An official speech by Israel’s Supreme Court president took an unexpected turn Tuesday evening when he quoted one of the best-known lines from the romantic comedy “Legally Blonde.”
Justice Yitzhak Amit delivered the remarks during the Israel Bar Association’s certification ceremony at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, hosted by journalist Attila Somfalvi.
During his address, Amit cited the Reese Witherspoon film, which follows a young woman who is admitted to Harvard Law School despite the stereotypes surrounding her and ultimately becomes a successful lawyer.
“These days, we are marking 25 years since the release of a film dealing with the study of law and its importance in life,” Amit said. “I am referring, of course, to the well-known film ‘Legally Blonde.’” The reference drew applause from the audience.
“If you remember, at the end of the film, the heroine, Elle Woods, gives a speech to her classmates at their graduation ceremony,” Amit continued.
“She begins with a quotation attributed to Aristotle, who said that ‘the law is reason free from passion.’ The film’s star responds that, with all due respect to Aristotle, passion is a key ingredient in the study and practice of law, just as it is in life itself.”
From 'Legally Blonde'
(Photo: Courtesy of yes)
Amit then recalled the three lessons Woods offers her classmates as they begin their careers. “She calls on her friends to remember three lessons for the road ahead,” he said. “First impressions are not always correct, you must always have faith in people and, most importantly, you must always have faith in yourselves.”