Sunday, May 9, 2010

Farewell to a Great Man












A Great Man passed away this weekend: Dan M. Lee. Retired Chief Justice Dan M. Lee. Former pilot in WWII, Pacific Theater. Prosecutor. Lawyer. Judge. Justice, then Chief Justice. I knew him since I was born as he was one of Grandad's close friends. We knew him back when he was a lawyer, then a judge. Never forget when he sat in our den and told us how he was running for Supreme Court Justice. I was a kid back then and didn't get what all he was running for but I just remember being impressed by him, like he was the Uncle you always wished you had. Kind, down to earth but rugged and straightforward, that was Dan Lee. As I got older, I got to know him better. I'd visit him at his office. I remember how proud he was of me when I told him I was shipping off for basic training as I'd enlisted in the reserves. I remember feeling like I had grown up when I told him that and saw him when I returned. The feeling of having something in common with someone like that can't be described even though I never saw combat as he did.

He was one of the reasons I went to law school as he asked me when I was in eighth grade if I ever thought about being a lawyer. My father about died when I told him what Dan said as he hated attorneys but the thought stayed in my mind ever since. When I was in college I took the LSAT on a lark and surprised myself by doing well. He wrote my recommendation letter for law schools and next thing I knew, I was sweating the rule against perpetuities like so many other shysters. Dan would call me up and tell me when I should come watch a hearing at the State Supreme Court. I saw some good ones. I'd then go to his chambers afterwards and learn quite a few things that weren't taught over on East Griffith Street as he smoked his pipe.

I talked to him some after he left the Court. He retired for a short while, maybe a year, and the returned to practice. He joked that his wife, who was talented in her own right as an artist and psychiatrist, was about to go nuts as he was home so much so he went back to practicing his first love, oil and gas law, and helping the Court out from time to time.

There as something about Dan Lee that commanded respect not seen much in the legal profession today. Too many attorneys today are impressed by themselves, anxious to show off their latest rolex, adverstising their exotic vacations, first into the exclusive neighborhoods, grabbing a trophy wife when the first or second wife gets a little too familiar, and always bragging about themselves, or feeling the need to call themselves Darth Vader. The real Darth Vader never had to tell anyone who he was. They just knew. Dan Lee didn't know the wine list at Char, he just knew the law.

Dan was none of those things. Walking down the street with him was always an education. People came out of the woodwork to say hello to Dan. There was a quiet strength about him. The kind that didn't crumble at the first sign of trouble or was easily ruffled. He knew what he was about. It wasn't just lawyers who would approach him. It was ordinary people: policemen, janitors, regular people who never walked on a marble floor or had a business card. He treated everyone the same: with respect and kindness and it was reflected back to him every day of his life.

While he garnered respect as a man and Chief Justice, he had all the respect in the world for the Mississippi Supreme Court. He always though the Court itself should be a hallowed institution in Mississippi that commanded respect because it had earned it. He didn't think much of law clerks who were seen out late at night in bars during the week. He thought if you were a member of the Court, be it a Justice or janitor, you were the Court wherever you were in public and should act like it. It was a respect rarely given by our leaders today, as they too often see every office and court as a political football and forget about the institutions themselves. Duty, honor, respect, courage, humility. Such were the virtues Dan M. Lee showed throughout his life. Yes, I've cried tonight. But even though now I'm sad and am glad his suffering is over, I know I was blessed for knowing him and became a better person for it. Somehow, I don't think I am the only one who can say that about Dan M. Lee. Farewell Judge Lee, you will be missed.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, he will be missed by many. I am proud to say that I knew, and thought well of Justice Lee for over 25 years. He was a man who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone with whom he came in contact. It is an honor to say thay I knew him both socially and professionally. I had the pleasure of being a law clerk at the Suprem Court when he was a justice there and he made it a point to look me up every so often just to say hello and exchange pleasantries throughout the ensuing years. Justice Lee lived life to the fullest and remained a true gentleman.

Anonymous said...

RE: Above; by the way Mr. Fish, I am sure that we could share some great "Dan Lee stories".

Anonymous said...

A fine tribute to an outstanding judge who was a legal scholar and not a political hack.

Jane said...

I, too, clerked at the MSCt when Dan Lee was a justice. He was known for actually reading the transcripts of appeals that were before him. He was a very kind man.

Anonymous said...

His funeral will be packed. Judge Lee never made an enemy in this world.

Anonymous said...

Justice Lee was certainly a class act. A thouroughly decent person. I am sad to read about his passing.

Jim Craig said...

I join the cloud of witnesses in praise of Dan Lee, a gentleman Chief Justice who never lost sight of the effect of "the Law" on everyday working Mississippians.

LCB said...

A great man and a credit to the bench and bar. He was a friend of my grandfathers as well.

Anonymous said...

GREAT defines Judge Dan Lee--

Anonymous said...

I did not have the privilege to know Justice Lee, but I have read some of his opinions and have heard many great things about him. May he rest in peace, a rest well deserved.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

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Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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