In a moment that transcended partisan divisions, President Joe Biden provided a profound reminder of the core values that underpin any healthy legal system: respect for the process and acceptance of outcomes, regardless of personal feelings or political allegiances.
Speaking from the White House, Biden declared;
“We respect the decision made by the country. I’ve often said, you can’t love your country only when you win.”
These words offer a powerful lesson not only for the citizens of America but also for lawyers, litigants, and anyone who has ever participated in the legal process.
In the world of law, a central principle is the notion that justice is a process, not merely an outcome. A fair legal system requires that all parties, regardless of their position or the result of the case, respect the outcome of the proceedings.
Biden’s message resonates deeply with this principle. His admission, acknowledging that defeat is part of the democratic and legal process, is a statement that every lawyer and litigant should take to heart.
Whether in civil, criminal, or administrative cases, the process is designed to ensure that all sides are heard, that all facts are presented, and that all legal standards are applied fairly. And while parties may not always be satisfied with the judgment, it is the unwavering acceptance of that judgment that sustains the rule of law. To contest the validity of the legal process itself, or to refuse to abide by a legal outcome simply because it does not favour one’s personal interests, is to undermine the very foundation of justice.
By pledging to ensure a peaceful transition of power to the Trump administration, President Biden exemplified a broader and often difficult truth about legal and political life: the need to respect the outcome, even when it contradicts one’s own desires. For litigants, this can be seen as an analogy to accepting a ruling that might not favour them. Just as President Biden recognized the legal and moral obligation to abide by the election’s outcome, so to must litigants respect the judgment rendered by a court, even when the outcome is less than ideal.
The legal system, by design, cannot function if individuals or parties choose to disregard rulings simply because they are not satisfied with the result. The peaceful transition Biden promised is not only a political act; it is a vital demonstration of his commitment to upholding democratic values and the rule of law. This is a lesson that extends beyond the political realm and applies to all who engage in legal disputes. In law, the result is not always what one hopes for, but respect for the process and the final decision is what sustains the integrity of the system.
Every lawyer knows that part of the profession involves dealing with the reality of unfavourable rulings. But as Biden’s statement suggests, it is precisely in these moments that one’s respect for the legal process is tested. The legal system is not about personal victory or defeat; it is about fairness, impartiality, and the long-term stability that comes from upholding the law.
Lawyers, who represent clients through the tumult of legal battles, must help their clients understand that the system operates on principles far greater than individual outcomes. As much as the pursuit of justice may seem to be about winning, it is just as much about accepting that justice—sometimes—means a loss. And that loss, while difficult, must be respected. This is true for clients as much as it is for lawyers.
President Joe Biden’s statement was a moment of profound legal and moral clarity. His acceptance of the election result and his commitment to a peaceful transition were not just political gestures; they were, at their heart, a reaffirmation of the highest values of the legal system—respect for the process, regardless of personal feelings, and a recognition that justice is not merely about winning, but about abiding by the outcome. This message is one that resonates deeply within the legal profession, where lawyers and litigants alike must accept that the law is an impartial arbiter, and the only way to uphold its integrity is by accepting its decisions, even when they are not the ones we hoped for.
Biden’s words, “you can’t love your country only when you win,” reflect the essential truth that every lawyer must impart to their clients: you cannot only respect the law when the outcome is favourable. A commitment to the law means embracing it fully, even when it delivers a result that is difficult to accept.
Steve Benmor, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M. is the founder and principal lawyer of Benmor Family Law Group, a boutique matrimonial law firm in downtown Toronto. He is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and was admitted as a Fellow to the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. Steve is regularly retained as a Divorce Mediator, Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator. As a Divorce Mediator, Steve uses his 30 years of in-depth knowledge of family law, court-room experience and expert problem-solving skills in Divorce Mediation to help spouses reach fair, fast and cooperative divorce settlements without the financial losses, emotional costs and lengthy delays from divorce court.
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