Published on August 14, 2013 by Derrek Smith  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds56YX7mjB4 

Alabama State Bar president Anthony Joseph returned to his alma mater, Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, to address its new law students at the start of the fall semester Aug. 12.  "I sat where you are sitting and there was a world of emotions going through my mind," he said.Anthony Joseph

Joseph (right), a 1980 law school graduate, told the students that law school would teach them to work as a team.

"The legal profession is built on service; service to clients and service to the community," he added.  "This should be the attitude that motivates you as you move forward in your legal career.

"You are starting a journey today, a very important journey.  Most of you have been exposed to people who have inspired you, encouraged you, or motivated you in some form or fashion."  Law school would provide many opportunities to engage such people, he said.

Joseph became the 2013-14 Alabama State Bar president in July.  He is the third consecutive Cumberland School of Law graduate to hold this leadership position. As the fall keynote speaker for the law school, he addressed an audience of first-year law students, law faculty, law staff and Samford administrators.

"I personally cannot think of a better profession for you to pursue," he said. "I cannot think of a greater law school for you to attend than Cumberland School of Law."

 

Derrek Smith is Director of Law School Communications for Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.