What's in a name? Depends on who you ask.

Released: Sunday, September 28, 2008, What’s in a name? Not much.

c Talk of the Town 919 610-5255

To the NC Bar, it’s a matter of seeming, rather than being!

Some time ago, according to the Triangle Business Journal, the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers has decided to change their name. I’m not quite sure whether this idea of change is in keeping with Obama’s demand for change in politics, policy or personnel?

What’s in a name anyway? The NC Academy of Trial Lawyers thinks plenty.

Their new name will be "NC Advocates for Justice," and they expect their name now to be more reflective of their mission.

Years ago, in a monologue I did while shuttling the USA Air Flight crew, at RDU,  I spooffed the airlines kidingly by saying:  "Without "US," USAIR is just "Air." They changed their name too.

"Capstrat, " formerly, Capital Strategy, and headed by Ken Eudy, a Public Relations firm do what their name implies teaches how to handle a "High Profile" case should it come to the Capital, or Raleigh.

The former North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Inc. now dba as an Advocates for Justice are "A nonprofit, nonpartisan association dedicated to Protecting People’s Rights through professional and community legal education; champion[ing] individual rights; and protecting the safety of North Carolina’s families--in the workplace, in the home and in the environment."

What about in the Courts?

Joseph B. Cheshire V, a civil rights advocates, is a member of the Bar, so is Janet Ward Black, Past President of the Bar, and so are approximately 4,000 other members of the North Carolina Bar Association, which uses the mantra, and displays on their letterhead, the blurb: "Seeking Liberty and Justice." Lofty goals to be sure.

May I offer this heads-up to those learned members of the bar from the lay populace: It’s my understanding, the First and the Basic Rule of Law, the most Fundamental Right that people have is the right to Free Speech, whether it be a silent, symbolic gesture of protest, flag burning, arm bands, cross burning, etc. and even finger gesture--yes, even finger gesture. Nichols v. Chacon [2000]; but, however, and more importantly, it should be enforceable.

Members of the North Carolina Bar, you have it slightly backwards. It is the lay-public, or an abused individual that comes and seeks your services and goes before the courts "Seeking Liberty and Justice."  Not the other way around.

It is the province of the Bar Associations to advocate, to help, and to enforce the publics' rights in the courts to obtain that elusive "Liberty and Justice."

c Talk of the Town: 919 610-5255