Being a “progressive person” sometimes comes into conflict with being a lawyer, said speaker and lawyer David Friedman.
On Monday, Friedman, the senior vice president and special counsel to the Boston Red Sox, gave Boston University Law students an insider’s look at both corporate and public law.
About 100 students filled Barrister’s Hall to hear the former First Assistant Attorney General of Mass. speak about his experiences working for the state as well as his tenure with the Red Sox.
Under Coakley, Friedman said he was able to make great connections while doing work that he felt had a positive impact.
“The attorney general’s office does an enormous amount of stuff and it’s a great place to be if you’re willing to work in public service,” Friedman said. “The attorney general has jurisdiction over almost everything.”
The broad jurisdiction of the attorney general allowed Friedman to work on a variety of topics, including gay marriage and the mortgage-lending crisis.
“After the state Supreme Court said that there’s a right for same sex couples to marry, [Coakley] and I had lots of discussions,” he said. “By the time the suit reached the district court I had moved on, but the district court ruled on the side of the state.”
Friedman encouraged the law students to get involved in public service and find mentors that they like and respect.
“Having an interest in the political process is extraordinarily valuable if you’re remotely interested in civil law,” he said. “At the end of the day, part of the reason to be engaged and interested in government is because it’ll make you a better lawyer.”
“Over my career I’ve had other situations where I have to wrestle with my conscience,” he said.
Friedman said that he believed the best way to reduce corruption in the state government is to increase diversity in the public sector.
“I have a great respect for most of the people in state government,” Friedman said. “I ran for public office a long time ago and when you run you realize how hard it is.”
Corruption stems from public officials’ lack of resources and political pressure, he said.
“I honestly believe the single best thing you can do to further improve state government is to have more Republicans. This is essentially a one party state . . . which contributes to a scenario where it’s more tempting for Democratic leaders to do things that are stupid, bad and illegal.”
Friedman says that part of his job requires making sure the Red Sox stay apolitical.
“To an extent we don’t want the Red Sox to be seen a political entity because we’re not, except that we’re against the Yankees,” he said.
Third-year BU Law student Alistair Reader , said the BU chapter of the American Constitution Society is glad to welcome Friedman, who he considers an advocate for the protection constitutional and progressive values.
BU Law first-year Tashena Nobrega said it was interesting to hear Friedman’s corporate perspective on civil issues.
“I didn’t expect his experience to touch so many different areas of law,” she said.
Another BU Law first-year Braden Miller said he enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the “inner workings” of the attorney general’s office and of the Red Sox.
“I liked that it had to do with both corporate law and government law,” he said.
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