Photo By Sgt. Oniel McDonald | Chief Justice Yvonne T. Rodriguez, 8th Court of Appeals, speaks at the National Law...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - The Fort Bliss legal community convened to celebrate Law Day May 4 at the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum.
The event, comprised of judges, lawyers, and paralegals, hosted various discussions about different aspects of the law.
Each year, the American Bar Association designates a theme to highlight an important issue relating to the law or legal system. The 2023 Law Day theme was “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration”.
Chief Justice Yvonne T. Rodriguez served as a guest speaker for the event. She was sworn in as chief justice of the 8th Court of Appeals on January 1, 2021, and is the court’s 16th chief justice and the first Latina chief in the court’s 108-year history.
“Law Day is important because in order to preserve civilization we must follow the rule of law. It is not about stopping at the red light. It is more than that. It’s a constitution,” Rodriguez said. “Humans have conflicts, so the rule of law is for us to settle conflict in a peaceful manner so we can live together in peace”.
Rodriguez says she loves puzzles, and each case is like a puzzle.
“Pulling cases apart and having to figure them out and piecing them back together can be complicated at times, but I enjoy doing it,” she said.
Rodriguez said one of the best steps she took that had a positive outcome on her career was running for judge. She ran four races and lost one.
“Losing that race was my biggest life lesson. Because when you fall, that’s how you learn to get back up,” Rodriguez said. “I would always tell my children if you are always successful, you don’t learn anything. But, when you fail at something and have to get back up, you learn a lot, and it is a really good life lesson to make you humble.”
Rodriguez encourages others to live with no regrets and to try even if you don’t think you can succeed.
Her best advice for someone who has the desire to get into law is to sincerely want to serve, to have an interest in the public, and want to solve conflict in a peaceful way.
The 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Staff Judge Advocate Col. Andrew Flor also spoke at the event and shared his experience practicing law in the U.S. Army.
“I just wanted to serve my country, and it was a true joy for me to be able to practice law in the U.S. Army and having the opportunity to work with great individuals,” Flor said. “That is what has kept me in the Army this long; getting to supervise them, mentor them, hear their analysis of the law, and guiding them to becoming better attorneys.”
Flor’s best advice to someone who wants to get into law is to just do it. Events like Law Day provide information and resources for service members and the Fort Bliss community interested in pursuing a career in the law field.
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2023 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 445552 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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