SIDEBAR: Reno honored by U., urges lawyers to 'unlock the law'

She describes herself as outspoken, accessible, honest and fair. And yesterday, before a packed audience at Irvine Auditorium, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno spoke of issues of significance to her – working together to solve problems and justice for all. Reno, the convocation speaker at the dedication of the Law School's Nicole E. Tanenbaum Hall, was also awarded the University's Medal of Distinguished Achievement by Interim President Claire Fagin and Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson at the ceremony. Reno's speech centered on the role of lawyers in society and touched on her own experiences. One of her main messages to students was "unlock the law." "Now is the time," she said. "It is the time to recognize that we face a crisis in the law, a crisis where too many people in America have no sense of the splendor of the law." But Americans can only appreciate the law if they understand it, Reno said. "We ought to be able to design laws that are not phrased in alphabet terms, and Roman numerals, and 4d's and 5a's," she said. "We should be able to devise laws that people can easily understand, that serve the people, and that enfranchise them." Although Reno spoke of the roles lawyers must play in society, she also discussed the role law has played in her life. "It was 30 years this June that I graduated from law school," she said. "And in these 30 years, the law has provided me with the greatest adventure that one can have." When she embarked on her career in law, she said, she made two promises to herself. "The first was that I would try never to do anything that I didn't enjoy doing and the law has made that possible," Reno said. "The second promise I made to myself was that I would never let the law ground me. "I would always remember that there were rivers to explore and mountains to climb and books that had nothing to do with the law to read, and most of all, a family to cherish and to spend time with so that the law did not consume me." The majority of Reno's prepared speech dealt with how lawyers must adapt to the needs of an ever-changing society. "Lawyers must trust people," she said. "They must devise laws that serve people rather than limit them. And they have to create laws and procedures and processes that enable people to be self sufficient." Reno also talked about facing the problems of society straight on, and of working to provide a better life for "the children of America who see no hope." "Too often lawyers say 'that's not my problem'," she said. "It's everybody's problem in America. Lawyers must join forces with doctors, with social workers, with teachers and everybody who really wants to get involved and make a difference." During her speech, Reno complimented the Law School for representing three messages important to her – it supports what is right, it emphasizes public service and it places a premium on the interdisciplinary study of law. Law Professor Lani Guinier, who introduced Reno, said the attorney general stands on her principles. "I was delighted to be able to introduce her," Guinier said. "She is a woman of principle. She represents the best in the federal government." Guinier, who met Reno the day after she was sworn in, worked closely with her while her nomination for assistant attorney general for civil rights was pending. Alvin Shoemaker, chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, echoed Guinier's sentiments. "She brought out the best in all of us by challenging us to be the best we can be," he said. "I thought it was fabulous." Myles Tanenbaum, who headed the Campaign for Penn Law, and father of Nicole Tanenbaum – who died of leukemia at the age of 16 and is the namesake for the new building – said students can learn a lot from Reno. "I thought it was so appropriate for law students to understand what the role of law is and how it applies to the real world," he said after the convocation. And law students appreciated Reno's candidness and down-to-earth approach. "It was very inspiring," Law student Dominick Answini said. "She encouraged people not to look at the law degree as a way to make money, but as a way to serve country and community."