure sign of a frivolous lawsuit or a malingering plaintiff
Harvard, strike one, Lawyer strike two defended Harvey Weinstein strike 3, thinks Kyle Rittenhouse didn't have a right to defend himself Strike 4. You're out. Sterling education in a twisted mind.
NO respect.
Public defenders don't necessarily make peanuts and it can be an excellent career move for young attorneys. Certainly a better career choice than becoming an ADA in my estimation. (I'm an attorney)
This is a common trope but there are a lot of big problems with it, one of which is really because "public defender" is a bit of a misnomer in a lot of places. There are indeed traditional "Public Defenders Offices" and those are probably what gets measured... But very frequently your "public defender" is actually a private attorney who makes just as much as other private counsel but has been approved to represent indigent clients and reimbursed by the state/whatever funding mechanism that jurisdiction has. You get on a special list, basically. Some of these lists are pretty coveted, e.g. the murder list to represent people accused of murder, and these can do wonders for a career. Also, private defense counsel make more money than ADAs, so being a public defender out of law school can be an excellent way to get involved with that world if you interested in criminal law (which admittedly makes the almost the least amount of money of the lawyers, on average; but on the other hand, it is a more exciting job than any other lawyer out there unless you are one of the 7 people negotiating peace treaties or something. So it's a trade off.)
I spent 22 years as a homicide investigator and have hundreds of hours of trial testimony under my belt. This man speaks the truth. The system, for the most part, works and is good. But it is also populated with human beings, and we make errors bad decisions, sometimes even with malice. So good lawyers do help ensure fairness, and we need them. Good lawyers, and a dedication to Constitutional principles, make law enforcement do a better, more professional job, and how can anyone argue against that.
Great work, counselor. I am showing this video to my high school criminal justice students.
Bruh what? No one is saying lawyers are bad bc they defend someone who could POSSIBLY be guilty but those lawyers who defend someone who is 100% guilty through collected evidence...
@@revenantpneuma3636 Those "100% guilty" people have to be represented to the fullest or else the entire system doesn't work for anyone, including the innocent.
The constitutional protections (like the right to counsel and right to confront witnesses) only mean anything if they are guaranteed to 100% of all people, no exceptions, not even for the worst of the worst. Because then who is deciding who is "100% guilty" in the first place? The media? The tyranny of the majority? You will just have people whom society overwhelmingly thinks are guilty get convicted only to be exonerated later when new evidence is discovered, as has happened before. The entire thing only works if you just assume everyone is innocent and hold the government to its burden of overcoming that presumption. That way _you_ can be certain the protections will apply to you too if you are wrongly accused. Because they apply to everyone.
And that's what defense attorneys do: They test the government's case. And, if it works correctly, then you truly do have the "100% guilty people" getting convicted. Because they have been proven guilty BRD, the state has overcome that test. It is a level of proof and certainty that rises above just some societal judgement about "this guy's 100% guilty" by armchair detectives. Otherwise, society will say "this guy is 100% guilty" about 100% of people. They've done studies on this even. People just assume guilt automatically by the mere fact you are arrested. Defense attorneys representing those presumed-guilty people is extremely important.
As an aspiring lawyer, i was confused.. What is the true definition or purpose of a lawyer. Because, think about it, defending a bad guy is kinda peculiar right? But when I watched this video. I remembered that the word "Fairness" exists. Thank you Mr. Sullivan for explaining the word "lawyers" in a simple structure. I love it.
I get what you’re saying but this man has it twisted. People aren’t saying lawyers are bad for defending someone who could POSSIBLY be guilty, but those lawyers who defend someone who is 100% guilty through collected evidence.
Mr. Sullivan seems to be not only one of the smart ones, but one of the good ones, as well. I especially liked his ending on why it is so important for Lawyers to care.
Bruh... he’s got it twisted.. no one is talking about lawyers being bad bc they defend someone who could POSSIBLY be guilty, but those lawyers who defend someone who is 100% guilty through collected evidence...
Mr. Sullivan is by far my favorite attorney. He is wise beyond words. His ability to deliver facts about the law reminds me of Perry Mason. I love his approach.
Well you clearly need to rewatch this video...
I do like this lawyer-very admirable. He uses EVERYTHING in his power (and knowledge) to defend his client. (He worked with Jose Baez on the Aaron Hernandez trial. )
L)))ĺl
This video addresses the question that I have toiled over. Thanks Ronald.
Wow. "The law is not something that exist in the abstract" So powerful!
My first jury trial was a murder; after the three-day trial (in which my client was acquitted) I went back in the Judge's chambers and he told me something I'll never forget, "Not guilty doesn't necessarily mean innocent."
Wow!!! Would u be interested in talking?
@@daniellewyatt7966 Sure!
true
It is law that starts with the saying no one should be punished unheard...It is germane of litigation, and a lawyer is thus engaged..those who pay the lawyer works for them whatever ethics lies in the core of matter before court..
Thank you for the timely reminder for all lawyers out there!!
Thank you so much sir you are great lawyer and good person
powerful talk!
Massive Respect Sir Sullivan 🙏
Great talk! So true!
Brilliant
Justice is a verb. Thank you.
This was beautiful
I do like law so much
I understand it now.
very nice
What if your client actually tells you he is guilty?
thx
Getting back here, when I become a lawyer❤️
I argree that topic
your services" I like how real they were
Good morning Mr.Sullivan. I am enjoying your videos, find them very informative. Now the question can lawyers be good lawyers. YES..... But there are bad lawyers. I am not a lawyer and never attended a college or university. The great philosphies rhat our granparents taught us and the simple common sense has been a great help. I am able to figure out and read through the lines of legal papers. A long time lawyer by the name of Morris Cobb of Amarillo gave me some advice that I have passed on to people needing help. advice.
Beautiful 💕💕
Congrats, well done Prof.
Very educational, outstanding lecture on the duty of everyone to make Justice work as a System that protects the society as a whole in order to avoid miscarriage of Justice.
great speach
Better Call Sullivan!!
RESPECT
best vid ever
Are those...solo cups in the background?
Harvard and those protesting students should be ashamed of themselves. Seems like an establishment like that should set standards of higher and nuanced thinking.
Come on you know better...today....it's feelings over facts
Was wondering how I could be Christian and be a lawyer... this video answered my question
Dumbbells Only exactly!! 👌
Chicken Christianity isn’t some side religion thing and IK many “Christians” treat it that way but it’s not that. It’s a relationship with God it’s not something you turn on and off it’s you’re life. Now I assume you’re atheist based off the words you utilized in your response... seemed a bit harsh but yeah.
Chicken now if I’m wrong and you didn’t mean I’ll will with your comment but you simply suggested not to quote bible verses and what not don’t worry I’ve got enough common sense not to do that.
When you are helping someone your main focus should be them not your religion. If you are helping someone your 100% attention should be on them and not other things. You will not be a good lawyer if you give someone 50% and give your personal beliefs another 50%.
A good lawyer leaves their personal beliefs outside the workplace.
Reconsider your career path, because a Lawyer might not be the one for you.
Mona Lisa I disagree Ik Christian lawyers and they are fine. You’re misinformed you can balance both and be successful.
The law is something we create .
Sooo funny this is the exact question that I have and that’s why I am googling can’t wait to hear the answer
a good person
I love your video a about lawyer it's help me a lot how ti be a lawyer with it's
I would like to meet you Sir.
My Personal experience is that the Bar Association particularly the disciplinary counsel needs to take people's grievances more seriously to weed out the bad lawyers who are ruining well basically making it so that the stereotypes about lawyers are true the good lawyers need to get war on board with getting the bad lawyers out of the justice system or at least have stricter and stronger repercussions for breaking the rules of conduct because what I have seen is inmates running the institution or children running the candy store
Good lawyers are better people than most and it's ridiculous to imply otherwise. People who can't separate their personal opinions from their work are the ones who truly are moral failures. Lawyers have to do this every day which is why they are morally stronger than others. Doing ones duty regardless of your personal feelings or views is the epitome of moral fortitude.
Additionally, I've never heard any lawyer, judge or law professor use this guy's odd definition of reasonable doubt, which neither makes sense or is applicable to a criminal trial setting. If he actually said something that silly in court it must have raised some eyebrows
Let me just say the definition of reasonable doubt is blurry…even judges can sometimes have issue defining reasonable doubt to jurors, at least in Canada. Maybe this guy is defining it this way for lay people.
Of course they good people, they advocating on someone behalf, that is alot trust to put in someone!!!
And now they don't want this man any longer at the Harvard University?
Feelings over facts...come on you know better
❤
I like his speech but it was a bit one-sided in that he only focused on criminal practice. Was hoping to hear about whether good lawyers in other fields like corporate law, family law or tort law can be considered good persons.
👏👏
I have come to learn in the last 3 months how Al Pacino's character felt in the movie. AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. I wish I had his character to represent me if I have to go to court.
Without money, there is no justice
Only miseducated people blame money when things don’t go their way
And it was 4:06 when the tears began to roll
Can't believe students kicked him out for representing Harvey Weinstein. Lol
One of the founding fathers represented the British who murdered innocent Americans before the revolution in the Boston Tea party. He considered it his greatest legal work. John Adams would be disgusted with the disregard for civil rights that Harvard is showing.
why they hate this nigga>??
It's all about those feelings....feelings over rights...come on...you didn't know that?
What I’ve learned personally FIRST HAND how lawyers and judges conduct themselves, by all means they lie, skip truth and evidence in bright 12 noon sun. This lawyer does NOT mention about the lie, misrepresentation at every corner that shows up. These talks are Netflix entertainment and not the real sausage making.
N......O!
This guy just doesn’t get it... we’re not talking about the lawyers who defend someone who is possibly guilty but those lawyers who defend someone when they know they are 100% guilty... you’d think with him getting accepted into Harvard he’s understand that....
He’d*
The law states that EVERY MAN deserves legal representation regardless of how guilty they appear!
De que estás hablando Willis ?
At 10:1 😴😴😴
Sir will you help a friend of mine Nephew. He is a young man whom was at home. Let a friend use his car to go to a store. Instead this guy and his friends robbed a store. The authority felt they would arrest the unknowing person whom loan his car in jail. He has a degree. He has now been in prison for Eight Years for a Crime he knew nothing of and his Lawyer do not know how to get him released. Please help this young man get Release.
Innocent or guilty, if a man goes to jail, society has failed.
Wow!! I love this.
cough* deshaney v. winnebago cough citizens united v FEC
his arguments do not flow naturally!
What does that even mean. He's not providing an argument, he's providing a lecture
@@kendallfleming5858 There are no connections between the ideas, he is jumping from one topic to another in an odd way,
@@Raw-Truth-Now Not sure what lecture you were watching, but what he did was extremely logical. He used different scenarios and thought processes to answer the who, what, when, where, why and how. On a simple note, yes, he could've walked out there, and simply said yes you can be a lawyer and remain a good person then simply walk away. You really wouldn't need him there for that reason. In fact, it would be boring. Any person would do just to answer that question in it's most simplified of terms. He didn't just day yes, but he told how..what he witnessed...he tried to out you in that moment and mind state. Plus, I'm guessing you've never followed Attorney Sullivan beyond Ted Talks? If you ever watched his trial work or other speeches, you'd know emphatically why he seems illogical, but simply put....most lawyer's I speak to daily are this way. They tie in the ends...no pun intended.
No, prosecutors put innocent people in jail and defense attorneys get guilty people exonerated for money.
MOST LAWYERS ARE NOT INDIVIDUALS OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, AND IT IS NOT ABOUT SOME OF THEM DEFENDING CRIMINALS.
I don't agree fully he gave three examples of bad lawyers who didn't do their jobs well Defending the innocent , that does not mean defending a guilty shooter or a rubber would make a good lawyer good person
So the question isn't getting answered, and Instead it's just listing the people he thinks we're innocent and fought for them.
The question was can you be a moral person and a very good lawyer.
The answer is no
Не очень смешно....
Can a Good Lawyer be a Good LIAR? YES, DEFINITELY
You mean must, not can
His IQ must 180
But all not like this.
Never take a guilty case.
How about God’s laws ? 😂
Then an even worse belief; “The law is something that you and I create…something that you and I must make real by the lived experiences of our fellows,” as if there is no objective truth and whatever the majority of people want is automatically good and lawful.
Just stop. You are twisting the minds of everyone who hears you. A lying witness does not exonerate a lying lawyer. Get your life right before you are judged.
I'm a third of the way through the talk, and it's good, but I wish that he would stop repeating himself. I wish that he would stop repeating himself.
I assume that's a "let that sink in" thing, but I wish he would just pause a little longer, rather than saying it again.