Moving the Bar

My Life as a Radical Lawyer

Michael Ratner, Michael Smith

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English

OR Books
09 July 2021

Autobiography: historical, political & military; Political activism; Legal profession: general

Michael Ratner (19432016) was one of America's leading human rights lawyers. He worked for more than four decades at the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) becoming first the Director of Litigation and then the President of what Alexander Cockburn called ""a small band of tigerish people."" He was also the President of the National Lawyers Guild.

Ratner handled some of the most significant cases In American history. This book tells why and how he did it.

His last case, which he worked on until he died, was representing truth-telling whistleblower and now political prisoner Julian Assange, the editor of WikiLeaks.

Ratner ""moved the bar"" by organizing some 600 lawyers to successfully defend habeas corpus, that is, the ancient right of someone accused of a crime to have a lawyer and to be brought before a judge.

Michael had a piece of paper taped on the wall next to his desk at the CCR. It read:

4 key principles of being a radical lawyer:

1. Do not refuse to take a case just because it is long odds of winning in court. 2. Use cases to publicize a radical critique of US policy and to promote revolutionary transformation. 3. Combine legal work with political advocacy. 4. Love people.

Compelling and instructive,Moving the Baris an indispensable manual for the next generation of activists and their lawyers.

By: Michael Ratner
Introduction by: Michael Smith
Imprint: OR Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 203mm, Width: 139mm,
ISBN: 9781682193099
ISBN 10: 1682193098
Pages: 366
Publication Date: 09 July 2021
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Michael Ratner (1943-2016)was a New York-based civil rights attorney and a lifelong socialist. He was president of the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for Constitutional Rights and the author of several books includingThe Trial of Donald Rumsfeld: A Prosecution by Book,Against War with Iraq,Guantanamo: What the World Should Know, and (with Michael Smith)Who Killed Che?: How the CIA Got Away With Murder.

Reviews for Moving the Bar: My Life as a Radical Lawyer

If you care as deeply and passionately as Michael Ratner, the suffering of the oppressed forces you to become a radical. - Chris Hedges He was fearless. He was outraged by outrageous things. He was inventive when the law stopped short of providing justice. And working with Michael let you experience the exhilaration of taking the law to places where it had never been. - Peter Weiss, former vice-president of the Center for Constitutional Rights Driven by love and compassion, Michael Ratner was the most tenacious and brilliant of lawyers - Amy Goodman A fascinating read that covers much radical U.S. history. -Ajamu Baraka Reading Michael Ratner's Moving the Bar shows just how unusual he was in the crowded room of radical lawyers... especially when other radical lawyers fell by the wayside, and opted for money, fame and notoriety. - CounterPunch An honest, poignant, sprawling, remarkable, and inspiring account - LA Progressive One of America's foremost human rights lawyers - The Guardian [A] lively, thoughtful and remarkable memoir - Morning Star Inspiring - Mondoweiss Concise and easy to read for all who care about justice... Candidly offers a glimpse of the thoughtful soul behind the legal legend. - The Indypendent A beautiful and compelling account from one of the leaders of the legal left - David Cole, The Nation A vivid memoir of a storied attorney - The Progressive The memoir of a great constitutional lawyer - Radio Woodstock A valuable guide for activists and attorneys looking to use the law as part of larger movements for justice - Against the Current