Jennifer P.

Bayucan October 06, 2022

JD-1A Philosophy of Law

Reflection Paper (Have Mercy)

People would asked me, that in case I survive law school and pass the bar examination, where
would I practice law and my answer will always, to work in Public Attorney’s Office, to serve people who
are not capable to hire for a private attorney to defend them. It took me ten years before I felt the
calling to take my first step to be part of the bench. How?

Just like Attorney Bryan Stevenson in the movie Have Mercy, I am also a product of a community
where people were marginalized and the poor are excluded. I and my family, had experienced a lot of
things that resulted to injustice and inequality due to abusive power of other people. This movie,
awaken my soul to strive more and not to give up with the difficult process, to be a lawyer in the future,
and be that lawyer that will inspire change and fill the discrepancies that our legal system has.

We need more lawyers like Attorney Bryan Stevenson in our society, someone that is
determined to stand up and to prove someone’s innocence despite facing threats to his organization
and on his own life. Have Mercy, open my eyes to have a greater consciousness about why we need to
do better for this society, when it comes to creating a justice system that is fair and reliable because no
one, deserves to to be treated unfairly or cruelly. It’s heartbreaking to know how unfairly people were
being systematically treated because of their color and their status in life. What breaks my heart more
is, it’s become normal and part of our system. As a future lawyer, I would like to have an advocacy same
with Attorney Stevenson, I want to promote change and equal justice. In a society that racism and
inequality due to social status in life are still alive and thriving, we need to put more efforts to help those
who were victims of this discrimination. With our faith, consistency, and support, justice will still be
reach.

As quoted by Attorney Stevenson, the true measure of our character is how we treat the poor,
the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated and the condemned. I hope that this society in the future
will have full of Christians lawyers, who will treat and defend the poor and disfavored with high respect
and with the goal to preserve their dignity and humanity.

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