Celebrating Lincoln as a Lawyer
Honest Abe - A Famous Trial Lawyer
In this year of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, it should not go unnoticed that many Presidents have been lawyers: Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and Barrack O’bama. A total of 26 Lawyer- Presidents if all were to be named, according to the 2009 American Bar Association publication Legacy of Liberty. This list of lawyers is distinguished, indeed yet not all of them had exceptional legal careers before becoming President of the United States.
Lincoln's Legal Self-Discipline and Education
Lincoln, though President, is a shining example of an exceptional legal career before rising to the post for which he is best known. Many might say it was because in addition to legal credentials, he was of sound character as well.
Lawyers enjoy a great deal of respect within our culture despite all the lawyer jokes one might hear. Most realize that in addition to self-discipline and dedication through years of education and training, a lawyer cannot become certified without rigorous academic tests to undertake and do well. Having acknowledged that - there is no way to test the character of the lawyer until client matters are involved. Enter Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln and the Almanac Murder Case
While Lincoln was known as the "prairie" lawyer, his career spanned close to 25 years. He handled over 5,000 cases often arguing before the Illinois and the U.S. Supreme Courts.
In the Almanac murder case, the American Bar Association’s Legacy publication reports that the pivotal moment for Lincoln’s client, Duffy Armstrong, came when Lincoln took on a prime witness who had testified about the moon laying overhead on the night in question as the reason for the ability to identify Armstrong. Using an almanac, Lincoln cross-examined the witness with such accuracy and vigor , he was able to totally discredit him because the moon had not moved overhead until an hour after the crime.
This is what the legal profession contends is the art of cross examination. Every lawyer does not have it. Those who win trials most surely do.
Lincoln's Understanding Lawyers Mistrusted
From Lincoln’s promise to emancipate the slaves to his work-life long before, he was known for his trustworthiness and honesty. As noted in Legacy, he took an interest in the fact that he realized there was "a vague, popular belief that lawyers are dishonest"...and so he would appeal to his colleagues to be honest ....and where one found honesty difficult for themselves, work to be honest without being a lawyer.
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