TFP BLOG: August 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

Death of billables?

We have discussed the death of billables on this blog in the past, but in the last six months or so the topic hasn't received much press. At least until this morning... here is an interesting analysis from the WSJ blog on why the idea isn't taking off as fast as was predicted a few months ago.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/08/30/is-the-billable-hour-going-away-not-according-to-the-supreme-court/?blog_id=14&post_id=33088

Sunday, August 22, 2010

A committee that blogs together ...

All of the respondents in our last survey wished their committees had blogs of their own. It is a great communication tool that the Task Force on Professionalism is lucky to have, but what makes it most interesting is involvement from our readers so before you leave, make sure to cast your votes on the survey to the left, then I will know I am not alone.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

We will soon have some welcome additions to the blog, specifically a new blogger-collaborator Pascal. Keep checking in with us for more info on Pascal and his first post.

NYCLA DRAFT DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONALISM

By professionalism we mean a group pursuing a learned art as a higher calling in a spirit that it is performing a public service, a service that is indispensible in a democratic nation founded on the rule of law. This calling is no less a public service because it may also be a means of livelihood. Pursuit of a learned art in the spirit of a public service is the essence of being a lawyer. It implies obligations of dignity, integrity, self-respect and respect for others.

The essence of professionalism is a commitment to develop one's skills to the fullest and to apply them responsibly and with the utmost diligence to the problem at hand. Professionalism requires adherence to the highest standards of integrity and a willingness to subordinate narrow self-interest in pursuit of the more fundamental goal of client service. Because of the tremendous power they wield in our system, lawyers must never forget that their duty to serve their clients fairly and skillfully takes priority over the personal accumulation of wealth. Lawyers must be willing and prepared to undertake zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients while retaining enough perspective to provide those clients with considered, well-informed and objective advice.

Although duties to their clients in particular matters are paramount, lawyers must throughout their careers remain conscious of and committed to the goal of improving the profession and the system of justice. This commitment includes taking personal and professional measures to increase the availability of legal services and abet even-handed and efficient application and administration of the legal system for all segments of society.