The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2023

Oklahoma Legal History is Ours to Make F rom T he P resident By Brian Hermanson

A S A CHILD, I LOVED TO LEARN ABOUT historical figures. I would spend hours reading the biographies of people who shaped our history. I was amazed at how many of them started from hum

who opened fire on colonial citizens during the Boston Massacre in 1770. While Adams was a strong patriot, he felt it was his duty to provide a defense for the charged soldiers. Adams put his career at risk, but

ble beginnings yet ended up being famous for their deeds. Many did not seek fame, but the circumstances they faced and the manner in which they faced those circumstances made them historic. It must be noted that some people became historic because of the good choices they made and others for the bad ones.

But the one thing I find about these true heroes of our profession is that they were no different than any of you.

his defense of those soldiers was credited for the men becoming acquitted of the charges. What an incredible sac rifice he made to protect the rule of law. During my legal career, I have had the

When I went to college, my interest in history con tinued as I became a political science and history major.

opportunity to meet many attorneys who I felt were giants of the legal profession. They have risked much to take a stand for what is right, even at the risk of their own reputation and livelihood. While I will not list them, I can tell you most of them were humble men and women. If you met them and had a discussion with them, you would not know there was anything special about them. If you talked to them about their past, they would minimize their involvement and change the subject. But the one thing I find about these true heroes of our profession is that they were no different than any of you. While bright, they were no smarter than any other attorney. While heroic, they did not seek out fame and, in fact, withdrew from it. While brave in tak ing on a cause, they were placed in a position where they felt they had no other option but to stand up for those who needed their help. These attorneys are the reason we should all be proud of the legal profession.

Even now, I find myself drawn to arti cles about the people who shaped our world. People seem to marvel at the people who do those good acts and demonize those who rebel against what is good. During my years of practice, I have had the opportunity to read about many attorneys who have taken incredibly unpopular posi tions for the good of the profes sion. One of those stories in early American history is about John Adams. As many of us know, John Adams was one of our country’s founders and a writer and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He also became the second president of the United States. But some people hold him in the highest esteem for his defense of eight British soldiers

Brian Hermanson serves as district attorney for the 8th District of Oklahoma. 580-362-2571 brian.hermanson@dac.state.ok.us

(continued on page 77)

4 | MAY 2023

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL