Attorney Lauri Cleary Delivers Humor, Wise Words at Maryland State Bar Association Admissions Ceremony
On December 13, 2016, Lerch Early Litigation Practice Chair Lauri Cleary moved the admission a group of new lawyers and delivered brief remarks at one of the ceremonies for those who passed the July 2016 bar exam.
Before getting to her advice for the attorneys, Lauri, who serves as the 2016-17 president of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, recalled her admission to the bar in 1985. She admitted she "had no earthly idea who the speaker was and what he or she had to say," adding "I have every confidence that your recollection of my remarks will be just as vivid."
As for her advice to the newly minted attorneys, she hit on several keys to success.
"Put in the effort to know what must be done and to it without taking shortcuts," she said. "There's no substitute for being prepared in this room or any courtroom."
She advised the new attorneys to be punctual and "give courtesies to your opposing council... especially when you get nothing in return."
Lauri also encouraged the new admittees to be respectful of others, "especially those wearing red robes or black robes," she said to laughter from the crowd (and the red robe-clad Court of Appeals bench). She challenged the new admittees to keep learning if they want to keep practicing -- even if the Maryland bar does not make continuing legal education mandatory, and to continue to challenge themselves by the doing things they are not certain they can do.
Find the full remarks on the webcast of the ceremony starting at the 16:35 mark.
Lauri Cleary is a trial attorney, litigator, and counselor at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland who handles white-collar criminal defense matters, complex commercial, employment, tort, and insurance.
