Personal Statement Of Alex B. Wallach

From the time I first envisioned myself as an adult, I wanted to be in government or political office because I wanted to advocate for policies that made life better for individuals. I loved debate and student government in school as I was naturally drawn to advocacy and policymaking. At the same time, through personal experience; I realized that I had a strong distaste for “bullying” in any form. I came to realize that bullying was not just a phenomena found in the schoolyard, but was a phenomena that extended to the practices of governments and private institutions and their interactions with and upon individuals.

I am very concerned about inequalities of power and resources and determined to make sure that such inequalities must be regulated and restrained by law. While large concentrations of power and resources are not dangerous in every circumstance, such large concentrations of power and resources have a tendency to depart from efforts to adhere to law because they can. They begin to think that they ARE the law. Sometimes they depart from adhering to the law as a policy of their institution, and sometimes they do so because an individual within the organization with significant power simply decides to do what he or she wants regardless of the governing law. No matter the reason that large concentrations of money or power depart from lawfulness and begin to “bully” the “little guy;” their very “largeness” frequently serves as a barrier that stops “the little guy” from being able to fight back. Lawyers like me use the law to “level the playing field” and make sure that the “bullying” is challenged, and that the “bullies” are forced back into compliance with the law.

My life’s work thus far, as taught to me by my mentors, William V. George, Lavinia B. George and H. Emily George is to advocate for people with certain legal problems who need my help. They are usually involved in battles they cannot handle on their own and need someone to stand beside them and help fight the bullies. My mission and goal is to use the full extent of my efforts to improve the lives of my clients. I worry about all of the little details in their cases as I help them to fight the “bullies” and obtain the legal rights and benefits to which they are entitled.

Alex B. Wallach