Obed Law and "APETH"

 

Obed Law was founded on the Ancient Greek principle of "αρετη" (pronounced "arete" ("APETH"/"αρετη"). Arete figured prominently in Aristotle's teachings and encompassed the functional excellence of a position, role, or task. To Obed Law, arete is the fulfillment of the attorney's role to the client as Advocate and Counselor, the dual function of zealously pursuing the client's objectives in his or her own shoes while at the same time directing and taking charge of legal strategy and actions.

 

Arete's primary place in Aristotle's teachings was taken to heart by his most famous student, Alexander the Great, who founded the ancient city of Alexandria to espouse the classically Greek ideals of arts, humanities, and civilization, ideals which are celebrated in the Alexandria of today, a city whose classical roots remain present.

 

From Lexington to Alexandria

 

Alexandria hosts a bustling legal community with numerous courts governing Virginia and federal law, making it a perfect location for a successful law practice. Having attended law school in Lexington, VA (Washington and Lee), Obed Law's founder appreciated his law alma mater's ties to George Washington, whose granting of stock to the school enabled it to grow as "Washington College", and to Robert E. Lee, who oversaw the founding of the Law School during his tenure as President, a position he accepted because he felt it "the duty of every citizen in the present condition of the Country, to do all in his power to aid in the restoration of peace and harmony".

 

Both figures called the once bustling seaport and tobacco trading town of Alexandria home. Washington regularly worshipped at Christ Church and frequented Gadsby's Tavern, just a few blocks from 111 Oronoco. And Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and the Lee family, which included his son Robert E. Lee, lived on the corner of Washington and Oronoco, later to be known as "Lee Corner". Washington was a guest of the elder Lee on numerous occasions, and Robert E. Lee grew up to marry Mary Anna Custis Washington, the great-granddaughter of Washington.