"I Am the Lawyer" poem

"I Am the Lawyer" poem

The Web 1931

A poem, "I Am the Lawyer written by Louis Lande, from New York City. Louis Lande was not a student of Richmond College, but his poem was reprinted from the New York Law Journal, Wednesday, May 28, 1930 and was included in The 1931 Web. Lande was a lawyer in New York City, after graduating from law school at New York University. The poem speaks of himself as a lawyer who provides equal acceptance, support, and punishment for all. Attention should be drawn especially to line 10 which reads "I pleaded for the freedom of the slave in Greece and for the captive in Rome." and line 13 which says, "I defended the slave. I was an abolitionist. I signed the Emancipation Proclamation." Line 18 also regards treatment of all clients: "I seek the equality of mankind, regardless of color, caste, sex, or religion." Making a political statement, and possibly part of an advertising campaign, Lande is clear of his acceptance and appreciation of non-white citizens. Reprinted in the 1931 Web, "I Am the Lawyer" comes with no description or reasoning behind why the poem was reprinted, a rare act within The Web. However, 1930 would have been the 10 year anniversary of the reorganization of the law department into the separate School of Law, so the poem could be a celebration of this 10th anniversary and the ideals that students in the Richmond Law School tried to uphold.

Virginia Baptist Historical Society

Richmond, VA

1931

Caroline Weber