“The practice of law is not an easy road,” said Anthony Craig Cleland (J.D. '92) told the inductees into the Order of the Coif. “Do not forget who you are, and do not neglect to take care of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually and otherwise.”
“There are many people who have went before you who held those standards of excellence that you have maintained through your hard work and dedication," Anthony Craig Cleland (J.D. '92) told his 17 fellow new members of Georgia State Law's Order of the Coif. "Do not give them up—keep the standard high."
Georgia State Law’s chapter inducted 17 alumni from the Class of 2017 in a Nov. 14 ceremony. The organization recognizes law graduates ranked in the top 10 percent of their classes and honors lawyers, judges and teachers who attain a high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments.
The new members were sworn in by Mary F. Radford, professor of law, and chapter president. Cleland (J.D. ’92), adjunct professor of law, was inducted as an honorary member.
Cleland stressed the importance of taking care of oneself in a sometimes-stressful field of work.
“The practice of law is not an easy road,” he said. “Do not forget who you are, and do not neglect to take care of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually and otherwise.”
While in the day-to-day you may not see your work as profound, Cleland said, over time you’ll see the impact of your contribution to the institution of the law as it plays out and gives to our society.
Lastly, he said, never lose your moral compass. “The law is not necessarily moral. How it plays out is not necessarily moral. It is a fabulous tool for reaching justice and righteousness over the arc of time. We are better with it even when it’s broken, even when it’s flawed, even when it is insufficient.”
Georgia State Law was accepted last year into the Order of the Coif and inducted 64 alumni in 2016. (In a chapter’s inaugural year, it is allowed to induct students from the previous three years.)
The Class of 2017 Inductees
| Patrick Justus Anderson Amy S. BeMent Chandra F. Burns David Hsu Randall Wayne Hunt Phillip Charles Herman Kuck Kimberly Ames Miller Chae Yeon Mims |
Majda Muhic Kristin K. Ramsay Rachael P. Reed Kirstin E. Rodrigues Benjamin R. Rosichan Oren Snir Melissa G. Sprinkle Michael Freemon Williford |