I had the honor of presenting at the WACDL annual conference in Chelan. The topic: The Hero’s Journey – A Call to Action.
Watch a clip here: https://youtube.com/shorts/dhYc1tF9jhA?feature=share
After recent conversations with two former students from my classes at Seattle University, I learned that they were beginning to lose faith in the legal profession and the rule of law, given the current climate. This realization compelled me to address these concerns directly. In doing so, I recognized that I needed to share my own experiences and perspectives as part of the conversation.
I migrated here; I was not born here. I came from Iran in the middle of the Iran-Iraq war, at age 10. I didn’t want to come, but that choice was made for me, as was the choice of becoming an American.
Since that choice was made on my behalf, I chose to become part of the American story by learning the language, the customs, and the ways, but I fumbled and at times continue to fumble. I still, at times, say, “nip it in the bud,” or forget to stand for the national anthem because I’m getting to know a stranger next to me—since I love making new friends.
But when I see people like me—those who didn’t happen to become citizens—being taken out of the American story, defined by singular moments or by the deeds of others, or because they are undocumented, I can’t help but think: that’s not the American story I know.
Why We Need Myths in Law
Myths are universal stories that unite us, guide us, and give meaning to our lives. The legal profession, like all great callings, is a modern mythic journey—a hero’s path of transformation, service, and self-discovery. Great teachers remind us that myths provide the cultural framework for navigating life’s challenges and transitions. Our work as lawyers is not just about rules—it’s about living out a mythic story of service, transformation, and purpose.
The Lawyer’s Call to Adventure
Law school is the call to adventure—answering a higher purpose, seeking justice, and making a difference. In practice, we face trials and tribulations, just as heroes do in mythic stories. Along the way, we rediscover the mythic thread that connects us to our deeper values and community.
The American Story: Redemption and Community
The American story I know believes in redemption, like Rocky, the boxer who loses his way to greed and then finds his champion heart. Or like Jack Kerouac, who goes on the road without a penny in his pocket and leaves his family behind but comes back having written a book. Or when Edgar Martinez hit a double that kept the Mariners in Seattle when it looked like many were done with the team. Redemption belongs to everyone.
The American story is the moments we spend with each other, learning about each other, and helping each other. It is the story of the police officer who helped my family find and navigate the justice system to help us fight back against our abuser.
It is the story of the Christian family who welcomed a Muslim family, newly arrived to this country, into their traditions. It is the story of the Jewish family who welcomed me after the death of my mother and after 9/11 into their home in New York for Sabbath dinner and taught me their Jewish songs and shared their food with me week after week.
My Mother’s Story, My Story
It is the story of my mother, who was undocumented. She cared for many people, suffered with illness while raising two kids by herself, and made the choice to bring me here and obtain my citizenship because she believed, for reasons she never shared, that the American story would benefit from me being a part of it. That choice changed me, helped me, but also exposed me to a great deal of trauma. I am better for it. I am still writing the story. But my community is better because of my story, and my story is my mother’s story.
The Hero’s Journey—Returning with the Gift
Every day, we have the chance to be heroes—for our clients, for students, for justice, and for ourselves. Reconnecting with these mythic values can reignite the passion that brought us to law. Our choices are guided by a moral narrative: to serve justice, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the rule of law—just as mythic heroes do. This narrative reminds us why we chose this path and inspires us to act with integrity, courage, and compassion. Like all great myths, it unites us in a shared purpose and gives meaning to our daily work.
The American Story Is Never Finished
The American story is not about perfection; it’s about the strive towards exceptionalism even if it arbitrarily creates exceptions. It’s messy, beautiful, and a painful process of becoming, melding, and adapting.
By helping others write their story, in particular kids, to contribute their chapters, we write our larger story of redemption and hope, like the stories of Rocky, Jack Kerouac, or Edgar Martinez. Like my story!
There are a lot of students that are losing hope. There are a lot of kids who are afraid right now. Kids should not live in fear. I lived in fear. Good and kind Americans helped me.
A Call to Action
How will you answer the call? Reflect on the mythic dimensions of your practice. Find moments to serve, to be honest, to be competent, to be accountable. Remember: the hero’s journey is never over—it’s renewed with every case, every client, every day.
We know better. We are better. Reach out to them and help them write the American story—together. Help them not live in fear.
