Alberto Gonzales as Lawyer of the Year?

The ABA Journal recently sent rumblings through the legal world by naming former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as the Lawyer of the Year. Raha Jorjani of the Immigration Law Clinic at the UC Davis School of Law thoughtfully guest blogged on this “honor” and writes, in part, on Racewire.com: The ColorLines blog:

“The editor of the ABA Journal stated in an interview: “Think about Time magazine’s Person of the Year” which he noted had recognized such figures as Hitler and Stalin. Is Mr. Adams suggesting that the American Bar Association owes no greater duty to its constituents and communities than does a popular magazine? The title “Lawyer of the Year” connotes a perception that the legal community is rewarding the conduct of that title’s recipient. As a member of the ABA, it is my expectation that the selection of Lawyer of the Year reflect, on behalf of its over 400,000 members, the Association’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the legal profession. Sadly, the Journal’s selection reflects just the opposite. “

KJ