President’s Perspective
Pro Humanitate: “We Are The World”
As a Wake Forest University School of Law alumni, the University’s Pro Humanitate mindset is entrenched into the hearts of its students from the first day one arrives on campus. This commitment to the betterment of humanity is presented not as a “check the box” obligation but as a foundational belief. Quoting a July 12, 2022, article by Meg Seitz who was writing for the Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies, “Pro Humanitate is not an educational expectation. Instead, it is a philosophy, a way of engaging with the world. It infuses everything we do, and no matter what your personal interpretation, it is an opportunity to leave the world better than we found it.” It is the North Carolina Bar Association’s commitment to Pro Humanitate which inspires this President’s Perspective.
While scanning my playlist one afternoon, I came across an all-time favorite song of mine: “We Are The World” released in 1985 by the dream team of music (USA For Africa) to address the famine and hunger plaguing our fellow human beings in Africa. I, like countless others around the globe, poured out my support that night for those in need. I watched the television as literally the entire world joined together to address a need that (but for changed circumstances) could have been intended for any of us. We all saw firsthand that night how the power of unity can wholly affect a crisis and change the mindset of humanity.
While the focus of this column is not on world hunger and famine, there are certain similarities from this historical response to famine/hunger with how our legal community continues to combat a very present and real issue facing our North Carolina legal landscape today: helping to address access to justice concerns through increased pro bono or “low bono” efforts.
In addressing the goal of providing aid relief to Africa on that night in 1985, some forty-five vocalists all came together for a music marathon like none other. They represented different ethnicities, backgrounds and life experiences, and they brought different core talents to the studio. Further, they checked their egos at the door, marinated on the charge delivered to them from Quincy Jones, readily digested the lyrics and purposed in their hearts to drown out all distractions for one night so they could contribute their unique style, approach and flavor to the endeavor . . . all for the greater good of helping starving human beings.
NCBA members represent a myriad of backgrounds and experiences. Our members are simply phenomenal. They possess core skills, talents, abilities and attributes which are all needed by a subset of people in this state who have legal needs in those areas yet cannot afford to pay for part or all of the needed representation. The individual viewpoints, life experiences and collective legal acumen uniquely position our members to help lessen the burden of North Carolina brethren by taking an issue off of their mind so they can continue focusing on making a living, keeping a job or raising a family.
Whether it’s helping to expunge a record, secure a driver’s license, draft estate planning documents, change a name, make gender marker corrections, secure a protective order or maintain a residence, all of these (and many other) areas of representation directly address an immediate/pressing societal need. Both the mental relief and practical benefits of such representation can be the difference between that same individual/family becoming either mired in their situation or experiencing a rejuvenation of hope and optimism (since the legal issue has been addressed).
I further applaud our members in the professional manner in which they deliver this representation. When our members not only roll up their sleeves to use their knowledge to better the lives of others but to also show the recipients of their pro/low bono representation the same level of respect and dignity which they bestow upon “full paying clients,” our members demonstrate the Pro Humanitate for which our profession in known. It is this type of holistic and professional pro/low bono representation which continuously creates the lasting intangible goodwill that our organization continues to enjoy. Our sincerity in helping our communities thrive exponentially promotes our profession and outwardly demonstrates to future attorneys the “why” behind the privilege of practicing law.
While collectively our commitment to Pro Humanitate outwardly shines through, there is one other critical component of Pro Humanitate which not everyone recognizes yet is ever present and appreciated – the behind-the-scenes individualized leadership which helps bring it all together.
Despite the collective group effort and commitment to making the “We Are The World” soundtrack happen that night, the process and the result would not have gone the way it did without the leadership of Quincy Jones. It took a situational leader like Quincy to bring it all together and pull it off. In our individual or collective pursuit to perform pro/low bono work, I challenge all of us to be that Quincy Jones when the moment demands it. Whether your moment arises from your chair/co-chair role within your Section, Committee or Division or whether your moment is birthed from an emergent issue facing the public where your area of expertise is thrust front and center – just know that you are uniquely made for the moment and can properly assess the issues, galvanize any additional help needed to meet the need, deliver the appropriate charge to fit the moment and therefore steer your team to a fruitful conclusion. Your behind-the-scenes situational leadership may not always be observed or externally rewarded, but it is critical to the success and outcome of our collective goal of serving humanity.
In galvanizing the needed assistance for your representation or event, you (like Quincy) may find that some fellow volunteers may need solitary time to first contemplate the environment prior to voicing their views or beginning to act. Others may find their path forward by jumping in headfirst and unraveling the puzzle as they go. Still others may have an innate ability to briefly pause before offering their fresh perspective and discernment on the best path forward. Whatever the composition of your pro/low bono team, just know that you have an entire NCBA behind you who stands ready to help in any way possible.
Just as I’m sure most of you remember where you were in 1985 when you first saw the “We Are The World” video and answered the plea for assistance, one day it would be nice to say we all remember when we came together and collectively gave our own “above and beyond” to not just put a band aid on the access to justice issue but to spearhead transformative solutions which forever helped place our most vulnerable citizens on a better path for their lives.
As we all continue to go about our daily practice and responsibilities, I would like to personally thank each and every one of our members and non-member volunteers for graciously taking time out of your busy work lives to further the mission of the NCBA by promoting the administration of justice. Your volunteerism is not taken for granted; rather it is cherished and appreciated and celebrated by both the NCBA and the public at large. As your President, I sincerely appreciate those efforts and know our North Carolina citizens cherish and value everything that you continue to do to keep making this state a model for attorney collaboration, cooperation and an overall commitment to public service. After all, nothing is impossible when you tap into the “Power of Association.”
Clayton Morgan serves as president of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Foundation.