3 ms·

> none of whom were successful lawyers I think your main point is likely right, but your supporting examples are not. Wikipedia (at https://en.wikipedia.org/w

by marvy 9y ago

> none of whom were successful lawyers I think your main point is likely right, but your supporting examples are not. Wikipedia (at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Early_career_and_militia_service https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Early_career_a...) says: Lincoln became an able and successful lawyer with a reputation as a formidable adversary during cross-examinations and closing arguments Likewise, we have https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton#Later_Arkansas_years https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton#Later_Arkansas... She was twice named by The National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America: in 1988 and in 1991.[123] When Bill Clinton thought about not running again for governor in 1990, Hillary Clinton considered running, but private polls were unfavorable and, in the end, he ran and was re-elected for the final time.[124]

will_brown 9y ago
I'll stand by my statement, I didn't say they were failures as lawyers they just simply are not what legal professionals would call the most successful lawyers. A compliment on Lincoln's cross examination skills does not make a successful lawyer, though he did practice and litigate and unlike the others (that I know about) established case law. As far as Hillary, I wouldn't put to much stock in The National Law Journal - it's like the national dean's list, rising star lawyers, AV rating. What do you really know of her career? Did she take cases of first impression; set case law; argue before SCOTUS; set a record on a monetary judgment/damages; become partner at an AM100 firm or white shoe firm; hold a meaningful judicial clerkship; become a federal judge? These are all smart people, successful politicians, but as lawyers I'm not sure anything ranks them in the upper echelons ...that certainly doesn't mean they were failures, which is being read into my statement, I think. Despite the thread opposing me, I don't see any merit based support they were the most successful lawyers.
- marvy 9y ago
  > most successful lawyers You added the word "most" :) Your revised statement is probably right
  - will_brown 9y ago
    The word "most" was in OP and my original comment
    - marvy 9y ago
      my bad, can't read

by marvy 9y ago

will_brown 9y ago

I'll stand by my statement, I didn't say they were failures as lawyers they just simply are not what legal professionals would call the most successful lawyers. A compliment on Lincoln's cross examination skills does not make a successful lawyer, though he did practice and litigate and unlike the others (that I know about) established case law. As far as Hillary, I wouldn't put to much stock in The National Law Journal - it's like the national dean's list, rising star lawyers, AV rating. What do you really know of her career? Did she take cases of first impression; set case law; argue before SCOTUS; set a record on a monetary judgment/damages; become partner at an AM100 firm or white shoe firm; hold a meaningful judicial clerkship; become a federal judge? These are all smart people, successful politicians, but as lawyers I'm not sure anything ranks them in the upper echelons ...that certainly doesn't mean they were failures, which is being read into my statement, I think. Despite the thread opposing me, I don't see any merit based support they were the most successful lawyers.

marvy 9y ago
> most successful lawyers You added the word "most" :) Your revised statement is probably right
- will_brown 9y ago
  The word "most" was in OP and my original comment
  - marvy 9y ago
    my bad, can't read