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On Aug. 31, Justice Steven David, a genuine friend of the legal profession and our system of justice, retired from the Indiana Supreme Court. As he departed, he encouraged everyone to “do a little bit more for other people.” Those who have followed the life and career of Justice David would wonder how he of all people could do any more. So coming from him, the call for all of us to “do more” is a challenge that we cannot ignore.
Public service has been the theme of Justice David’s career, from the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps for 28 years to Boone Circuit Court judge to chief defense counsel for the detainees at Guantanamo Bay to justice of the Indiana Supreme Court and now to senior judge. At the same time he has been an adjunct professor at the University of Indianapolis and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He has co-chaired the statewide Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and the Indiana State Bar Association’s inaugural Leadership Development Academy. And he has been president of the Boone County Community Foundation and a member of the boards of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Zionsville and Lebanon. (And this is only a partial list.)
Justice David’s jobs and volunteer offices don’t begin to tell the story. Some affectionately refer to him as the Energizer bunny because he has attended and spoken at countless state and local bar association meetings, community events and school events, and he has been a tireless advocate on the state and national stage for children. It can fairly be stated that anyone who has wanted to get to know Justice David has had the chance because he has been out among the people he serves every day of his career.
At his retirement ceremony, Justice David suggested that we each do more of the following things:
• “Listen a bit more.”
• “Figure out your dream and then live it.”
• “Ask someone what they think and then have a conversation and listen to them.”
• “Do a little bit more for other people.”
Not everyone can be the Energizer bunny. But all of us can do more. All of us can emulate Justice David by doing more for others. The privilege afforded to us by our profession is a mandate for us to be civic-minded and to follow the advice of Justice David. As he retires, I urge everyone to honor him by doing more. Here are a few suggestions:
• Be a better partner in your law firm or business.
• Be a better boss, mentor or supervisor.
• Be a better spouse, parent, son, daughter or friend.
• Speak out against injustice and inequality.
• Support our profession by joining and engaging in bar associations.
• Support our community organizations with your time and your donations.
• Support pro bono legal services by donating to legal aid providers or volunteering.
• Open your mind, your eyes and your heart to others and listen to them.
We have been fortunate to have Justice David as a role model. Thank him for his public service by doing more. We will all be better for it! #WillYouBeThere?•
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John Trimble (@indytrims) is a senior partner at the Indianapolis firm of Lewis Wagner LLP. He is a self-described bar association “junkie” who admits he spends an inordinate amount of time on law practice management, judicial independence and legal profession issues. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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