by Rebecca Crumrine
President, DeKalb Bar Association

As a DeKalb County resident for more than 12 years who believes in giving back to the community, it is my honor to serve as the 2013-2014 president of the DeKalb Bar Association. I look forward to programs and events throughout the year that provide opportunities for members to give back to the community: projects like the DeKalb Bar Challenge in conjunction with the DeKalb office of Atlanta Legal Aid. The 2013 Atlanta Legal Aid fundraiser, Run for Justice, will be held on Nov. 9 in Decatur’s Oakhurst Village. Any DBA team that registers five or more runners (phantom or actual runners) will be eligible for a prize drawing valued at $250. This is a great way to help DeKalb’s Atlanta Legal Aid office, get to know your fellow DBA members and sponsor some healthy competition!

by Denise VanLanduyt
President, DeKalb Bar Association

Every time I say the pledge of allegiance or sing the national anthem I feel a strong sense of pride coupled with a tinge of sadness. With the Pledge, it is the last line: “…with liberty and justice for all.” The Star Spangled Banner in all its pride and glory makes my heart swell; yet again something always seems to be missing.

This year’s theme for Law Day, “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All,” seems appropriate. This year, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, and the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Both President Lincoln and Dr. King took a stance for the cause of liberty and freedom that in turn alienated many. Both men lost their lives for the cause of preserving the ideals set forth by our founders; the ideals “… that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Source: Declaration of Independence.) They were courageous men.

by Denise VanLanduyt
President, DeKalb Bar Association

Belle Babb Mansfield was the first woman admitted to a state bar in the United States. She was formally admitted to the Iowa State Bar in June 1869 after the Iowa court’s favorable ruling allowing her to practice law.

In 1872, Myra Bradwell filed a petition with the U. S. Supreme Court to appeal the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court that denied her admission to the state bar after passing the bar exam in 1872. She was not successful. Bradwell v. Illinois, 84 U. S. (16 Wall.) 130 (1873).

In 1893, Belva A. Lockwood, a trained attorney, was the first woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. She filed suit in this same court to force the Commonwealth of Virginia to admit her to the state bar. Stating its precedent in the Bradwell case, the U.S. Supreme Court “denied leave” to bring her argument again, citing that the states had the right to control and regulate the practice of law.

by Denise VanLanduyt President, DeKalb Bar Association As we enter the holiday season let us not forget how fortunate we are as lawyers. Sure, we are the primary source of countless and tasteless jokes that unfortunately seem to be remembered…

by Denise VanLanduyt
President, DeKalb Bar Association

Do you remember the TV show, A Different World? It was a spin-off sitcom from The Cosby Show. Maybe you also remember the catchy, late ’80s music and theme song? Here are the lyrics:

I know my parents love me,
Stand behind me come what may.
I know now that I’m ready,
Because I finally heard them say
It’s a different world form where you come from.

Here’s a chance to make it,
If we focus on our goals.
If you dish it we can take it,
Just remember you’ve been told
It’s a different world from where you come from.
It’s a different world from where you come from.

I recently visited the DeKalb County Juvenile Court. As I sat in Judge Linda Bratton Haynes’s courtroom, I could only think, wow, I grew up in a very different world than each of the adolescents brought before her. I have come across children over my lifetime with various issues and challenges. But, this was different. As I think of their stories today, I don’t even know if the encouraging and motivational lyrics of The Cosby Show spin-off  (which interestingly were co-written by Mr. Cosby himself) would even reach them or mean anything to them.

by Denise VanLanduyt President, DeKalb Bar Association To be honest, being an attorney was not my first career choice. I am a student of history – it is my love and my passion – and it was my intention to…

by Matthew McCoyd This year the DeKalb Bar Association honors Judge Michael E. Hancock with our Pioneer Award, for his years of service and leadership to the DeKalb County Bench, Bar, and public. Here are some of the many ways…