Blogs

The first word that comes to mind: Overwhelming. I'm here at the Legal Education at the Crossroads conference at UW in Seattle. There are about 200 people - law professors, deans, administrators from over a hundred institutions. There are over 90 presenters and most of the presentations are running multiple times so there are always many options.

The next word that comes to mind: Exciting! This is what we dreamed of ten years ago and now it is happening. We've moved beyond the mavericks and pioneers and are teetering on the Tipping Point.

This is a more personal blog, another installment of our New Lawyer Tour that was unexpected.

I am currently in Oregon. We arrived here a few days ago and I've spent time with my daughter (Ayni) and granddaughter (Stephanie). Steph left the day after I arrived to return home to Florida and Ayni had to work the rest of the week so we moved on to stay with my friend, Nash, in Hillsboro, outside of Portland. It is a great setting. We have created a comfortable work station out back in a fancy garage-type building that is open on two sides with a koi pond and waterfall on one open side. There are hummingbirds and jays flying in and out of the enclosed back yard.

I hate feeling incompetent. (Isn't that synonymous with being a lawyer?) Truth is, I have a long history of being compelled to be "the best" at whatever I do. When I was eight and won an honorable mention in an art contest, I was sure that I was never going to be an artist and I quit drawing. Second chair clarinet wasn't good enough so I quit that in middle school.

My path towards the law began in ninth grade ... though in a way I suppose I could say my entire life has prepared me for this journey. I’ve always been so passionate in my convictions that my family refused (and sometimes refuses to this day) to talk to me about politics because they knew I would spout off everything I knew in the hope that they would somehow change their opinions and realize that was always right.

We're in Minneapolis now. I wish it were possible to post the interviews as quickly as we do them but the editing process takes ten times as long as the interviews themselves. With YouTube being limited to 10 minute (or less) segments, we just can't post the half hour to hour and a half of amazing conversations we have with many folks. And Michael is both videographer and editor so he can't be filming and editing at the same time.

It has taken me a few days to post about my visit with Steve Keeva on Tuesday. [Most people reading this blog have either read Transforming Practices or Steve's columns in the ABA Journal. He is a beloved member of our community.] On one hand, it was wonderful to see him. He is still the Steve I recall in many ways. We made humorous cracks at each other and shared updates of various friends in the movement. Michael captured excerpts from our interviews which were specifically about Steve and created a Tribute to Steve Keeva piece that was quite touching.

I didn't want to mix topics in the blogs but did want to also write about our gathering in Milwaukee last night. Past president of the IACP, Sue Hansen hosted us in her snazzy, well-designed, well-located office. Jill Dahlquist and Judge Mary Triggiano were there. We had a great meeting, discussion, and visit. Michael taped it and we'll post excerpts later.

I want to spend more time putting together gatherings where we go. They make a difference!

There is a lot going on here but I wanted to check in before heading off to Steve Keeva's house because I know that I will have lots to report when I get back.

My heart was warmed by this email from Jill Breslau: