Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important opportunity for our country to reflect on the life and legacy of an American hero. Dr. King maintained an unwavering faith in the promise of America and committed his life to advocating for equity and justice. His life and achievements through the Civil Rights Movement have transformed our country and left an indelible mark on the legal field. Though not a lawyer himself, there are important lessons from the life and legacy of Dr. King that are translatable to those of us just beginning our legal careers. Below are a few:

Be Present, Be Available: Dr. King and Coretta Scott King moved to Montgomery, Alabama as plans were beginning for the bus boycott that would thrust Montgomery—and Dr. King—into the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King had recently completed his doctorate at Boston University and had never led a church, let alone a civil rights movement. Nevertheless, as plans for the bus boycott began, organizers recognized the need to elevate a leader who could encourage the boycotters and negotiate with local officials. Though there were more experienced local leaders with deeper roots in Montgomery, organizers asked Dr. King to be the face of the movement. He accepted. Dr. King had no idea that leading a local boycott to desegregate public transportation would thrust him onto the international stage and serve as the catalyst for a movement that would transform America.