Obergefell and Why We Shouldn’t Kill All
Court decisions can sometimes feel distant or abstract, discussed more in legal journals than around the dinner table. But for millions of Americans, the Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was deeply personal. It affirmed that same-sex couples have the fundamental right to marry, providing legal recognition and protections that affect everything from healthcare decisions to inheritance, parental rights, and family stability, and marriage equality.
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with the outcome, Obergefell serves as a reminder that the law is not merely a collection of statutes and court opinions. It is so much more than that. It shapes the daily lives of real people. Judicial decisions can determine whether families receive equal treatment, whether individuals have access to important legal protections, and whether people can fully participate in society under the same rules as their neighbors. For those whose rights depend on these decisions, the law is not theoretical. It is so much more.
The legal profession carries a unique responsibility in this process. Lawyers, judges, and legal professionals throughout the system help ensure that our legal system remains one where disputes are resolved through reasoned analysis, constitutional principles, and respect for the rule of law. Regardless of political views, preserving confidence in the legal system is essential because every person, at some point, may depend on the courts to protect their rights or fairly resolve a conflict.
Obergefell is ultimately a reminder that behind every case citation is a human story. And behind those cases are lawyers, who themselves are real humans with their own story. The law matters because people matter. Including lawyers. Shakespeare was wrong to say lets kill all the lawyers. A healthy legal system is one that recognizes the profound impact its decisions have on individuals, families, and communities, reinforcing the importance of equal access to justice and the enduring promise that the law exists to serve us all. Lawyers make that possible. We may not have been involved with such monumental decisions as Obgerfell, but we are proud to do our part to support the legal profession and the invaluable role those legal professionals play.