Yesterday was the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. For observant Jews, it is a very solemn day - one dedicated to repentance and atonement. During Yom Kippur, tradition holds that Jews amend their behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against fellow man and the Creator, providing an opportunity to step back and look beyond the myopic "all-about-me" view.

In the bright light of this new day, though, concerns turn from moral redemption to the hardscrabble reality of an economy in freefall.

Today, working Americans are looking at the smoldering embers of their retirement funds and 401(k)s wondering if -- even after years of planning and saving -- they will be able to afford college for their children. Even worse, retirees are watching the value of their life-savings wither, making them wonder if they will have enough money to last them through the end.

For example, I think Angelo Mozilo, CEO of Countrywide, should take some time to reflect on his role in this situation. We represent a group of consumers who say that Mozilo and his organization intentionally tricked home purchasers into buying mortgages the company knew were ill-fitting. We contend that they lied to consumers about the true costs of the loans, and the volatility of the loans' interest rates. It is our belief that Mozilo's organization put these consumers - and the economy - at risk in exchange for a quick ill-gotten profit.

I think there is some room for atonement there.

And what about Seattle's own Kerry Killinger, former CEO of Washington Mutual. I can look out my window, and see the brand-spanking-new headquarters of WaMu, a building that until recently was the workplace of thousands of our friends, neighbors and colleagues. Earlier this year, the Thrift failed and all those jobs are now in question. We are representing shareholders in WaMu who contend that Killinger's organization intentionally inflated housing appraisals so the bank could make higher loans to consumers, knowing full well the underlying collateral did not exist. Of course, this house of cards came tumbling down, as did the company's stock price.

I think Mr. Killinger might find some solace in atonement.

Where will this all end? I don't know, but I hope Wall Street recognizes that inherent in atonement is a commitment to mend one's ways. We can all say "amen" to that.