Isaac Newton is credited for telling us that [i]f [he has] seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Nobody operates in a silo, and this is especially true in organizations. While we strive to continue improving, innovating, and changing as needed, from time to time, it is important to recall those who came before us. It is with this motivation that the YLS decided to hold its Inaugural Past Chairs Advisory Board Session during its 2019 Summit.1 It is also with this same motivation that we are delving into the past and learning more about YLS’s former Chairs through a special continuous feature of Inter Alia aptly entitled “YLS Past Chairs: Where Are They Now?” Over the next several months to a year or so, we plan on presenting to you–well, the building blocks of YLS as we currently know it. First up is 1971-72 Chair Norman Otto Stockmeyer, Jr.:
We caught up with Mr. Stockmeyer for a brief interview.
Briefly describe your path since your Chair year.
I left the position of Research Director at the Court of Appeals in the late 70s to teach at Cooley Law School; I took emeritus status in 2013. I was President of the Michigan State Bar Foundation when it created the very successful Fellows Program to raise funds for legal aid. John Krsul of Detroit, my immediate predecessor as YLS Chair, was a big help.
How did YLS leadership help you in your career?
Involvement in Section programs with leaders of the bench and bar opened doors for me professionally and within the organized bar. Some provided references, while others became mentors.
What was the most memorable time from your YLS involvement?
We initiated serval memorable projects in “my year” as Chair. To increase the attendance of Michigan lawyers, the Section chartered a jetliner to the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco and offered seats at a deeply discounted fare. We organized a swearing-in ceremony before the Michigan Supreme Court for bar-passers, followed by a reception. We negotiated a 33% young-lawyer discount for ICLE programs. And we stirred up a hornet’s nest advocating for abolition of the bar exam (then a 40-essay 2 1/2 day grind). We did not prevail, but triggered a re-examination leading to our state finally becoming the 40th jurisdiction to adopt the more progressive MBE.
Why would you encourage young attorneys to get involved in YLS leadership?
It’s good for you and good for the bar. Remember how hard you worked to join our profession? Now devote some of your time and talent toward its betterment. We’ll all be better for it. Besides, who are more fun than fellow lawyers?
Stay tuned for more interviews with our former Chairs. Much thanks and appreciation to Mr. Stockmeyer for satiating curious minds.
Commentary added by current SBM YLS Chair-Elect Silvia A. Mansoor who is not only one of the curious minds, but also a health care provider advocate at Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC.
- We hope to organize another one soon! ↩︎
Inter Alia 