Michael Ratner (1943–2016) 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 Bar is an indispensable manual for the
next generation of activists and their lawyers.