In this article we will refer to 5 famous lawyers whose brave professional and human careers have been and will continue to be a source of inspiration for those who see Law as a profession with great potential to make the world a better place.
Lawyers are necessary not only when there are problems, but also to avoid them, that is, society as a whole needs these professionals, since Law has among its objectives justice, the common good and social security.
Now, when we talk about Law as an academic alternative, without a doubt, we can say that it is a discipline that has always had enormous importance. And it is that the regulation of human behavior through agreed rules is a necessity for coexistence in society.
Thus, lawyers have been protagonists of great contributions to civilization and have been key thinkers for the evolution of political systems, conflict resolution and the search for peace through justice. Next, meet those who have excelled in this profession.
1. Sarmiza Bilcescu
For centuries, women around the world were denied the right to study and practice professions. Fortunately, there were women who knew how to impose themselves and open paths for the following generations who, every day, advance towards equal opportunities for all genders.
A brilliant example is the Romanian Sarmiza Bilcescu, who went down in history as the first woman to obtain a doctorate in Law (University of Paris, 1890). She had achieved her bachelor’s degree 3 years earlier, becoming the first European woman to do so.
Ella Bilcescu dedicated her efforts to defending the right to education for girls and boys, and especially to working for alternative education for women who had not been able to access higher education.
2.Alexis de Tocqueville
The ideas of this jurist born in France in 1805 have a great influence on the current philosophical conception of democracy, to the point of being considered «the father» of that political system.
Tocqueville considered that social changes occurred because people tended to seek equality. For his part, he spoke in favor of the equality of citizens and spoke out against tyrannies, considering them a danger to societies.
The concept of freedom for this lawyer also has great importance in the conception of the common good.
His ideas on laws and politics had a wide impact in the world, influencing important leaders who took them as guides.
3. Rene Samuel Cassin
Although human rights are not respected in all countries, it is undeniable that its establishment as a minimum code of dignity and justice that people deserve regardless of age, sex, race, religion or any other factor, has served as the basis for many advances. in legal and political matters throughout the world.
In addition to being the main promoter and editor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this French lawyer promoted the creation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and won the Nobel Peace Prize. in 1968.
That is why Cassin has a deserved place among the famous lawyers who deserve to be named on this short list.
4. Karl Loewenstein
The conception of the State based on the independence of powers constitutes the enormous legacy that Loewenstein’s career brought to countries that today enjoy democratic governments.
This German lawyer was an extraordinary constitutionalist and his ideas develop the way in which the people can exercise their sovereignty through the election of their rulers and the possibility of subjecting them to controls.
He exposes that democratic principles should not be evaluated only by existing laws, but in how power is exercised; that is to say, that the mere constitution is not enough to determine if a government is democratic or authoritarian.
He had to flee from his native country (Germany) to the United States to save himself from the persecution of the Nazi regime.
5.Nelson Mandela
One of the most mentioned names when it comes to social struggles is that of the South African Nelson Mandela, who in addition to being the main leader who opposed the regime of racial segregation called apartheid that prevailed in South Africa and Namibia until 1992, was a lawyer.
His political convictions and his constant fight for justice and racial equality in Africa led to inhumane punishments by the defenders of apartheid, such as imprisonment for 27 years.
Mandela was the first president elected by universal vote in his country (1994-1999) and also the first black.
The importance of his ideas of justice and the determination with which he dedicated his life to fighting for them have motivated people of all cultures. To prove it, we invite you to enjoy songs that have been dedicated to Nelson Mandela.
The ethics and professional performance of the famous lawyers named here had a great impact on the human, social, political or economic development of their nations and the world.
But are not the only ones. There are many more legal professionals who can exemplify exceptional careers, some of them are:
The Indian pacifist Mahatma Gandhi, the jurists who sentenced the Nazi criminals in the Nuremberg trials (Geoffrey Lawrence, Francis Biddle, Iona Nikítchenko and Henri Donnedieu de Vabres) and the Nobel Peace Prize (1936) Carlos Saavedra Lamas, who mediated to end the war between Paraguay and Bolivia (1932-1935).
On the other hand, it cannot be denied that several of today’s influential people are part of the legal