November/December 1997

Young Lawyers Epigram - 1938

Editor’s Note:  Robert Welden, General Counsel for the Washington State Bar Association found the following epigram for a State Bar convention in 1938 that featured a young lawyers’ program.  After reading the verse you may form the belief that young lawyers haven’t come very far since then.  However, as Mr. Welden noted, “This was an era when the Bar convention programs included ‘Events for the Ladies’ such as ‘bridge teas’ and garden tours.”  Perhaps it was the young lawyers of 1938 that helped bring the profession out of the Dark Ages.

 We worked and slaved for seven years
So we could show you how
To practice law, but it appears
You still must teach us now.

It seems there’s just a little more,
In spite of a1l our knowledge.
Of what  we didn’t learn before
They let us out of college.  

To pick a jury, that’s a task,
To take exceptions, too,
To know what questions not to ask,
We’ve learned a lot from you.  

We’re thankful though our tasks seem small,
Our duties most uncouth;
We’re very thankful, most of all,
That there’s a cure for youth.

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