Peacock Tales

Volume 19, Number 4 · October 2009

Reaching Out . . . across the Atlantic

Commitment for civic service extends thousands of miles

Lawyering is a profession. That means that we help people solve problems, usually, but not always, with a legal twist. Service is our business.

When a client comes in to meet with an attorney here at Peacock Keller, our dedication to providing quality legal services, our empathy, and our compassion for the needs of our clients are always seen. Most clients probably understand that our commitment to service extends beyond the walls of our law offices, with nearly every attorney in the firm being involved in one or more civic organizations. Recently, Charles C. Keller, one of the founding members of the firm and Past President of Rotary International, had reason for his commitment for civic service to extend thousands of miles across the Atlantic ocean. During World War II, Mr. Keller was a pilot in the Army Air Corps, and flew

many missions over Europe. In June of this year, after an understandably deeply moving visit to the beaches and cemeteries of Normandy, Mr. Keller then experienced the distinct honor of traveling to Birmingham, England, to attend the annual Rotary Convention, where he moderated a Peace Symposium. The keynote speaker was Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. In addition, Mr. Keller had the chance to listen to and speak with many other world leaders who are searching for peace and conflict resolution, including Professor Paul Rodgers of Bradford University in England, Donald Smith, who is the Secretary General of the International Alert, and Jan Egeland, who is Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Also in attendance were Ban Kimoon, Secretary General of the United Nations, Jane Goodall, known for her commitment to animal protection, and Mia Farrow, who is not only a famous actress but is currently the UNICEF ambassador leading efforts for world action in relief of Darfur in Sudan.

Yes, service is our business, whether working in our offices on client problems, in our communities on local needs and issues, or on the world stage in search of world peace and conflict resolution.