The story is derived from Loren Eiseley’ “The Star Thrower”
The starfish became the symbol of my practice because it reflects the way I have approached law for my entire career, and I have often used this in my class to inspire students to help those in need:
An old man was taking an early morning walk on the beach the morning after a storm, and the beach was blanketed by starfish. He saw a little girl reaching down to the sand, picking up starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.
“Young lady,” he asked, “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
The girl replied with quiet certainty, “The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in, they will die.”
“But young lady, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference.”
The young woman listened politely, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying: “It made a difference for that one.” *
This story emphasizes the power of individual action, compassion, and responsibility even when the problem is larger than any one person can solve. That idea aligns closely with my mission. Disability rights law often deals with large, entrenched systems and systemic barriers in housing, healthcare, education, employment, public access, and government services. There are millions of Americans who constantly face these barriers.
But the law still matters because it changes the life of one person. It matters to the Deaf patient who needs effective communication in a hospital. It matters to the child who should not be forced into a nursing facility. It matters to the tenant seeking an accommodation, the student seeking equal access, and the family trying to secure support without losing dignity or autonomy.
The starfish also reflects the values I want this practice to represent: careful attention, practical help, compassion, and the belief that every person and their needs matter.