By Stella Connell

The University of Mississippi School of Law enters the 21st century continuing its rich history of turning out outstanding graduates and, as a by-product, producing some excellent leaders in politics and public service.

"The Law School has a storied tradition of being able to look into the future and adapt its curriculum and educational programs to an ever-changing legal environment, which has given it an edge in training some of the state's and the nation's legal powerhouses and politicalleaders," said Dean Samuel M. Davis.

In state government, nine of 23 governors in the last century attended the Ole Miss Law School. Nearly a third of the state's lieutenant governors since 1900 have been graduates, as have half the state Supreme Court justices.

Beginning the new millennium, graduates of this Law School lead all three branches of state government, including newly inaugurated Governor Ronnie Musgrove (`81), Chief Justice Lenore Prather (`55) of the Mississippi Supreme Court, State Treasurer Marshall Bennett (`67), Attorney General Mike Moore (`76) and Speaker of the House Tim Ford (`77).

These leaders were asked to reflect on their law school careers and the value of their legal education.

"Three years of law school taught me the discipline necessary to pursue my professional course in life," said Governor Musgrove, who formerly practiced law in his hometown of Batesville. "It taught me a process of thinking and analyzing facts for the actual practice of law. A person needs to combine the two to be a good lawyer, and the Ole Miss Law School did that for me."

Pursuing a legal education broadens a student's perception of possibilities, said Speaker Ford. "When you go to law school, you find yourself around government officials and high-ranking professionals, and it just serves to expand your horizons of what's available out there in the world as far as careers and public service are concerned."

Some graduates who enter law school for other reasons come to recognize the legal system as a means to improve the quality of life in Mississippi and the nation. When asked whether or not he had political aspirations before entering law school, Attorney General Moore responded decisively, saying, "No, not at all. I became a lawyer to make a difference. I thought becoming a lawyer was the best job one could have if he or she wanted to make a difference. I have continued to be a lawyer even now when I could have done other things. I feel I help someone else every day of my life."

Other students enter law school already committed to careers in public service. "I knew at 10-years-old that I wanted to be a lawyer," said Bennett. "I saw politics and law as a means of public service and the law was instituted to make things work for all people. Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, I think the first thing that any responsible person says when he or she reaches the age of reason is `hey, we need to do something to make life better around here.' A legal education, if put to use properly, can have far-reaching effects. The law is a way to make a difference; it's a way to correct a wrong and make it right."

Bennett sees the impact of the Ole Miss Law School as being ideological. "The influence and effects of the education the Law School provides extend far beyond the University," he said. "It reaches into the lives of the citizens of the state - and the nation - by providing leaders who go into public service for more than personal gain. The Law School helps provide a greater appreciation for the spirit of public service."

The heart of any classroom is its teacher, and the five alumni are eager to give credit where it is due, proving the truism that every student carries a part of all good teachers into the future.

"All the professors had such good qualities. A few had some terrorizing qualities," Bennett said. "They could make you sweat, but that's part of the law school experience."

Noting that the positive influence his law professors had on him as a law student carried over to his professional life, Bennett said, "The time I was in law school was the beginning of public policy law and political activism. Parham Williams and Bill Champion were on the faculty and the dean was Josh Morse. Dean Morse brought the Yale graduates (to the Law School), and that was to teach certain aspects of activism. These people really challenged Mississippi conservatism with new liberal public policy issues. It was also a time for the first African Americans in law school. I was the co-chair of the Law School Speakers Bureau. We invited Bobby Kennedy to speak to the Law School. This was four years after his brother, John, had integrated the University with federal troops. It was stimulating to see his reaction to us and ours to him."

"Ed Connell was a genius of estate planning," continued Bennett. "Not only could he talk about the principles, but he could give examples time after time of the practical applications. He was memorable because he brought the pages of law to life. He didn't have to drive over from Clarksdale to teach us; he did it because he had a genuine desire to make sure that the lawyers in this state knew what they were doing."

Speaker Ford credits several professors who made lasting impressions on him as he prepared for his role in public service. "I was crazy about Robert Khayat, Tommy Ethridge, Cliff Hodge - I really respected Cliff Hodge," Ford said. "I learned enough to know that if I had a client with a tax problem then I needed to hire a tax attorney."

Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat, who taught at the Law School from 1969-95, also is remembered fondly by Ford. "Robert Khayat was somebody who always had a genuine interest in all the students' well being," said Ford. "He would talk to troubled students for a lengthy period of time. I think that's why he is such a good chancellor today. He's also a very visionary person and leader."

Providing a solid legal education coupled with practical experience is part of the Ole Miss Law School's longtime mission for developing leaders in law and public service, and Governor Musgrove paid tribute to Dean Davis for his role in continuing this commitment. "Dean Davis is offering outstanding leadership for the Law School today in an effort to continue this tradition. Not only does he carry integrity and knowledge, but he is also recognized nationally as a very solid administrator."

Success in this endeavor means not only challenging students in the classroom but also offering other opportunities, including internships and moot court.

"I interned in Columbus one semester instead of taking classes, and the Law School handled the arrangements for me," said Attorney General Moore. "I worked with Justice Prather when she was a chancery judge. I also had the opportunity to work with the district attorney and the city attorney. This had a major influence in my area of law practice after law school, and it was a great learning experience for me."

Reflecting on how the law school experience equipped her for a career in public service, Chief Justice Prather said, "The moot court competition was a required area of study when I was in law school, and that experience has served me well in my career. I remember arguing a case involving freedom of religion from the Christian Science perspective before Professor Fox, and I knew I had to be prepared. I talked to people who had that perspective as I prepared my arguments. This was a very good experience for me personally and professionally."

Looking to the future, these state leaders reflected on their opportunities to help enhance the quality of life for all Mississippians. Public servants and private citizens together should embrace the role of public service in the next century to improve the quality of life in Mississippi for all residents, primarily through public education and human resources, said Governor Musgrove, a staunch supporter of public education. "Ninety-two percent of our children are educated in the public schools, which is why it is so critical to be sure our schools have what they need to offer a great education. Our young people should be able to graduate from high school with the tools necessary to succeed in life."

Moore agrees, pointing to the greater role of public responsibility. "There are a lot of children in Mississippi who need help. We know what works for children, and we need to move forward to do it. If we have 200,000 children in need, then we need 200,000 adults to help as mentors. I really believe that the human resource of giving time and heart - not just money - will lift Mississippi."

Said Chief Justice Prather, "I am working to upgrade the professional standards in the judiciary and to expedite the process through the courts. I also hope we can make the courts more accessible to people who don't feel they can afford the legal process. My overall hope is that we can apply these standards to our work and improve the trust and confidence the public has toward the judicial system."

"My vision for Mississippi is that we do things now while we have good economic times and we have resources that will provide lasting effects for future generations," said Bennett. "Our state needs to work toward better proficiency in investing in buildings, research, and better opportunities for our people."

"Every indicator shows that the state is heading in the right direction, and we need to continue on that path," said Ford.

Stella Connell is a freelance writer based in Oxford.