Chancery Judge Robert Logan hosted a meeting at the Newton Historic Depot Thursday for lawyers around the Second Chancery District to give an update on current legal issues and to issue a challenge.
Logan, who is serving his first term as chancery judge, said he wanted to have a meeting with attorneys to discuss changes in procedures in the district, which covers Newton, Jasper and Scott counties. He also took the time to challenge to those present to do their best to promote the legal profession in their communities.
To do this, he encouraged his fellow attorneys to be seen in their communities, advertise in local media and stay active in local civic and community organizations, among other activities. One of the main ways Logan suggested to promote the legal profession is to pass it on to the next generation. Specifically, he encouraged them to help up and coming students reach their dreams.
“Call your local high schools and ask them to see who are high-performing students,” Logan said. “Then, hire them part-time and give them work experience.”
One example of this in Logan’s past was Newton native Bruce Ware, who worked part-time with Logan in high school and later went on to graduate from the University of Mississippi and Harvard Business School and now works for a Fortune 500 company.
“I am grateful for everyone who helped me along the way, people like Mr. Logan who believed in me and gave me a chance and taught me the things that I needed to know,” Ware said. “Things I learned were like how to tie a tie or how to develop relationships with others.”
Ware now gives back to the hometown every opportunity he gets, as he sponsors a number of Newton High School students to visit Ole Miss and meet with professors, deans and students to help them know how to prepare for going to college.
