Share the love: It’s International Love Your Lawyer day
You can badmouth the legal eagles all you like for the remaining 364 days of the year, but, for today, the American Lawyers Public Image Association (ALPIA), is asking people to play nice for International Love Your Lawyer day.
Established as I Love My Lawyer Day in 2001 before progressing to National Love Your Lawyer Day, this year’s previously US-only event has gone global.
“Call your attorney and say Happy Lawyer's Day! or thanks for a doing a great job, or even send a gift, flowers or a card,” said Nader Anise, executive director of ALPIA.
“Lawyers are always painted as the bad guy, even if they pull off some crazy Houdini-esque manoeuvres to help their clients. We're hoping this day will spark public interest in commending lawyers rather than condemning them.”
Speaking of cards, while we’re yet to see ones specifically declaring "Happy Lawyer’s Day" in Clintons, you may want to leave any with lawyer-bashing jokes on the shelves. ALPIA is asking anybody who cannot refrain themselves from making an anti-lawyer joke today to donate a "fine" of $20 to a charity of their choice.
And attorneys in the States are being asked to give back too, with ALPIA urging them to either perform an hour of work pro bono or donate the equivalent of one billable hour to either Childreach International or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.