Last week, Transylvania University had the privilege of hosting William Bay, the president of the American Bar Association, for the third annual Pre-Law Society Distinguished Lecture. Mr. Bay, who prefers to go by Bill, shared his perspectives on the legal profession and the qualities that define a successful lawyer.
Before our interview, Bill enjoyed his favorite dessert from our campus cafeteria: ice cream. If only we had dark and white chocolate chips as topping options, we would have earned “number one university in the country” according to Bill. Unfortunately, we’ll have to work on that next time.
During our conversation, Bill emphasized that the path to leadership positions is rarely a straight line. “Sometimes in life, you’re kind of just in the right place at the right time,” he explained. “I never aspired to become ABA president. I think people sometimes dream too much about the great things they want to do when they have to be faithful to whatever is in front of them.”
“We make justice real. That’s what lawyers do,” Bill said with conviction. Bill, who works in business litigation as a partner at the Thompson Coburn law firm in St. Louis, pointed out that one of the biggest challenges facing lawyers today is the need to adapt to constant change. “You have to stay on your toes,” he said. Beyond this, Bill believes the best lawyers possess a genuine curiosity, diligent preparation skills, and an understanding that “the law is a relationship business.”
“You have to care about people,” Bill stressed. “It’s about being social— understanding people’s stories and listening to their issues. You have to treat people fairly and extend grace to others.”
When I asked Bill about the social demands of his profession, he acknowledged that maintaining wellness is a constant battle. “Wellness is the big thing. It’s the number one thing that the ABA gets responses on in social media. Part of that is about grace—showing it to others and giving yourself grace. It’s not easy being a lawyer.”
Bill’s diverse musical tastes, which range from top 40 hits to Broadway tunes, reflect his well-rounded approach to life. In an article published in 2002, Bill discussed how certain songs had a profound influence on his journey to becoming a lawyer.
Finally, when I asked Bill who he would want to be stuck in an elevator with, his answer spoke volumes about his values. “Bryan Stevenson,” he replied without hesitation. Stevenson’s work has been significant in confronting the legacy of lynching in the American South, as well as advocating for reform of harsh sentencing laws and the abolition of the death penalty. Bill wouldn’t want to be stuck in an elevator at all but was confident time would go by quickly with Stevenson.
Through his diverse interests, commitment to wellness, and passion for social justice, Bill Bay has demonstrated that lawyers can be so much more than just legal experts. His visit to our campus provided a refreshing reminder of the versatile nature of the legal profession.
