Donna Cornelius, Over The Mountain Journal (Birmingham, AL)

March 4, 2014

Those who have only a nodding acquaintance with Shakespeare might think history’s most well-known playwright had scant respect for lawyers.

And it’s all because of a line that’s often misinterpreted: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers,” from Henry VI, Part 2.

Birmingham attorney Kim West is happy to set the record straight.

When Dick the Butcher says the line to Jack Cade, West said, “It would usually draw a laugh if it’s taken out of context. But what it means is, if you want to take a society down, you start by getting rid of the people who stand for law and order.” […continued]

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