“For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.” – H.L. Mencken

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” – Stephen Covey

This morning, I am writing to remind you to provide feedback on the very important issue of whether our Law School should continue to be named after Chief Justice John Marshall, who, in addition to being the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was also a slaveholder.

 This morning, I’m asking for your help to launch our 2021 graduates who were sworn in as new attorneys last month into successful careers and to help them find their calling.

Employers often tell us that what distinguishes our graduates from other law schools’ graduates is grit and perseverance. It’s the difference between approaching your next chapter as a job, a career, or a calling.

"I run on the road long before I dance under the lights." - Muhammad Ali

This morning’s message is to our students, particularly our first-year students.

Final exams begin Wednesday and continue until December 17. You’ve worked hard all semester. You’ve diligently read and briefed your cases, prepared and reviewed your notes and outlines, and practiced your legal analysis on hypotheticals and old exams. 

 Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. All three are primarily about buying. But one day, Giving Tuesday, is all about giving.

As Thanksgiving approaches, 

I’m thankful for the exceptional perseverance, resilience, and adaptability of our law students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends this past year.

I’m thankful for our talented faculty, students, and staff who come together every day to teach and learn in ways that are collaborative and spirited.

I’m thankful for our law’s school’s daily focus on our mission: To Learn Law and Live Justice.

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good.” - Nina Simone, 'Feeling Good'

Congratulations to our 2021 graduates who were sworn in as new attorneys last week. For them, it’s a new dawn, a new day, a new chapter.

“ Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” -Samuel Johnson

“Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” - Louis Pasteur

This morning’s message is to our students, especially our first year students.

What sets our successful graduates apart from those of other fine law schools?

Of course, they are very bright and talented, but I submit there’s something else that distinguishes them from others – grit, perseverance and tenacity.

For a number of our students, a scholarship makes the difference between getting a legal education or sacrificing their dream.

That’s why I’m asking you this week to make a donation. Why this week?

“For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate.” -Margaret Heffernan

 Last Friday in October

Please join us this Friday, October 29, 2021 virtually, 9:30am-4pm, for the Cleveland-Marshall IP+ Conference on Innovation Law, Intellectual Property, Business, and Emerging Technology.