1L Fellowship Talk – By Muhammad U. Faridi, President

It is such a pleasure to be here with you tonight, and to see so many bright, determined, and inspiring future lawyers gathered in one place.  On behalf of the New York City Bar Association, let me start with the most important words I can say tonight: congratulations.

You have earned this honor.  And we know that it’s not easy to get here.  You’ve worked hard, you’ve competed, you’ve sacrificed.  And you’ve done it while carrying the hopes not only of yourselves, but of your families and communities.

I know your families must be incredibly proud of you.  I want to acknowledge them—the parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, mentors—who supported you, encouraged you, maybe pushed you a little when you needed it.  Please, take a moment to give them your thanks, because none of us makes it here alone.

I stand before you tonight with a special kind of pride—because about twenty years ago, I was in your shoes.  I was a recipient of this very same fellowship.  I know what it feels like to sit where you are right now, full of excitement, ambition, and maybe a little uncertainty about what lies ahead.  And I know how much it means to be recognized—not just for your talent, but for what you bring to the profession: your perspective, your lived experience, your voice.

The City Bar has run this fellowship for decades because we believe deeply in what it represents.  And tonight, I want to share three lessons—learned from my own journey, and from the changing world you’re about to enter.

Lesson One: Don’t Let Elitism Define You

Many of you go to schools that aren’t ranked at the very top of the so-called “lists.” I know the feeling.  I went to CUNY Law School.  When I graduated, I didn’t have a stack of interviews at the biggest firms.  I didn’t have professors calling in favors at Wall Street law offices.

And yes—there are people in this profession who are elitist.  People who think your worth as a lawyer is measured by the name on your diploma or the ranking on some magazine list.

Here’s the truth: they’re wrong.  Your success will be measured by one thing—whether you are a good lawyer.  That means being prepared, being thoughtful, being relentless for your clients.  It means working harder than the next person and never cutting corners.

I stand before you now as a partner at a major international law firm, and as president of the New York City Bar Association.  And I got here from CUNY Law.  Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have a shot because of where you started.  Where you finish will depend on your skill, your discipline, and your integrity.

Lesson Two: Lose the Entitlement—Embrace the Work

Now, this one might sting a little—but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t say it.

In my two decades in this profession, I’ve noticed a change in how many young lawyers approach their careers.  There’s a growing sense of entitlement.  A belief that work should fit neatly around your personal life, that you can have the rewards of the profession without the grind.

Let me tell you something: big law is not for everyone.  If you’re in big law—and frankly, in any competitive area of this profession—there is no such thing as “work-life balance.” There are priorities.  And yes—you should prioritize your health and your family.  Those things matter more than anything else.  But you also have to be prepared to work.  Really work.  If that’s not what you want, that’s fine.  There’s no shame in that.

But if that is what you want, that means late nights.  It means weekends.  It means doing things that are hard, inconvenient, and sometimes thankless.  If you want to succeed, you can’t spend your energy whining or complaining about the demands.  You have to channel it into doing the job—and doing it well.

You’re not entitled to success.  You have to earn it, case by case, client by client, year after year.

Lesson Three: The Rule of Law is Under Attack—and You Must Stand Up for It

We can’t sugarcoat this.  Across the country, there are attacks on the independence of the profession and the judiciary.  And there is a growing movement to roll back the advances in ensuring that the profession was more reflective of the marginalized people in our society.  There are lawsuits, political campaigns, and government actions aimed at dismantling programs like the one that brought you here tonight.

We see many organizations quietly stepping away from commitments they made not long ago.  Some are doing it out of fear.  Others out of calculation.

Let me be clear: at the New York City Bar Association, we are not retreating.  We are standing firm.  Last I checked, Brown v.  Board of Education was still good law.

You have benefited from this fellowship.  That means that when you enter the profession, you have a responsibility to protect the opportunities it gave you.  You can’t be a silent beneficiary.  You need to be an active defender.  Join the fight—in your firms, in your bar associations, in your communities.

I know this all sounds like a lot—and it is.  But here’s the good news: you’ve already proven you can do it.  You wouldn’t be here tonight if you didn’t have the discipline, the talent, and the resilience it takes.

You have a fellowship that opens doors.  You have a community that wants to see you thrive.  And you have the chance—right now—to commit yourself to becoming not just a successful lawyer, but a lawyer who uses their success to make the profession, and the world, better.

Twenty years ago, this fellowship helped me start that journey.  Tonight, it’s your turn.  And I cannot wait to see where you go.

Congratulations again—to you, and to everyone who helped you get here.  We are proud of you.  Now go make us even prouder.

Thank you.