Why lawyers matter: Marvic Leonen at TEDxDiliman

Summary

In this powerful reflection, Marvick Len, a passionate lawyer, shares personal experiences that highlight the crucial role lawyers play in society. From advocating for human rights and indigenous communities to defending constitutional values, the speaker emphasizes how the law is real, evolves, helps us understand ourselves, and serves as a necessity in times of crisis. Lawyers matter because they defend justice, shape legal frameworks, and offer support to individuals facing challenges, ensuring that the law remains a living force for social change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lawyers matter because the law is real and directly impacts people’s lives, from criminal arrests to civil rights violations.
• 😀 Lawyers play a vital role in defending individuals’ rights and ensuring justice in difficult situations, like challenging unjust charges.
• 😀 The law evolves over time, adapting to new societal needs, such as environmental protection and social justice.
• 😀 Lawyers are responsible for ensuring that legal processes reflect justice, even if their arguments face resistance or are dismissed.
• 😀 The law helps us understand and define our social identity, such as property rights and protections for civilians during conflict.
• 😀 Lawyers help balance the needs for both commercial development and social justice through legal advocacy and representation.
• 😀 Legal victories and defeats highlight that the law can both support and challenge individuals or communities, underscoring its complexity.
• 😀 The importance of lawyers is magnified in crises, where they offer guidance, represent clients, and protect rights.
• 😀 Lawyers need to recognize their profession’s deeper role as a passion and commitment, not just a career or job.
• 😀 Despite setbacks in cases, lawyers must persist and convey the significance of the law to communities, helping them navigate challenging times.
• 😀 Lawyers are trusted advocates who stand by clients through adversity, providing compassion and expertise to guide them through legal battles.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that lawyers matter?

The speaker believes that lawyers matter because they play crucial roles in ensuring justice, defending rights, evolving the law, and assisting individuals in times of need. They help navigate legal challenges, protect vulnerable communities, and contribute to societal change.

What does the speaker mention about the evolution of the law?

The speaker highlights that the law evolves over time to address new societal issues. For example, they mention the creation of the 'RIT of Kalikasan' for environmental protection and how new laws like the Indigenous People's Rights Act have emerged to better serve marginalized communities.

What was the challenge faced by the speaker in the Mount Apo case?

In the Mount Apo case, the speaker and their team challenged the construction of a geothermal power plant in a protected area. Despite presenting strong legal arguments, the Supreme Court dismissed their petition twice, but the speaker remained undeterred, believing that law should be argued at the right time.

What does the speaker mean by saying the law is real?

The speaker means that the law has tangible consequences for people’s lives. For instance, the law enforces rules, ensures protection, and holds people accountable for actions like tax violations or even seemingly minor infractions such as color coding in vehicles.

What does the speaker say about lawyers and their role in the legal system?

The speaker explains that lawyers are essential because they provide legal support to individuals facing challenges, whether it's related to criminal offenses, domestic disputes, or environmental concerns. Lawyers use their knowledge to interpret and apply the law to protect and serve their clients.

How did the speaker contribute to a community fight against a mining project?

The speaker crafted a petition challenging the largest mining concession in the Philippines, arguing that it violated the Constitution. Despite initially winning the case, the Supreme Court later reversed the decision. The speaker continued to educate the affected community on the shifting nature of legal outcomes.

Why does the speaker think lawyers are a luxury?

The speaker suggests that lawyers are often sought after in times of crisis, when individuals face serious challenges like legal trouble, financial disputes, or personal conflicts. People usually turn to lawyers when they have no other option but to confront the legal system.

What was the outcome of the case involving the Bobo community and the geothermal power plant?

The outcome of the case was disappointing. Despite presenting solid legal arguments, the Supreme Court dismissed the case twice. However, the speaker and their team did not lose hope and continued fighting for justice, even though the case did not result in success.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between lawyers and their clients?

The speaker emphasizes that lawyers should be compassionate, especially when representing clients in difficult situations. They are there not just to provide legal expertise but also to support clients emotionally and stand by them throughout the legal process, regardless of the outcome.

What does the speaker say about the challenges lawyers face in the Philippines?

The speaker notes that lawyers in the Philippines often face difficult challenges, including opposing powerful interests, navigating complex legal systems, and balancing the demands of commercial development with social justice. Despite these challenges, lawyers continue to fight for the rights of individuals and communities.